Longchamp held an over-the-top celebration of its 70th anniversary on Tuesday in Paris. Guests were greeted at the impressive Palais Garnier by a green carpet and suite of pageboys in tuxedos and horse head masks, which referenced the house‘s logo.
The palatial interior of the opera house provided the perfect setting for an evening of revelry around a the theme of movement and dance, chosen by Longchamp’s Creative Director Sophie Delafontaine. Dimitri Chamblas, former Artistic Director of the Opéra Garnier and current Dean of the School of Dance at the Californian Institute of the Arts was commissioned to create choreography for a troupe of 30 dancers to perform.
“For 70 years, the House of Longchamp has been in constant motion. This is the hallmark of our family: moving forward, innovating, and always seeking to improve. It is a permanent challenge for a family business in the hyper-competitive world of fashion that never stops. Movement is a state of mind: the Opéra Garnier and the world of dance perfectly illustrate this philosophy,” said Delafontaine.
Around 2,000 guests were in attendance, like brand ambassador Kendall Jenner, as well as Vincent Cassel and Tina Kunakey, Guillaume Canet, Laurent Lafitte, Leila Bekhti, Karine Viard, Ana Girardot, Laury Thilleman, Laurence Ferrari, Caroline Roux, Alessandra Sublet, and Ophélie Meunier. Representatives from the family-run brand were there to greet them all, including Philippe Cassegrain, President; Jean Cassegrain, CEO; Delafontaine; and Olivier Cassegrain, Director of American boutiques.
The evening closed out with a dance party care of DJs Feder and The Avenger in the rotonde des abonnés.
“Since 1948, our grandparents and parents have passed on to us the passion for creation and the desire to always be unique and unexpected. At Longchamp, our eagerness drives us to take risks and to be unique in the way we diffuse our French lifestyle, at once confident, impertinent, and light-hearted. As a family business, our true luxury lies in our independence and authenticity,” said Cassegrain.