R.I.P. House of Lacroix

The fashion house of Christian Lacroix, which has produced opulent fashion rich with historical references since 1987, has filed for bankruptcy.

Apart from a brief moment shortly after the house's onset, when he found fame producing the notorious puffball gowns so beloved of the Park Avenue 'social x-rays' portrayed in Tom Wolfe's Bonfire of the Vanities, Lacroix remained a connoisseur's designer; out of the headlines but quietly admired by fashion lovers who valued his flamboyant imagination, utter craftsmanship, and bravura way with color.

His couture and collection pieces are priced out of the range of most of our budgets, but if you'd like to own a piece of fashion history, consider this gorgeous silk jacket now up for sale on Etsy. Materials, wit, workmanship, and again that wonderful color: fresh lime with a dash of raspberry, as cool as a sherbet on a balmy summer eve. Merci M. Lacroix, and hopefully see you again soon.