Lanvin announces new artistic director

Amid continuing financial struggles, Lanvin names Olivier Lapidus as new artistic director

New Lanvin artistic director Olivier Lapidus. Photo by Christophe Archambault / AFP
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It's all change at Lanvin once again, as the fashion house names yet another new artistic director for womenswear, Olivier Lapidus.

The announcement comes following Bouchra Jarrar's shocking departure on July 6, after just 16 months at the helm. A respected couturier, Jarrar had closed her own label to join Lanvin, and her next move remains unclear.

After a difficult 2016 that saw Lanvin suffer a reported 23 per cent drop in revenues, Jarrar quit the role claiming that she was unable to turn the company's fortunes around single-handedly. In March, she told the South China Morning Post: "I need the whole house's support; alone it's impossible."

Olivier Lapidus has been selected to take over at the storied French label. Jarrar's successor has a distinguished fashion pedigree. He's the son of Ted Lapidus, the man who dressed The Beatles, and he headed up Balmain Homme in the mid-1980s before joining his father's company.

It is rumoured that Lanvin wants to rebrand itself as a French Michael Kors, with a wider customer base. To this end, Lapidus may be a wise choice. His first womenswear collection for the label will be unveiled in September.