Vogue100 Hosts an Afternoon Tea With Airelles and Chopard at the Château de Versailles
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With its peerless elegance and history, the Chateau de Versailles is more than a magnificent mega manor. Built by Louis XIII back in 1623, the estate is now home to Airelles Château de Versailles Le Grand Controlé, a luxury five-star hotel offering guests the opportunity to relive the noble life centuries later.
On Monday, Vogue100 took a break from the Paris Fashion Week festivities to enjoy an afternoon filled with the finer things like a tour of the Lalanne Trianon surrealist sculptural exhibition, a stately tea party at the Le Grand Controlé with a collection of Chopard Haute joaillerie, and an intimate look at the Hall of Mirrors.
Following a visit to the Petit Trianon, a Neoclassical chateau where Marie Antoinette once lived that now houses works by Claude and François-Xavier Lalanne, guests were welcomed to a tea party with glasses of rosé Champagne. The mirror-lined formal dining room was adorned with a bountiful bouquet of pink florals that was just as breathtaking as the views across the Versailles gardens as seen from the adjoining, ivy-laden private patios.
Inside, sophisticated takes on classic French fare like fried quail egg hors-d’oeuvres and mini cheese toasties crafted by the famous Alain Ducasse, a French-born Monégasque chef who boasts 21 Michelin stars, were enjoyed by all. Between bites and bubbly, financier and fashion-enthusiast Abbie McLaughin, donning a sparkly Area gown straight from the Met gala’s red carpet, discussed her favorite looks from Balenciaga’s spring 2022 show with Vogue’s Ian Malone, who sported a sharp, scarlet Dolce and Gabbana suit set.
Decadent sweets like the multi-tiered raspberry and rose cake laced with delicate icing designs and rose petals by Ladurée were almost too pretty to eat. The ivory croquembouche and Saint Honoré were equally delightful and delicious desserts.
Through gold-trimmed doors in Le Cabinet Marie-Antoinette, Chopard presented an exclusive selection of high jewelry and watches for guests to wear throughout the afternoon. Dainty yet incredibly intricate diamond pieces from the Precious Lace collection, the “La Parisienne” necklace featuring lapis lazuli and tanzanites, and the emerald earrings from the Red Carpet Collection were just a few of the many favorites. Of course, Chopard’s CEO Jean-Baptiste Maillard and US Boutique Director Zachary Izzi flew in for the special affair to ensure everyone’s selection fit perfectly. And did they ever.
Sporting a ruby and pink sapphire Chopard brooch, Vogue’s Hamish Bowles talked about his love for Thom Browne with fellow admirer and philanthropist Sylvia Mantella. Nearby, Vogue’s Jasmine Contomichalos in a gorgeous, green Giambattista Valli gown chatted about revenge travel plans with Shari Glazer and Jordan Rhodes.
At the height of golden hour, everyone wandered up The Hundred Steps staircase only to stumble upon the live set of Netflix’s new television series aptly themed around Marie Antionette. Between takes in the Gardens of Versailles, guests dressed very much like the members of the House of Bourbon walked past the film crew toward the Palace for a private moment in the Hall of Mirrors.
As the sun slipped beneath the horizon, guests experienced the magic of exploring the Palace after dark. The chandeliers glistened brighter and the grand rooms felt even more majestic.
To top off the evening in true French fashion, the Airelles team prepared a proper champagne toast in the hotel s library. In a gorgeous room outfitted in velvet loungers, marble statuettes, and an antique harp, the send-off salute couldn t have felt more royal. From the decadent tea party dressed in Chopard jewels to the private tours across the historical grounds, Vogue100’s afternoon in Versailles will be hard to forget anytime soon.
Photographed by Aaron Idelson1/14Sabrina Harrison
Photographed by Aaron Idelson2/14Vogue s Hamish Bowles
