FILE - In this file photo dated Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014, Israeli creative director Alber Elbaz acknowledges effusive applause by models after the presentation of Lanvin Spring/Summer 2015 ready-to-wear fashion collection, presented in Paris, France. The lauded 54-year-old Israeli designer of French fashion house Lanvin, Alber Elbaz, released a statement Wednesday Oct. 28, 2015, announcing that he is stepping down following his 14-years at the creative helm, without giving any reason for his departure. (AP Photo/Jacques Brinon, FILE)
The Associated Press
PARIS (AP) - The designer of storied French fashion house Lanvin, Alber Elbaz, says he's stepping down after 14 years at the creative helm.
The lauded 54-year-old Israeli did not mention the reasons for his departure in Wednesday's statement, which was signed with a heart. Elbaz said he wished to thank those in the fashion house, founded in 1889, for help in "restoring its radiance" and putting Lanvin back at the top of the Paris fashion calendar after some years in the wilderness.
Elbaz's draped, feminine designs were a huge critical, if not commercial, success over the last decade.
It's the second high-profile fashion departure in a week, after Christian Dior announced their designer Raf Simons was leaving. It also puts Elbaz in a prime position to be considered for the Dior post.
FILE - In this file photo dated Thursday, Oct. 1, 2015, Israeli fashion designer Alber Elbaz acknowledges applause at the end of his Spring-Summer 2016 ready-to-wear fashion collection for Lanvin, presented during the Paris Fashion Week, in Paris. Lauded 54-year-old Israeli designer of French fashion house Lanvin, Alber Elbaz released a statement Wednesday Oct. 28, 2015, announcing that he is stepping down following his 14-years at the creative helm, without giving any reason for his departure. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, FILE)
The Associated Press