Boucheron Starts Its Yearlong Celebration With A Gala Evening

Paris - Last night, January 21, 2008, Boucheron, the jeweler of sensual desire, held a unique gala to launch its 150th anniversary celebrations in majestic style.

To the delight of its guests, the jeweler invited them to the preview of its ephemeral "COLLECTIONS PARTICULIERES, PARIS" exhibition, set up in a private mansion in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, followed by an intimate dinner at the Petit Palais.

Boucheron was able to reveal, to this handful of privileged individuals, its hugely original exhibition: "COLLECTIONS PARTICULIERES, PARIS", a display of the latest masterpieces from the "Enchanting Boucheron" High Jewelry collection, set alongside some of the most highly sought after and admired contemporary art works of the moment.   The guests were able to enjoy a preview visit of the nine Galleries comprising this precious Jewel Case, and to discover at the very heart of the exhibition the Treasure Room, the proud home to the seven anniversary jewel sets created by the jeweler. In this ephemeral installation, the unique creations of the House of Boucheron stood side-by-side with masterpieces by some of the greatest contemporary artists - Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst, Martial Raysse, Kristin Baker, Maurizio Cattelan, Richard Prince, Liza Lou, Paul Fryer and Rodolphe Von Gombergh.

The atmosphere was warm and hushed when Boucheron's guests sat down to enjoy their meal at the Petit Palais. Extraordinarily refined decoration highlighted by bouquets of flowers composed by famous Parisian florist Eric Chauvin, gentle music and exquisite dishes were waiting for the 150 guests who had come to celebrate the jeweler's anniversary. Boucheron had called upon the assistance of world renowned chef Yannick Alleno, one of only a few chefs to have been granted 3 stars by the Michelin Guide Rouge for his gastronomic restaurant at the Htel Meurice. The chef was delighted to be participating in such a prestigious event. "When Boucheron invited me to celebrate its anniversary, I was very honoured and I quite naturally accepted to work using recipes inspired by the themes of the 150-year collection," declared Alleno. Especially for the guests who were part of the elite invited to the gala, the chef dreamt up an hors d'oeuvre inspired by Voluptuous, a main dish on the theme of Magic or Mysterious and as can only be expected, a dessert taking its inspiration from Gourmand.

To ensure the magic lasted, the jeweler had reserved a surprise for its guests. After the main dish was over, and before dessert was served, the Petit Palais was plunged into darkness for a few seconds, as if preparing some spectacular apparition. The air was filled with a gentle melody and the stage lit up to reveal Emmanuelle Seigner, looking absolutely sumptuous in a Stefano Pilati dress, who treated us to a "Happy Birthday Boucheron". With typical grace and sensuality, she went from table to table before taking the plaudits from an audience who had been won over by her performance.

1)Massimo Radaelli, Naomi Campbell, Michelle Yeoh and Jean Todt

4)Robert Polet, Caroline Polet, Jean-Christophe Bédos and Mimma Viglezio

5)Jean-Christophe Bédos and top Model Naomi Campbell

Some 150 "happy few", specially invited by Mister Franois-Henri Pinault, Mister Robert Polet and Mister Jean-Christophe Bdos, were privileged enough to the guests at this evening. Among the guests were Julianne Moore, Anna Wintour, Suzy Menkes, Carine Roitfeld, Naomi Campbell,  Diane Kruger, Joshua Jackson, L'Wren Scott, Michelle Yeoh, Jean Todt, Danielle Steel, etc.

"The evening was a pure moment of jubilation for all of our guests. We are thrilled and esteem ourselves privileged to have experienced such a moment of enchantment an audacity. All of our senses were stimulated and fulfilled!", said Jean-Christophe Bdos, C.E.O Boucheron.

This gala evening, where the focus was on originality, marked the starting point to the House of Boucheron's 150th anniversary celebrations. The life of the jeweler will be punctuated by events throughout the year. If it is anything at all 2008 will certainly be the year of Boucheron!