The Battle of Versailles Fashion Show at 50: The Designers, the Stars and All of the Backstage Drama

In the ’70s, the Palace of Versailles had fallen into disrepair. The centuries-old chateau was plagued by termites and leaks had sprung from its gilded ceilings. In need of money for restoration, Versailles’ head curator, Gérald Van der Kemp, sought the advice of fashion publicist and CFDA founder, Eleanor Lambert, who dreamt up the fundraiser that WWD coined the “Battle of Versailles.” Fifty years ago, 10 designers engaged in a stylish skirmish that would solidify Stateside couturiers as fashion forces to be reckoned with. As WWD’s former editor in chief, John B. Fairchild, wrote in 1973, “Americans came, they sewed, they conquered.” Ahead, a look back at the legendary Battle of Versailles. Which designers went to “battle?” The event pitted French and American fashion designers against each other, with Oscar de la Renta, Halston, Stephen Burrows, Bill Blass and Anne Klein — all of whom happened to be clients of Lambert’s — making up the latter contingent. Together, they took on Yves Saint Laurent, Hubert de Givenchy, Emmanuel Ungaro, Pierre Cardin and Christian Dior’s then-creative director, Marc Bohan. What happened at the Battle of Versailles? Each designer came armed with eight unique looks, some of which weren’t completed until the early morning hours of Nov.

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