While working on a dissertation on dress in French 18th-century painting, Lacroix also pursued a program in museum studies at the École du Louvre.

[9] The same year, the brand opened boutiques within Paris, Arles, Aix-en-Provence, Toulouse, London, Geneva, and Japan.

With his background in historical costume and clothing, Lacroix soon made headlines with his opulent, fantasy creations, including the short puffball skirt ("le pouf"), rose prints, and low décolleté necklines.

He referenced widely from other styles—from fashion history (the corset and the crinoline), from folklore, and from many parts of the world—and he mixed his references in a topsy-turvy manner.

He favored the hot colors of the Mediterranean region, a hodgepodge of patterns, and experimental fabrics, sometimes handwoven in local workshops.

The company's turnaround plan consisted of closing down Lacroix's haute couture and pret-a-porter activities, while keeping the licensing contracts for accessories and perfume.

In 2025, Spain's Sociedad Textil Lonia (STL) acquired the Christian Lacroix fashion house for an undisclosed sum.

In 2007, Christian Lacroix designed a festive, limited-edition bottle for French mineral water brand Evian.

[17] In 2013, Diego Della Valle hired Lacroix to create a collection for Maison Schiaparelli, though it failed to materialize.

In 2002, the brand launched another perfume, Bazar,[3] created by Bertrand Duchaufour, Jean-Claude Ellena and Emilie Copperman.

Through his XCLX company which was established in 2005, Lacroix created décor for the French TGV high-speed train.

In 2022, he produced the costumes for the Marc-Antoine Charpentier's opéra David et Jonathas, performed at the Château de Versailles, France.