Alber Elbaz’s Lanvin is simply divine. Of course, it takes a great designer to take an esteemed name, reinvent it and not vulgarize it in the process. Sorry about sounding like a ‘Debbie Downer,’ but plenty of designers [put name(s) here] have quasi-murdered labels by disregarding established heritages.

Lanvin Fall 2012-Winter 2013 Video here 

Lanvin is one of the exceptions. It happens to be utterly modern while retaining its historic creative prestige. This season didn’t disappoint; there were enough novelties to excite even the most jaded in the audience, and enough sportswear for a wardrobe of beautiful and comfortable dressing.

The collection was dark and vampy, and carried a weird referential 1950′s parallel. From the proportions of the dresses, the use of peplums and oversized ruffles, there were more than a few historical nods.

If you were looking more in depth, you might decipher some mod 60s touches and some early 80s whispers. But what is great about Alber Elbaz is that he never copies and always makes a point to give his women that elegant femininity.

This could not have been more apparent than on his Fall 2012 runway. The dresses, the coats, even the pony skin ensembles contoured each model’s silhouette moving with them beautifully and gracefully.

Of all the looks, one of our favorites is the black mink coat with dyed white goat trim; it defied eras, yet channeled the glamour of yesteryear.

Lanvin Fall 2012-Winter 2013 Video here