“The second man in her life”: the confession that surprised Emmanuel Macron
On October 2, 2026, a ceremony at the Élysée offered Emmanuel Macron a moment that was both elegant and disarming. While presenting the insignia of knight of the Legion of Honor to the designer Nicolas Ghesquière, the president recounted a confession from Brigitte Macron: “She just told me that you were the second man in her life!”
In brief: this anecdote, reported by the press, highlights the closeness between Brigitte Macron and the artistic director of Louis Vuitton. The surprise of the phrase added a personal touch to the decoration ceremony, at the heart of an event bringing together numerous figures from the fashion world.
At the Élysée, a surprising confession at the heart of the ceremony
The scene took place on Friday, October 2, as Emmanuel Macron honored Nicolas Ghesquière for his three decades of career. According to the account published by Gala about this ceremony at the Élysée, the president slipped this phrase in humorously during his speech.
Macron’s reaction, a mix of amused astonishment and complicity, immediately gave the tribute a less protocolar tone. The unexpected revelation did not pertain to the political life of the head of state, but rather to the special place of the creator in his wife’s life.
Nicolas Ghesquière, a designer close to Brigitte Macron
The link between Brigitte Macron and Nicolas Ghesquière is rooted in a lasting collaboration in the fashion industry. Since her husband’s entry into the Élysée, she has regularly worn creations from the designer, who became the artistic director of Louis Vuitton’s women’s collections after stints at Agnès b., Balenciaga, and Jean Paul Gaultier.
The phrase “the second man in her life” precisely plays on this professional and friendly relationship, without revealing more of their private lives. A touch of humor that reminds us that, behind official roles, a ceremony can also leave room for a warm anecdote.
A distinction celebrated by great figures of fashion
Brigitte Macron was present to witness the awarding of the insignia, organized alongside Paris Fashion Week. The gathering notably included the Arnault family, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Léa Seydoux, Catherine Deneuve, and Jennifer Connelly, as well as several personalities from the creative world.
Anna Wintour, Grace Coddington, Haider Ackermann, and Phoebe Philo were also among the guests mentioned in the report. This prestigious gathering highlights Nicolas Ghesquière’s prominence in the fashion industry, while the surprise of the presidential phrase provided the moment with its most commented highlight.
An official meeting with an surprisingly personal tone
The ceremony thus combined republican recognition and a familial nod. The Legion of Honor celebrates the designer’s career, while the phrase recounted by Emmanuel Macron lightheartedly made visible the bond that unites Brigitte Macron with the person whose creations she wears.
For those following the public appearances of the presidential couple, this anecdote offers a unique insight, without allowing one to draw conclusions about their intimacy. Institutional information and presidential news remain available on the official Élysée site.
This meeting reminds us how a witty remark can humanize a very official moment, without diminishing the significance of the distinction awarded to the designer. To find other stories about Sébastien Auzière and the Macron family, check out the articles on sebastien-auziere.fr, dedicated to their public news.
