The stars of the French fashion world descended upon Paris for the highly anticipated Le Grand Dîner du Louvre, a charity gala held in conjunction with the museum's new exhibition, Louvre Couture: Art and Fashion – Statement Pieces. As the guests arrived on the red carpet, it was clear that the dress code was not to be taken lightly.
The French woman's staple, black, was the clear choice of the evening, with many opting for sleek, sophisticated ensembles that exuded elegance and refinement. Keira Knightley, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and Victoria Beckham were just a few of the A-listers who donned stunning black gowns, each with its own unique twist and flair.
From the intricately embroidered Chanel gown worn by Knightley to the full-on sequinned, corseted Balenciaga number worn by Huntington-Whiteley... the black attire on display was truly breathtaking. Even those who are not French were drawn to the timeless appeal of the colour, "with models and celebrities alike opting for black ensembles that were both stylish and understated." "Black is such a refined shade," says Tumisola Ladega-Hewitt... founder of clothing brand Ladéga.
Tumisola Ladega-Hewitt is the founder of clothing brand Ladéga. She is a fashion expert and enthusiast who admires the elegance and effortless style of French women. She believes that black is a refined and timeless color that exudes power and sophistication. Ladega-Hewitt's appreciation for monochromatic styles is evident in her own wardrobe, which often features all-black silhouettes.
She sees black as a versatile and fail-safe option that can be dressed up or down and is suitable for any occasion. Her insights into French style and fashion are highly regarded... and she is widely recognized as a leading authority in the industry.
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French style is defined by effortless elegance.
The French woman is renowned for her effortless elegance, a style that exudes refinement and sophistication without ever appearing forced or contrived. This discerning aesthetic is a hallmark of French fashion, and it was on full display at the Le Grand Dîner du Louvre. Justine Triet, the film director, set the tone for the evening with her chic black satin, barrel-legged suit, paired with a subtle slash of red lipstick.
The understated elegance of her look was perfectly captured by Tumisola Ladega-Hewitt, the founder of clothing brand Ladéga, who said, "Black is such a refined shade. It's a timeless, classic colour: quiet, yet bold. As far as I'm concerned, an all-black silhouette is incredibly understated, yet powerful and artistic." The French model Caroline de Maigret also opted for a black outfit, but added a touch of glamour with a subtle, silvery shimmer to her trouser suit... which perfectly complemented the hardware on her Chanel bag. And Philippine Leroy-Beaulieu, the nation's patron saint of midlife style, took it to the next level by pairing her black gown with black opera gloves, "heels," "sunglasses.".. and a clutch.
No sooner had the Oscars red carpet been rolled up than the Hollywood elite were once again boarding private jets to fly across the Atlantic for the next round of style moments at Paris Fashion Week. Proceedings kicked off with Le Grand Dîner du Louvre – a fundraiser that looks set to become the French answer to New York's Met Gala, coinciding with the museum's new exhibition, Louvre Couture: Art and Fashion – Statement Pieces . It's an invitation which called for some serious style, one that was met by the vast majority of guests with the French woman's favourite fall-back: black.• • • •
