Lanvin: A Gift Guide to the Paris Couture House

Jeanne Lanvin began as a milliner in Paris, on the rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. The clothes she made for her daughter, Marguerite, drew so much attention from other mothers that she began dressing their children too, and from there grew a full couture house for women and, later, for men. Lanvin is often described as the oldest Parisian couture house still in operation.

That origin is still visible in the house emblem: a stylised drawing of a mother and her young daughter reaching for each other, an image that makes Lanvin a thoughtful choice for gifts between generations.

Two other signatures are worth knowing:

• Lanvin blue, a deep, soft blue said to have been inspired by the frescoes of Fra Angelico, which appears across the house's identity.
• Arpège, the house fragrance, presented in a round black bottle bearing the mother-and-daughter motif.

Modern Lanvin is best known for refined, slightly unexpected everyday pieces rather than loud logos. The names that come up most often when people search for the house:

• The Curb sneaker: a chunky, padded skate-inspired silhouette with oversized laces that loop around the shoe. It is the most recognisable Lanvin piece of recent years and comes in many colour and material combinations. Browse the options in our guide to Lanvin sneakers.
• Ballet flats and soft leather shoes: the house became closely associated with elegant, wearable ballerinas during Alber Elbaz's tenure as creative director, and refined flats, loafers and derbies remain part of its identity. See our Lanvin shoes guide.
• Tailoring and knitwear: clean jackets, fine knits and draped dresses that reflect the house's couture roots.
• Small leather goods and accessories: wallets, cardholders and bags that carry the house's understated finish.

If the person you are buying for prefers quiet design over obvious branding, Lanvin sits comfortably alongside houses such as Saint Laurent and Loro Piana.

A good first gift from Lanvin is one the recipient will wear often and that does not depend on knowing their exact size or taste in clothing.

1. For a sneaker lover, a pair of Curbs is the most direct choice. Neutral colourways in white, black or grey are the safest; bolder combinations suit someone who already wears statement trainers.
2. For someone with a polished, classic wardrobe, leather flats, loafers or a small leather good feel more fitting than a chunky sneaker.
3. For a partner or parent, the mother-and-daughter emblem adds meaning to a gift on Mother's Day, Women's Day on 9 August or a milestone birthday.
4. For a man who dresses smart-casual, a leather sneaker or a cardholder is easy to integrate into daily wear. Our gifts for him guide has more ideas in the same spirit.

When budgeting, remember that price at Lanvin is driven mainly by category and material: footwear and small leather goods sit at the more accessible end of the house, while tailoring, outerwear and runway pieces cost considerably more.

Lanvin footwear is generally sized in European sizes, so convert from the UK sizing most South Africans use before you choose. Fit varies by model: the padded Curb has a roomy, cushioned feel, while ballet flats and leather loafers are closer-fitting and soften with wear. If you are unsure, check a pair of shoes the recipient already owns and wears comfortably.

A few care points help a gift last:

• Suede and nubuck Curbs benefit from a protective spray before first wear and a soft brush afterwards; avoid wet grass at a braai.
• Smooth leather shoes and accessories need occasional conditioning and should be stored away from direct sunlight, which can fade colour in a South African summer.
• Laces on Curb sneakers can be removed and hand-washed separately.
• Keep the dust bags, as they protect pieces in storage.

Because the Curb sneaker is so recognisable, it is also widely copied. A few checks help when buying Lanvin:

• Construction: genuine pieces have neat, even stitching, clean edges on leather and consistent panel shapes.
• Branding: logos, insole stamps and labels should be crisp and well aligned, with no smudging or uneven spacing.
• Materials: leather should feel supple and smell like leather, not plastic or glue.
• Price: a price far below what the house normally charges is the clearest warning sign.

If you are looking for a particular Lanvin model, colour or size, tell us what you have in mind and we will come back to you with options by email. You can also explore other houses in our brands directory.