I was shopping in HomeSense (one of my favourite stores) this past weekend where to my surprise I came across cases of Evian bottles designed by Christian Lacroix. Released in 2008, these limited edition bottles came in two designs; a Haute Couture version in the shape of an ice queen and the other version – the one I saw in HomeSense – a Prêt-à-Porter bottle designed with a frosted lace pattern.

It made me think back to one of my first blog entries detailing the French designer’s financial troubles in 2009, declaring bankruptcy and then struggling to find an investor for his ailing company (which continues to hang in limbo). Seeing these Lacroix-Evian water bottles stacked in the midst of the designer discount store located 12 minutes away from my house is bitter-sweet. Realistically, I could probably never afford Lacroix’s designs but at $12.99 for a case of 12 Evian bottles I can.

Images taken by Kimberly and from Popsugar

Following up on my previous blog entry The house is falling, reports from the news media say Christian Lacroix may be saved from bankruptcy. Investment group, Bernard Krief Consulting is planning to make an offer as early as Monday to Lacroix and if all goes well fashion lovers around the globe will jump and shout for joy at this eleventh hour announcement…. But wait what’s the catch?

Louis Petiet, the president of Bernard Krief Consulting says he hopes to “Multiply Lacroix's sales by five, bringing them from 30 million euros ($43 million) in 2008 to 150 million euros ($213 million) over the next five years” (Laurent Lemel, Associated Press). This will prove challenging since Lacroix has failed to create any revenue within the house’s 22-year history – and you wonder why he declared bankruptcy.

It’ll be interesting to see what changes will take place within the fashion house once the deal with Bernard Krief Consulting is finalized. There’s no doubt Lacroix will be under high expectations to succeed after being saved from bankruptcy, and he’ll have to make compromises in order to appease his new investors and to maintain his work. A strong arm and sound business advice may be all he needs to succeed. However, any business advice Lacroix receives now has got to be better than before.

(Image from Vogue UK) vrytuxh6d4

I couldn’t resist writing another blog entry so soon after my previous post, The House Haute Couture Built, but for the love of fashion I felt the need to share with you the story of Christian Lacroix who sadly maybe another casualty of the global recession. 

Briefly, Lacroix is a French haute couture designer who established the House of Lacroix in 1987 – he is very well-known and highly regarded by his peers and the international fashion community. On May 21, 2009 the House of Lacroix filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy which came as a stunning blow to all, especially when the field of haute couture designers is very small (background article, New York Times). Yesterday, Lacroix presented what maybe his last couture show which could not have been possible without the support and devotion of his employees, suppliers, friends, and local coffee shop who donated their time and services for free to help present this collection. Hearing this greatly moved me; people coming together for a cause they strongly believe in and feel passionate about. I genuinely hope and pray this couturier master finds a way to carry on his work of creating beautiful clothing.

(Video from www.telegraph.co.uk)