Though Christian Lacroix is searching for a way to keep his couture house from crumbling, the designer is stubborn not desperate. According to WWD, one of Lacroix's big couture clients offered to bail him out, but Lacroix rebuffed the offer, saying, "I prefer her as a client rather than a chairwoman."

In the meantime, WWD reports that Lacroix continues to sketch designs to keep his seamstresses busy, hoping to still be able to show during couture week next month, saying, "They deserve it, even if we can't show it. I can't stand having them do nothing during this period because they have it in their blood. January and July, it's couture. It's a physical clock."

According to WWD, the designer offered a bit of insight into what he feels led to the company's filing Chapter 11, saying the Falic Group and chief executive Nicolas Topiol's choice to end the Bazar and Christian Lacroix Jeans lines was "courageous."

The move was made in an effort to improve the label's upscale, couture image. However, according to Lacroix, corners were cut, and, "If you decide to do something in the deluxe field, you have to go all the way. Even the best factory can't make beautiful clothes with cut-rate fabrics."

The next six months will be indicative of the fashion house's future -- it will be a period of administration consisting of observation and investigation, according to a Lacroix spokeswoman.