The Feud That Never Really Ended
Although Chanel and Lanvin lived in the early 20th century, their rivalry didn’t stay in the past. It became a template — for how modern fashion houses compete today.
Their feud shaped:
- how designers build identity
- how brands cultivate clientele
- how fashion houses position themselves socially
- how legacy is constructed and protected
Paris remembers its feuds. And modern designers still behave inside the structures these two women created.
1. Modern Branding: Chanel’s Playbook
Chanel’s approach to branding — simplicity, modernity, recognizability — became the foundation of modern luxury marketing.
Today, you see Chanel’s influence in:
- minimalist logos
- signature silhouettes
- iconic accessories
- global fragrance dominance
- celebrity partnerships
- runway theatrics
Every major house uses Chanel’s formula:
Create a myth. Protect it. Reinvent it. Repeat.
This is exactly what YSL, Dior, and even Balmain follow today.
2. Craftsmanship & Heritage: Lanvin’s Legacy
Lanvin’s devotion to:
- embroidery
- ateliers
- couture craftsmanship
- mother‑daughter elegance
- colour identity (Lanvin Blue)
became the foundation for heritage‑driven houses like:
- Givenchy
- Balenciaga (in its Cristóbal era)
- Valentino
- Schiaparelli (modern revival)
Lanvin proved that:
Craft can be a brand.
This is why couture still exists today — because houses like Lanvin made craftsmanship a form of identity.
3. Social Positioning: The Parisian Power Game
Chanel and Lanvin taught modern designers that:
- who you dress matters
- who you stand beside matters
- who speaks your name matters
This is the DNA of:
- YSL vs. Karl
- Givenchy vs. Balmain
- Dior vs. Balenciaga
- Schiaparelli vs. Chanel (yes, that feud existed too)
Parisian fashion is still cutthroat because these women made it that way.
4. Legacy Wars: Who Controls the Narrative?
Modern fashion houses fight for legacy the same way Chanel and Lanvin did.
You see it today in:
- brand revivals
- creative director battles
- archival reissues
- museum exhibitions
- celebrity endorsements
- fashion documentaries
Chanel’s legacy machine is the strongest. Lanvin’s legacy is quieter but deeply respected.
Their rivalry taught modern houses that:
Legacy is a battlefield.
Every feud resembles or at the very least echoes Chanel vs. Lanvin.
Because modern fashion is still built on rivalry, identity, legacy, social positioning and craftsmanship.
Chanel and Lanvin didn’t just shape their era. They shaped the entire industry.
Their feud is the origin story of modern fashion competition one may refer to this feud as.
I’m Stacey Hobbs, thanks for reading Face by Stace! Until next time.
do you feel fabulous today?
Face by Stace 