NIGHTLIGHT: FRENCH HERITAGE SOCIETY’S 30TH ANNIVERSARY KICKOFF CELEBRATION A HUGE SUCCESS SAYS WHOM YOU KNOW
On Wednesday April 13th, French Heritage Society kicked off celebrations for its upcoming 30th anniversary with a cocktail reception at Cultural Services of the French Embassy hosted by Antonin Baudry, Cultural Counselor of the French Embassy in the United States, followed by a benefit dinner at the French Consulate hosted by Consul General Philippe Lalliot. A truly classy event, Whom You Know was honored to attend and cover it.
The cocktail party hosted by Cultural Services took place in the gorgeous Payne Whitney Mansion as the culmination of a two-day showcase exposition organized by French Heritage Society and Cultural Services. The showcase featured several exceptional and well-known artisans who were present to demonstrate and discuss their respective crafts. Their work represents the finest in decorative painting, gilding, architectural metalwork, upholstery, marquetry, embroidery and other trades steeped in rigorous tradition. The historic traditions still used today by these local artisans are a testament to the exemplary craftsmanship which built the French legacy in exquisite architecture, décor, and decorative arts. Many of the artisans and their distinguished clients were in attendance for cocktails along with honored guests of the dinner.
The dinner was held under the patronage of The Honorable Philippe Lalliot, Consul General of France in New York and Ambassador François Delattre at the French Consulate. Guests made their way into the Chapelle Salon for a second cocktail reception where they were served hors d’oeuvres provided by Alexandra Payard’s catering company, Tastings, and Champagne by Paul Goerg. Speeches were given by Mother of Mover and Shaker Elizabeth Kivlan, French Heritage Society Chairman of the Board Elizabeth F. Stribling and President Denis de Kergorlay before the guests got to be the first to view a short film about French Heritage Society’s upcoming 30th anniversary. After the film, the doors of the magnificent Salon Rose (whose beautiful, painted wood ceiling was restored thanks to a grant from FHS in 2008) were opened to reveal the beautiful dining room and guests found their seats at tables named after the artisans’ crafts. The room was marvelously decorated with festive flower arrangements and elegant gold and white menus provided along with matching gift bags. It was an intimate dinner of 65 with food by Tastings and wine selected and donated by George P. Sape. Peachy Deegan attended with Mover and Shaker Jennifer Dixon and we were pleased to see Jean Shafiroff there! Peachy wore the Donna Ricco one shoulder dress of the week!
PARTICIPATING MASTER ARTISANS: Thomas Abad of French Polish & Restoration LLC. – antique furniture restoration and French polish; Christopher Augerson of Augerson Art Conservation Services - conservator-restorer of decorative surfaces (paint, gilding, lacquer); Eric Chapeau of Chapeau Design – custom made furniture, restoration and special finishing; Baptiste Gohard of Ateliers Gohard - gilding restoration and modern finishing; Saul de Jesus of Premiere Painting - custom and decorative painting; Gregory Muller of Marble and Stone Creations Inc. - mosaics and sculpture in stone; Gabriel Ravet - tapestry upholstery, traditional seat covers, window coverings, wall hangings, creator of seats; Ernie Smith of Penn and Fletcher - embroidery designers and artisans; Jean Wiart of Les Métalliers Champenois - fine architectural metalwork
In honor of French Heritage Society’s accomplishments preserving the historic architectural treasures of France, the artisans showcase and dinner hosted by the French Consul General is in anticipation of FHS’s 30th Anniversary next year. These festivities will begin in early October 2012 with a cultural and culinary trip through the wonderful region of Gascony on the theme of the celebrated novel and real-life story of The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas. The celebration will culminate in a spectacular Gala Dinner, Ball and a fireworks finale at the legendary Château de Fontainebleau on October 13, 2012. For more information on the 30th Anniversary, please contact French Heritage Society’s New York office: FHS@frenchheritagesociety.org
Event Co-Chairmen were Elizabeth F. Stribling, CeCe Black and Odile de Schiétère-Longchampt.
Among those celebrating the exquisite French tradition and Savoir-Faire were: The Honorable Philippe Lalliot, Consul General of France in New York and Mrs Laurence Folliot Lalliot; Irene Aitken; Mariam Azarm; Baron and Baronness Bruno Bich; Lee Black; Sophie Claudel; Patricia Cossutta Arostegui; Count Denis de Kergorlay; Sarah de Lencquesaing; Jean-Paul and Sibylle Denfert-Rochereau; Marifé Hernández and Joel Bell; Countess Dominique Flahaut; Ronald Fleming; Françoise Gilot; Dame Barbara Kemper Gross and David Gross; Michel Longchampt; Ambassador James Lowenstein; Kasper; The Honorable Maguy Maccario-Doyle, Consul General of Monaco in New York; Tara Milne; Judy McLaren; Christophe Musitelli; George and Norene Peck; Laura Pels; Guy Robinson; Sana Sabbagh; George and Jeri Sape; Stanley DeForest Scott and Elizabeth Scott; Jean and Martin Shafiroff; Patricia and Thomas Shiah; Elizabeth (Mimi) Stafford; Roberta Downs Stewart Sandeman; Bertrand and Mathilde Thomas; and Ann and Bill Van Ness.
French Heritage Society is dedicated to protecting the French architectural legacy both in France and the United States with particular emphasis on raising funds for preservation and education. In its 28 years, the Society has grown to 13 Chapters across the United States and one in Paris. FHS has contributed to over 460 restoration grants and provided more than 18 million dollars, including matching funds, to projects in virtually every department in France and to properties in the United States that reflect France’s historic influence. The Society also fosters long-established French-American relationships by organizing trans-Atlantic student internship opportunities and offering its members enriching cultural trips in France and the U.S.
The role of the Cultural Services of the French Embassy is to build strong French-American connections and to create tools that facilitate cultural exchange between the two countries. Our three principal fields of action are the arts, primary/secondary education and higher education.
