News: Paris Haute Couture Show Fall 2002

Kal Ruttenstein Honored at Gala French Reception

PARIS, Jul 14, 2002/ FW/ --- At a splendid reception that marked the closing of Couture week in Paris, Kal Ruttenstein received the Légion d'Honneur, an award of high distinction bestowed by the French Republic on persons having distinguished themselves by professional or military service.

As champagne flowed in copious quantity, and guests mingled on the terrace of an 18th Century Palace that skirts the Champs Elysées, Didier Grumbach, president of the Fédération Française de la Couture, pinned the medallion to the lapel of Kal's evening suit designed by Tom Ford.

It was the perfect conclusion to two weeks of Paris shows, beginning with menswear and continuing to couture, and it brought together many of the diverse people who make it all happen.

A wide range of designers was present, from Jean Charles de Castelbajac, president of the Chambre Syndicale de Mode Masculine, who opened the menswear season, to Farah Angsan, a beautiful Indonesian woman and newcomer, who closed it.

There was Suzy Menkes from the International Herald Tribune surrounded by a host of journalists covering Paris for the first time.

There was Carine Roitfeld of French Vogue standing beside Godfrey Deeney, presently with Fashion Wire Daily.

There was the executive staff of the Federation, as well as numerous dignitaries from around the world.

And, of course, there was the persistent flash of photographers recording it all for history.

And in a way, it was symbolic of the continuation of a great tradition.

Paris has been the creative capital of fashion for centuries, and even as great names retire, and new ones emerge, the art of couture continues into the new millennium.

Kal Ruttenstein, his eye always glued toward fashion, remarked as I admired his medallion, "I just love what you're wearing." (Which was Hedi Slimane for Yves St. Laurent Rive Gauche mixed with Hedi Slimane for Dior Homme.)

"All you need are these," he said, modestly lifted his cuffs to reveal sparkly sneakers.

As the sun sank slowly behind ancient Chestnut trees, and guests began to head their separate ways, the Paris season came to a peaceful endŠ until Ready-To-Wear in October.