“This is the fashion universe,” bellowed Business of Fashion founder Imran Amed into a microphone, as countless mega-stars piled into Paris’ Shangri-La hotel — a sparkling setting complete with the Eiffel Tower twinkling in the backdrop of the smoking area.
This was Saturday night, and a celebrity huddle which included — but was far from limited to — Pharrell Williams, Jared Leto, Florence Pugh, Naomi Campbell, Usher, Troye Sivan, Karol G and Emily Ratajkowski surrounded the fashion industry’s designers-of-the-moment: Pierpaolo Piccioli from Valentino, Sabato De Sarno from Gucci, Casey Cadwallader from Mugler, Grace Wales Bonner, Guram Gvasalia and Christopher Kane.
“It’s a more interesting universe than anything Hollywood,” Amed continued, “because it’s real people, it’s authentic creativity — it’s a disco ball!” And the room roared, as heads turned to model Coco Rocha, who won a competition of most eccentric outfit by sporting an oversized disco-ball dress by British designer Christian Cowan. She looked great as she twizzled alongside the DJ, but the avant garde outfit was considerably less convenient as she tackled the snaking, marble staircase.
Talk at the event surrounded the 100 new additions to BoF’s fashion 500 power list; 63 of whom were at the party. New recruits from the UK included Sir Lewis Hamilton, photographer Gabriel Moses, Elle UK Editor-in-Chief Kenya Hunt and designer Bianca Saunders. Other overheards included a guest muttering: “Who here do you think is on Ozempic?” Response: “Oh, everyone,” while others began guessing who will replace Sarah Burton, who had showed her final collection as creative director of Alexander McQueen that night.
Earlier that evening, champagne coupes sloshed at the London-based jewellery brand Completedworks’ drinks party, held opposite The Centre Pompidou. With their latest collection on show — all the sculptural, pearl, gold, silver and crystal creations which have earned them their cult following — founder Anna Jewsbury chatted with guests, alongside American model Erin Wasson, who helped host.
Sunday evening saw the great and the good descend upon cabaret club Raspoutine for a secret soirée thrown by photographer Mert Alas; a steady flow of his perfume-esque Seventy One gin was a given. Londoners Tish Weinstock and Damson Idris joined the likes of Amber Valletta, Ashley Graham, Taylor Hill and Jared Leto to watch the party’s pinacle: FKA Twigs’ surprise performance.
Leto continued his Paris partying streak into Monday night, where he was spotted celebrating the new H&M x Rabanne collaboration announcement. The no-holds-barred bash included performances from Cher, Robyn and Peggy Gou, and an all-star guest list — counting Elle Fanning, Irina Shayk, Iris Law and Alton Mason — wearing the caspule designs on sale Novembver 9.
