The Grande Dame of Antique Fairs

There is some considerable talk about the Biennale coming to New York this November. Christian Deydier, the president of the Syndicat National des Antiquaires, has long toyed with the idea, and it’s becoming quite clear that this may become a reality this fall. If that’s the case, I venture that it will be well received by many people from the United States. This past week, I’ve gotten a great deal of feedback, and read a lot of press about this foremost fair of antiques, fine art, and jewelry.

Fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld was invited to “reimagine” the exteriors of the old palais. Being that he is one to dazzle his audience at all times, the majority in attendance anticipated an extravaganza in the style of the Chanel shows that he’s become so well known for. Instead, what they got was a demure and uncharacteristic scenography from the Ice Man. Nevertheless, as his hot air balloon took center stage, the euphoric atmosphere was elegant, most appropriate, and for the well-heeled who were seriously interested in collecting design, and jewelry, this was the place to be. Are you ready to enter the festivities inside the grand palais?

 Photos courtesy Billy Farrell Agency

Notable attendees: Karl Lagerfeld, Former First Lady Bernadette Chirac, Calvin Klein, Benjamin Steinitz, Becca Cason Thrash, Dominique Levy, Christian Deydier, Peter Marino, Sheikh Hassan bin Mohamed bin Ali Al Thani, Didier Claes, Bernard Arnault, Gisele Croës, Sophie Marceau, Pierre Bergé, Hubert de Givenchy, Yue Sai Kan, Charlotte Casiraghi, Diana Widmaier Picasso, Eugenie Niarchos.