Paris Fashion Flock Enjoys a Night at the Museum
The Louvre Museum is so vast that regulars might not know about its decorative arts department, even if it spans nearly 100,000 square feet and displays thousands of historical objects ranging from tapestries and suits of armor to ceramics, scientific instruments and bronzes.
Askede if he knew the department, Simon Porte Jacquemus, among attendees at the Grand Dîner du Louvre, a black-tie gala on Tuesday night to celebrate the Paris museum’s first fashion exhibition, replied: “Not at all.”
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But now? “I’m obsessed,” he said as he whisked through the vast rooms where nearly 100 contemporary fashions and accessories are interspersed as part of an exhibition titled “Louvre Couture: Art and Fashion — Statement Pieces,” on display through July 21.
The inaugural Paris Fashion Week fundraiser garnered more than 1.4 million euros for the museum, and was attended by the likes of David and Victoria Beckham, Michelle Yeoh, Isabelle Adjani, Dev Patel, Keira Knightley, Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu, Charlotte Casiraghi and rapper Doechii, who performed at the after party under the I.M. Pei pyramid wearing a flaring yellow haute couture gown by Valentino.
Designers turned out in force, including John Galliano, Jean Paul Gaultier, Rick Owens, Erdem Moralıoğlu, Jeremy Scott and Iris Van Herpen. She attended with her partner Salvador Breed, who was decked out in a dystopian take on the black-tie dress code: a futuristic jumpsuit by Bulgarian brand Demobaza.
Van Herpen has several dresses in the sprawling exhibition, including one installed in the Napoleon III apartments. Was the inspiration direct? “A coincidence,” the Dutch designer said, lauding keen-eyed curator Olivier Gabet for making the connection. “It’s not an obvious one, and I think that’s really beautiful.”
After the visit, some 350 guests assembled in the cavernous Cour Marly for a sumptuous dinner by chef Anne-Sophie Pic.
Given the scale of the place, which dwarfed the guests and the towering floral arrangements, it felt a bit like 35 different dinner parties. But a table near the toilets proved advantageous to see a good swath of celebrities, designers and models, most dressed to the nines, which is unusual for Paris events.
A few guests debuted new chin-length hairstyles, including Yeoh and Marisa Berenson, sparkling in a black sequin Dolce & Gabbana gown and her own jewelry.
“I don’t think I’ve ever had it this short,” she said. “It was time to refresh myself.”
Berenson lauded that the exhibition highlights how art museums have always been a nonpareil mood board, which can be traced all the way back to her maternal grandmother, fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli.
“She was the first one to do that, and now everybody is inspired by that theme, which I think is a wonderful theme because what is more inspiring than art, right?” she said.
Leroy-Beaulieu, sitting at the Balenciaga table, wore a glossy, strapless black gown, pointy heels, and her hair in a wavy, chin-length style.
“It’s not that short, but I have a magic hairdresser who made it look really short,” she clarified.
In April, she will commence filming season five of “Emily in Paris” in the French capital and Rome.
She, too, was unaware of the decorative arts department, and was astonished by the ceramics and jewelry she caught glimpses of. “I want to come back, calmly, in normal shoes where I can really walk.”
Houston philanthropist Becca Cason Thrash, who organized several memorable galas to benefit American and International Friends of the Louvre, hauled out her Lee Alexander McQueen gown with a feathery print that evokes the Winged Victory of Samothrace monument. She first wore it for her 2011 event.
“What I love about this exhibition is it forces you to see the art,” she said. “A lot of fashion people normally wouldn’t come to the Louvre and spend two or three hours.”
French artist Camille Henrot, who has a show on at Hauser & Wirth in New York until April 12, was asked what kind of dress she would select that relates to her works.
“I would choose a brand who has a relationship with coming of age, not being completely an adult,” she said, listing Courrèges, JW Anderson and Balenciaga among contenders. “Fashion needs to be playful for me.”
The museum said the Louvre Gala Dinner is set to return in 2026.
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