Louis Vuitton Red Carpet and Party

by Kasia Koniar – Paris Correspondent

Imagine the last day of the Ready-to-Wear fashion week in Paris. After an extremely tight schedule and an array of events surrounding this happening, everyone is slightly light headed and weakened from fatigue. Louis Vuitton took the responsibility to pep us up and recharge our batteries.

On Sunday, October 9th at about six o’clock, the new LV boutique on the Champs Elysees, (much awaited by the Parisian crème de la crème), finally opened its doors after two years of renovation. The inauguration was an extravagant ceremony where I had trouble keeping count of celebrities, which included Sharon Stone, the almost cult French actress Catherine Deneuve, the Louis Vuitton muse of the moment Uma Thurman. Jade Jagger, Selma Hayek, musicians such as Eve and Pharrell Williams, the prodigious designer Karl Lagerfeld, Diane Kruger with French actor husband Guillaume Canet and many more were also celebrating the hottest store opening of the season in the city of lights. Big wigs included Sydney Toledano, who is President of Dior and Yves Carcelle who is President of Louis Vuitton.

The boutique is now the largest of the LV Boutiques in the world and was designed to give the shoppers the impression of continuation of the Champs Elysees promenade.

True to its original involvement with art and young talents, the store is filled with light/video images, metal constructions and surprises such as the pitch black soundless elevator you will get to experience, while on your way to the 7 th floor art gallery overlooking all of Paris.

The original trunks from 150 years ago are on display alongside their modern versions. In fact, it is not only a Parisian promenade, a well thought out itinerary for your shopping needs, but also a promenade through history.

A special Eiffel Tower diamond studded watch is available at the store for this occasion.

There is actually everything from bags, accessories, a special orders section, men’s and women’s fashions and jewelry, but the center of the store is a “sanctuary”, a monumental construction of mirrors and metal spikes suspended from the soaring ceiling with a stunning play on light, beneath which you will find the brand’s most prestigious products; trunks.

VIP and private rooms are available for shoppers, a bag bar, and even a bookshop. It is a state-of-the-art masterpiece of architecture and innovative ideas catering to any luxurious shoppers’ decadent whim. Yes, they spoil you rotten!

After this happening, the VIP’s hurried on to the Petit Palais where the Louis Vuitton show was held at 8 pm. This season Mark Jacobs showcased brave and bright solid and retro colors with bold 60’s shapes and fabrics. White and gold were also on the menu. Structured and well-engineered garments left the model’s interminable legs bare for a little softness, and the stars gaping with desire. Straight after the show, an after party was held…one of the highlights was Dita Von Teese dancing in Champagne!

Nothing like a little decadence to end a week of madness.