“Pre-Collection is about reflection, a reflection on now,” said Alber Elbaz in his collection notes for Lanvin. “We are no longer listening, we are taping. We’re not talking, we are posting. And we are not looking, just filming.” On that note, Elbaz constructed a series of sitcom-style sets with the help of French artist Cyril Hatt. The sets were meant to encourage the viewers to really look at what was in front of them, as certain scenes had a trompe l’oeil effect. All of this was set to the sound of a laugh track. But naturally, none of this prevented editors from snapping and posting.
As for the clothes? They were loud and bold. There included pieces like a cherry red leather fringe jacket and matching skirt thrown together with a lime green blouse, or a bubblegum pink ’80s party dress with bows askew. There were wild prints, including copper lame trousers in a leopard print and floor-length sequined gowns. And of course, there was the big jewelry for which the house has become known. This time around, big tassel earrings, belts, and necklaces stood out. Needless to say, part of Elbaz’s “reflection on now” is that women need to stand out in life and on social media, and these clothes will do just that.
