Louis Vuitton’s Nicolas Ghesquière Celebrated Hollywood Ingenues at an Intimate Dinner in Malibu

Louis Vuitton took over Nobu in Malibu last night, marking the Nicolas Ghesquière’s annual dinner for friends of the iconic French fashion house. The event, which started several years ago as a small affair, has quickly grown to become a favorite with Los Angeles’ brightest and rising stars this year, perhaps even more so—after the pandemic put a temporary hold on the gathering. “We’ve been doing this dinner for many years now,” said Ghesquière in between greeting his guests. “This has always been a casual way to get together outside of the show schedule when we are not in a rush and really have time for a quality moment, real discussion, and to meet some of the new talent in L.A.—many of whom have become our collaborators. We’ve been missing each other, so it was nice to set up a chill moment.”

The crowd certainly understood the assignment. In between snacking on caviar tacos and spicy tuna crispy rice, guests including Jaden Smith, Phoebe Dynevor, and Jurnee Smollett made new friends with Kodi Smit-McPhee, Ava DuVernay, and Naomi Osaka. Hollywood’s red carpet crew also took the night off to mingle as Chloë Grace Moretz came with her stylist Nell Kalonji, Maria Bakalova with Jessica Paster, and Sarah Paulson with Karla Welch. Among the first-timers at the dinner was HoYeon Jung, whose relationship with Louis Vuitton predates her star turn in cult show of the year Squid Game. “I’ve never had a chance to spend much time in Los Angeles or make friends, but I love it here,” she said, contemplating a possible move out West. “And I’ve heard it has very good Korean food.”

As the night went on, the crowd moved inside from the deck overlooking the Pacific Ocean to the dining room where You star Victoria Pedretti chatted with Marie-Pierra Kakoma, and couples Miranda Kerr and Evan Speigel, Jamie and Nico Mizrahi, caught up with Leslie Mann and Judd Apatow over sushi. Skyler Gisondo, meanwhile, spent the night at the bar with Grace Van Patten, while the Haim sisters table hopped as a trio. “I’m that French guy who arrives in California and am so excited when I see all the actresses and stars who inspire me,” said Ghesquière as he surveyed the scene. “It’s always fascinating, and it still thrills me. Still.”