Historic Champagne House Veuve Clicquot and Simon Porte Jacquemus were joined by Julia Roberts, Imaan Hammam, Solange Knowles, Emma Roberts, Charlotte Le Bon, and Toby Wallace on the eve of New York Fashion Week to debut their new collaboration. The event recast the Central Park Boathouse as a canvas of joy and optimism at the historic New York landmark to celebrate the bold new expression of Veuve Clicquot’s Art de Vivre.

Entitled Le Pique-Nique Sur L’Eau, which translates to “the picnic on the water,” the evening featured a whimsical performance from the alumni of Carnegie Hall’s Ensemble Connect on the Central Park Lake – the first performance on the lake in almost 90 years – before guests moved into dinner at the Central Park Boathouse beneath Veuve Clicquot-colored awnings. Against the backdrop of the Manhattan skyline, friends of both houses enjoyed inventive courses from Chef Alexia Duchêne as they toasted to the union of two creative universes.

The evening was a celebration of radiance and artistry, reflecting the two collaborators and the inspiration behind the cuvée’s new design. Simon’s reinterpretation of La Grande Dame 2018 celebrates both artisanal tradition and feminine vision. Inspired by Madame Clicquot (“la grande dame de la Champagne”) and Simon’s lifelong muse, his mother, the design radiates in Veuve Clicquot Yellow, a color beloved by both Houses.

“La Grande Dame 2018 is the outcome of simple materials, meaningful gestures, and strong women’s stories, yet it is ultimately a celebration of – and for – optimistic and memorable moments,” says Simon Porte Jacquemus.

Jean-Marc Gallot, CEO of Veuve Clicquot, adds, “Central Park felt like the perfect place to celebrate the shared values of Veuve Clicquot and Simon Porte Jacquemus, a landmark in one of the most vibrant and creative cities in the world.”

Image credit: Darian DiCianno/BFA