Susan Tabak’s Love Affair with John Galliano & Christian Dior Haute Couture

The week started off with Christian Dior. It was a great thrill to be among the select group to celebrate the 60th anniversary ball at the L’Orangerie at the Chateaux de Versailles. The attire was called for extreme elegance. One saw everything from long gowns to funky black tie. My American friends, Ellen Olivier de Vezin and her husband Ned and Pat Rossignol went together with my forever favorite and trustworthy driver Bernard Vitrey.

While it had been a long trek to get to the L’Orangerie, it was well worth the trip. The event was spectacular as only Christian Dior can create. The Midsummer’s Night Dream was decorated with animal classic statues, hydrangeas spilling out of urns, and silver greenery in the sandy stone vaults. The weather was a bit chilly that evening but tents with heating lamps were set up to keep the guests warm.

John Galliano is a genius. The show was incredibly romantic. Models like Linda Evangelista to Naomi Campbell to Amber Valletta, dressed in the spirit of artists and photographers Dior knew as friends over the last 60 years.

It was truly a feast for the eyes. What I saw on the runway were outrageous yet magnificent works of art - but wear them? or store them? It would be difficult in a New York City apartment. But that’s not the point of Haute Couture. It’s John Galliano’s inspiration that trickles down to the pret-a-porter. However, the idea of Haute Couture is to have something custom made - If one is so inclined, you can have a dress made by John Galliano that may not look like anything you see in the show. That’s my dream.

After the show there was a fabulous dinner and dancing where the personalities and stars were all in attendance. The galaxy of superstars at the event included Monica Belluci, Sofia Coppola, Charlize Theron, Eva Green and Marisa Berenson. To fete the summer spirit, Sofia Coppola was wearing a stunning short pink dress.

I saw Erica and James Baxter and congratulated them on their marriage. See their wedding pictures on my post, Eva and Tony’s Wedding.

In the VIP room, I joined Georgina Brandolini, one of the women in my book, CHIC IN PARIS. It was great to catch up with Georgina, as I don’t see her often. As I was about to leave, it was a thrilling moment for me as John Galliano rushed into the room surrounded by bodyguards. I was able to grab his attention for a few minutes to congratulate him for his imagination and intoxicating creativity.