5 - Lanvin, attributed to Jules-François Crahay.

Lanvin, attributed to Jules-François Crahay. A Lanvin Paris matching black velvet suit and skirt set, circa 1970s–80s, a black velvet tuxedo cut single-breasted blazer of French size 44, and a matching midi skirt of elegant form with a fitted waistband and gently tailored silhouette, labelled Lanvin Paris, Made in France, of rayon and cupro blend, French size 44. Grade B Provenance: An Important Private Collection. Notes: This black velvet ensemble combines the disciplined lines of tuxedo-inspired tailoring with the softness and lustre of a fabric traditionally associated with evening dress. The single-breasted jacket lends structure to the silhouette, while the matching midi skirt introduces a restrained elegance. In an uninterrupted black palette, the velvet’s pile becomes the principal decorative feature, catching the light across the tailored surfaces. The proposed dating places the ensemble broadly within the period when Jules-François Crahay led Lanvin, from 1964 to 1984. The Fashion and Lace Museum in Brussels characterises his work as romantic and subtly theatrical, balanced by a controlled approach to design. This provides useful historical context, although the present suit has not been attributed to him individually. The ensemble’s appeal lies in its balance of masculine formalwear references and feminine proportion. The tuxedo-cut jacket gives the velvet a composed, architectural quality, while the skirt carries that formality into an understated evening silhouette.