Lanvin and Alber Elbaz pay tribute to César at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts de Paris, where he took classes between 1943-8, before later becoming a professor. While the “amphitheatre d’honneur” plays host to big names in the art world during FIAC, a picnic dinner created by Chef Jean-François Piège will be served to guests, followed by a reading of Etgar Keret’s fictional interpretation of César’s car Compressions read by Emmanuel Salinger.

In a setting where fashion becomes the showcase for art, the famous window displays of the oldest fashion house of Faubourg Saint-Honoré will display three works by the artist, lent by the César Foundation: Main(1968), Compression Fragonard (1984) and Hayon Corail (1986). From 25 October they become a part of the Alber Elbaz universe, and art lovers will have the opportunity to admire these original works for a month in advance of the exhibition at Luxembourg & Dayan, New York. The events celebrate César’s dialogue with fashion and reflect Alber Elbaz’s personal interest in art.

This showcase event expresses Lanvin’s desire to contribute to the influence of contemporary design. Since June 2012, the fashion house has been patron of the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts de Paris, a patronage that demonstrates a historical interest in the world of art. Jeanne Lanvin herself held the opinion that art was very close to the heart of fashion. Her proximity with artists, writers, musicians and decorators of the time led her to prioritise collaborations that stirred her passions.