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On October 31st, French Heritage
Society (FHS) held
its
Annual New York Gala Dinner Dance at The Plaza Hotel. This year,
the exquisite, much anticipated affair was festively themed
The Black and Orange Ball, and black-tie clad guests wore
elegant masks, disguises, and colorful accents.
The evening honored
French luxury lifestyle brand
LALIQUE and its founder René Lalique. It was
organized under the gracious patronage of
His Excellency Gérard Araud,
Ambassador of France to the
United States, His
Excellency François Delattre,
Ambassador and Permanent Representative of France to the United
Nations, and Mrs. Sophie L’Hélias-Delattre, Ms.
Anne-Claire Legendre, Consul General of France in New
York, and Mrs. Bénédicte de Montlaur, Cultural
Counselor of the French Embassy in the United States.
The
Gala
Chairmen were CeCe Black, Silvina
Leone,
Liz McDermott, Jay R. Paul, Jean Shafiroff,
and Ann Van Ness. The New York Chapter Chairs are
Guy N. Robinson
and Odile de Schiétère-Longchampt, who also served as the
Design Consultant. The Board of Directors includes Elizabeth
F. Stribling, Chairman of the Board, Denis de Kergorlay,
President, David M. Gray, Treasurer, and Jennifer
Herlein, Executive Director.
A
cocktail reception commenced with singer and performer Lenny
Hoops providing the music and entertainment before guests
sat for dinner. Attendees raised their glasses as Chairman of
the Board, Elizabeth F. Stribling and Denis de
Kergorlay welcomed guests, and CeCe Black thanked her
fellow Gala Chairs.
The
events wine consultant and emcee, George Sape then
introduced a short video about LALIQUE before
Elizabeth F. Stribling
and Denis de Kergorlay presented a trophy to the LALIQUE
team, which was accepted by Sarah Gargano on behalf of
the brand. Celebrating their 130th anniversary in 2018, LALIQUE
is internationally recognized as the ultimate symbol of French
luxury.
A
short dancing break set to the music of the Alex Donner
Orchestra before Nicholas Dawes, Vice President,
Heritage Auctions, the country’s leading expert on René Lalique,
began the live auction.
Supporters were given the opportunity to bid on four lots that
included Living LALIQUE - an exclusive cocktail party for
up to 10 guests in an elegant space designed by LALIQUE, which
served so popular a second party was provided with both selling
at $4,500. A lavish travel package to Discover the Parisian
Art-de-Vivre was sold for $6,500, dinner for four at Skybox
at Daniel accompanied by superlative wines was placed for
$3,500, and a stay at La Mamounia, the legendary 5-star palace
hotel in Marrakesh, Morocco, resulted in a bidding war before
being placed with the winner for $6,000.
A
short video about the FHS Student Exchange Program, was then
screened before Naomi Jabouin, FHS Student Exchange
Program Alum, made brief remarks to express her gratitude for
the program. The auctioneer then collected for the bids for the
Student Exchange Program, before dessert was served and dancing
resumed.
About French Heritage Society
French Heritage
Society was founded in 1982 as a two-way street for Americans
and French to share their love of historic architecture. French
Heritage Society intervenes to ensure that the treasures of our
shared French architectural and cultural heritage survive to
inspire future generations to build,
dream and create. FHS has contributed to over 580 restoration
grants and helped secure $21.2 million dollars, including
matching dollars, for historic monuments, buildings and gardens
in every department in France and to properties in the United
States that reflect France’s historic influence. There are 11
Chapters of the Society throughout the United States and
Paris.
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