FIAF's 2021 Trophée des Arts Gala Honors Distinguished Guests
Novelist Marc Levy and Saint-Gobain Chairman Pierre-André de Chalendar were celebrated for their contributions to French-American culture.
Every year, the French Institute Alliance Francaise hosts the Trophée des Arts Gala to celebrate distinguished figures that exemplify the organization's mission of building a bridge between French and American culture. While last year's ceremony was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, on November 16, FIAF supporters and guests arrived at the Plaza Hotel in New York City for the 2021 Trophée des Arts Gala and charity auction which featured items ranging from luxury vacation packages to a Schiaparelli bag.
This year, Marc Levy, France's most-read living author, was presented the Trophée des Arts Award by his editor Susanna Lea in a moving speech about the beginning of their working relationship and friendship. Saint-Gobain Chairman Pierre-André de Chalendar received the Pilier d'Or Award, which honors a business figure, diplomat, or philanthropist for exciting work in promoting Franco-American culture relations. Saint-Gobain is a French manufacturing and design firm that provides building materials for companies in various fields.
In addition to the night's regularly scheduled festivities, FIAF President Marie-Monique Steckel was also honored for her 17 years as the organization's leader with the Chevalier de l’Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur, the Officier de l’Ordre National du Mérite, and the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.
Some of the evening's distinguished guests included U.S. Ambassador of France Philippe Étienne, UN Ambassador Nicolas de Rivière, U.S. Consul General Jérémie Robert, Jacob de Rothschild, Lazard Freres CEO Kenneth Jacobs and Agnès Mentré Jacobs, Louis Vuitton CEO Lanessa Elrod, Donald and Virginia Zilkha, Cécile David-Weill, Jesse and Stephanie Newhouse, Frédéric Fekkai and Shirin von Wulffen, Veronica Bulgari, Nicolas and Natalya Poniatowski, Ariane Daguin, Philippe and Isabelle Delgrange, Prosper & Martine Assouline, Nabil & Samantha Chartouni, Robert de Rothschild, William & Clemence von Mueffling, Alexandre and Laurie Chemla, Nicolas and Phoebe de Croisset, Vivien de Gunzburg, Francois and Ketty Maisonrouge, Dorian Grinspan, Annemarie Iverson, and more.
