Lancel: Objects of Desire

Lancel’s elegance is natural, joyful, and deeply Parisian. Each creation is infused with a touch of humor and whimsy that embodies the French art of living. Since 1876, the Lancel name has been a symbol of French luxury leather goods that embody a unique blend of artisanal, traditional, and cutting-edge creativity. This Parisian Maison has always combined audacity and practicality, as in the case of its 1893 innovation, the “guaranteed seasoned” briar pipes. Albert Lancel structured the brand around four key areas: leather goods, women’s and men’s accessories, luggage, and the art of gifting. The iconic store at 8 Place de l’Opéra—a true precursor of contemporary concept stores—offered luxury that was always on the move. This book celebrates the 150th anniversary of Lancel, diving back into the storied archives to showcase early creations, catalogues, and advertisements from the 1920s and ’30s to the present. These pieces narrate the evolution of eras, reflecting different lifestyles and revealing how practical needs were transformed into sophisticated creations, from the iconic “Sacs à Malices”—which feature ingenious pockets—to collaborations with artists like Salvador Dalí, who inspired the “Daligramme bag.”