Olivier Rousteing, Photo by Laurel Marcus.
Black & white…gold buttons…enormous power shoulders – check, check, and check! If you were seeing all of these things parading by on a loop, do not adjust your television set – you are at the MFIT Couture Council Luncheon at the David H. Koch Theater honoring Olivier Rousteing of Balmain.
Power shoulders were the order of the day, Photo by Laurel Marcus
For those of us who eschew the Hamptons summer social scene (no FOMO here, as I enjoy living off the grid for the season), the anticipation for this event is akin to the first day of school on steroids. For those who are always out and about — for instance, my gracious table host, Jean Shafiroff — it also hits differently. “I was shopping and ordering things online, thinking What am I going to wear?” she remarked, displaying a rare trace of fashion trepidation.
Marilyn Kirschner, Ernest Schmatolla, Laurel Marcus
At least I have my big-girl shoulders on in an almost costume-y Balmain jacket that’s been languishing in my closet for years (the cotton, sans gold buttons, edition). “Coming through!” was my mantra as I pushed my way against the throng, sipping cocktails on the veranda. This must be what football players experience trying to get past their teammates in the locker room. The Balmain Army storms the end zone?
Eleanor Banco, Elizabeth Kurpis, Jean Shafiroff, Photo by Laurel Marcus
If you didn’t have or chose not to wear Balmain, Chanel seemed to be the next most popular thing. The French brand’s influence was evident, with Elizabeth Kurpis earning Marilyn’s kudos for her Chanel tweed mini jumper over a white shirt and brogues.
I’ve noticed that MFIT’s Couture Council has a thing for “boy wonders” – last year, it was Simon Porte Jacquemus, who started his business at the age of 19. This year, it’s Olivier Rousteing, who got his start at Roberto Cavalli at 18 and soon became creative director at the Italian brand. In his mid-twenties, he also made history as the first black creative director of a luxury brand when he took over at Balmain in 2011.
Olivier Rousteing, Photo by Marilyn Kirschner
In his remarkable speech, he touched on everything from his early years as a boy from Bordeaux, adopted at the age of one from an orphanage, to achieving his ultimate success. “I knew nothing about fashion,” he said. “I want you to look at me and see that dreams can come true,” he added.
Some of Olivier’s devoted fans, Photo by Laurel Marcus
He spoke of the House of Balmain representing “resilience, audacity, and ambition. Values that reflect not only the Maison but my life.” Another guiding principle: Don’t be afraid to disrupt. “Break the rules, make new rules,” he advised.
Stefano Tonchi and Jamee Gregory – Photo by Laurel Marcus
On his early entrée into the world of social media amid others doubting that it would mix with luxury brands: “Democratizing fashion isn’t the end of luxury. It was the beginning of its future,” he noted. “Sometimes we don’t need evolution, we need a revolution.”
Hal Rubenstein and Ruben Toledo, Photo by Marilyn Kirschner
“Fashion is not superficial; it is identity, it is political, it is the daily expression of the perception of ideas that shape the world.” And this: “Believe in your instincts, believe in your story. No one can take your dreams away.”
He thanked Dr. Valerie Steele, Dr. Joyce F. Brown, the design team who shared his vision, as well as his muses, Rihanna, Beyoncé, Michelle Obama, and the mononymously named “Kim.”
Atmosphere
If you prefer a hearty lunch, keep walking. I never knew that “watermelon carpaccio” was a thing (yes, it was just a thin sheet of watermelon with some cucumbers and flowers for decoration), followed by a bland poached halibut covered in shaved cucumber, accompanied by a somewhat filling julienne potato side. “Take a piece of bread,” Jean proffered the bread basket, noting that the appetizer was only ten calories – a fashion lover’s diet for sure.
Lauren Day Roberts, Sharon Jacob, and Marilyn Kirschner, all wearing Balmain, Photo by Laurel Marcus
Those in the fashion sphere who attended this year included Fern Mallis, Ken Downing, Stefano Tonchi, Hal Rubenstein, Nicole Miller, Glenda Bailey, Martha Stewart, Designers Victor dE Souza and Malan Breton (both at my table!), Zanna Roberts Rassi, Gabriela Hearst (2023 award recipient), and Ruben Toledo, whose late wife Isabel was the award recipient in 2008.
There were also several socialites/philanthropists who kept the arts going, such as Jamee Gregory, Sharon Jacob, Lauren Day Roberts, and, of course, Jean Shafiroff.
Balmain Sel D’Ambre
Also worth noting: it’s the first time that Nordstrom was not the sponsor – instead, the gift cards were for a lesser amount/soon to expire, courtesy of Bloomingdale’s. The shiny black gift bag from Balmain Beauty contained a beautiful gold ribbed bottle of Balmain Sel D’Ambre – described on the website as” glowing amber and salty ambergris,” for “inner peace.” With NYFW just around the corner, I guess we could all use a spritz or a gallon of that.
Latest Comments:
Iris Apfel’s 100th birthday looked like the ultimate celebration—so iconic!
The MAD About Jewelry benefit looks like a stunning event—so much talent on display!
Love the deep dive into timeless fashion trends!
Our comments section is working again…
Our comments section is back online again! We would love to hear from you.