If there’s one thing Giambattista Valli loves, it’s a garden full of roses. To fete 10 years of collaboration with MAC, that’s exactly what the Italian couturier got. Last night’s Flower Obsession Ball came complete with a bed of roses projected onto the facade of the Opéra Garnier, a rose wall on the landing of the monumental staircase, and displays packed with petals to showcase his first venture into makeup: a lineup of five lipstick shades and a Lip Glass. Even the dress code specified, “Flower obsession and inspired black.” Most of the guests happily obliged.
“It’s the first time we’ve graduated to couture,” offered Estée Lauder Group president John Demsey, who arrived with Suzanne von Aichinger on his arm. “Giambattista is a friend and family. We’ve been following him since Ungaro, and when he launched his house 10 years ago, we were there to help him conceptualize and style the shows. Now he’s conceptualized an amazing collection for us.” In a first for MAC, the five lip colors Valli chose are reflected in the packaging.
“My idea was ‘dress your lips in Giambattista Valli.’ There is nothing more revolutionary in a woman’s wardrobe than changing the color of your lips, and these [colors] are my five favorites,” Valli told Style.com. Many of the women who wear Valli—Bianca Brandolini d’Adda, Charlotte Casiraghi, Eugenie Niarchos, and Noor Fares, among them—turned out. Jessica Alba, fresh off her first Valli couture show, ducked into the VIP room as Mark Ronson took over the sound. “I love it all—the clothes, the lipsticks,” she said. “I’m never afraid of color!”
—Tina Isaac-Goizé, Style.com
