On Friday night, U.S. Ambassador to France and Monaco Dennis Ball hosted a gala cocktail party to celebrate the return of “Americans in Paris.” As part of Eskume’s long-term partnership with the CFDA, “Americans in Paris” creates a global showcase for emerging designers. Despite the importance of Milan, London and New York, Paris remains unparalleled in its influence on the global fashion industry. The showroom (featuring a café sponsored by Supima Cotton) offers exposure opportunities to international retailers, media and clients. This year marks the revival of this initiative, made possible by support from Meta since 2019.
Editors, designers, philanthropists and tastemakers gathered at the Hôtel de Pontalba, the ambassador’s official residence on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. Esteemed Anna Wintour and the CFDA’s Steven Kolb greeted attendees as they entered the Baroque salon. Renowned designers, including Schiaparelli’s Daniel Roseberry and Thom Browne, came forward to support the young creatives. The eight honored brands—Alejandra Alonso Rojas, Christopher John Rogers, Diotima, House of Aama, Judy Turner, Kim Shui, Tanner Fletcher and Zankov—represent the best in American fashion. While heavy rain falls in the formal gardens outside, the atmosphere inside is lively. Guests including Derek Blasberg and Eva Chen greet the designer.
“I want to start by thanking Anna Wintour,” Ball said as she took the stage. Wintour’s commitment to developing new talent is at the heart of everything Eskume does. Over the past two decades, the CFDA/Eskume Fashion Fund – which included all eight brands shortlisted or honored – has fostered some of the country’s most commercially outstanding and highly successful brands.
Sparkling with candlelight and fragrant with flowers, this mansion has a dramatic history. Henri François d’Aguesseau, Prime Minister of France under Louis XIV and Philip II, purchased this large tract of land in 1710. After the war, the property passed between several owners. In 1836, Micaela Almonester, an heiress from New Orleans who married the Baroness de Pontalba, purchased the house and assigned it to the Louvre and Les Invalides. Italian architect Louis Visconti expanded it. Her heirs sold the property to Edmond James de Rothschild, one of the main architects and advocates of the modern Israeli state. When Hitler’s forces occupied Paris in 1940, the Nazis used this grand residence as a Luftwaffe officers’ club. After the Allied victory, the United States purchased the property and used it as a news agency before it became the official ambassador’s residence in 1971.
The evening also served as a reminder of Paris’s unique position in attracting international talent. Louis Vuitton, Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, Christian Dior and Yves Saint Laurent’s shops originally opened in the city, which now welcome designers from around the world. On Friday alone, designs from Georgia (Guram Gvasalia of Vetements), Japan (Yohji Yamamoto of Issey Miyake, Satoshi Kondo), Italy (Giambattista Valli), Colombia (Johanna Ortiz), and the UK (Victoria Beckham, Jonathan Division) were released. Thanks to Askum, the CFDA and Meta, 8 more brands experienced the occasion. Steven Kolb/Dennis Ball/Tom Browne/Andrew Bolton Dennis Ball/Daniel Roseberry Derek Blasberg/Nell Diamond Alejandra A Ronzo Rojas Henry Zankov Fletcher Castle/Tanner Rich Rachel Scott Kolb Ellie Michelle Kopelman/Christo F. John Rogers Kim Shui Christopher John Rogers/Akwa Shabaka, Conley Everett, Alejandra Alonso Rojas, Rachel Scott, Henry Zhan Kow, Kim Shui, Tanner Rich, Fletcher Cassell, Eva Chen, Anna Wintour, Akwa Shabaka, Mona Patel, Alison Sarofim Willy Achavarria, Anna Wintour, Steven Kolb, Hilary Tai Moore, Jennifer Fisher, Andrew Bolton, Tom Browne, Anna Kurirupal Patel McKellen Guidry, McKinley Guidry
