While studying  the period know as La Belle Époque or the Edwardian period I realized that it had a short lived but very potent effect on fashion, certainly decades but also a century later, I came to understand some of the trends that are a clear personification of the era and it was quite easy to pick out influences of certain fundamental designs.

For instance, it was almost effortless to immediately recognize certain details from this period in the Spring 2011 ready to wear collection from Carolina Herrera.  According to Style.com she has sited as her inspiration the traditional clothes of Korea and botanical plates collected in the eighteenth century.  This time period seems to have echoed not just with the botanical details which to me are reminiscent Jeanne Lanvin and her applique work but also in the full on top but tapered below sleeves that were popular during the Edwardian period. 

The innovative additions of Lanvin’s flowers and rosettes seem to have direct reference in Hererra’s designs and equally whimsical garden floral additions.  Overall Lanvin’s clean lines, unyielding femininity and unique appliqué work continue to resonate in some of the great work we see today.