Christian Lacroix

Christian Lacroix is a French couture brand created by designer Christian Lacroix, whose fashion house was established in Paris in 1987 with backing from Bernard Arnault and LVMH. Lacroix, born in Arles in 1951, became known in haute couture for exuberant, color-saturated designs that drew on historical references, Southern French influences, and multicultural motifs.

The brand’s fragrance line followed this same maximalist aesthetic. One of the earliest and best known launches is C’est La Vie! from 1990, often cited as the first major Christian Lacroix perfume. In 1999 the company introduced its first line of floral perfumes, and in 2002 released Bazar, a fragrance composed by Bertrand Duchaufour, Jean-Claude Ellena and Emilie Coppermann. For winter 2007, Christian Lacroix partnered with Avon to create Christian Lacroix Rouge for women and Christian Lacroix Noir for men, sold exclusively through Avon alongside matching body products.

Although the original couture house went bankrupt in 2009 and the business was restructured, the Christian Lacroix name continues through licensing, including home decor and perfumes. Contemporary fragrance offerings generally build on the house’s historic themes: opulent florals, oriental and spicy facets, and bold presentations that echo the dramatic style of the clothing.