On Tuesday evening, the Comité Colbert hosted a cocktail party at The Shed in Manhattan to launch the "Hidden Treasures, 250 Years of Franco-American Luxury Stories" exhibition. The event celebrates the historical relationship between France and the United States through a curated display of artifacts from 65 premier French luxury houses.
A Living Bridge of Luxury and Diplomacy
The Comité Colbert New York opening cocktail party served as a high-profile kickoff for an exhibition that is as much about international relations as it is about high fashion. Held at the top floor of The Shed in Hudson Yards, the gathering brought together industry figures, including Pat Cleveland and J.Crew’s Olympia Gayot, to witness the unveiling of a collection that spans centuries of shared history.
Bénédicte Épinay, the president and chief executive officer of Comité Colbert, described the experience of organizing the massive undertaking as being both "excited and exhausted." The scale of the event is notable; the association reported that having 65 exhibitors is a record-breaking number for the organization.
"I’m so proud to be here in New York to host that exhibition we worked on for a year.
The logistical reality of moving such high-value treasures across the Atlantic was significant.
"Everything was difficult. You have all these pieces, to transport them with the insurance, with the security, with the temperature, so many difficulties to solve. Some artifacts need a certain light, some others need humidity, some others no humidity.
French Ambassador to the U.S. Laurent Bili framed the exhibition as a way to reinforce the bond between the two nations. He noted that the collection serves as a way of continuing to build upon the existing connection between France and America.
"What strikes me most probably is not really what we’re celebrating tonight. It’s what we’re continuing to build here in the U.S. again, as we have in the past. It’s creating a living bridge between heritage and modernity, but as well as between our two nations."Laurent Bili, Ambassador of France to the U.S.
From Apollo 11 to Madonna: Artifacts That Defined Eras
The exhibition, which runs through May 31, functions as a time capsule of cultural influence. Among the most striking pieces is an 18-karat gold replica of the Apollo 11 Lunar Excursion Module. Created by Cartier in 1969, the 5.9-inch-tall model was one of three gifted to astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins by the French newspaper Le Figaro.
Fashion history takes center stage through several high-impact items. The display includes a heritage reproduction of the pink Givenchy couture coat worn by Jacqueline Kennedy during her first official overseas state visit in June 1961. Additionally, visitors can view a circa 1950 black Kelly bag, an item famously used by Grace Kelly.
Pop culture’s intersection with luxury is perhaps best represented by Jean-Paul Gaultier’s breast-baring pinstripe dress. The gown gained notoriety when Madonna wore it at an amfAR charity gala in Los Angeles in 1992, an appearance that helped raise nearly $700,000 for AIDS research.
The collection also highlights intimate personal histories. S.T. Dupont’s connection to Jackie Kennedy is evidenced by a black lacquer Ligne 1 lighter gifted to her by French Minister of Cultural Affairs André Malraux. The piece was so central to her identity that it was even loaned for use in the 2026 television series Love Story to ensure historical accuracy in the portrayal of the former First Lady.
Market Resilience and the American Luxury Stronghold
While the exhibition is a cultural celebration, it also underscores the economic reality of the global luxury market. The selection of 65 French luxury houses and cultural institutions highlights the United States’ status as a critical growth engine for French brands, even as other markets face volatility.
The French association anticipates between 10,000 and 15,000 visitors during the six-day run. This interest comes at a time when the U.S. remains a resilient destination for luxury spending, despite varying economic pressures.
- LVMH: 3% US revenue growth
- Kering: 9% US revenue growth
- Hermès: 17.2% US revenue growth
- Richemont: 18% US revenue growth
TD Cowen analyst Oliver Chen has characterized the current American landscape as a K-shaped economy, noting that while the top end of the market continues to grow, the lower end faces more significant pressure.
For the Comité Colbert, the exhibition is less about driving immediate sales and more about collective brand strength. Hélène Poulit-Duquesne, the CEO of Boucheron and the newly elected chair of Comité Colbert, emphasized that the goal is about unity.
"That is not its purpose; it’s about rallying. Bringing all these maisons together is something amazing, and the fact that all of them come under a single stronghold tells a beautiful story of French luxury.
