LANVIN COLLECTION MEN’S, inheriting the spirit of LANVIN, France's oldest couture maison, has launched a limited-edition collaboration graphic T-shirt with Shotaro Ikenami, a representative novelist of the post-war era, starting June 22.

LANVIN COLLECTION MEN’S is under the creative direction of Tomoki Yusuke. To pay homage to the 1920s Paris where LANVIN menswear began, graphic T-shirts were created with the themes "École de Paris," "Belle Époque," and "Paris Expo."

The collaborator for this collection is Shotaro Ikenami, who celebrates his 100th birthday this year. Ikenami, a leading post-war historical novelist, was also renowned as a gourmand and film critic. He had a deep affection for French cinema for nearly 50 years and traveled extensively in Europe in his later years. Among his destinations, France was particularly favored. During his visits, he painted, and his unique touch is used as illustrations in many of his books. This time, three carefully selected works from his rare illustrations have been chosen for the T-shirt designs.

"Garçon" is a famous work that also graced the cover of Ikenami's masterpiece essay collection, "When Walking, I Feel Like Eating Something" (Shinchosha Bunko). It depicts a gentleman and a waiter at "Coupoles," a long-established café-restaurant in Montparnasse, beloved by Belle Époque artists such as Tsuguharu Foujita, Picasso, and Kisling.

"À Paris" depicts a casual, downtown Parisian scene, perhaps in a nondescript neighborhood, that evokes the feeling of a movie still. It is a work that Ikenami, who deeply loved Paris, captured.

"Settle Jean" features a print of the long-established izakaya "B·O·F," a frequent setting in many of Ikenami's essays, including "When Walking, I Feel Like Eating Something" (Bunshun Bunko), and its owner, Settle Jean.

The phrase "Le meilleur d’Edokko 粋=élégant" is printed on the T-shirt, juxtaposing the "iki" (chic sophistication) of Edo, which Ikenami conveyed through his writings on male etiquette and lifestyle, with French "elegance." The fit is slightly short with a comfortable oversized silhouette, making it easy for adults to wear. The hem is rounded, and the slits are reinforced with gussets. Crafted from soft, smooth cotton jersey, these T-shirts offer an elegant finish.

All T-shirts are priced at ¥16,500. They are available in limited quantities at the LANVIN COLLECTION Omotesando store, GINZA SIX store, and online.