Berluti’s Picasso Museum Picnic Dinner and Givenchy’s After-Party

We just wanted to do something fun where everybody can relax,” offered Berluti CEO Antoine Arnault as last night’s post-show picnic dinner got under way in the garden behind the Picasso Museum. “I think this is my first picnic of the year,” mused Haider Ackermann. “I think this is the first one in my entire life, at least since school,” upped Christian Louboutin as the first waiters emerged with baskets. “What’s for dinner?”

Baguette sandwiches and champagne, for starters, which were quickly followed by trays bearing dishes of risotto in vivid hues (curaçao blue, beet pink, saffron yellow) in homage to Berluti’s Chandigarh-inspired color story. Within minutes, ladies in sequined cocktail attire had shed their heels and slipped onto blankets spread out around the garden. Also in the crowd were Natalia Vodianova, Jeanne Damas, Raphaël Personnaz, Olivier Widmaier Picasso, and Amar’e Stoudemire, looking dapper in a straw boater. “I loved the collection, but all this is kind of new to me,” the NBA star noted. “It’s definitely the kind of luxury I could get used to.”

“We just wanted to give everyone a chance to chill out,” commented designer Alessandro Sartori. “What could be better than the garden at the Picasso?” Remarkably, Berluti succeeded in convincing museum authorities to keep its doors open until midnight, allowing both guests and occasional passersby optimal viewing conditions.

“I’m just here to see friends and nourish my brain,” declared Jean-Baptiste Mondino, brusquely waving off whoever dared point a camera phone his way. He had no time for sweet-talk, either. “I’m a Pop photographer, a variety photographer, and it just happens that I’ve done a few things that worked well,” he told one young admirer. “If it’s genius you’re after, check out the museum.”

Across town at the Mona Bismarck American Center, Givenchy’s Riccardo Tisci had his own after-party. His all-star runway crew showed up, Naomi Campbell included, and Courtney Love performed.