On Monday night, the French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF) honored Frédéric Fekkai, renowned stylist and founder of Fekkai and more recently founder and CEO of the natural beauty line Bastide with the fifth annual Art de Vivre Award. Martha Stewart, a close friend and long-time client of the honoree, presented Fekkai with aLalique Mossi vase during a cocktail reception at FIAF’s Le Skyroom. An elegant dinner for 120 guests followed at the French restaurant Le Bilboquet.

Bringing with her a 1991 issue of Martha Stewart Living, featuring her new Fekkai haircut on the cover, Stewart recalled her several decades-long relationship with the honoree: “Frederic knows how to transform, and that was his talent. He took an ordinary woman, and he knew how to make her into something very special, and he still does. That’s his charm, that’s his talent, and his entrepreneurial spirit behind that is what really appealed to me and the legions of women who have let him cut his hair.”

FIAF President Marie-Monique Steckel remarked, “Frédéric has been the hair guru in New York for decades, he also has his acclaimed Frédéric Fekkai beauty salon, and he has really shaped the beauty landscape all over America. Recently he has embarked on a new adventure, Bastide, his latest luxurious natural beauty and lifestyle brand. And tonight we are really honored to have Martha Stewart, guru of American lifestyle, to present the Art de Vivre award to Frédéric.”

The Art de Vivre Award reception and dinner raises funds to support FIAF’s mission to teach French, promote Francophone culture, and strengthen the relationship between the French and American peoples.

The French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF) would like to thank Lalique and James Mun, President & CEO of Lalique North America, for their very kind and generous donation of one Mossi vase to be presented to the evening’s honoree as his award. The kaleidoscopic effect of the Mossi Vase is both a stroke of creative genius and a feat of technical mastery. René Lalique designed this iconic piece in 1933. His original choice of material was plain glass, which the company has transformed into the vibrant intensity of crystal. A genuine interior design accessory of modernity, the Mossi plays on the contrast between the brilliance of its cabochons and the frosting of its base.

About Frédéric Fekkai

For more than three decades, Frédéric Fekkai has shaped the global beauty landscape. In 1989, Frédéric opened the luxury salon and day spa atop Bergdorf Goodman, which drew in celebrity clientele and led to the opening of seven salons. In 1994, Frédéric transformed hair care through the launch of his award-winning collection, Fekkai.

After 20 years at the helm of Fekkai, Frédéric has launched Bastide, a house of beauty and well-being, inspired by his hometown, Aix-en-Provence. In partnership with his wife and co-founder, Shirin von Wulffen, Frédéric celebrates Provence’s artisans and ingredients with locally made, non-toxic beauty products. Bastide opened its flagship boutique in Aix-en-Provence in June 2017 and now is available in wholesale and ecommerce throughout France, US, Canada, and Australia. In 2010, Frédéric was accorded the Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite, the French National Order of Merit awarded by the president of France to recognize distinguished achievements.

About Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart is an Emmy Award-winning television show host, entrepreneur, bestselling author of 90 books, and America’s most trusted lifestyle expert and teacher. Millions of people rely on Martha Stewart as a source of useful “how-to” information for all aspects of everyday living including cooking, entertaining, gardening, home renovating, collecting, organizing, crafting, healthy living, holidays, weddings, and pet care.

Martha’s business sense and creative vision provided the framework for her namesake company, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc., which launched in 1996. The expansive multimedia portfolio includes award-winning properties such as Martha Stewart Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, marthastewart.com, and PBS shows Martha Stewart’s Cooking School and Martha Bakes. In 2016, Martha teamed up with longtime friend and collaborator Snoop Dogg for Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party on VH1.

Today, the Martha brand is comprised of Martha Stewart Collection created for Macy’s; Martha Stewart at Michaels; Martha Stewart at Staples; Martha Stewart Living at The Home Depot; a collaborative line of products with QVC in the skin care, fashion, food, and garden categories; Martha Stewart Wine Co.—a carefully curated online wine shop available only at MarthaStewartWine.com; Martha & Marley Spoon meal-kit delivery service, and more.

The Martha Stewart brand reaches over 100 million consumers each month across all media and merchandising platforms. Her products can be found in over 70 million households and have a growing presence online and in thousands of retail locations. Ms. Stewart currently serves as Chief Creative Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of Sequential Brands Group.

About FIAF’s Art de Vivre Award

FIAF’s Art de Vivre Award, established in 2014, recognizes influential leaders from the food, wine, beauty, and fashion industries for their outstanding contributions to the promotion of the French art of living. Previous honorees include Elizabeth Holder Raberin and Pierre-Antoine Raberin of Ladurée USA; Frédéric Malle, Founder & CEO of Editions de Parfum Frédéric Malle; Martine and Prosper Assouline, co-founders of Assouline Publishing; and Carine Roitfield, Global Fashion Director of Harper’s BAZAAR. This spring, the award honors Frédéric Fekkai as ambassador of the French art de vivre and beauty and well-being throughout the world.

About FIAF

Founded in 1898, the French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF) is the leading French language and cultural center in the United States. Our not-for-profit, nongovernmental organization creates innovative and unique programs in education and the arts that explore the evolving diversity and richness of French culture.

FIAF presents sophisticated programming in both French and English throughout the year, offering films, talks, art exhibitions and live performances of music, theater, dance, and more. Our Language Center, which welcomes 7,000 students each year, is the largest in the country and offers classes for toddlers to adults.

The Art de Vivre Award raises funds to support FIAF’s mission to teach French, promote Francophone culture, and strengthen the relationship between the French and American peoples.

Photos credited to Aurora Rose for Patrick McMullan and Courtesy of French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF).