Christian Lacroix

>> Christian Lacroix's latest post-fashion foray? In addition to designing stage costumes, hotels, and trams, he has been named artistic advisor to the French mint, where he will design medals for marriage and civil unions.

Back at Lacroix's former label, meanwhile, new Lacroix creative director Sacha Walckhoff is busy trying to peddle his first menswear collection, funded by a licensee. The company is focusing on that, its bridal license, home textiles, sunglasses and stationery for now. Lacroix CEO Nicolas Topiol said in March he doesn't expect to enter into women's ready-to-wear again before 2012, and Walckhoff reiterated that fact yesterday to Fashionista: “We must first pay the debts.”

Agyness Deyn takes a turn behind the lens, photographing editorials for her site, Naag.

Christian Lacroix is named creative director of La Monnaie de Paris, the institution responsible for designing French Euros and medals and home to museum and photography shows.

The designer takeover of Manhattan's Bleecker street continues with Michael Kors opening a West Village store this winter.

Prada SpA has negotiated a three year loan agreement of 360 million Euros to refinance debt and propel the expansion of 30 news stores this year.

>> Christian Lacroix has severed all ties with his namesake brand, instead focusing on designing theater costumes, hotels, and the like through his XLCX studio, but there's still plenty going on at the label.

Although ready-to-wear and couture were shuttered with the house's bankruptcy, Nicolas Topiol, Lacroix's CEO, is busy rolling out new licensing deals for the brand. Existing partners for menswear, silk, and bridal dresses stuck by the company, and soon there will be new product categories for Lacroix like women's eyewear and sunglasses, stationary, and home textiles.  Topiol said he's also in advanced discussions to reenter innerwear and children's wear with new licensing partners, and talks are under way for the production of various other women's and men's accessories.

The future of Lacroix womenswear »

>> Devi Kroell and Lanvin Now Share an Investor —The Bartel family, founders of Travelzoo, who last November took a 12.5 percent stake in Lanvin's parent company, has been revealed as Devi Kroell's silent investor.  Bartel quietly took a stake in Kroell in 2008, allowing the designer to open boutiques and expand her product range; she's also holding her first runway show Feb. 15 during New York Fashion Week.  Bartel reportedly doesn't have the intention of building a fashion conglomerate, but has looked at investment opportunities in Christian Lacroix and Jil Sander in recent years. [WWD]

>> Christian Lacroix's Couture Salon Furniture Said to Be Auctioned —Christian Lacroix was missed at couture this week — the French industry minister's aide noted that "Anna [Wintour] adored Lacroix and is very sad about [his absence]," but his troubles are far from over. Word is that an auction is being organized to sell the furniture French decorators Elizabeth Garouste and Mattia Bonetti created in 1987 for Lacroix's couture salons; as for his massive archive of dresses, they're safe for now — but it's still possible the court could force them to be auctioned off. [The Daily Beast]

>> Christian Lacroix Shows Up on Golden Globes Red Carpet —Christian Lacroix's business may be reduced to licensing at this point in time, but it's a testament that without any new collections being produced, he's still scoring red carpet coups — to wit, his Spring 2009 couture at last night's Golden Globes on the much-watched Diane Kruger. On the other side of the spectrum, houses recently kickstarted under new creative direction also found their footing at the Golden Globes: Nicole Kidman and Carey Mulligan wore Peter Copping's Nina Ricci from Spring 2010, Ginnifer Goodwin was in Spring 2010 Vionnet by Rodolfo Paglialunga, and Chloe Sevigny took home her award in Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli's Spring 2010 Valentino.

This year, we mourned the deaths of the beloved Farrah Fawcett, photographer Irving Penn, Gap's co-founder Donald Fisher, and the king of pop, Michael Jackson. Each made a huge impact in the world and we will always remember them for their stellar style and contribution to the industry. Also recognized were shuttered fashion houses Christian Lacroix and Luella Bartley — what a shame. Let's take a moment and pay respect to these fashion greats.

Remembering Charlie's Angel, Farrah Fawcett	RIP: Irving Penn	Christian Lacroix Goes Down
A Tribute to Michael Jackson	RIP: Donald Fisher, Co-Founder of the Gap	The Demise of Luella Bartley