Left, Honoree Peter Copping, right Timothy Corrigan, appointed to serve as Chair of the FHS Board of Trustees, effective January 1, 2026
Over 200 dedicated Francophiles gathered at a private club in Manhattan on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, for The French Heritage Society’s annual Gala Dinner Dance. This year’s black tie celebration, which took the form of a stylish Art Deco Ball, honored the oldest French fashion house still in operation, Maison Lanvin, and its artistic director, Peter Copping.
“One of the reasons the values of the French Heritage Society resonate with me is because of our shared belief that heritage is not only what we inherit. It is what we chose to honor, to care for, to restore and to pass forward” – Peter Copping, Artistic Director of Lanvin
Jean Shafiroff wearing Lanvin, photo by Marilyn Kirschner
Gala Chairmen were Liz McDermott Barnes, Cece Black, Jean Shafiroff, and Ann Van Ness. The purpose of the French Heritage Society’s annual gala in New York is to raise funds and awareness to support its mission of preserving French architectural and cultural heritage in both France and the United States.
It serves as a key fundraising event for the organization’s preservation, education, and French-American friendship programs. The gala also functions as a social event to celebrate and honor individuals or institutions that contribute to French culture. In recent years, it has focused on large campaigns like the Notre-Dame Fire Restoration Fund, which raised over $2.6 million for the cathedral’s restoration.
Nicole Salmasi in Lanvin, Lucia Hwong, CeCe Black.
Defining more than 130 years of French sophistication, the fashion house of Lanvin stands for French luxury, femininity, and heritage. Founded by the visionary Jeanne Lanvin in 1889, the brand is rooted in the mother-daughter bond between Jeanne and her daughter, Marguerite. Its guiding principle is “le Chic Ultime,” the quintessence of chic, embodying the brand’s blend of timeless elegance and modern innovation.
Malan Breton and Marilyn Kirschner, photo @AndrewWerner
The Ball’s Art Deco theme was more than apropos, given that Copping drew inspiration from Jeanne Lanvin’s home and interiors, incorporating Art Deco Motifs, chevrons, and mirror-like embroidery in his debut fall 2025 collection.
FHS Executive Director Jennifer Herlein wearing Lanvin, photo by Marilyn Kirschner
At a cocktail party held at the Lanvin boutique on Madison Avenue last month, Lanvin generously donated ten percent of the evening’s proceeds to support FHS’s mission of safeguarding French architectural and cultural treasures.
Anoli in Dior Haute Couture, photo by Marilyn Kirschner
Among the guests who wore Lanvin on Wednesday evening were FHS Executive Director Jennifer Herlein, Jean Shafiroff, Nicole Salmasi, and Ruth Miller. Although I have to say, one of the best dressed of the evening was in Anoli. The Estonian-born artist looked jaw-droppingly chic in a Christian Dior haute couture.
Dinner, photo by Marilyn Kirschner
Before the seated dinner, there were welcome remarks made by CeCe Black, Special Events Chairman, Elizabeth F. Strlbing, Chairman, Denis de Kergorlay, President, Timothy Corrigan, Incoming Chairman, and Jean-Guillaume de Tocqueville d’Herouville, Incoming President.
“Peter is more than a fashion designer. He is also one of the most experienced, talented, and dare I say well-liked, which is not a word normally associated with fashion designers.” – Peter Fallon.
Ruth Miller wearing Lanvin, photo by Marilyn Kirschner
Peter Fallon, Chief Content Officer, WWD and Fairchild Media, who presented the award to Peter, detailed his impressive resume. Peter Copping began his illustrious career in fashion working for Christian Lacroix in Paris, before taking on senior roles at Louis Vuitton, Nina Ricci, and Oscar de la Renta, where he was Creative Director in New York.
Peter was gracious, speaking about his love affair with France, his adopted home for over 30 years; Paris is where he has grown as a designer. Now based in France, Peter splits his time between an apartment in Paris and La Carlière, a 15th-century Manor in Normandy, which he shares with his husband, Rambert Rigaud.
Guest in Elie Saab, photo by Marilyn Kirschner
There was an auction lorded over by Nick Dawkes. The two items up for auction this year were: lunch with an Hermes family member and Hermes Executive Vice President Guillaume de Seynes on the Mythical Hermes Secret Terrace in Paris; lunch with Lanvin Artistic Director Peter Copping in Paris; and a private tour of Mme. Jean Lanvin’s studio with a 2-night stay at the Bristol.
Ms. Herlein ended the program saying that the auction raised more than $115,500, and the evening raised just under $500,000.
Alex Donner Orchestra, photo by Marilyn Kirschner
For the first time, there was an afterparty following the main gala program of the Art Dec Ball. Guests continued dancing to the Alex Donner Orchestra, then moved to their moody afterparty lounge, where French DJ Olivier Meiji spun tunes. There was a full bar, late-night bites, and more fun surprises, all of course with a French accent, bien sur!
My sketch by Madeline, photo by Marilyn Kirschner
FYI, you always expect to see photographers at these events. One nice surprise during the course of the evening was having your portrait done by one of two artists who roamed around all evening with their sketch pads in hand. When finished, it was printed out and also emailed to you. Celebrating the French joie de vivre. J’adore!
