29 September 2024
PARIS — Still basking in the Olympic afterglow, Paris hosted another celebration of global unity and creativity on Saturday night: the BoF 500 Gala. Held in a stunning venue with views of the Eiffel Tower, this event marked the addition of 100 new influencers to the BoF 500, the definitive index of individuals shaping the fashion industry worldwide.
The gala attracted a constellation of fashion luminaries, including designers like Victoria Beckham and Phoebe Philo, celebrities such as Kylie Jenner and J Balvin, alongside industry leaders Francesca Bellettini of Kering and Gap’s newly appointed creative director Zac Posen, who graced this year’s BoF 500 cover. The guests, adorned in their most daring outfits, mirrored the event’s celebration of bold fashion statements.
Victoria Beckham commented on the night’s attire, noting the prevalence of “strong, bold fashion statements.” The atmosphere was vibrant, as attendees like Hari Nef and Jared Leto showcased new looks by Alessandro Michele for Valentino, while Loewe ambassadors Greta Lee and Ayo Edebiri donned fresh runway pieces from Jonathan Anderson. French singer Yseult made a dramatic appearance in a sculptural Balenciaga couture trench.
Throughout the evening, the grand ballroom was alive with the buzz of conversation, networking, and shared meals at a lavishly decorated banquet table. As night fell, BoF founder and CEO Imran Amed addressed the attendees, emphasizing the significance of unity in a divided world.
The highlight of the evening was a performance by Wizkid, who brought the Afrobeats sound to an international audience. Dressed in Chanel, he performed hits like “Ojuelegba” and “Essence,” the latter being the first Nigerian song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100.
Among the guests were many from previous BoF 500 classes, reflecting on the event’s impact. American model Ashley Graham shared, “Just knowing that you are part of history, that you have done a great service to the fashion industry, and that you’re recognized for it — what an honor.”
The night continued with music from DJ Aymen, as new members expressed their excitement and surprise at their inclusion. Italian singer and Diesel ambassador Damiano David, also the frontman for Eurovision 2021 winners Måneskin, remarked, “When I got the news I actually thought: ‘What? Me?’. I was surprised because I’m a singer, I did not expect that.”
Zac Posen, experiencing the event for the first time, reflected on his invitation, “I’ve actually never been to this event [before], I’ve never been part of The Business of Fashion… but some things are worth waiting for.”