Lanvin's Capsule Collection With Gallery Department Is A Splatter of Paint (and Fashion)
If we're sure about one thing and one thing only, it's that fashion is no stranger to a collaboration or two. In fact, a collaboration - whether it be between two streetwear brands, sports brands or high fashion houses - is what has kept the industry ticking over the last two decades.
Considering this, the latest fashion brand to announce a collaboration are French fashion house, Lanvin and the LA-based label Gallery Department. Creating a capsule collection that sees classic Lanvin prêt-à-porter pieces including various jumpers, sneakers (yes, the 'Curb' trainers are making an appearance) bags and accessories, each item has been purposefully decorated with colourful splatters of paint by Gallery Department, a design that's distinctly and unapologetically them, marking a marriage of two house codes coming together.
Understanding this colourful and artistic clash that will most likely introduce both brands' devoted buyers to the other, Gallery Department's very own Josué Thomas commented on the creative process by saying, 'The design process for the collaboration with Lanvin was relatively similar to how we create at Gallery Department. I wanted each garment to have a feeling that people can connect with forever.' Speaking out and standing up for what fashion is meant to represent, Thomas is right. Indeed, fashion is not meant to change with the wind - an item of clothing is an investment, not merely a financial one but an emotional one.
With Lanvin being an established fashion house, partnering with a brand like Gallery Department is a bold and innovative move for many reasons; the collaboration may come as a surprise to some of Lanvin's long-time supporters and even a few young Gallery Department clients too, but isn't that what fashion is all about - testing the boundaries in order to make way for the new? Lanvin's artistic director Bruno Sialelli said, 'It's brilliant to see the legacy of Lanvin and our core collection evolve with creative partnerships. We like to continue to challenge ourselves to see Lanvin in new ways.' Established or not so much, young or old, French or American; this collaboration proves that fashion really is for everyone to enjoy in equal measure.