Photo below: Christian Lacroix
Photos by Swan

NEW YORK, Nov 23, 2002/ --- Though plenty of folks on this side of the pond have trouble pronouncing his name, one of fashion's greatest talents, Christian Lacroix, got a standing ovation Wednesday when the Alliance Francaise honored the couturier at the Pierre Hotel.

"America stood for so much for me, because I too am a child of the baby boom, when everything was TV and traveling and 'An American in Paris,' and things were a little bit tacky," an emotional Lacroix told the audience, which included his former model Anh Duong and ex-assistant, now Bill Blass designer, Lars Nilsson.

Before the award ceremony, guests bid for gifts that included one of Lalique's first men's watches; a package for two in Le Bristol in Paris; three cases of rare wine and dinner for six at Le Bernardin; and an original signed photo by Elle publication director Gilles Bensimon of Lacroix's fashion. An outfit of your choice by Christian, coupled with an invite to his show and after-party, went for $5,000.

Waves of applause and laughter rippled through the crowd as a video on Lacroix featured runway footage of his shows, black-and-white photos of his bohemian youthful escapades to London, images of him agonizing in his atelier, and the hilarious "Absolutely Fabulous" scene when Edina throws herself prostrate around Lacroix's ankles.

"That's the greatest cameo performance by a designer in a TV series," snapped the French-accented commentator, as Lacroix's Top Cat-like face burst into laughter.

Watching the beautiful images of his couture shows and his audacious mix of everything from Provencal to British eccentricity, one could not help thinking that while he might not win the name-recognition poll, when it comes time to write the history of 20th and 21st century fashion, Lacroix has secured his place in the Pantheon.