A Wren Says

Jeanne Lanvin started the label, Lanvin, in 1889, as a hatmaker. She would later transition in to clothes. Then when her daughter was born, she began making clothes for children. In fact, she became known for what we would call “mommy & me” outfits, matching clothes for mother and daughter. Her own matching moment is immortalized in the label for the brand. Lanvin decided to create matching outfits for her daughter and herself to head to a costume ball. A photo taken of the pair was stylized into the Lanvin logo.

I could leave it here and just have a random fact post for the day, but I want to dig a little deeper. It is clear that motherly love was a central motivation for Jeanne Lanvin in the direction of her brand and in her life. It was so key, that it became the logo. Well now that logo has been replaced, and the brand has passed ownership through multiple hands since Jeanne Lanvin’s death in 1946. That story has been replaced by new visions for the brand, but do they resonate?

A key aspect of what makes a luxury brand is history. No brand has the history of Lanvin, as the oldest Parisian fashion house. That history is its strength, or it could be.  As brands grow, and new leadership takes power, change is inevitable. But I wonder if straying too far can be to the detriment of the brand. Perhaps, finding a way back to these roots is a necessary step. How can a brand make use of its history while also striving for innovation?