Paris Nights, Tom Ford, and a Jacket with a Story: My Evening at the Bourse de Commerce

Bonsoir, mes amis,
Paris has this magical way of offering you exactly what you didn't know you needed. Sometimes, it's a quiet moment with a coupe of champagne at sunset; other times, it's a jacket—no, the jacket—that whispers stories of Tom Ford and the Met Gala while you sip cocktails under soft lighting at Saint Laurent.
This is the story of that jacket, a conversation with Hieu, and an evening where art and luxury intertwined at the Bourse de Commerce.

When the Jacket Finds You
The first time I tried on the jacket, I wasn't even looking for another piece. It was one of those effortless Parisian evenings—cocktails in hand, laughter echoing through the Saint Laurent boutique, that unmistakable sense of ease you find only in this city. A friend wanted to see how the jacket looked, so I slipped it on to indulge her curiosity. But it was as if it had always been mine the moment it settled. Hard to resist? Impossible.

Later, over a glass of champagne, Hieu—the brilliant stylist who has helped me refine my Parisian wardrobe—shared the story behind the piece. And what a story it was. This wasn't just any Saint Laurent jacket. It had been custom-created for Tom Ford for the 2024 Met Gala (GQ). Ford walked the red carpet in a striking Saint Laurent ensemble designed by the house's creative director, Anthony Vaccarello—a deep red velvet tuxedo jacket paired with black smoking pants. He finished the look with his signature black sunglasses. Classic Tom Ford: confident, refined, and unapologetically glamorous.
Tom Ford in this jacket? Incroyable. You could hear the reverence in Hieu's voice as he described it. We spoke about how Ford's time at YSL had shaped his aesthetic, how his now-legendary crocodile boots—the ones I nearly purchased in Houston—echoed the house's earlier work. Ford has always maintained an air of homage, albeit complex. His relationship with Yves Saint Laurent was famously fraught with "creative tensions, philosophical differences, and the challenge of balancing innovation with respect for legacy" (NSS Magazine).

And yet, here was Anthony Vaccarello—breathing new life into the dialogue between Tom Ford and the house of Saint Laurent. Some might even say he's paying homage or repairing what once was fractured. Either way, this jacket is more than a garment. It's a symbol of continuity, evolution, and respect woven into every stitch.
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I digress—but isn't that how the best stories are told?

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A post shared by Anthony Vaccarello (@anthonyvaccarello)

Second Chances and Scarves
The jacket was fabulous, but I hesitated. Did I really need another jacket? Probably not. But the fear of missing out on a piece so steeped in history lingered.
A few nights later, I returned for cocktails and a presentation on the men's collection. Hieu presented the jacket to me again, and I tried it again. That night, though, I left with a scarf I had been eyeing for months. A piece I still love. But the jacket? It stayed with me.

Third Time's the Charm
While previewing the Spring/Summer runway collection with Hieu one evening, I tried on the jacket again. This time was different. Hieu called over the in-house tailor, who explained how she could shorten the sleeves but cautioned against altering the jacket too much—it would lose its essence and architecture. I trusted her completely; I entrusted her with several pieces in my wardrobe. We agreed on the sleeves.
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I didn't pick up the jacket for a month—work, travel back to the States, life. But when I returned to Paris, I went to see Hieu and try on the latest runway collection, and there it was: my jacket. On that same day, I received a dozen white roses (but that's a story for another time).

Earrings, Bag, Jacket: Saint Laurent Top: Et Ochs Pants: Alice and Olivia Boots: Gianvito Rossi

An Evening at the Bourse de Commerce: Corps et Âmes
Fast forward to last week. I was invited to a cocktail reception at the Bourse de Commerce – Pinault Collection, for the Corps et Âmes exhibition. Before these events, I now habitually ask about the dress code—Paris can be all-black chic or full cocktail glam, depending on the evening. Hieu suggested a complete look to pair with my new jacket. I opted for simple black underneath that night but made a mental note to try his full vision at another soirée.

Where Art and Luxury Converge
The evening was everything you'd expect from Kering—warm hospitality, flawless execution, and an ambiance that balanced elegance with a sense of belonging. We walked in, greeted by familiar faces and new introductions, sipping champagne beneath the domed ceiling of this architectural jewel.
The Bourse de Commerce, acquired by the Pinault family and redesigned by Tadao Ando, is a testament to the dialogue between heritage and modernity. Initially built for Catherine de Medici in the 16th century, it has transformed from a wheat exchange to a stock market, and now, a space where contemporary art takes center stage.

Corps et Âmes: Bodies and Souls in Conversation
The Corps et Âmes exhibition meditated on the human form—its strength, vulnerability, and the stories our bodies carry. I was deeply moved by the work of Arthur Jafa, whose film Love is the Message, the Message is Death—set to Kanye West's Ultralight Beam—was an emotional exploration of Black life in America. His juxtaposition of joy and trauma felt like an echo of stories I know well.
Another artist who stayed with me was Ana Mendieta, whose Silueta Series imprinted her body onto the earth, blurring the lines between self and landscape. Her work spoke of displacement, identity, and longing—ideas I have understood more deeply since moving to Paris.
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One sculpture reminded me of Sarah Baartman, a woman exploited and dehumanized in life and death. It was a powerful, painful reminder of the historical weight many bodies carry and the violence of erasure that still lingers. In another installation, a Black man (in sculpture) painted a wall—a nod to the workers who build and maintain these institutions, often without recognition.

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A post shared by Bourse de Commerce (@boursedecommerce)

The Intersection of Art and Fashion
As I stood there, draped in my Anthony Vaccarello-era Tom Ford jacket (yes, that's a mouthful, but fitting), I thought about how art and fashion are languages of identity. Both can provoke, inspire and demand reflection. Kering's commitment to supporting contemporary artists through the Pinault Collection extends the luxury house's ethos—pushing boundaries while honoring craft.
This jacket—its story, its past—feels like wearing a piece of that dialogue. It's a conversation between Tom Ford, Yves Saint Laurent, and me.

​Final Thoughts
I'll return to the Bourse de Commerce soon to immerse myself in the art without distraction. But that evening, in my jacket, surrounded by history, luxury, and voices demanding to be heard, I felt connected to something timeless.
I highly recommend an evening at the Bourse if you are in Paris. And if you happen to run into Hieu at Saint Laurent, tell him I sent you. Trust me—he'll know exactly what you need before you do.
À bientôt,
Tsahia