Costume Institute Gets a Whimsical, Feminine Look

The Metropolitan Museum of Art's big benefit had a more delicate appearance this year, taking design cues from the aesthetics of French designer Paul Poiret.

May 9, 2007

For the A-list crowd of fashion makers and followers, the inspiration for this year’s Costume Institute gala, routinely heralded as the party of the year, made for a less conventional look than in recent years. The annual black-tie dinner benefiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute celebrated the early-20th-century artist-couturier Paul Poiret, whose drapey, flowing designs freed women from their corsets, and the museum’s exhibition of his work, “Poiret: King of Fashion.” Nods to the groundbreaking designer included brightly colored, hand-painted fabrics and a giant gilded birdcage with live peacocks.

As in previous years, the planning required the joint efforts of the museum’s vice president for development and membership, Nina Diefenbach, manager of special events Ashley Potter, and deputy chief development officer for events Kristin MacDonald, along with Vogue’s special events director, Stephanie Winston Wolkoff. Francois-Henri Pinault (C.E.O. of luxury-goods company PPR) served as honorary chair of the benefit, along with co-chairs Cate Blanchett, Nicolas Ghesquiere (creative director of Balenciaga, the evening’s sponsor), and—of course—Vogue’s Anna Wintour.

Raul Avila and scenographer Jean-Hugues de Chatillon handled event design duties for the first time this year, taking over from David Monn (who was allegedly dissatisfied with Vogue’s coverage of the 2006 Anglomania-themed event), who in turn had taken over for Robert Isabell.

The influence of Poiret’s innovative vision was evident throughout the 750-person event, with an abundant use of fabric, bold and vivid colors, and his signature rose motif. Glorious Food’s menu also took inspiration from Poiret, who was known for his lavish entertaining. In fact, the menu was composed of recipes from a cookbook compiled by the designer. A first course of rosettes of smoked salmon with caviar was followed by an entrée of scalloped veal with morels and a bouquet of spring vegetables with potato galette with truffles. For dessert, guests ate gâteau moka and crème anglaise.

Academy Award winner (and recent Vogue cover girl) Jennifer Hudson performed three songs during the dinner.

—Erika Rasmusson Janes

Raul Avila and Jean-Hugues de Chatillon took inspiration from Paul Poiret's colorful, exotic designs, placing a giant gilded birdcage holding four live peacocks at the entrance to the event.

Photo: Courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Raul Avila and Jean-Hugues de Chatillon took inspiration from Paul Poiret’s colorful, exotic designs, placing a giant gilded birdcage holding four live peacocks at the entrance to the event. A red carpet led guests through an alley of crab-apple trees to the exhibit.

Photo: Courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art

For dinner in the Engelhard Court, Avila and de Chatillon channeled Poiret's world of theater, using fabrics and wall coverings that incorporated patterns designed by Poiret. Rosebushes and fabric-covered ottomans divided the open space into smaller, more intimate areas.

Photo: Courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art

A silk tablecloth hand-painted with a Poiret design covered each table, linen napkins folded into the shape of a rose sat atop each plate, and chair covers came in shades of peach, pink, blue, and green.

Photo: Courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art