LANVIN has confirmed Bouchra Jarrar as its new artistic director. The company – which parted ways with previous creative director Alber Elbaz in October – revealed the news this week after a week of rumours. She will reveal her debut collection for the house for spring/summer 2017. “Her timeless style is in keeping with the style and values of our company,” Lanvin chief executive officer Michèle Huiban said in a statement today. “Her talent, her high standards and her mastery of cuts and fabrics will bring a breath of freshness and modernity into the house, while respecting its soul as the oldest Paris couture house, a symbol of French elegance.” Jarrar, who currently designs a couture collection under her own name added: “It is a huge honour to continue promoting the Lanvin style, with designs created in the company’s ateliers by teams who possess extraordinary expertise. Joining Lanvin meets a desire to expend my creation to wider fields of expression. It is my intention to bring to Lanvin the harmony and consistency of a fashion designed for women, a fashion of our time”. Harmony has been in short supply at Lanvin over recent months, with workers at the house striking and initiating work tribunal proceedings following Elbaz’s removal, meaning that Jarrar will have the challenge of galvanising the current team as well as reversing sliding sales. Jarrar’s previous roles have certainly prepared her for the challenge. She launched her own couture label in 2010 after gaining 15 years of design experience at storied French houses including Balenciaga – where she worked as studio director under Nicolas Ghesquière, and at Christian Lacroix Couture.