The Fall 2026 season for Lanvin Men’s collection marks a significant milestone—its 100th anniversary in menswear—and this celebration is both innovative and rooted in tradition. While the brand has opted to present separate collections for fall, artistic director Peter Copping has woven thematic threads that connect to his women’s pre-fall lineup, which itself was inspired by a nostalgic journey to Venice taken by founder Jeanne Lanvin and her niece Marianne during the 1920s. But here’s where it gets controversial: some might argue that blending these historical nods with modern design could dilute the brand’s identity, while others see it as a respectful homage.
This Venice-inspired heritage is evident in the collection’s design details. Expect to see pleated tuxedo trousers influenced by traditional Fortuny pleating, offering a luxurious yet functional silhouette. The chance to incorporate classic craftsmanship is further emphasized through mottled prints reminiscent of mid-20th-century Murano glass art, seen on camp shirts that evoke the vibrant Venetian craftsmanship of the time. Plush textures run throughout the collection—velvet jacquards from Tessitura Luigi Bevilacqua, a Venetian textile house dating back to 1499, lend an air of historic richness. However, Copping reserved these sumptuous fabrics primarily for casual pieces such as jeans, jackets, and slippers, emphasizing their substantial weight and tactile appeal.
Adding a personalized touch to the presentation, Copping, whose background includes notable interior projects during his stints with Oscar de la Renta and Balenciaga Couture, redesigned one of Lanvin’s showrooms to resemble an elegant gentleman’s living space. The scene featured a weathered hoodie casually draped over an Art Deco Armand-Albert Rateau chair and a leather pouch displayed on a silver plinth. Such details underscore the collection’s sophisticated yet lived-in vibe.
Nods to the ’80s also appear subtly, with sweaters featuring asymmetrical collars and bold video arcade-inspired stripes. Additionally, blousons, trousers, and T-shirts in animal prints—an homage to ocelot fur once used by Rateau to adorn the founder’s bidet and toilet lids, which now sits in the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris—add a playful, slightly rebellious touch. Despite these variations, Copping mostly champions a refined, mature aesthetic with an heirloom quality that feels ready for the future.
The collection’s embroidery work, once reserved for cocktail dresses in archival designs, has been reimagined in darker dress shirts, creating a striking contrast that emphasizes craftsmanship. A brushed alpaca cocoon coat exudes timeless appeal, suggesting it could easily be a treasured heirloom to be passed down through generations.
In footwear, Lanvin is gradually shifting away from its dependence on the bulky Curb skating shoe with its prominent laces. Now, the brand introduces a lighter, more refined sneaker with a sock-like upper construction, along with a low-profile shoe featuring trapunto stitching that might become the next popular model, dubbed the Lnv2. This move signals not just a modernization of Lanvin’s aesthetic but a thoughtful evolution of its signature style—merging historic richness with contemporary comfort and style.
But here’s where it gets interesting: do these modern takes and subtle references to the past truly honor Lanvin’s heritage, or do they risk overshadowing the brand’s original elegance? What do you think—the balance between tradition and innovation is always delicate, and this collection seems to walk that line carefully. Are you convinced by Copping’s approach, or do you believe the brand should lean further into its historic roots? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
