Fête Accomplis — The American Friends of Versailles Gala, Orchestrated by Three Texans, Rocks the Night

In the annals of grand soirées, The American Friends of Versailles’ A Legacy of Light gala will surely rank among the summer’s most glamorous. Just ask the posh clutch of European nobility, social swells and Texas gentry who flocked in for the  evening.

Designer gowns, black-tie finery and high jewelry were de rigueur as the 280 guests entered the Sun King’s palace for an evening of fanfare, fireworks and a 7-foot tall birthday cake celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States and the alliance between the United States and France that facilitated independence. It was in Versailles that King Louis XVI formally recognized U.S. independence in 1778 and approved the military/financial aid that enabled the American victory against the British.

Trumpets heralded the arrival of the throng that first strolled through the Royal Apartments and on to the famed Hall of Mirrors where they were greeted by the gala’s distinguished honorary chair, native Texan/Paris resident Becca Cason Thrash, recipient of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres and a Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur. Known for her remarkable fundraising prowess, it was no surprise that under Thrash’s tutelage the evening reaped $3.5 million.

The funds are allocated for restoration of the Salon de Diane, where the recently restored hand-painted ceiling, created during the reign of Louis XIV, enthralled attendees. The extraordinary work, noted for its gilded brilliance, provided inspiration for the gala’s A Legacy of Light theme.

While champagne was served and air kisses flowed in the Hall of Mirrors, American Friends of Versailles president Alicia Bryan, scion of one of Texas’ leading energy families, visited with France’s Minister of Culture Catherine Pégard and Laurent Salomé, director of the National Museum of the Palaces of Versailles and Trianon.

Rounding out the trio of Texas leadership was Paris resident and creative director Lucas Somoza, event planner extraordinaire who created and executed the grand floral- and candle-infused tableau. The evening would be a hallmark of success for his namesake firm which is widely recognized for Somoza’s beautifully executed celebrations.

The distinguished clique moved on to the vast Galerie des Batailles for cocktails until trumpeters sounded the call to dinner at the opposite end of the hall. Dinner served, remarks made.

Gustatory highlight was presentation of the remarkable 7-foot tall birthday cake by renowned French cake designer Bastien Blanc-Tailleu. The towering pastry embraced the dual celebration featuring flags of both countries; red, white and blue bunting; gilded baroque trims; and emblems of the United States side by side with those of the French monarchy. The massive cake required 300 hours of preparation by a team of 10 pastry chefs.

An Auction Like No Other

As dessert was served the auction of wildly extravagant lots commenced. The piece-de-resistance was the David Yurman one-of-a-kind white gold Liberty Cable bracelet set with more than 25 carats of diamonds. The beauty, provided by the event’s grand patrons Sybil and David Yurman, commanded a generous $260,000. French designer Christian Louboutin made the high bid on the beachfront escape to the Zanzibar Collection’s Baraza Resort and Spa.

Bidding was also enthused for the cruise from Luxor to Aswan on Christian Louboutin’s luxury sailboat, for the private South African safari, and a behind-the-scenes experience on the set of Netflix’s popular Emily in Paris. Artist Hunt Slonem upped the bottom line by contributing one of his paintings.

The fundraising sealed, the crowd moved to the terrace overlooking the prized Versailles gardens for a lavish fireworks display accompanied by classical music. The hardier among the celebrants then moved on to the after party in the Galerie Basse where a DJ kept the revelry churning until 1 am. For the die-hard Texans, the party continued next door at Airelles Le Grand Controle, where New York/Palm Beach interior designers Lance Scott and Cecily Waud had booked a suite for the occasion. That celebration went deep into the morning hours.

The Versailles evening was the grand finale of several days of American Friends of Versailles activities in Paris that included launch festivities at Hôtel de Talleyrand,  dinner at Quai D’Orsay, and brunch at Chateau de Camplâtreux, three spectacular venues not typically open to the public.

A Versailles Fashion Note

Bryan wearing Oscar de la Renta and Thrash in a Galliano-era Dior tulle couture blouse topping a floor-length pink skirt by French designer Alexis Mabille, who was among the 280 guests. The ever-dashing Somoza donned white dinner jacket tuxe by esteemed London tailors Cad & The Dandy.

Houstonian Gillian Sarofim stepped out in Alexander McQueen while Meg Goodman wore Oscar, and Ceron was in an over-flowing Dior Collar and Gucci coat with Christian Louboutin shoes.

PC Seen: Prince Charles and Princess Camilla de Bourbon des Deux-Siciles, Baronesse Louise de Rothschild, Marie de Noailles and Prince Charles-Henri de Lobkowicz, Stephane Gerschel, Tracey Amon, Thierry  Wasser, French art historian Diana Widmaier Picasso, Fabrizio Casiraghi, Fortuné Penniman, Guillaume and Delphine Feau,  American socialite and model Peter Brant Jr., fashion designer Alexis Mabille, Decades founder Cameron Silver, Paris Opera Ballet principal Hugo Marchand, and in from Houston John Thrash, Ceron, John Goodman and Walt Fortney, Gillian Sarofim, Betsy Goodman, Maha Khan, Cheryl Byington, newlyweds Elizabeth Petersen-Buais and Gregoire Buais, Joyce Echols, Michael and Melissa Mithoff; in from San Antonio was Shannon Ralston in couture Valentino accompanied by Phillip Risalvato, aka the Gucci Cowboy.