Earlier this week President Biden arrived in France for his first official state visit to the country. The itinerary—which included a stop in Normandy to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day alongside first lady Dr. Jill Biden—continued today, with French President Emmanuel Macron and first lady Brigitte Macron formally welcoming the Bidens to Paris at the Arc de Triomphe. Later, the four arrived at the Élysée Palace for a state dinner.
Dr. Biden emerged from the motorcade wearing a velvet navy blue bateau-neck gown by Schiaparelli. Accessorized with navy pumps and drop earrings, the dress features a thick white sash that billows into a long, cascading train. Schiaparelli was a fitting choice for both the occasion and this moment in time.
Founded in Paris by Italian designer Elsa Schiaparelli in 1927—and known for boundary-pushing surrealist designs—Schiaparelli grew to become one the most prominent haute couture houses of the era, helping to set the bar for French luxury fashion. Shuttered for decades following bankruptcy in 1954, the house was revived in 2014. In 2029, Texas-born American designer Daniel Roseberry took the helm as artistic director.
Given France's designation as America's oldest ally, Dr. Biden's gown—born from a legendary French house and designed by an American—is a clear nod to the diplomatic relationship between the two countries. And it's not the first time Dr. Biden has worn Schiaparelli in the city of light. Last July, when the the United States rejoined the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Dr. Biden chose a custom suit by the house while meeting with First Lady Macron.
Tonight's state dinner look adds to a growing number of appearances for which Dr. Biden has worn blue, the color of the Democratic party. In May, she welcomed Kenyan President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto to the White House in a pale blue suit, later donning a royal blue Sergio Hudson gown for a state dinner in Ruto's honor; soon after, she re-wore the suit to appear on Good Morning America.
For her part, First Lady Macron opted for a white column gown with sheer long sleeves, adorned with a vertical row of decorative buttons along one side.
The Macron's guest list was a who's who of not just politics, but fashion, too. Pharrell Williams arrived in pieces plucked from his American West-inspired fall 2024 collection for Louis Vuitton—his wife, Helen Lasichanh, in a black dress featuring a plunging V-neckline. Salma Hayek, joined by husband François-Henri Pinault, wore a black gown with an intricate lace bodice. Others in attendance? Bernard Arnault and wife Helene Mercier-Arnault; Delphine Arnault and husband Xavier Niel; and former French President Nicolas Sarkozy with wife Carla Bruni.
