For his 10th anniversary as women’s creative director at Louis Vuitton, Nicolas Ghesquière threw a massive party in the middle of the courtyard of the Louvre. There was thumping bass, a giant floating disco ball and ‘90s rave style hats — all Vuitton-ified.
Jaden Smith was celebrating Ghesquière’s unique style.
“I feel I had to wear the skirt this time, because it’s 10 years for Nicolas, and we’ve been working together for a long time. So I wanted to honor that,” he said. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience to be able to be here and just see it.”
The young actor-slash-designer, who has his own clothing line Msftsrep, said he’s taken cues from Ghesquière’s immersive world building over the years.
“Everything he does is so epic, always. He’s such a chill guy, but like everything is just massive. It’s just inspiration,” he said. “Every time he does anything it feels like a blueprint for the next generation. You know what I mean? Because the greatest artists leave something behind that the next generation builds upon, and every time he designs anything, he’s kind of adding to that,” he said.
Smith is working on new music, as well as his fashion line, which will drop two new shoe styles in a collaboration with New Balance next month.
Sarah Paulson arriving at Louis Vuitton Fall 2024
Kuba Dabrowski/WWD
A “gobsmacked” Sarah Paulson agreed with the artist allusion. “It’s like watching Picasso put his work on display in front of you. It’s just there’s such artistry and drama, and also, poetry. I just thought it was spectacular,” she said of the show. “It feels to me like being in the presence of any great artist or a painter. You could see the history of all the previous collections.”
The fashion resonated with her, but didn’t transport her back to the clubs of her youth. “Oh no no, that was never my thing,” she laughed. But she loved the bunny ear hats and said she’d be up to give the style a try now, though shoes and jewelry were her more immediate list.
But the actress’ time in Paris was short-lived, as she was only in town for about 48 hours for the show. She’s back in New York City Wednesday, returning to her play “Appropriate.” It’s had such rave reviews that it’s moving to a new, larger theater on Broadway on Friday.
“It’s thrilling and exhausting and fortifying and terrifying — all the things you hope to have any time you are having an artistic experience,” she said of hitting the boards every night.
Saoirse Ronan at Louis Vuitton Fall 2024 Ready-to-Wear Show
Stephane Feugere/WWD
Saoirse Ronan was also back to work and had to be on set early Wednesday morning. That meant she missed post-show backstage photos with Ghesquière because she had to get on the last train back to London. She apologized for the quick departure.
“I’m just gonna put her on the bike,” said her stylist Elizabeth Salzman, though it wasn’t clear if she was pedaling or moto-taxiing to the train station. Considering her summer-weight suit and delicate high heels in the Paris traffic, hopefully the latter.
With the Oscars coming up Sunday, Da’Vine Joy Randolph was also on a quick trip to Paris. “The Holdovers” Oscar nominee had to make a plane back to L.A. to prep for the awards show.
“I am over the moon,” she said of getting ready for the big day. She’s planning on taking in all the pre-Oscars parties, and then to get some rest to prep for the red carpet. As to what she might be wearing?
“We are having conversations about that. I was just excited to see what was out here tonight. I felt like it was three collections in one,” she said. She couldn’t divulge anything about her upcoming look. “It’s still a secret, but you’ll enjoy it, I promise you that.”
Jennifer Connelly at Louis Vuitton Fall 2024 Ready-to-Wear Show
Stephane Feugere/WWD
Jennifer Connelly, an Oscar winner herself, is taking time off after wrapping the upcoming TV series “Dark Matter.” But husband Paul Bettany, who she’d lost somewhere in the crowd, is heading off next.
“My husband is about to go off to work and I’m at home with our daughter,” she said.
A longtime muse of Ghesquière’s, Connelly was happy to celebrate his decade at the house. “I was so thrilled for him. It felt like such an event and he’s very emotional,” she said.
They’ve become not just designer and celebrity, but close personal friends. “It’s such a gift. You know, it’s grown so much over the years and he’s one of my favorite people. He’s such a nice person and he’s very surprising — he’s also very funny as well. Just a wonderful person.”
Guests streamed through the backstage area, giving Ghesquière plenty of well wishes and well-deserved kudos.
