On October 2, 2026, Emmanuel Macron presented Nicolas Ghesquière with the insignia of knight of the Legion of Honor at the Élysée Palace. Facing the artistic director of Louis Vuitton, the president made a joke about Brigitte Macron, humorously referencing someone who is used to looking at his wife “from every angle”.
In short: this official ceremony celebrated over thirty years of a career in fashion, but it was also the complicity between Brigitte Macron and the designer that left a mark.
Emmanuel Macron and the phrase about Brigitte Macron
Nicolas Ghesquière’s decoration took a personal turn when the head of state emphasized the bond that unites the creator with his wife. He continued his joke by reporting that Brigitte Macron had just told him that the stylist was “the second man in her life.” The tone was humorous during a public tribute.
The phrase “from every angle” plays on the profession of the designer, who is accustomed to designing clothes and dressing Brigitte Macron. Accounts of the evening, such as the one dedicated to their professional relationship, place this quip in the context of the ceremony.
A complicity between Brigitte Macron and Nicolas Ghesquière
Emmanuel Macron also described his wife as a “formidable ambassador” of French know-how, praising the trust she places in the stylist. Brigitte Macron regularly wears creations from Louis Vuitton during public appearances. This visible relationship first stems from a professional and friendly bond, without the need to draw conclusions about their private life.
The joke may fuel commentary, but context matters: here, the president pays tribute to a creator and a collaboration known to the public. The phrase has sometimes been recast in terms of controversy or sexist remarks; however, the reported elements describe a quip made during a ceremony, not an established controversy. Another account of the award ceremony details the president’s phrase.
From Balenciaga to Louis Vuitton, a notable career
The medal recognizes a career of over thirty years. After an internship at Agnès b. and experience with Jean Paul Gaultier, Nicolas Ghesquière joined Balenciaga. He became artistic director in 1997 before taking over the women’s collections at Louis Vuitton in 2013, succeeding Marc Jacobs.
His appointment as a knight was published in the decree of December 31, 2025, under the title “artistic director of fashion; 35 years of service.” The awarding of the insignia in 2026 thus marks the public culmination of this distinction, rather than its initial announcement.
A fashion night at the Élysée
Several personalities from cinema and fashion were present, including Charlotte Gainsbourg, Léa Seydoux, Catherine Deneuve, Jennifer Connelly, Anna Wintour, and Grace Coddington. The Arnault family was also among the guests. The republican setting and the gathering of creative figures gave the evening a high-profile Fashion Week feel.
Beyond the phrase that attracted attention, the ceremony recalls the place of fashion in French cultural radiance. To extend reading on the appearances and public relations of the presidential couple, also find this look back at the “second man” phrase and these landmarks on the complicity of the Macron couple.
For more content about Sébastien Auzière and the Macron family, visit sebastien-auziere.fr, where other stories focus on their news and public appearances.
