Words by Nerys d’Esclercs
The most-wanted pair of sneakers on everyone’s feet? Just ask Kid Cudi, Timothée Chalamet and Evan Mock, who are all ahead of the curve with the Curb — Lanvin’s latest cult style and its major 1990s skate culture aesthetic. ‘With its retro shape, distinctive cutout uppers and exaggerated, thick laces, we’ve seen the Curb flood the streets of fashion weeks for a few seasons now,’ says our senior menswear editor, Luke Raymond. Here, we delve into Lanvin’s sartorial history, why the skate sneaker is well and truly back, and all of the Curb’s size, fit, care and design details.
The history of Lanvin
A luxury name that dates back to 1889, Lanvin was founded by Jeanne Lanvin as a millinery house. After expanding into womens’ clothing and childrenswear, the brand quickly became a Parisian institution. Lanvin launched menswear in 1926, becoming the first French designer to offer made-to-measure garments for men, and the rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré store became the only place in Paris that offered both men’s and women’s collections.
Fast forward to 2022 and Lanvin remains one of fashion’s most iconic names. Now with Bruno Sialelli at the helm, who came from the men’s division at Loewe in 2019, the house consistently delivers instant-hit pieces, tapping into the cultural zeitgeist to offer people what they need, at the right time — like the Lanvin Curb sneaker.
The rise of the skate sneaker
‘Since 2020 — fuelled by Gen Z’s TikTok content dominating our social feeds — 1990s nostalgia is everywhere,’ says Raymond. ‘It’s tied to streetwear merging with luxury fashion thanks to the likes of Off-White’s late founder Virgil Abloh. He really marked a shift in aesthetics, and his baggy, logo–adorned jeans and cargo pants continue to be everywhere. The same can be said with Demna Gvasalia at Balenciaga, who spearheaded the comeback of oversized everything.’ This revival of 1990s style and silhouettes can only be complete with the right skate-inspired shoes: think oversized low-tops with loose, chunky laces (tucked inside your sneaker, rather than tied) and a logo patch somewhere. Debuted on the fall 2020 menswear runway, the Lanvin Curb sneaker fits the bill perfectly.
The Lanvin Curb in details
Staying true to the 1990s look, the Curb sneaker is a low-top silhouette inspired by original skate shoes like the Osiris’ D3 2001 and DC styles. It’s known for its extraordinary comfort thanks to the rounded shape, padded tongue and counter heel, and features distinctive style notes such as cutouts and oversized laces — while the XXL laces are purely for aesthetics, there is a second pair of laces underneath to tighten. The Curb comes in a range of colors — from classic white and black, to yellow, blue and multicolor — and this summer, Lanvin also released a heat-ready Curb mule. ‘People should really lean into the 1990s skate vibe when wearing these, styling them with baggy jeans and oversized T-shirts or hoodies,’ says Raymond.
SIZING: Ranges from FR size 39 to 49 which equates to US size 7 to 14.5.
FIT: Fits true to size. We recommend you get your regular size. If you are between sizes, choose the smaller one.
COMFORT: The oversized shape and extra padding provide ultimate comfort.
CARE: Use a strong waterproof spray before wearing outdoors. Remove grass and mud stains with warm soapy water and a soft bristle brush.