Passionate about art history, Christian Lacroix brought culture and his love for art into the fashion houses of Hermés and Jean Patou, before founding his own fashion company in 1987. Opulence and exuberance, unpredictable colours and materials, a mix of folk and sophisticated influences: the Lacroix style has no limits and no comparison. Helen Mirren's champagne-coloured dress at the 2007 Oscars was a Lacroix, and was declared by the press to be one of the best ever seen on the red carpet.