Could 2025 be the year of revival for Christian Lacroix?

2025 started strong for the brand Christian Lacroix, which has just been acquired by the Spanish group Sociedad Textil Lonia (STL), taking 100% ownership of the couture house in a private transaction, explaining they felt “a close connection between our philosophy of creation and craftsmanship”. While the house, which epitomizes opulence, high fashion, and French haute couture, was at the height of its success in the 1980s, 2025 might be the year Christian Lacroix rises from its ashes and returns to the forefront of the fashion scene. In addition to this acquisition, which undoubtedly symbolizes a fresh start for the brand, many celebrities in recent years have also chosen to bring it back into the spotlight by gracing red carpets wearing spectacular pieces from Lacroix's collections. Here's why this move is smart and why Christian Lacroix is poised to make a major comeback this year. 

Now a mother of two, everyone remembers Rihanna's first pregnancy announcement, revealed to the world through photos where she wore a pink Chanel jacket designed by Karl Lagerfeld for the FW96 collection, opened to showcase her belly, along with a large gold rosary by Christian Lacroix. More recently, she stunned at the Brit Awards, wearing a black mini-dress from the couture FW02 collection, paired with a teal fur coat and a matching oversized hat. Last November, actress Jennifer Lawrence attended the premiere of Bread & Roses in a flowing black tulle off-the-shoulder gown perfectly embracing her baby bump, from the FW06 collection by Christian Lacroix. In February 2024, Brie Larson attended the Producers Guild Awards wearing a dazzling black mermaid gown from the FW04 collection, while at the Oscars, Kirsten Dunst opted for a deep pink tulle dress from the FW02 collection. The Met Gala also saw a Christian Lacroix creation, with Adut Akech drawing all eyes in a plunging emerald green gown. 

In many ways, Christian Lacroix is a more than savvy choice for the red carpet, as proven by the examples above, with its opulence that never crosses into excess and its pieces combining quality and romance with just the right touch of drama. Moreover, while the house is sometimes overshadowed by more popular brands today, French haute couture owes much to Christian Lacroix, both the brand and the designer. He had a significant influence on John Galliano, for example: “his grand designs for Dior are inspired by Lacroix”, explains Rita Watnick, owner of the vintage boutique Lily et Cie, based in Los Angeles, which provided Kirsten Dunst's Oscars dress. “Even his ready-to-wear draws from Lacroix's masterful mix of patterns and ornaments, blending the extraordinary and the ordinary”. However, while Christian Lacroix is the perfect option for red carpets and is slowly making a comeback among celebrities, the rarity of its pieces remains a challenge—not because of their design but due to limited availability. 

“It’s not for lack of interest: Lacroix couture is incredibly rare and hard to find,” explains Jefferson Ihenacho, founder of One of a Kind Archive, who sourced the hand-embroidered butterfly corset from the Spring 1996 collection worn by Mona Patel at the Fashion Awards. “Accessing its archives is practically impossible, as they rarely lend pieces. Moreover, many original couture clients hold onto their garments, leaving very few pieces available on the market”. But that doesn't mean things will stay this way forever. With celebrities' renewed interest in the brand and the recent change in ownership, a full-fledged return of Christian Lacroix to the spotlight seems imminent. With the awards season underway, the house could gain significant visibility and finally prove that it’s time for Christian Lacroix to reclaim the success it deserves.