Lacroix’s atelier, which closed its doors in 2009, may not have outlasted the economic downturn, but perhaps that is all the more credit to his artistic sensibility. With a background in costume design, Lacroix’s designs were always ripe with fantastical opulence and though perhaps not always practical (or saleable) for prêt-a-porter, it was always perfect for jewelry design. Especially given how sporadic Lacroix’s current output is – mostly limited to the occasional (and brilliant) capsule collection – it would be worth investing in vintage Lacroix even if his work weren’t so irresistibly fabulous.