Feature

LC JOURNAL vol.1

“PLAY ELEGANCE.”
LANVIN COLLECTION

LC JOURNAL

French Beauty,
Japan in the Moment

VOL.1

TOKYO, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2026

Takayuki Oshima x Seiichi Kanazawa

newraw「LANVIN COLLECTION」ofnow and future

SPECIAL DIALOGUE

Starting with the 2025FW collection, the Lanvin Collection welcomes Takayuki Oshima as its creative director. Under the concept of ``PLAY ELEGANCE.'', it will be reborn with the perspective of ``the beauty of France and today's Japan.'' The new series “LC JOURNAL” will feature interviews between Takayuki Oshima and people connected to the brand. For the first time, Seiichi Kanazawa, Executive Officer of Joyx Corporation, will appear. Now in their second season as Director Oshima, we asked the two of them about their thoughts on the brand's current location, what will change, what will stay the same, and the future they aim for through fashion.

Takayuki OshimaTakayuki Oshima

director. He has built a career at department stores, select shops, and collection brands, and has directed and worked as a VM for domestic and international fashion brands. Established Cuatro LLC. in 2024.
Seiichi KanazawaSeiichi Kanazawa

Executive officer of JOIX Corporation. He is responsible for a wide range of sales, planning and production, and marketing, and is promoting business growth for the Japanese market by leveraging the value of overseas brands.

『PLAY ELEGANCE.』』Butbrand image

“We reached this goal by pouring out what was in our hearts. ” Oshima

Once again, what do you think of “PLAY ELEGANCE.”?

Oshima

I wanted to create a clear guideline and concept for the brand. The Lanvin Collection was not a newly launched brand, but an existing brand that was being updated, so I was thinking about what to add to the existing Lanvin Collection. ``PLAY ELEGANCE.'' was born by drawing from everyone involved in Plus.

Kanazawa

It's ugly. We both talked about it, and we all talked about it. How much?

Oshima

Maybe 10 times in total? About 8 to 12 people. These are the words and interpretations that came out of that. I didn't come from outside and make a proposal, but the words and idea of ``PLAY ELEGANCE.'' are a collective effort of everyone involved, asking them to put their heart and soul out there.

Did you have different opinions about the keyword "elegance" at first?

Kanazawa

As for whether it still fits perfectly, it's different for each person, and each person has their own parts. However, I think that is coming soon.

Oshima

What is elegance in this brand, in Japan, by creating a concrete image of elegance, layering it, and creating clothes based on that image? I have led the way in a meandering manner.

“Mr. Oshima is a person who can scientifically analyze sales. ” Kanazawa

Why did you choose Mr. Oshima as the director?

Kanazawa

Is the future bright for the Lanvin Collection, which is mainly aimed at department stores and targeting the baby boomer generation? When I thought about it, I found it difficult. That's when I came to the idea that I needed to renovate the brand. Fashion sensitivity is important, but that alone is not enough, so I searched for someone who could balance fashion and business, and I ended up finding Mr. Oshima.

Oshima

I feel tense again.

Do you feel that things have changed since Mr. Oshima took over as director?

Kanazawa

I can clearly feel that the atmosphere of the place has changed. There's planning, there's pattern makers, there's production, there's sales, and I feel like there's a sense of a team. Mr. Oshima even visits the store, so it's clear that communication is active.

“What we protect is "elegance", how do we play with its interpretation? ”Oshima

What changes and what remains the same about the Lanvin Collection

Oshima

It's a brand with a long history, so I studied hard to understand the brand's philosophy. When I thought about how to develop this in Japan, the word "elegance" came to mind. This word has very different meanings depending on the person, so we started to define our own elegance: ``This is the elegance of the Lanvin Collection.''

Kanazawa

Lanvin is the world's oldest maison, with a history of over 130 years. ``Lanvin'' is ``not just making the clothes you wear, but making clothes that leave a unique impression on you.'' Elegance, high-quality materials and perfect tailoring are required. That area is the starting point. How can we interpret it in a Japanese way, in a modern way? ``Defining elegance'' is difficult, though.

Oshima

We talked about that thoroughly. I wonder if elegance is considered a compliment in Japan? From this point on, we all dug deeper and shared our interpretations, thinking that there might have been a slightly different meaning or interpretation.

“Clothes that suit Japan's climate and Japanese body shape ” Oshima

What can the Lanvin Collection offer to Japanese people?

Oshima

It's clothes, it's fashion, so it's meaningless if it's not fun. That being said, there is no point unless you can protect yourself from the heat and cold. With that in mind, the brand's first words, ``clothing for the wearer'' were important keywords. The clothes we make are not clothes for European people, but rather clothes that suit the Japanese climate and the Japanese body shape. As a result, I would like to provide products that are fun to wear, comfortable, and convenient, which I interpret as elegance.

