Catherine Baba’s Devotion Gala Celebrates Life with Lena Mahfouf – WWD

Catherine Baba issued a particular invitation for the primary Devotion Gala at Maxim’s de Paris. The mission: to have a good time life.

Baba, a longtime stylist, costume designer and style world fixture who has labored for Balmain, Givenchy and Cartier, in addition to Vogue, Vainness Truthful and Harper’s Bazaar, was recognized with leukemia in 2019. Since her restoration, Baba has devoted her time to elevating funds for the Necker Hospital in Paris, the place she obtained therapy.

“We’re right here tonight to have a good time life,” she mentioned. “I do know a variety of superb folks and I reached out to all my buddies. So it’s actually bringing the inventive forces from style, artwork, music and other people I’ve labored with in cinema and completely different dimensions to return collectively to lift cash for this trigger.”

To wit, French style influencer Lena Mafouf and designers Christian Louboutin and Vincent Darré had been among the many visitors, alongside fashions Marisa Berenson and Farida Khelfa, and Saint Laurent worldwide VIP director Emmanuel Tomasini. French actor Vassili Schneider, singer Alexia Gredy and mannequin Clement Dezelus had been additionally a part of the very stylish crowd.

Ever the dreamer, Baba believes Devotion can carry collectively creatives for a trigger. She envisions manufacturers collaborating with the group, or different causes, to create some good on this planet. A smaller occasion earlier this yr raised funds for Ukraine.

“I used to be simply possibly just a little bit bored of seeing all these manufacturers collaborating collectively and never essentially taking it additional,” she mentioned. “Working as a inventive on this business, at one level it’s like one thing’s obtained to present. I discovered myself at a crossroads and after my ‘rebirth,’ I actually wanted to create one thing that may take me additional throughout the inventive realms, however one thing not simply disposable, not simply stuff. We’re all on this collectively, and we will uplift greater than promoting extra poisonous disposable stuff,” she mentioned.

Trend and artwork contributed to the evening, with stacks of luxurious items and artworks donated for an public sale and raffle. Work from The Conflict’s Paul Simonon, sketches from Jean Paul Gaultier, and images taken by R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe had been among the many items for public sale, alongside gadgets from Acne Studios, Givenchy, Loewe, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Nanushka and Christian Louboutin.

Mahfouf arrived in Valentino, sporting a crop high after checking her coat on the door because of the freezing temperatures.

“She’s so courageous and athletic. She simply seems to be so energized and all the time smiling and effervescent,” the influencer mentioned of Baba. Mahfouf mirrored on the concept of fragility and having the assist of group.

“Life is all the time good, however then you’ve got an sickness and it makes you very lonely. So tonight, I hope she will share that feeling of loneliness that she may need had. When you’re dwelling by one thing that makes you’re feeling very lonely, it feels good when you’ll be able to share it with individuals who simply wish to hear you. She’s very inspiring,” mentioned Mahfouf.

Baba took to the dance flooring to start the public sale, which shortly was a little bit of chatting with buddies sprinkled across the room. Fortunately sufficient, Allanah Starr was additionally one of many visitors. The dancer serves as mistress of ceremonies at burlesque reveals and put her skills to make use of to assist Baba preserve the night transferring along with her vibrant power and loads of quips.

Friends in colourful ballgowns and classic costumes labored the room to encourage bidding, whereas the DJ pumped up the disco music. Designer Rick Owens arrived simply in time for the afterparty.

“Artistic forces can unite collectively,” mentioned Baba of her hopes for future Devotion occasions. “I don’t actually wish to restrict the place this will go.”