BY DAVID GRAVER
Tyla performing at the Paris 2024 Olympics
It began long before Celine Dion’s grand rendition of Edith Piaf’s “Hymne à l’amour” emanated from the Eiffel Tower, closing out a spectacular Olympic Opening Ceremony and moving observers to tears along the misty Seine. It was sparked years before scenes of astonishing victory—the culmination of Simone Biles’ highly anticipated return, the entrance of pommel horse guy Stephen Nedoroscik into our cultural consciousness, Novak Djokovic’s first-ever Olympic gold medal, Katie Ledecky’s extraordinary record-setting run, or France’s own Leon Marchand taking the podium. From the moment the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games were announced in September 2017, we knew they’d strive for an unparalleled level of competition—and luxury.
Michael Phelps
Though beset with its own complications and controversies, this is what Paris 2024 has delivered. Whether it’s the roster of celebrities who settled into the Ritz Paris, Hôtel Plaza Athénée and the Hotel Crillon or the competition venues of unmatched splendor—fencing under the arching glass of the Grand Palais, beach volleyball beneath the Eiffel Tower, archery on the Esplanade des Invalides, triathlon swimming through the Seine—the city itself has played its own role on the global stage.
On the eve of the Opening Ceremony, Olympic sponsor LVMH commenced with an exclusive marquee event that can easily be interpreted as a mission statement for the games’ luxury adornment. Entitled “Prelude to the Olympics,” and situated at the Fondation Louis Vuitton, the gala was hosted by Bernard Arnault, Brian Roberts, Pharrell Williams and Anna Wintour, along with Charlize Theron, Omar Sy, Rosalía, and Serena Williams. With a dress code of “medal worthy,” the spectacle welcomed Zendaya, Jeremy Allen White, LeBron James, Shaun White, Nina Dobrev, Lindsey Vonn, Diego Osorio, and filmmakers Spike Lee, Baz Luhrmann, Judd Apatow, Taika Waititi, and Steven Spielberg. Guests were treated to an enthralling performance by the Grammy award-winning pop star Tyla.
Cindy Crawford at Omega House
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, Chrissy Teigen and John Legend, and so many other famous faces were not only on hand for the Opening Ceremony, but brought singular fashion-forward moments—spotlighting the exquisite designs of Thom Browne, Chloé and Louis Vuitton. Lady Gaga herself performed in an eye-catching Dior Haute Couture ensemble.
With the games underway, attendees turned toward a handful of destinations across the city for luxurious festivities. Visa privatized one of the most famous Parisian hotspots, Girafe, along the Trocadero with an uninterrupted view of the Eiffel Tower. There, an opening night kick-off party saw guests buzzing with excitement. Following the one-night affair, Visa invited Michelin starred-chef Ignacio Mattos to collaborate with chef Charles Ducrocq on a menu exclusive to Chase Sapphire Reserve cardmembers and a cadre of their VIP guests. Floating upon the Seine, their Le Flow venue hosted Michael Phelps, Sue Bird, Aly Raisman, Tony Parker, and other top athletic talent.
Nicole Kidman at Omega House
Ralph Lauren, the official outfitter of Team USA, also feted the competition—inviting Dr. Jill Biden, Jessica Chastain, Nick Jonas, Emma Chamberlain, John Mulaney, Pierce Abernathy, Alan Cumming and many more to Ralph’s Paris. David Lauren, Chief Innovation and Branding Officer of Ralph Lauren, hosted the hot-ticket event alongside Patrice Louvet, Chief Executive Officer Ralph Lauren, and Casey Wasserman, the Chairman of the LA 2028 Olympics.
And yet it was Swiss luxury watchmaker Omega that have tantalized the most throughout the games. In addition to their role as the Official Timekeeper of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024, the maison transformed the historic Hôtel de Poulpry, Maison des Polytechniciens, into Omega House—a hub of celebratory activations hosted by top talent. Their opening night gala was helmed by Nicole Kidman, while the following day found Cindy Crawford and Kaia Gerber on site. Daniel Craig accompanied his tour of the Olympics with an event at Omega House, as well.
Daniel Craig at Omega House
These superlative experiences have been but some of the magnificence unfurling around the games themselves. And whether it’s an elegant Dionysian tableau in drag or a vision of Versailles as an equestrian epicenter, Paris 2024 has become emblazoned in our collective memory.
