Lanvin Boutique - Window Update, June (Paris, France)

The great thing about Lanvin is that you don't need to shell out a lot of money in order to appreciate Alber Elbaz's creations. Many designers will devote their energy to merely designing clothing or accessories. Alber likes taking it one step further by creating everything from miniature Lanvin dolls to the most wonderful store windows. And if you're not in Paris often enough to see what he's been up to... no worries, because taking photographs of the Parisian Lanvin windows is becoming something of a hobby of mine. If you've missed previous installations, you might also want to take a look here, here and here (for the original Lanvin boutique feature, which I will update soon).

In any case, the windows that went up in late June didn't disappoint. As usual they showcased the usual humorous whimsical drama in a Parisian chic way that is so typical of Lanvin. However this time there was an added bonus: Lanvin collaborated with artist Cyril Hatt, who has an ongoing exhibition at Galerie Bertrand Grimont and on request created some special pieces for the windows. Hatt's artworks consist of photo's he's taken of everyday objects ranging from motorcycles to shoes. The images are taken from several angles, then pieced together in a 3D collage-sculpture to recreate the object that was deconstructed to begin with. As with many artists, he focuses on consumerism and society's obsession with material goods. With his reconstructed sculptures he plays with the value of such goods - they still look very much deconstructed... something that is done on purpose. In addition, all of them are hollow - his way of saying that basically these goods are 'empty' and have no soul, despite the fact that consumers try to own the body and soul of the objects they own. His attempt to show objects like pieced together puzzles is his way of robbing people of the illusion and seduction of fashionable goods that represent a temptation. It's also his way of redefining the market value of said objects.

While I don't entirely agree with the artist's perspective (i.e. I don't believe all goods are 'hollow' as other values such as memories and history are associated with many items people own), it's always interesting to see how fashion and art can be combined.

Of course I'm pretty sure most shoppers aren't aware or don't care about what the artist is trying to say with these pieces when they're looking at the windows and the irony of the same people waltzing in the flagship and spending 3K on a dress isn't lost on me. Nevertheless, the art works are fascinating to look at and in addition to the usual everyday objects, Hatt has made the effort to recreate specific Lanvin items ranging from jackets to shoes.

All images below can be enlarged by clicking on them.

Lanvin Homme

Suitcase (left), socks and paintings by Cyril Hatt

Helmet, jackets and motorbikes by Cyril Hatt

Dress by Cyril Hatt

Instruments, amps and carpets by Cyril Hatt

Cooler, sandals, radio and towel by Cyril Hatt

Close-ups of some of the Cyril Hatt pieces (Lanvin Homme):


Lanvin Femme

Entire mannequin (left) and Mona Lisa painting (far left) by Cyril Hatt

Washing machine by Cyril Hatt

Motorbike, helmet and scarf by Cyril Hatt

Most of the shoes by Cyril Hatt

Lanvin t-shirt by Cyril Hatt

Panties by Cyril Hatt

Panties and sock by Cyril Hatt

Close-ups (Lanvin Femme):

For some reason Lanvin ended up changing their main window display a few weeks in, by moving the washing machine scene to the front display. No idea why, I preferred the original version. One of the side-windows now has a few new paintings though.

And before I forget... ages ago, the very fabulous Janettaylor along with the equally wonderful Style Porn and Little Miss Fhenny gave me an award I never had the chance to pass on. Thank you again for this!


I would like to hand this to the following lovely blogs:

• Smartscruffy Fashion
• The Sydney Girl
• Kirafashion
• Extra Dressing on the Side
• Fashion - The Like