Lenny Kravitz and Vanessa Paradis's Relationship Timeline: A Look Back

Although they weren't each other's longest-held relationship, Grammy-winning musician and actor Lenny Kravitz and French singer, model, and actress Vanessa Paradis still managed to date for five years. As artists, it seemed plausible their paths would eventually cross — although when they did, it wasn't by coincidence. 

Paradis had her eyes on Kravitz, specifically, his talent as a music producer. Initially, their relationship was professional when they collaborated in 1991, but it would soon blossom into a romantic love affair.

Apart from the music they created together — and thanks to one another — Kravitz and Paradis garnered the public's attention with their undeniable good looks and fashion sense. In fact, we've awarded them the unofficial title of being one of the most fashionable couples of the '90s. 

They invented the concept of coordinated couples' outfits without even trying. It's no wonder they were constantly being snapped by the paparazzi — whether on the sidewalks of Manhattan or in the front row at Paris Fashion Week. However, there was more to their relationship than just the purely aesthetic.

Here's a look back at Lenny Kravitz and Vanessa Paradis's relationship.

1991: Lenny Kravitz and Vanessa Paradis first meet

Back in 1991, Paradis — who had just separated from her boyfriend, singer-songwriter Florent Pagny — was looking for someone to produce her first album in English, and she specifically sought out Kravitz for the project. That summer, the pair met and had dinner at George V in Paris to discuss details.

"I've never been afraid to suggest things or to be told no. Music is an area where I was able to make things happen," Paradis previously told French magazine Le Figaro in 2019 about her go-getter initiative. "Gainsbourg did not come to me, I asked him. Kravitz, it was the same."

According to the biography Vanessa Paradis: The Real Story by Hugues Royer, her persistence won Kravitz over, and he invited Paradis back to New York City so they could work together.

June 1992: Lenny Kravitz and Vanessa Paradis are first spotted together

Although the musicians were previously seen together in a professional setting, they soon began hanging out off the clock. In the summer of '92, they attended the French Open to watch the Men's Finals at Roland-Garros Stadium in Paris.

September 1992: Lenny Kravitz and Vanessa Paradis release a duet

That same year in September, Paradis's third studio album, Vanessa Paradis, was released. During its promotion, Kravitz opened up about their collaboration and praised Paradis. 

"I think Vanessa is a very intense young lady. I think she's extremely talented," he once said. "I learned a lot about producing, working with an artist, but this music was really, really tailored for her. I tried to get inside of her mind. I spent a lot of time with her to see what she was thinking, what she was feeling." 

The couple recorded the duet "Silver and Gold" for the album. 

1994: Lenny Kravitz and Vanessa Paradis attend Paris Fashion Week

Their best-dressed couple moment, however, occurred at the Vivienne Westwood Spring/Summer 1995 show in Paris. From the tiny sunglasses to his-and-hers necklaces and twinning hairstyles, everything about their collective look was a total vibe — and a cool one at that. Something about the model's effortless French style paired with the swagger of the singer-songwriter's rock 'n' roll aesthetic just worked.

1997: Lenny Kravitz and Vanessa Paradis break up

After five years together, Kravitz and Paradis called it quits in 1997. It was unknown why they broke up at the time, but more than a decade later, Kravitz finally revealed why it didn't work out between them in 2009.

"I was madly in love with her. Vanessa was the perfect woman, but she came at the wrong time," he told Paris Match, adding that he was the one who introduced her to Johnny Depp. Vanessa, of course, went on to date Depp for 14 years, from 1998 to 2012, and the pair share two children together — Lily-Rose and Jack.

Kravitz continued, "I have never seen her since. She did not come to my concerts; we did not have any more contact. I can only wish her happiness. But I am not worried. I know that one day we will run into each other. And it will be time to talk about all this."

However, it appears that day has already come and gone, as Kravitz and his ex are seemingly on good terms. In 2020, he even wished Paradis a happy 48th birthday on Instagram with an iconic '90s throwback couple photo.