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Mannikin
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- May 20, 2003
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Does It Get Any Better?
Probably not. The scene at last night’s massive LV party
NEW YORK: Wednesday, February 11, 2004
WHAT: Louis Vuitton’s doubled-up party for its largest store opening and it’s 150th birthday
WHERE: 5th and 57th, and Lincoln Center
SCENE: It was the most anticipated event of New York’s fashion week, and it didn’t disappoint. Louis Vuitton’s simultaneous celebration of its largest store in the world and its 150th birthday brought out the biggest hitters that Fashion and New York could muster. The evening started out in an absurdly desperate way: the three story behemoth on 5th Avenue and 57th Street was both flooded and emptied of thousands of VIPs within a matter of minutes. No one knew where to look, much less how to move. The only ticket out of misery was a leather bracelet issued as VIP entry to Lincoln Center where the evening took a decidedly glamorous turn. Under twinkling lights and an enormous space, the best names in the business guzzled champagne, mingled with celebs and lived the luxe life that the Louis Vuitton brand embodies. The finale was a 20 minute spectacle blending live performance with surreal video on a giant surround-sound screen which traced the history of the brand while acrobats flew into the air, a hot air balloon ignited into the sky and a giant earth floated above the audience as a reminder of LVMH’s global domination. Oh, and then the Harlem gospel band broke into “Happy Birthday” as an Eiffel Tower was constructed out of Louis Vuitton vintage luggage. Audacious, delicious, completely glamorous.
FOOD: Seared tuna on pomme frites, lobster daikon salmon rolls, pistachio crusted foie gras, and truffled grilled cheese
SEEN:
Maggie Gyllenhaal in LV gold genie pants
Ray Liotta with Donna
Patti Hansen and her daughter posing sultrily
Helen Arnault in diplomatic attire of a short pleated black skirt with jewel encrusted black jacket ( “It’s a mixture! I’m wearing a Vuitton skirt and a Dior jacket”)
Kristin Davis, who made a quick change from her Narciso gear into open toed pink Vuitton pumps with matching LV silver bag
Helen Shifter, modeling the gold leaf LV mini bag
Ahn Duong in a cream bouclé suit with white LV bag with gold trim
Marc Jacobs in baggy pants and tennis shoes, talking to every editor in town
Marc Jacobs and Kate Betts discussing his crazy work schedule
Eve and Molly Sims comparing work schedules and the demands of show biz
Kirsten Dunst, with a pixie cut and navy satin dress
The new LV bag in every incarnation possible
HEARD:
What’s your favorite Louis Vuitton item?
Margherita Missoni: “A vintage hard-cased suitcase that my grandpa bought.”
Angie Harmon: “A black doctor’s bag I got last season. No one had it. We’re so inundated with product, I’m thrilled to have something that one else has.”
Joe Zee: “My monogrammed dog carrier for my mini pinscher.”
Donna Karan: “Bernard Arnault.”
Angie Harmon
That’s a fabulous bag (she was carrying the charming mini crocodile trunk purse with 24 k gold trim), isn’t that your favorite?
“Yeah, I like it too. It’s new. It was a cheap twelve grand. So I said, ‘I’ll take two.’”
Pointing to LV’s new tortoise shell platform velvet mules: “At first I saw these and I said ‘eeeewwww!’. But now I love them. I think I’ve got to get them.”
Yves Carcelle
On the new store: “It’s a unique opportunity for us, on the most magical corner in the world. Oh, I see Bernardo coming! I must go!”
Kristen Davis
What is your favorite LV purchase or gift?:
(In between frantic calls to friends) “I lost all my friends, we didn't even get into the store because of the fire marshalls. But I bought—full price—the Murakami pouch bag with the cute bow for Charlotte as I thought it would be something she’d love. This new silver bag I have is beautiful so that’s probably my new favorite now.”
Eve
What is your favorite LV purchase or gift?:
"It has to be the amazing luggage left on my hotel room bed. it is beautiful, I’ll keep it forever. I got the works.”
Mya
What is your favorite LV purchase or gift?:
”My full set of luggage, a trunk and all. I bought it myself and always use it when I travel.”
Molly Sims
What is your favorite LV purchase or gift?:
”That is the hardest question. I think all of the clothing, I have stuff from years back I still wear.”
Carine Roitfeld
What is your favorite LV purchase or gift?:
”I have so much, not speaking in terms of trend pieces, I would say the photography bag.”
Kirsten Dunst
What is your favorite LV purchase or gift?:
”A jacket from the spring collection with a Victorian-style collar. It is simply beautiful.”
Glenda Bailey
What is your favorite LV purchase or gift?:
“This trench I am wearing. I imagine it’s now considered vintage, but I still wear it a lot.”
J.J. MARTIN AND TANYA JENSEN