Supermodel, philanthropist and mother of five (yes, five) Natalia Vodianova has more access to designer clothing than perhaps 99 percent of the women on this planet.

While the self-made star has all the finances you need to shop at the best boutiques in the world, her long-time partner (the father of her two youngest) is Antoine Arnault. As in son of omnipotent Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy group boss Bernard Arnault, who is to the modern fashion world what Zeus was to the Vikings.

While the younger Arnault is CEO of luxury menswear brand Berluti, creatively headed by designer’s designer Haider Ackermann, her ties to the LVMH group as a whole means ready access to a long list of big-name womenswear brands that fall under its banner. Between Givency, Celine, Dior, Fendi, Loewe, Marc Jacobs, Kenzo and, of course, Louis Vuitton, there would never be a shortage of options for any last minute red carpet roll-up.

Natalia Vodianova at the launch of Chaumet’s Tresors d’Afrique high jewellery collection

Which is why the pants and top Givenchy combo she wore to the recent launch of LVMH jewellery brand Chaumet’s recent Trésors d’Afrique collection, an invite-only cocktail affair in Paris that saw other female dresses draped in jewel-toned gowns and million dollar jewellery, was an outside-the-box choice.

Not that we’re surprised Vodianova, despite having the perfect pins for a cropped skirt, instead opted for tailored white pants, one of the hottest elegant dress trends of 2018 (as proven by fellow Givenchy fan Meghan Markle at the Wimbledon women’s final).

Loose-legged, pristine white and long enough to cover almost all of her stiletto sandals, these are trousers designed to take you from 9am meetings to evening soirees. And yes, Givenchy is an LVMH brand.

The secret to flipping the ‘cocktail’ switch with this style of trouser is the top and bling, both satisfied in Vodianova’s case with a ‘70s kimono-style metallic top with bell sleeves and belted waist. Little surprise, the only accessory she needed, beyond a basic black bag, was spectacular chandelier earrings by the host brand.

[Article continues below]

Shop NATALIA’S LOOK ON ANY BUDGET

Petar Petrov, Evan Silk Blouse with Metallic Thread, now $611 at STYLEBOP. SHOP NOW
Zara, Sequinned Top with bow, now $23.
SHOP NOW
SALONI, SEQUIN-EMBELLISHED BLOUSE, NOW $195 at Stylebop.
SHOP NOW
VALENTINO, LAME TOP, NOW $1932 at My theresa. SHOP NOW
DIANE VON FURSTENBERG, POLKA DOT SILK BLEND CHIFFON TOP, $530.
SHOP NOW
ONE TEASPOON, REBEL MUSE METALLIC TOP, NOW $45.
SHOP NOW
JOSEPH, PEARCE DRAPED CREPE TOP, $503. SHOP NOW

Givenchy, Tailored flared trousers, now $810 at Farfetch. SHOP NOW
ZARA, CHINO TROUSERS, $90. SHOP NOW
JOSEPH, crepe wide leg pants, now $187 at the outnet. SHOP NOW
Etro, tailored trousers, now $213 at Farfetch. SHOP NOW

GALLERY: other well-heeled a-list guests

 

Of course, Vodianova wasn’t the only well-heeled guest at the event to celebrate the storied French jeweller’s new collection, which is described as a five-part story of multifaceted Africa. Veteran models Naomi Campbell and Liya Kebede, who both have African heritage, wore pants too – Campbell’s as part of a black suit and and Kebede’s a chic jumpsuit.

Australian actress Elizabeth Debicki, who was recent guest of honour at a Sydney party to celebrate Chaumet’s first boutique in Australia, wore a gown from the Valentino Autumn/Winter 2018 runway collection with statement Chaumet earrings. For more details on the Trésors d’Afrique collection click here.

GALLERY: PIECES FROM THE CHAUMET TRÉSORS D’AFRIQUE COLLECTION