Roger Vivier Brought Parisian Flair to New York City In Celebration of Its New Rizzoli Book  

On Tuesday evening, the Roger Vivier boutique on Madison Avenue was filled with fashion insiders and brand devotees who had gathered to celebrate the launch of the brand’s third Rizzoli book, Roger Vivier: Heritage and Imagination. Much like the 311-page volume itself, which was curated by Elizabeth Semmelhack, the evening, hosted by Inès de la Fressange, was all about the brand’s archives.

The store’s decor showcased the maison’s past and present; Vivier’s original sketches and Vogue magazines from 1965 sat alongside the latest collectsions, while the new tome lined the window displays and display cases. Its cover—which features the brand’s signature Belle Vivier silver buckle and color-blocked panels of yellow, red, and blue—was impossible to miss.

Upon arrival, guests immediately gravitated towards the oversized version of the book near the window display. As they flipped through its pages, they were met with silver trays of Champagne and la bise from global brand ambassador de la Fressange—who met the late monsieur Vivier back in the 1980s. “Roger Vivier is real luxury that brings something to women,” she explained as attendees sifted through the pages, “it’s not about how we’ve helped the brand; it’s about how the brand has helped us.”

Guests including Tina Leung, Violetta Komyshan, Ronny Kobo, Jacquelyn Jablonski, and Bambi Northwood-Blythe used the evening as an opportunity to learn more about the brand—now under the stewardship of creative director Gherardo Felloni since 2018—and its legacy. “Who was the real Roger,” Australian model Northwood-Blythe asked, hoping the pages might offer some answers. De la Fressange and her daughter Violette d’Urso ensured the crowd had no shortage of them. “I learned tonight that Roger Vivier was among the first to embellish shoes with floral details at a time when everyone else was keeping things plain,” ballet dancer Komyshan shared.

Those famed embellishments were incorporated in many accessories dusted down for the occasion, as jeweled clutches, buckled heels, and sparkling pumps made their way into almost every look. “I feel put together and adorable,” Leung told Vogue while pointing at her pink and green rose headband. “I built my entire outfit and glam around this headpiece.”

As bubbles continued to flow, the evening took on a vibrant, celebratory energy. It felt less like a formal book launch and more like a genuine reunion. “This evening is happy, full of inspiration, and a little bit messy,” de la Fressange told Vogue. “That's how Vivier was and it’s how the best things come about.”