French Fashion Federation Marks 150th Anniversary
PARIS — Guests arriving at the Petit Palais at the end of a marathon last day of Paris couture shows were surprised to find Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo in the receiving line for a cocktail party celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode.
The Socialist politician was flanked by federation president Pascal Morand and fellow hosts including Bruno Pavlovsky, president of fashion at Chanel, and Francesca Bellettini, chief executive officer of Yves Saint Laurent. Hidalgo said she tries to attend fashion industry events whenever her schedule allows.
“I completely support [the federation]. We work together very, very well,” she said, adding she was tied up this week with a meeting of the city council, which approved the construction of a temporary structure next to the Eiffel Tower where Chanel will stage its catwalk shows once the Grand Palais closes for renovations in 2020.
Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren were getting ready for a vacation after their show, which marked the 25th anniversary of the Viktor & Rolf brand. Snoeren has signed up for kitesurfing lessons near Lisbon, while Horsting was going on a Mediterranean cruise. “It’s basically a floating club with a lot of men dancing,” he deadpanned.
Milling about the inner garden and peristyle of the imposing Belle Epoque building were Dior designer Maria Grazia Chiuri and her daughter Rachele Regini; Christian Louboutin; Rabih Kayrouz; Julie de Libran; Jason Basmajian; Guillaume de Seynes; Anna Cleveland; Olivia Palermo; Felipe Oliveira Baptista, and Andrew Gn.
Guests were buzzing with new projects. Alexis Mabille has just opened a new store at the Ritz hotel on Place Vendôme, while Louis-Marie de Castelbajac revealed he has taken over as creative director of workwear maker Lafont, founded in 1844, which makes it even older than Levi’s.
“They were the inventors of the salopette, the overall,” he noted. “Workwear, like military clothes, it’s the actual definition of timelessness. It’s utility, and so when you add some poetry to that, it brings a whole new notion of contemporary workwear.”
Hedieh Loubier — attending with her husband Jean-Marc Loubier, founder and ceo of First Heritage Brands — was preparing to relaunch her jewelry line, also named Hedieh, after working mainly with private clients. “The name means ‘gift’ in Farsi,” noted the Iranian-born designer.
Morand reminded guests there was still a full day of fine jewelry presentations to take in, before giving the floor to singer Jeanne Added. As the sun set over the French capital, no one seemed in a hurry to go home.
Launch Gallery: French Federation Celebrates Paris Couture Week
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