ROOM FOR BODRUM: The Met Gala in New York on Monday night did not completely empty Paris of fashion people.
Many of them piled into the Riviera-inspired restaurant Mimosa, where Giambattista Valli hosted a family-style dinner party to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Mandarin Oriental resort in Bodrum.
Of course, Valli girls turned out in force, including model Gaëlle Pietri, who twirled in the courtyard of the lavish Hôtel de la Marine complex, the skirt of her dress flaring out dramatically over the paving stones, and public relations guru Alisa Volskaya, who chose a little pink dress to show off her legs.
Gaëlle Pietri in Giambattista Valli.
Courtesy of Avec Paris
While Valli came dressed in black with his signature strand of pearls, his first assistant designer Elia Quadri marveled at his boss’s colorful, pattern-heavy holiday style, crossing fingers that one day he’ll expand his fashion universe into menswear.
Valli noted that he’s been wearing his strand of freshwater beauties, which gleamed with iridescense, for almost 20 years. “I need to clean them,” he said while chatting with Augustinus Bader executives Charles Rosier and Jerome Pulis.
The two men had just returned from New York, where they launched tinted lip balms in partnership with Sofia Coppola. They are already sold out on its U.S. online shop.
Budding fashion model Yvesmark Chery said he had just moved to Paris, and worked the room making sure all the important people had his new contact details.
Giambattista Valli and Cristina Cordula
Courtesy of Avec Paris
He also paused to pose for photos with acting sisters Milla and Koukla Lapidus.
Between deviled eggs, spinach salad and steamed sea bass, guests were also served a QR code that gave them the chance to win three nights at the swanky Bodrum resort.
Over the sound of a four-piece band, which roamed the restaurant and did a number in front of each table, fashion consultant and TV personality Cristina Cordula let out a yelp, signaling that she was the victor.
The luxurious Mandarin Oriental boasts a Hakkasan restaurant, a wellness spa, and prestigious local boutiques like Beymen and Vakko.
Maria Bernad
Courtesy of Avec Paris
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