3. Lanvin (1889)
Lanvin holds the 3rd place in our list about the oldest fashion houses.
Lanvin is one of the oldest fashion houses in the world, which was founded by Jeanne Lanvin in 1889, in Paris. Lanvin served her apprenticeship as a seamstress and became a milliner, initially working from a small apartment. Later, she became a pioneer for femininity and simplicity.
The clothing Lanvin made for her daughter began to attract the attention of a number of wealthy people who requested copies for their own children.
Her clientele included European royalty and Hollywood stars Marlene Dietrich and Mary Pickford.
Although Jeanne Lanvin was an art collector, she did not draw her inspiration from her art collection. In fact, her designs relied on the use of a combination of graphic patterning, clear colours and a precise position of the details. So, she was one of the century’s first minimalists.
