Roger Vivier Fetes It’s New Designer, and Its New Collection

by Aria Darcella December 13, 2018

written by Aria Darcella December 13, 2018

Stefano Tonchi, Gherardo Felloni (BFA.com)

Live musicians, well-trained animals, and oodles of champagne — Roger Vivier went all out at its Hotel Vivier party last night. But of course, the brand had good reason: it was celebrating not only its new collection, but also its new designer, Gherardo Felloni.

The three-story space was decorated like a glittering hotel of yore. Vintage posters lined the walls, while staff members floated around in old-school wait uniforms. Guests (like Stefano Tonchi, Coco Rocha, and Nina Garcia) were free to roam into rooms filled with unique surprises, including a model in a bathtub, live musicians, and two adorable pups that sat in tufted chairs and patiently posed for pictures. The collection was strewn about, further adding to the glamorous atmosphere.

: (BFA.com)

: (BFA.com)

Felloni himself was in attendance, his happiness utterly infectious. “The first thing that I said to the headhunter was “I want this job,” he said. “It was my dream.” Though the designer felt confident in his knowledge of Vivier’s history, he was still struck by the massive archive of the house. Among his favorite styles is a pink shoe with a virgule heel from the 1960s. “I put it in my office,” he laughed, mentioning a reproduction of a Greek statue. “I put it in the hand [of the statue], so it’s there!”

: (BFA.com)

: (BFA.com)

But Felloni still has his eyes on the future, and is aptly tweaking the Vivier’s codes through subtle updates. For example, he’s changed up the house’s iconic buckle shape to something more bold and contemporary. Meanwhile, he tapped into the brand’s cultural history and brought back Catherine Deneuve for a new campaign. “I wanted to do something for social media with Catherine Deneuve, and everybody told me “No, she never accepts. She never accepts.” And then she did!” He elaborated: “I was really happy, and she was really funny. She was so cool, we smoked a cigarette together.”

Guests were sent home with silk sleep masks embroidered with the words “Do Not Disturb,” perhaps a reminder that despite the fun, champagne, and frivolity, we all still have work the next day.