The Spanish textile group Sociedad Textil Lonia (STL) announced on Tuesday that it had acquired the Christian Lacroix house for an amount that remained secret. The rebirth of a brand plagued by significant financial difficulties since 2010.
Sociedad Textil Lonia – of which the Puig group owns 25% – gets its hands on Lacroix
Founded in 1987 by the couturier of the same name, the Christian Lacroix house is preparing to go under the Spanish flag. The Spanish fashion group Lonia Textile Society (STL), which also owns the CH Carolina Herrera, Purificacion Garcia and 600 other brands around the world, announced in a press release that it had acquired the fashion house.
“We have always admired the vision, magic and know-how of Maison Lacroix, so when the opportunity presented itself, we seized it with enthusiasm. We will do everything possible to ensure that the unique talent of its designer and his invaluable contribution to the world of fashion are reaching their full potential”the group said.
After experiencing glory in the 1990s supported by the LVMH group, the Lacroix house saw its sales decline from 2005. Bernard Arnault then made the decision to sell the brand to the American group Falic. But the financial difficulties were such that the Paris commercial court decided to implement a recovery plan for the Falic group in 2009. Christian Lacroix left the group a year later and preferred to devote himself to other activities, such as design. trains, trams, hotels and even theater costumes.
The Lacroix renaissance
The takeover by the Spanish STL – of which the Puig group owns 25% of the shares – is synonymous with new beginning for the Lacroix house. Especially since it coincides with a strong resurgence in popularity for the brand seen on red carpets in recent months. Last February, actress Brie Larson was dressed in a vintage Lacroix dress for the Producers Guild Awards. Jennifer Lawrence also chose a Lacroix outfit in November for the premiere of her film, Bread & Roses. Without forgetting, superstar Rihanna who showed up at the December 2024 Fashion Awards in a Christian Lacroix Haute Couture FW2002 faux fur dress.
It remains to be seen whether the brand’s founding designer will be called upon to take over as artistic director. In Vogue Business, Christian Lacroix confided that a meeting “informal” should take place soon.
