"The world needs some excitement from fashion. The big evolutions in fashion always come in times when things are tough. They are an escape to a better world." Christian Lacroix
Christian Lacroix was born in France in 1951. He moved to Paris to study at the Sorbonne and the Ecole du Louvre, as he was greatly interested in historical dress and wanted to become a museum curator.
While still in school, he was hired by Hermes, and later worked for Guy Paulin. After graduation, he went to work as a designer for Jean Patou, where he was named the most influential foreign designer in 1987 by the Council of Fashion Designers of America.
Lacroix started his own couture house later that year, and put out his first ready-to-wear collections in 1988 and accessories collections in 1989.
"I give a lot of care and attention to shoes, bags and jewelry because they define a posture, an all-over look." Christian Lacroix
Lacroix sold the business to the Falic Group, but remained active in the design process. Lacroix served as the creative director for Emilio Pucci from 2002 to 2005.
The design house closed operations in 2009 and went into restructuring, due to the financial downturn. Lacroix's fashion is high-concept, and his specialty has always been his haute couture, which allows him to fully express his taste for opulence and fantasy.