FRENCH HERITAGE SOCIETY AND LANVIN CELEBRATE THE ART DECO BALL WITH A KICK-OFF COCKTAIL IN NEW YORK
On Thursday, October 16th, French Heritage Society (FHS) and Lanvin hosted a chic cocktail soirée at the Lanvin boutique on Madison Avenue to kick off the organization’s annual Gala Dinner Dance season. The evening celebrated the forthcoming Art Deco Ball, set for November 12th at a private club in New York City, where FHS will honor the historic French fashion house Lanvin and its Artistic Director, Peter Copping.
Founded by Jeanne Lanvin in 1889, the maison is the oldest French fashion house still in operation—a timeless emblem of Parisian refinement. From millinery beginnings to pioneering couture, interior design, and fragrance, Jeanne Lanvin’s vision helped define the glamour of early 20th-century France. Now, more than 130 years later, Peter Copping brings a contemporary sensibility to the house, with his debut collection unveiled in January 2025.
Lanvin generously donated 10% of the evening’s sales to support the mission of French Heritage Society, which has awarded over 700 restoration and cultural grants to French and American landmarks since its founding 43 years ago. Guests enjoyed cocktails, conversation, and an atmosphere steeped in French elegance, with remarks by FHS Executive Director Jennifer Herlein and Gerrit Ruetzel, President and General Manager of Lanvin US.
Among the guests were FHS Chairman Elizabeth Stribling, and Board Members Liz McDermott Barnes, CeCe Black, Jennifer Farrell, Kazie Metzger Harvey, and Ann Van Ness, alongside Pauline Argenson and James Demmert, Julie Auclair, Elena Ayot, Susan and Gerald Baker, Janna Bullock, Phyllis Chase, Monica Elias, Lady Maria and Kenneth Fishel, Arden Fuchs, Katie Grishman, Soneca Guadara, Lou Hammond, Cheri Kaufman, Marilyn Kirschner, Michèle Gerber Klein, Margo Langenberg, Stephanie Mattera, Christina Bott Murphy, Jonn Nubian, Michael Gregson Reinert-Sessions, Guy Robinson, Caroline Ryals, Nadja Sayej, Odile de Schiétère-Longchampt, Sarah Tay, Flore-Yanha Thervil, Ilona Velez, Nina Yacavino, Sue Xu Zhang, and Untitled’s Indira Cesarine, among others.
The main Art Deco Ball will take place on November 12th, featuring music by the Alex Donner Orchestra and a lively afterparty to follow—an evening destined to capture the enduring allure of French artistry and design.
Photos by Andrew Werner
