The Tamesis
Anya Taylor-Joy, Alex ConsaniPhotography: German Larkin
For a museum that has it all, the Louvre still manages to surprise. There are certain nights in Paris that remind people why they moved there or booked a flight, and the first Tuesday night in March is quickly becoming one of them. After dark, nearly 300 guests – philanthropists, fashion executives, royalty and celebrities – walked through the corridors of the storied institution, descending deeper and deeper into the stunning galleries. occasion? The second annual Louvre Gala Dinner; a fundraiser adjacent to Paris Fashion Week, has firmly established itself as one of the most coveted invitations on the calendar in just one year.
This year’s theme, “Le Louvre, la nuit”—the Louvre, at night—is a rather charming proposition. (Wandering the halls in black tie, with the entire space so quiet and entirely yours, is a completely surreal experience.) First, the reception took place in the Daru Gallery, where the Winged Victory statue of Samothrace hosted a cocktail hour.
The guest list reads like a board meeting of celebrities from the worlds of fashion, culture and entertainment, convened by a casting director who’s been working overtime. Anya Taylor-Joy and Diane Kruger were both present (the standard for high cheekbones was set and maintained early on.) Designers Christian Louboutin, Jean Paul Gaultier, Camille Miceli and Iris Van Herpen collaborated with designers including Barbara Palvan, Alexa Chung, Alex Consani, Natasha Poly, Eva Herzigová and Alton Mason. There are a large number of models including, who all appear in world-class style. The corporate team is strong and includes leaders from brands such as Chanel, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Snapchat, Anthropic and Chalhoub Group. Mouna Ayoub, Krystyna Campbell-Pretty and Lauren Amos were also patrons of the evening, along with Prince Amyn Aga Khan, Stephen Schwarzman and Christine Schwarzman.
An experiential dinner once again created by the talented Anne-Sophie Pic, the female chef with the most Michelin stars in history. At midnight, as Moët held its final toast, the Louvre announced that it had exceeded its fundraising target, raising €1.6 million and counting, funds earmarked for preserving the museum’s legacy. Visa Infinite, the event’s founding partner, has also pledged support for the next three gala dinners.
At the same time, for an incredibly romantic evening in Paris, the famous director brothers Michel and Olivier Gondry presented the museum with a film specially made for the occasion, “The Louvre – Love in the Moon”.
