“La Maison” is a dramatic and elegant foray into the fashion world that’s as much about high-stakes business as it is about haute couture. Set against the backdrop of the glamorous, cutthroat fashion industry, this 2024 Apple TV+ series delves deep into the dysfunctions of powerful rival families vying for dominance. What starts as a sleek showcase of luxury and Parisian charm soon spirals into a captivating drama about ambition, revenge, and the high price of maintaining an empire.
The series opens with the scandalous downfall of Vincent Ledu (played by Lambert Wilson), the brilliant but out-of-touch creative force behind Maison LEDU, a fashion house with over a century of legacy. When a viral video exposes Vincent making offensive remarks, he’s forced to step down, leaving his family’s brand hanging by a thread. As the brand struggles, we see an old-world giant scrambling to stay relevant in a fast-changing world of social media scandals and shifting cultural expectations.
The fall of Vincent provides a fertile ground for new alliances and rivalries. Perle Foster (Amira Casar), Vincent's former muse, and now right-hand woman, steps in to steer the sinking ship. She allies with Paloma Castel (Zita Hanrot), a young designer with visionary ideas, to revive LEDU. Paloma's edgy, eco-conscious designs inject fresh energy into the brand, but the question lingers—can the old world of haute couture truly adapt to the new? This tension is one of the most interesting dynamics in the show, as it pits tradition against innovation, often with biting commentary on the fashion world’s relationship with environmental sustainability.
Enter Diane Rovel (Carole Bouquet), the cutthroat CEO of a rival luxury conglomerate who seizes this opportunity to try and acquire Maison LEDU. Bouquet shines as Diane, a character who embodies ruthless ambition with an air of cold elegance. Diane's motivations are more than just business; her desire to take over LEDU is driven by personal vengeance, adding a delicious layer of drama to the series. The power plays between Diane and Perle are some of the most engaging moments of the show, with both actresses bringing a sense of gravitas and sharpness to their roles.
Where “La Maison” succeeds is in its ability to blend family drama with business intrigue. The series is at its best when it focuses on the internal struggles of the characters, both within themselves and with each other. The Ledu family, led by Vincent and Perle, is riddled with the kind of dysfunction that’s familiar yet still compelling to watch. Their legacy is on the line, and their pride and egos often get in the way of making sensible decisions. If you're a fan of shows like "Succession" that dive into the ugly realities of family-run empires, this series will scratch that same itch, albeit in the much more glamorous setting of the Paris fashion world.
Visually, the show is a treat. Directors Fabrice Gobert and Daniel Grou masterfully bring to life the chic, polished world of high fashion, with exquisite sets, sleek camera work, and a strikingly stylish wardrobe that never lets you forget you're immersed in the upper echelons of Parisian society. From the bustling ateliers to the lavish runway shows, the series is a love letter to fashion, even as it skewers some of the industry’s less glamorous realities.
However, while the series is packed with dazzling visuals and engaging drama, it’s not without its flaws. At times, the pacing can drag, especially in the middle episodes where the plot meanders through a series of predictable beats. There are moments where you feel the show could have cut down on the repetitive internal conflicts within the Ledu family, which tend to slow down the otherwise engaging momentum. Additionally, while “La Maison” excels in depicting the cutthroat business world, it sometimes falls short in exploring the creative aspects of fashion itself. The series often feels more like a corporate drama that just happens to be set in the fashion industry rather than a show about fashion in its own right.
That said, the strength of the performances largely carries the show through its slower moments. Lambert Wilson is a standout as Vincent, portraying the disgraced designer with a blend of arrogance, regret, and vulnerability. Amira Casar's Perle brings a steely resolve to the screen, and her partnership with Zita Hanrot’s Paloma feels like a passing of the torch from the old guard to the new—a generational clash that defines much of the series.
Perhaps what makes "La Maison" truly captivating is its ability to stay grounded in the human stories amidst all the glamor. The show may be set in the glitzy world of high fashion, but its core is about family, ambition, and the price of reinvention. It’s about the tension between preserving a legacy and the need to evolve, a theme that resonates beyond the fashion industry.
In conclusion, “La Maison” offers an engaging mix of drama, power struggles, and elegance, with enough intrigue to keep you hooked through its 10 episodes. While it may occasionally falter in pacing, its sharp character dynamics and stunning production design make it a series worth watching. Fans of fashion and family drama will find much to enjoy here, especially those who appreciate the nuanced performances of its stellar cast. Just be prepared for a slow burn at times—but trust me, it’s worth it when the final threads come together.
Final Score- [8/10]
Reviewed by - Anjali Sharma
Follow @AnjaliS54769166 on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times
Note: All 10 episodes are screened for this review.
Premiere Date: September 20, 2024, on Apple TV+ with the first two episodes followed by a new episode every Friday.