Lacroix designs Air France uniform, news

Lacroix launches two scents

As if it wasn't hard enough to choose a signature scent, couturier Christian Lacroix is adding two new fragrances to the roster. In collaboration with beauty conglomerate Avon, the designer will launch Christian Lacroix Rouge for women and Christian Lacroix Noir for men. The fragrances will debut at the end of September.

“I believe fragrance reveals a woman's character even more than fashion,” the designer said. “I was inspired by my love of red to create a powerful and fiery fragrance, the ultimate accessory embodying the energy of life, sensuality and passion.” Rouge features florals, woods and musks, while Noir includes ginger, cardamom and saffron. On the collaboration with Avon, the designer said: “By partnering with Avon, the company whose heritage is a virtual celebration of women, I can connect with women everywhere.”

www.christianlacroix.fr
1 May 2007

Christian Lacrois up in the air

Air France has teamed up with Christian Lacroix to design its new uniforms for its employees. The airline, which has a history of couture with Dior and Balenciaga, is keeping its tradition of working with famous French fashion houses.

Lacroix, how is now the head of Pucci, once famously put signature prints and bubble helmets on Braniff Airlines attendants back in th swinging 60s. Lacroix's own designs, which were introduced in April, have eschewed wild colours in favour of subtly chic riffs on navy. He's created 100 items and accessories for the airline's staff, ranging from 100 per cent wool jackets to calfskin shoes.

When it came time for fittings, Air France dispatched a team of 60 tailors to collect the personal measurement of 31,000 employees. And to help them put it all together, uber-stylist Federic Fekkai was called in to offer hair and makeup tips.

Julian Macdonald, who designed the uniforms for British airways, famously said: I wanted to create a uniform that puts the glamour back in flying.” The new BA uniforms are cut close to the body, and include flourishes like BA-branded cufflinks, and unlike Macdonald's non-corporate creations, do not reveal acres of skin. Too bad…

26 October 2005

Lacroix quits Pucci

French couturier Christian Lacroix is leaving Emilio Pucci after three years as its creative director. He admitted to his departure backstage after the showing of Pucci's summer 2006 collection in Milan earlier this week.

“I've known for a long time, but I have only really taken it in this morning – and I think I will be shedding a tear by tonight,” he told IHT's Suzy Menkes. Laudomia Pucci, Emilio's daughter, confirmed his departure, but said: “Pucci is a continuing story. We knew Christian before and we will still see him now. It is not goodbye but arrivederci.”

Meanwhile, Lacroix has left LVMH and he said that it would be “unfair” to his new owners, the Falic brothers, to remain at Pucci. British favourite Matthew Williamson is expected to replace him. Even though Pucci CEO Catherine Vautrin said that the final decision has not yet been made, sources in both London and Paris say that Williamson should be signing the deal with Pucci parent company LVMH this week. Another source told Menkes that Williamson is the personal choice of Bernard Arnault, and what he wants, goes.

www.lvmh.com
28 September 2005

Christina Aquilera to get wed in Lacroix

Who better to design your wedding dress than Christian Lacroix? So thinks Christina Aguilera, who chose the popular French designer to design her dress for her upcoming marriage to music executive Jordan Bratman.

Aquilera visited the Lacroix's Show in Paris last week during the couture presentations. "He aces in wedding gowns, so I 'm looking forward to seeing what he has in store. It's just a fun trip to see what is out there for the upcoming wedding," the singer told the Mirror.

The 24-year-old Aguilera is said to be marrying her fiancée in December this year. The two have been dating for two years and got engaged in February. She said:" Jordan's the one guy I can credit for making me think about marriage in a whole new light."

19 July 2005

Lacroix and Givenchy show beautiful Haute Couture

Riccardo Tisci, the new artistic director of French Fashion Houses Christian Lacroix and Givenchy delighted the international press with powerful, dramatic collections for autumn-winter 2005-06. The carefree atmosphere that dominated the first day of couture shows in the French capital on Wednesday changed dramatically Thursday after the deadly bomb attacks in London, with stepped-up security and bag searches at show venues.

Despite the news of tragedy from across the Channel, Lacroix managed to inject a bit of joyous energy into the day. For the French designer, even basic black is a party colour, as he unveiled suits with long, flowing gaucho pants studded with beads and rhinestones.

He effortlessly combined references to different eras and places, recalling the 18th century with a beige silk damask floral print jacket or remembering travels to the Orient via ornate gold arabesque embroidery on velvet coats. Lacroix`s white fur cape - a la Cruella de Vil - showed a bit of wit, while a long gray chiffon dress displayed his ability to create utterly simple yet stunning clothes. End result? Rounds and rounds of enthusiastic applause.

