I was recently invited to a cozy dinner at London’s Blakes Hotel, hosted by Net-a-Porter founder, NATALIE MASSENET, in honor of Carven’s new designer, GUILLAUME HENRY. Guests included the lovely team at Net-a-Porter, Style.com’s SARAH MOWER, Grazia’s PAULA REED, The Telegraph’s DANIELA AGNELLI, Vogue’s DOLLY JONES, Fab Sugar’s LAURA STREET, RCFA’s CATHERINE KALLON, and GEMMA SOAMES from the Sunday Times, alongside other influential individuals in the industry.

Massenet, who looked gorgeous in a Carven dress, spoke of how she and the designer met, proclaiming Mr Henry a “young Saint Laurent”. Due to my full time internship (and an early morning appointment the day after), I wasn’t able to interview him the next morning before he traveled back to Paris. Luckily for our DIA readers, I did get to chat with him about his experiences and the transition between designing for Givenchy and PAULE KA, before his arrival at the House of Carven.

By now, what was once the best kept secret in Parisian fashion is out. For the last couple of seasons Henry has been carefully transforming this storied couture house into a must-have label known for its young, edgy take on glamorous French ready-to-wear. His debut collection was quickly picked up by COLETTE and MARIA LUISA in Paris, as well as Net-a-Porter.

Established in 1945 by MADAME CARMEN DE TOMMASO CARVEN (who is still alive and kicking at 100), for half a century she was the preferred designer to young girls and petite women (Carven herself was only 5’-1”), with a roster of famous clients including actress LESLIE CARON.

Green, her favourite colour (and a symbol of good luck) became the house’s signature shade. To celebrate the label’s reincarnation Henry commissioned Laduree to create anise-flavored Carven macaroons, packaged in the house’s signature green and white stripe box. Although sold exclusively at Ladurée’s rue Royale HQ, guests at the dinner got to take a box of the tasty treats home with them.

Written by Tala Samman

Photography courtesy of Myfashdiary.com and Carven Paris