Christian Lacroix

PARIS, October 2, 2002
By Laird Borrelli
Fifteen years after his house was founded, Christian Lacroix continues to earn accolades and to add new strings to his bow. Appointed only months ago as creative director at Emilio Pucci, he was named last week as a chevalier in France's Legion of Honor.

In lieu of a pring show at the Carousel du Louvre, Lacroix scaled back and showed pieces from his signature jeans and Bazar lines, as well as some of his vintage couture designs, at an intimate dinner. All his signatures were in evidence: corsets, ethnic prints and metallic leathers, all joyously layered, many featuring embroidery and beading and worn with outsized jewelry and stunning gold warrior sandals.

At times, the styling—masks for the models, socks worn with evening shoes, bathing suits peeking out from under denim jeans—seemed at odds with the classic creations on view. Still, anything that helps reposition Lacroix as a versatile modern master, as opposed to the producer of the pouf skirt, is to be commended.

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