The French designer`s good mood was also evident in his warm handshake at show`s end with the Falic brothers, the new owners of his label -- a gesture never seen in the more than 17 years he spent with luxury goods group LVMH.

So what does Tisci have to offer? Simply spectacular technique in the construction of a dress. He explored the concept of volume, with tight-fitting black mohair dresses or a frothy bustier gown with layers of pleated tulle and silk crepe embroidered with sequins and crystals. Asked if he was feeling the pressure in his new post, the Italian designer replied: "A challenge like this could not be turned down."

www.christian-lacroix.fr
10 July 2005

Christian Lacroix sold

French luxury group LVMH has sold the loss-making Christian Lacroix fashion house to the Falic Group, the second-largest US duty-free retailer, company officials announced. A representative for the Falic brothers, Nicolas Topiol, said the group hoped that Lacroix would stay on at the company that bears his name, telling AFP: "We're not in a rush. He needs some time to get to know us."

The sale of the label was finalized on Monday, officials from both sides said. The amount of the transaction was not revealed. Lacroix told reporters after the presentation of his spring-summer 2005 haute couture collection, where the sale was made public, that his role within the house would not change.

www.christian-lacroix.fr
26 January 2005

Lacroix for sale

The luxury goods giant LVMH is to sell floundering fashion house Christian Lacroix. The chairman of LVMH, Bernard Arnault, is currently in talks with Florida-based travel retail company Falic Group. Although the group refrained from commenting, Falic's chairman, Simon Falic, spoke to Women's Wear Daily about the deal: "We are in final negotiations to acquire the entire brand," he revealed. This entails the purchase not only of Lacroix's money-guzzling couture business, but also his design services.

The Falic Group, known for its Duty Free Americas chain, has interests in fashion and cosmetics. It previously acquired cosmetics brands Hard Candy and Urban Decay from LVMH in December 2003. Representatives of the Falic Group reputedly met with the workers' association at Lacroix last week to discuss the deal.

Despite the sale Lacroix himself is unperturbed and positive about the future of the brand. When questioned about the developments he responded: "I'm still very confident in the future, with these people or whoever else. Before that I want to finish my couture collection (which will be shown on 25 January) because it's my best answer. I am very confident, very serene. I am open-minded, and why not (sell Lacroix) if they don't know how to manage the future of the house." Meanwhile, LVMH has revealed a new Lacroix swimwear line.

Christian Lacroix founded his house in 1987 and was financed by LVMH. His colourful and extravagant designs captured the imagination of the haute couture set and he established a loyal client base. The label's popularity could not, however, make up for the fact that haute couture is a financial burden to most companies.

It is believed that Lacroix will be retained by LVMH as designer for the ready-to-wear Emilio Pucci brand, which he joined in 2002. Analysts have estimated the sale at between $40.5 million (GBP 22.6 million) and $81 million.

www.christian-lacroix.fr
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10 January 2005

Johnnie Walker vs Christian Lacroix

He is known internationally as the dashing young man in top hat and red tails associated with the world's most popular whisky. But even icons can change, as demonstrated here after Johnnie Walker, the 19th-century dandy displayed on Red Label whisky, was made over by Christian Lacroix, the haute couture designer.

The result of the restyle is a 20-inch tall statue of Walker that will be auctioned on the eBay website in December. The distiller teamed up with the French fashion designer to support Sidaction, a Paris-based charity that champions research on Aids. The latest marriage of Scottish tradition and French style comes only days after LVMH, the Paris-based luxury goods company, bought Glenmorangie, Scotland's last independent distiller, for £300m.

The modernised Johnnie wears carefully studied messy hair, a hooded black sweatshirt, a large tie dangling on an open shirt, and a small, tightly knotted scarf. Though he still has the same energetic stride, the modern JW has disposed of his riding boots, whip, and tailcoat, and sports a tight red frock coat on a pair of sleek white jeans.

Lacroix said he strongly identified with the dandy walker. "He's a code transgressor. Our ideals had to meet somewhere in between London and Paris," he said. Created by Tom Browne, the British cartoonist, in 1908, the original portrait depicts John Walker, the man who had the idea to blend whiskies together in the early 1820s in Scotland.

www.ChristianLacroix.com
26 October 2004

Lacroix designs Air France uniform

Designer Christian Lacroix has been selected to create Air Frances new uniform. The airline stated that the uniform will be both "representative of French elegance and a desire to embrace other cultures".
Lacroix follows in the footsteps of Christian Dior and Nina Ricci, who are among the top designers to have created past Air France uniforms, a spokeswoman for the airline said.

The new uniform will be navy blue -- as Air France uniforms have been for the past 70 years -- and will be worn by all Air France staff who have direct dealings with customers, roughly 35,000 employees. Lacroix's collection, which makes its debut in Spring 2005, will include a variety of interchangeable garments for male and female staff.