Foversta reports on a Girard-Perregaux cocktail event in Paris, highlighting the brand's support for Nile Rodgers' 'We Are Family' foundation. The event, held at the historic Carmen mansion, also celebrated Girard-Perregaux's recent 'Aiguille d'Or' win at the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève 2013 for its Constant Escapement watch. Foversta shares insights into the foundation's impact and the brand's discreet approach to philanthropy.
I had the big privilege yesterday to attend an event organized in Paris by Girard-Perregaux to support the "We are Family" fundation created by Nile Rodgers after the 11th of September attacks. The surprise was the presence of Nile Rodgers himself who took the opportunity to present his fundation and the close relationships he has with France. Simultaneously, two young people presented their achievements and their projects in the context of the fundation. It was obviously the key part of the evening since it was an impressive demonstration of the impact, of the influence of such fundation with actual and tangible results. Sometimes, we don't see what are the outcomes of non-profit organizations. "We are Family" has a clear aim: it is dedicated to the vision of a global family by creating and supporting programs that inspire and educate the next generation while striving to solve some of the biggest global problems in the world.
Girard-Perregaux is a perfect partner and supporter because it is a brand which embodies elegance and discretion and discretion is required in this kind of involvement. The way the event was organized is a proof of this statement: if Michele Sofisti did the introduction speech explaining the reasons behind this support, the stage then was fully dedicated to Nancy Hunt (President of the Fundation), to the 2 young people who described in details their projects and of course to Nile Rodgers. I really appreciated this attitude.
I would like to add a few words about the venue. Located in the 9th arrondissement of Paris, the Carmen is a mansion, an "hôtel particulier" as we say in French built in 1875. It is believed that Georges Bizet composed his most famous opera which gave its name to what is now a cocktail bar. Anyway, this mansion didn't have all the time this prestigious background since it became during a certain period a house of ill repute. We can feel it in some details of the decoration.
The date of the event was perfect because Girard-Perregaux won a few days before the "Aiguille d'Or" at the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève 2013 thanks to its Echappement Constant (Constant Escapement) watch. The watch was displayed in a showcase and the guests could appreciate the behaviour of the escapement which is always mesmerizing!
The event also gave me the pleasure to see again the Girard-Perregaux staff members like Michele Sofisti obviously, Xavier Markl and the team of Girard-Perregaux France. I always like to discuss with them about the current collection and about the future ones of course! Nice surprises are coming so we have to stay tuned!
Let's browse the pictures now!
The entrance of the Carmen. This big cage was surely for big birds.
The atmosphere of the event:
The stunning bar of the Carmen:
Ready for the music!
Michele Sofisti during his introduction speech:
David Saddington from England explained the outcomes of his project related to climate changes:
The idea to focus his studies on this topic came when York was flooded:
Zuhal Sultan is a young Iraqi lady and pianist who founded the National Youth Orchestra of Iraq at the age of 17. She described the long process to create this orchestra and to make a lot of young artists from different backgrounds play together in harmony.
The first steps...
And now!
Nile Rodgers and the audience were applauding them while they were coming on stage:
Nile Rodgers did a moving and funny speech at the same time, american artists know how to captivate the audience!
Ready to play guitar... he didn't only speak believe me! I will propose you two extracts of his performance at the end of the report! Nile Rodgers, who founded Chic in 1976 described us some projects he had with French artists like Sheila or Daft Punk! Do you know that "Le Freak" was the single with the highest sales figures for Atlantic Records ? I was not aware of this! At that time Atlantic Records had contracts with brands like Yes or Led Zeppelin!
Girard-Perregaux put at the Carmen several showcases to display some key watches of the collection:
The Hawk Chronograph Hollywoodland with its ceramic case:
The Sea Hawk "Mission of Mermaids":
And of course the "Aiguille d'Or"!
The former French president Nicolas Sarkozy owns this WG 1966 Annual Calendar - Equation of Time. But this wrist is mine!
Sea Hawk on the wrist, with a suit the 1966 is a better option! But the Sea Hawk is a very credible watch when it comes to pieces with powerful design and character:
Nile Rodgers (Right) with French actor Patrick Timsit on the left:
Nile Rodgers with Caroline Jaunet (Girard-Perregaux France):
Left to Right:
Your servant, Nile Rodgers, Caroline Jaunet and Michele Sofisti:
I promised you music so here it comes! Here are two extracts from Nile Rodgers' performance:
Back to "Le Freak"!
He knows how to raise the temperature with "Get Lucky"!
I conclude this report with these notes of music full of energy! I would like to thank a lot the full Girard-Perregaux team for the invitation and the perfect organization of the event. I could feel that the partnership between "We are Family" and Girard-Perregaux was a true involvement between both parties.
Fr.Xavier
This message has been edited by foversta on 2013-11-20 14:18:34 
