SCAD FASH to Host First U.S. Exhibition on Jeanne Lanvin’s Haute Couture Legacy
Key Takeaways:
• SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film will open Jeanne Lanvin: Haute Couture Heritage on April 4, 2025, the first U.S. exhibition dedicated to the French designer.
• More than 60 original designs will be on view, with garments dating from the late 19th century to the 1940s.
• The show is curated by Gaël Mamine of Fondation Azzedine Alaïa and features looks from Alaïa’s own archive.
• The exhibition coincides with the house’s modern revival under artistic director Peter Copping, who is honored as the 2025 SCAD Étoile.
• The show also includes rare documents, archival photography, and a SCAD-produced documentary.
The Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) is set to unveil a landmark exhibition dedicated to Jeanne Lanvin, marking the first major U.S. retrospective of the pioneering French couturière’s work. Jeanne Lanvin: Haute Couture Heritage will debut April 4, 2025, at the SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film in Atlanta and remain on view through August 31. The show features over 60 designs spanning from the late 1890s to the 1940s, many of which come from the private archive of designer Azzedine Alaïa, who collected Lanvin’s work for decades.
Curated by Gaël Mamine of Fondation Azzedine Alaïa in collaboration with SCAD FASH and the Lanvin Heritage archive, the exhibition highlights Lanvin’s lifelong innovation and elegant approach to fashion. Signature silhouettes like the robe de style, known for its dropped waist and full skirt, will be on display alongside examples of intricate embroidery, appliqué, and bold color combinations that defined Lanvin’s legacy. Archival photographs and illustrations help contextualize the garments within their historical moment, while special pieces from the Parodi Costume Collection further enhance the exhibition’s scope.
In a nod to the house’s ongoing relevance, the museum will also feature House of Lanvin, a short documentary produced by SCAD exploring Jeanne Lanvin’s contributions and Peter Copping’s present-day role in reimagining the brand. A recreation of the couture atelier will be included as part of the installation, offering visitors a rare behind-the-scenes look at the house’s creative process. The show coincides with SCADstyle 2025, and Copping will be recognized as the recipient of the university’s prestigious SCAD Étoile award.
