Alber Elbaz and Lucas Ossendrijver pushed men’s fashion forward with their Lanvin collection on Sunday. It was cool to see another take on menswear after Dior Homme. I liked them both – very different, though.

Lanvin was tough-looking – but innovative. Again, it’s not about the total look – it’s about selecting pieces that work for you. I loved the two-tone boots and the jackets – especially the cropped coat and the leather trench coat with zip-off wool sleeves below.

After the show, I complimented Ossendrijver on the very cool shoes. Apparently they were a lot work. He said, “We took a hiking shoe and then a really traditional vintage approach – sturdy and heavy – and we tried to blend them together. So it was a mix – a two-in-one. And then we put a really big bib on top – so the shoes become a boot.” Very unique.

I also told him that I loved all the different looks – men could customize this collection and make it work with their personal style. “Definitely,” he said. “When Jean Lanvin started making clothes, she made them for her daughter. Slowly she grew and began making clothes for herself, for her friends, for her husband…so it was all about family. And that’s like our customer – there’s not one type – there’s very different types – there’s the more classic guy, there’s the fashion guy. We’re very open [to making clothes for all of them].”

After speaking with Lucas Ossendrijver – so nice – I greeted Alber. Of course, his women’s collections are incredible each season – and I adore him. I asked what he added to the men’s collections – if he approaches them differently than the women’s. “I bring the same thing,” he replied. “More emotions, more tears, more fun, more hours, more work, more thinking – more of everything! And yet we wanted [to make this] nonchalant and effortless and easy-going. Working on the construction and understanding men’s lifestyles and states of mind – but pushing the limits a little bit forward. It’s very easy to do a dream and it’s very easy to do real. When you put them both together it can be very mediocre. But [the collection] should be in the middle [and still be very special].” I’d say they succeeded.

Heading into Lanvin at the Palais de Tokyo

Kanye West, Amber Rose, and Pharrell Williams were at the show, looking super-stylish.

Greeting Kanye and Amber after the show

With Pharrell Williams

Speaking with Alber Elbaz after the show

runway images via style.com; photos by Marie Goujon