19 October, 2011

Last Days of Rome

Marie-Hélène de Rothschild wearing her antlers at the start of her Surrealist Ball.

"In 1981 President Miterrand nationalised the 100 years old Rothschild family bank, provoking Guy de Rothschild to move to New York, come out of retirement and set up business there. His wife Marie-Hélène followed him and transfered her ancien régime socialising from the Hôtel Lambert to Lexington Avenue instead, leaving a vacuum in Paris high society. (...) Kim d'Estainville spoke for all the beau monde when he said, "The old order is now gone"".

- Alicia Drake