Two hours into the Printemps grand opening party in New York, CEO Jean-Marc Bellaiche was leading a quick, and very timely, French lesson for the crowd.
” Tonight is the eve of Spring Equinox — and as you know, ‘spring’ is ‘printemps‘ in French. You need all to know how to pronounce ‘prown-thom,’” Bellaiche told the crowd, enunciating the French word for “spring.” “We’ll do a test later.”
Earlier in the evening, Bellaiche could be found walking VIP guests including Katie Holmes and Parker Posey across the store floor and down to the landmarked mosaic “red room,” which serves as the store’s shoe department.
“She’s the best,” gushed a fan, watching Posey pick up one of the shoes on display as she posed for photos. The “White Lotus” star was on selfie duty all night, gamely welcoming the nonstop photo requests and praise everywhere she went. “These are so pretty,” the actress remarked, pausing to admire one of the many fragrant floral arrangements within the store’s beauty corridor.
On the eve of the spring equinox, Printemps kept the Moët & Chandon flowing throughout the crowded store. Guests included designers Gilles Mendel, Michelle Ochs, Tanner Richie and Fletcher Kasell, along with hotelier Alan Faena, Isabella Boylston, Larsen Thompson, Francesca Scorsese, Daniel Boulud and more continued to arrive throughout the evening.
On the second floor, the live music underneath one of the display gazebos transitioned from jazz to country.
“We’re going to bring a little Nashville to New York,” said Noah Cyrus, the evening’s surprise performer, as she took the “stage” for a four-song set for the lively crowd. She closed out the evening with “Don’t Put It All on Me,” her newest single and music video that had been released the day before.
After her performance, the singer was decompressing in one of the store’s luxe dressing rooms. “ This is the first time I feel like I’ve worn jewelry out in such a long time,” said Cyrus, dressed in a black Saint Laurent gown, as she removed a few of the gold bangles from her wrist. “I’m not a jewelry girl — since I’ve gotten engaged, it’s gotten me into wearing my one ring,” she added, with a quick flash of her hand.
Cyrus was staying in town for an intimate performance in Brooklyn on Friday night, where she was planning to perform new, not-yet-shared songs from an upcoming project. “I haven’t even rehearsed them,” she says. “I’m gonna do that tomorrow.”
Both performances are a warm-up for the year, as Cyrus gets ready to release more new music and a tour on the way. The singer has been leaning into her personal relationships for inspiration. Her new song, written by brother Braison, speaks to her role as “the observer” in their family.
“There’s just so many things that run through the record metaphorically, but also story-wise, that have stemmed from relationships in my life and family dynamics,” said Cyrus.
“My perspective has grown so much since the last record, just from growing up and going into adulthood and talking about marriage and the future. It’s just a different perspective on life, which has given me a much more hopeful perspective,” she added. “Because one of the greatest things of life is to feel love and love others.”
