More News For The Struggling House: Lucas Ossendrijver Exits Lanvin

FRANCE — Breaking news out of Paris! Lucas Ossendrijver has exited French house Lanvin.

Last October 2018, DM Fashion Book reported that Lanvin was in talks with Bruno Sialelli, who recently exited Loewe, where he was head of men’s wear. It’s rumored that he was been chosen as the house’s new creative director (see it here).

The news confirms a report by DM Fashion Book that the designer was parting ways with the brand in the wake of sweeping changes at the historic French house under its new owner Fosun International. The Chinese conglomerate acquired a majority stake in fashion house last February (see it here).

It is also being reported that Elie Top, the house’s longtime jewelry designer, is also rumored to be exiting, marking the true end of an era, as one of the last creative links to Alber Elbaz. Lanvin suffered a sales slump ever since Elbaz was shockingly fired in 2015, after 14 years at the house (see it here). His successor was Bouchra Jarrar (see it here). After 15 months and two collections, Jarrar left the troubled house (see it here). Last July 2017, it was announced that French designer Olivier Lapidus was named Lanvin‘s new artistic director, replacing Jarrar (see it here). In March 2018, we announced that artistic director Lapidus exited Lanvin. At the time, the house was also parting ways with general manager Nicole Druz (see it here).

After 13 years at Lanvin, Ossendrijver’s final collection as its men’s designer is the pre-collection being presented to buyers at the Palais de Tokyo in Paris, according to an industry source.

Lanvin is expected to pull out from the runway calendar for the upcoming Paris Fashion Week Men’s in January, the source said.

Lanvin has been without a women’s designer since the departure of Lapidus. The house has settled on Bruno Sialelli. It is understood it is in negotiations with Loewe parent LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton over a non-compete clause.

Finding new design and management leadership has been job number one for Fosun International. Jean-Philippe Hecquet, former chief executive officer of SMCP-owned Sandro, joined Lanvin as CEO in late August.

Photos Credit: Indigital.tv