If you aim to celebrate a milestone in unparalleled style, channel the spirit of the ultimate queen: Marie Antoinette. This is precisely how sisters Margaret and Katherine Kleveland made a statement on the opening day of Paris Fashion Week. A decade after establishing their brand Dôen, the sisters hosted an exclusive evening for their original supporters and muses at the illustrious Château de Versailles. This celebration couldn’t have been timed better, given that Marie Antoinette is currently enjoying a cultural resurgence, highlighted by the V&A’s much-anticipated Marie Antoinette Style exhibition in London, attracting enthusiastic crowds.
“It’s remarkable to see everyone so elegantly dressed,” an excited guide remarked to a group of Dôen muses wandering the otherwise vacant palace. “It evokes a sense of the past.” Actress Alisha Boe explored the treasures within Marie Antoinette’s secret library, while sisters Audrey and Maggie McGraw glided through the opulent rooms, pausing to admire portraits of the palace’s former mistress. Achok Majak, adorned in swan-white silk, posed regally at the entrance to the iconic Hall of Mirrors, while Aurora James savored the fading golden light from a window overlooking the magnificent grounds.
No gathering at Versailles would be complete without a sumptuous feast. After mingling amid the art-filled galleries, guests retreated to the Airelles Château de Versailles for an extravagant seven-course dinner. Footmen clad in 18th-century frock coats guided everyone to tables adorned with fruits, flickering candlelight, and antique tomes. With each course, the ringleader made a grand announcement, punctuated by the emphatic tap of a walking stick, presenting offerings such as caramelized leeks, candied duck, and a delicate mushroom pastry.
Yet, the evening was not solely about opulence and revelry; it also had its heartwarming moments. As the sisters took to the center to express their gratitude to loyal friends, an air of tenderness enveloped the room. “Each one of you who has stood by us from the beginning reminds us to appreciate these moments—the highs and lows of business building—because, eventually, we’ll look back and miss them,” Margaret shared. “But I say… not just yet.” Laughter rippled through the audience just as the adjacent salon began playing “Ray of Light,” signaling a delightful return to celebration.
Photo: Hero Stevenson
Achok Majak
This rewritten article maintains the original HTML structure while providing a fresh perspective. It has been tailored to fit perfectly into the WordPress platform, ready for publication.
