Paris Haute Couture Week 2014 closes with a party

The event: In celebration of the closing of Paris Haute Couture Week, the president, executive committee and board of directors of the French fashion association threw a black-tie soirée for designers, executives and other industry insiders.

The hosts: Didier Grumbach is outgoing president of the association, formally known as la Fédération Française de la Couture du Prêt à Porter des Couturiers et des Créateurs de Mode. Executive members sharing hosting duties on Thursday were Chanel fashion president Bruno Pavlovsky, Hermes managing director Guillaume de Seynes, Puig fashion division president Ralph Toledano and Christian Dior chief executive Sidney Toledano.

The scene: As a light drizzle fell on the lush landscaped gardens leading up to the Hotel Salomon de Rothschild, a sprawling, formerly private 19th century mansion, guests ambled along a candle-lit walkway to reach the imposing pillared entry. Inside, partygoers mingled amid the tapestries, crystal chandeliers and a courtyard complete with a stuffed tiger. Others, such as couturier Alexis Mabille and his models, tested out the dance floor.

The chat: Mabille reported that he plans to stage a trunk show in Los Angeles come September, bringing select couture pieces along with his ready-to-wear.

Grumbach, who is stepping down and soon will become honorary president, said that despite his leaving the leadership position, the closing soirées won’t end any time soon. “It’s a tradition,” he said. “We’ve had these parties since the 1930s.”

The crowd: Among the designers were Raf Simons, Marco Zanini, Christian Louboutin, Elie Saab, Zuhair Murad, Bouchra Jarrar, Alexandre Vauthier, Anne-Valerie Hash, Julien Fournie and Jean-Charles de Castelbajac.

Ellen Olivier is the founder of SocietyNewsLA.com.