Kanazawa

With that in mind, I hope it will give the wearer confidence.

Oshima

I think there are many ways to express it, but I think fashion can provide something other than just keeping you warm or cold, such as feeling excited or feeling good, so I want to incorporate those things into every piece of clothing.

(*1) Luca Ossendriver: From 2005 to 2018, served as the artistic director of the men's department at LANVIN.

““What if it was Japan? 'I'm thinking ” Oshima

Please tell us the collection theme for 2026SS.

Oshima

The season theme is the same as in France. This season's theme is "Summer Paradise." In line with that theme, we propose ideas by thinking, "What if it were Japan?"

Kanazawa

Since it's men's clothing, there aren't any drastic changes or more skirts, but it does feel like it's been polished up.

Oshima

For example, is the height of a turtleneck correct for Japanese people? Or does it really feel good to tighten the tension on the ribs? The clock is big, but... The fabric is cool, but do you really want to wear such heavy clothes? We pay close attention to the details and create a realistic feeling of wear.

Kanazawa

I've never heard of Mr. Oshima until now, but... Are you conscious of Luka (*1)?

Oshima

In the first season (2025FW), I thought that was what it was about, so I watched it all the time. On top of that, I thought it would be better to keep a certain distance from them, but I've seen the entire collection, so I think that scent is in there. I also read a lot of interviews from that time.

Kanazawa

I see. Luca's clothes are made of high-quality materials and are based on French elegance, but when you get down to elegance, they end up in a place that has nothing to do with trends and become fashionable.I really liked the way he stopped short of getting there. Since it is based on formal wear and dresses, I personally thought that it was Japanese clothing that paid close attention to detail even when making casual clothes. That's why I think he was aware of it.

Oshima

I was conscious of the atmosphere.

(*1) Luca Ossendriver: From 2005 to 2018, served as the artistic director of the men's department at LANVIN.

(*2)Alber Elbaz: From 2001 to 2015, served as the artistic director of "LANVIN".

“That fluffy look, it's Luka ” Kanazawa

How did the fashion created by Luca appear to you?

Kanazawa

There was a photo of her wearing a coat in a spring look, right? Oh, that's Luka! That's what I thought as I watched it. I wasn't into the sharp cuts of the 90's and 2000's, but I was hooked on Luka's fluffy fashion. I really felt that atmosphere.

Oshima

I've been getting a lot of compliments (lol). I didn't wear the slim and short style back then either...

Kanazawa

Me too. I wasn't wearing it at all.

Oshima

Then Elbaz (*2) came along and suddenly pushed the house to the top of the fashion world, and what about men's clothes? Just then, Luka comes in and grabs it.

Kanazawa

I had the impression that you reigned at the center of the Paris fashion world for many years.

Oshima

The navy and gray colors were airy, delicate, and shiny, giving it a fresh and cool feel. I think it would be good if the idea of letting the wind flow through your clothes doesn't mean oversize, but something that gives you a sense of elegance and a relaxed feeling.

Kanazawa

In the end, there is a human being, elegance. It's at the very edge of not interfering with behavior or intelligence. Clothes are like tools and means.

What are the representative items of the Lanvin Collection?

Oshima

Wear your jacket neatly. The first presentation I made to Mr. Kanazawa was that I wanted to create a light and sweet tailored jacket. The tailoring is authentic and beautiful, but lightweight. We would like to offer such jackets as core items of the brand, regardless of the season.

Kanazawa

After all, the Lanvin Collection is all about tailoring. Because of the high quality materials and perfect tailoring.

Oshima

Light and sweet tailored jackets, cardigans that look like dress shirts, and active high-gauge knits that look like fisherman's knits. All of our products are casual yet well-tailored and elegant.

(*2)Alber Elbaz: From 2001 to 2015, served as the artistic director of "LANVIN".

“I hope it gives the wearer confidence. ” Kanazawa

The catchphrase for ``Comme des Garçons Homme De'' begins with the phrase ``Japanese suits.'' The coolest suits worn by Japanese people with black hair, black eyes, and yellow skin. After all, these are the nicest and coolest clothes worn by Japanese people. In the same way, I hope that the clothes from the Lanvin Collection will give the wearer confidence.

“Planning and production capabilities that give form to elegance ” Oshima

When it comes to making clothes, I was shown all the fabric shops, sewing factories, processing factories, etc. where they had been working before I started working there, and they were all of high quality. Although we share ideas and viewpoints, we believe that the background behind the creation of products is what the brand has cultivated over the years, so we basically make them in the same place. I want to draw out the abilities of everyone involved in the brand and expand it in an interesting way.