French Heritage Society Celestial Ball Kickoff
The beautiful and fashionable philanthropist Jean Shafiroff’s invite requests her guests for the upcoming French Heritage Society Celestial Ball kickoff cocktail party dress festive. The fête anticipated the upcoming French Heritage Society Celestial Ball on November 15th in Manhattan, celebrating the historic reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral and recognizing the role Americans — both philanthropists and artisans — played in its restoration. Since the devastating fire, FHS raised funds through a dedicated Notre-Dame Fire Restoration Fund.
The French Heritage Society’s mission is to protect the treasures of French architectural and cultural legacy in France and the U.S. through raising funds for preservation, restoration, and education. The 42-year-old nonprofit has awarded approximately 685 restoration and cultural grants to properties throughout France and the United States and selected and supported more than 580 university students who have crossed the Atlantic for internships at esteemed institutions.
On the evening of September 25th, we arrived at host Jean and Martin Shafiroff’s splendorous Belle Epoque decor apartment. A photographer from Patrick McMullan snapped arrivals as Jean welcomed guests into her residence in a stunning Oscar de la Renta sequin gown.
Fashionably attired FHS Board Members Jennifer Farrell, Rosann Gutman, and Liz McDermott Barnes mingled with flutes of champagne. Of the many elegant guests paraded in their finest were Pauline Argenson and James Demmert, Allison Baroness von Arnim, Susan and Jerry Baker, Bettina Bennett and Gordon Beck, Lee Black, Sharon Bush, Candace Bushnell, Talia Carner, Liliana Cavendish, Yann Coatanlem, Francine Crocker and Dirk Adams, Patricia Cossutta and Puly Rincon, Paul F. Danello and Virginia Loving Pope, Wendy and Robert Federman, Vincent Festa, Silvia Frieser, Elena Gibbs, Julia Haart, Rolf Heitmeyer, Sylvia Hemingway, Gabriella and Vincent Kristov, Stewart F. Lane, Margo Langenberg, John Lutri, Ruth Miller, Pamela Morgan, Deanna Passarelli, Lauren Day Roberts, Anna Rothschild, Michael Gregson Reinert-Sessions, Patricia and Thomas Shiah, Michael Spinks, Hank Stampfl and Todd Burnsed, Andrea Wernick, Preston Wilson, Pamala Wright, and Nina Yacavino.
The waiters passed appetizers of sushi, chicken cordon blu bites, shrimp cocktail, spoons of scallops escabeche, fillet mignon on torte, mini croque monsieur and olive tapenade on toast complemented by Moet and Chandon champagne, and French wines.
The soiree was in full swing, but it was time for remarks from FHS Executive Director Jennifer Herlein and FHS Board Member and former FHS Gala honoree Jean Shafiroff, as well as FHS Events Chair CeCe Black.
The delightful New York State Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright presented Jean and Martin Shafiroff and the French Heritage Society with certificates of recognition from New York State for their contributions and service to preserving French architectural and cultural legacy both in the United States and France.
Open to all lovers of France, the French Heritage Society has 11 chapters, 10 in the U.S. and one in Paris, and membership includes access to all.
Upcoming FHS celebrations are Dinner at the Residence of the Ambassador of France to the United States Laurent Bili in Washington, D.C. on October 7th, Chairman’s Circle trip to the Côtes du Rhône October 17–23rd, New York Gala Dinner Dance on November 15th, Thanksgiving Dinner in Paris on November 26th, Palm Beach Gala Dinner on February 16th, 2025, and the Diner des Mécènes in Paris on May 20th, 2025.
The French Heritage Society Celestial Ball evening’s honored guests are Odic de Schiétère-Longchampt, interior designer and steadfast champion of FHS and artisans who specialize in French decorative arts, and Hank Silver, the American carpenter who spent a year-and-a-half rebuilding the wooden roof framing of the cathedral’s nave. The annual Gala Dinner Dance is a black-tie affair with music and dancing provided by the Bob Hardwick Sound at a private club in Manhattan.
The balmy autumn evening ended, and guests left with assorted chocolates from Ferrero Rocher and plans to rendezvous at the French Heritage Society Celestial Ball on November 15th in Manhattan. Un bonne nuit!
