CULTURE WATCH

This year Lanvin’s creative director Alber Elbaz quietly celebrated a decade at the helm of the storied Parisian fashion house. Known for his modesty and tendency to shy from interviews, it’s no surprise that Elbaz didn’t make too much of a fuss over the occasion. Instead, the endlessly talented designer collaborated on a book with arthouse publisher Steidl, which chronicles the process behind making a collection. Alber Elbaz, Lanvin is comprised almost exclusively of photos from various moments during the course of creating the Hiver 2011 Women's Runway Collection.

In March 2002, Alber Elbaz debuted his first collection for Lanvin, the oldest couture house in Paris. One decade later, Lanvin has become one of the most coveted houses for its uniquely modern vision and desirable designs. Alber Elbaz, Lanvin documents the journey of one collection, from the first sketch to the final runway show. With the camera acting as a secret door, Alber, for the first time, invites the viewer into his own world. These images not only unveil the continuous process of design, the behind the scenes work in progress, but also the human side of creating a collection. “Each collection is always different, but the process of creating is always the same,” says Alber. The monograph is the result of a close collaboration with Pascal Dangin, who edited and created a book that transcends Alber’s vision and sensibilities—a book that needs no words.

Appearing in no particular chronological or thematic order, turning the pages of this book is to get lost in the magical world of high fashion. We see glimpses of the many artisans whose tireless efforts go into creating each look, season after season. Then there’s the glamour of the runway show, the chaos behind the scenes, the inspirations, the sketches, the draping. All of it documented in 688 pages of fashion bliss, as captured by the talented lensman, But Sou Lai. The handmade hardcover book is bound in silk grosgrain cloth. It is presented in a handmade cardboard box and its pages are hand-gilded with engraved typography.

Alber Elbaz, Lanvin available exclsuively at Lanvin, Bal Harbour.