For Veuve Clicquot‘s opening celebration of its Solaire Culture Exhibition in Los Angeles, a slew of Hollywood stars were on-hand to toast the luxury champagne house. There was Gwyneth Paltrow, who rocked an abs-baring dress (more on that in a minute), Gal Gadot, Laura Harrier, Abigail Spencer, Katharine McPhee Foster, Willow Smith and more who somehow all got the unofficial black and white dress code memo.
Paltrow chose a black and white striped Carolina Herrera asymmetrical gown with ruffled appliqué at the shoulder, a cutout showing off her abs, and thigh-high slit, paired with Ana Khouri earrings. Gadot matched in a black and white zebra-print tank dress from Michael Kors. Harrier chose an all-black look in a Tory Burch dress with ruched skirt, while Foster went with a white crop top and skirt set with a matching jacket worn over her shoulders and a snakeskin clutch.
Each guest immersed themselves in the soirée. Harrier hopped behind the DJ booth to rock out with actress Ella Balinska, Gadot fully experienced Monique Frydman’s interactive installation by taking off her shoes to walk through and Gwyneth Paltrow was overheard talking about the entrepreneurial spirit of the brand’s namesake, Madame Clicquot.
The event was in celebration of Veuve Clicquot’s Solaire Culture exhibit which opens to the public (ages 21 and older) on Oct. 26 through Nov. 17 at 468 North Rodeo Drive. The exhibition features over 80 archival objects and historical pieces from the brand, as well as special artwork commissioned from 10 female artists to honor Madame Clicquot and the Solaire nature of the maison.
Madame Clicquot (née Barbe-Nicole Ponsardin) became a widow at age 27 after the untimely death of her husband François Clicquot in 1805. At a time when women weren’t allowed to have their own bank accounts, she took over the business and transformed it into what we know today. She created much of what’s associated with the champagne house, like that eye-catching label, crystal-clear consistency, and rosé option. She expanded the brand overseas and created the first blended rosé champagne in 1818 by blending white wine with red wine.
The artists showcased at the exhibit include Sheila Hicks, Monique Frydman, Moyoco Anno, Tacita Dean, Pénélope Bagieu, Inès Longevial, Olimpia Zagnoli, Rosie McGuinness, Cece Philips, and each put their own creative spin on their homage to the “grande dame de la champagne.”
In a fitting nod to the women-led exhibition, bites from top female chefs in the industry, Jeanne Cheng, Lenora Marouani, Brooke Williamson, and Nancy Silverton, were provided at Tuesday’s fête. Anyone who stops by the exhibit can enjoy Veuve Clicquot pairings and bites at the Yellow Café, which will donate proceeds to Regarding Her Food, a national non-profit driven by women and non-binary restaurateurs on a mission to empower and advance women, women of color, indigenous women, LGBTQ+ identifying women, and non-binary food and beverage entrepreneurs.
We’ll raise a glass to that!
