Claudia Schiffer, Delphine Arnault and some of fashion’s most influential names gathered in Paris on Monday, August 31, to say goodbye to Mathilde Favier, the longtime Dior public relations director who died at age 57.
The funeral was held at the historic Saint-Sulpice church in Paris’ 6th arrondissement, bringing together a striking cross-section of the fashion industry, Hollywood, French cinema and European society.
© Getty ImagesAmong the mourners were Schiffer, Dior chairman and CEO Delphine Arnault, LVMH chairman and CEO Bernard Arnault, Dior creative director Jonathan Anderson, Brigitte Macron, Carla Bruni, Nicolas Sarkozy, Catherine Deneuve, Beatrice Borromeo and Pierre Casiraghi.
Claudia Schiffer Joins Dior’s Inner Circle for Emotional Farewell
Schiffer arrived at Saint-Sulpice alongside fashion designer Gilles Dufour, Favier’s uncle. The supermodel was among the most recognizable fashion figures photographed entering the church for the afternoon ceremony.
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© Getty ImagesDelphine Arnault attended alongside members of the Arnault family, including her father, Bernard Arnault. Xavier Niel was also among the guests.
© Getty ImagesFavier joined the French fashion house in 2011 and became a key figure in its public relations and VIP operations, working with high-profile Dior ambassadors and clients including Natalie Portman, Rihanna and Jennifer Lawrence.
Following Favier’s death, Arnault said Dior had lost an “incredible professional,” while describing Favier as a loyal friend whose optimism, courage and talent would be deeply missed.
© Getty ImagesJonathan Anderson also remembered Favier for the warmth and energy she brought to Dior, calling her an embodiment of elegance and the spirit of couture.
Who Attended Mathilde Favier’s Funeral in Paris?
The guest list reflected Favier’s extraordinary reach across fashion, entertainment and French society. Carla Bruni attended with former French president Nicolas Sarkozy. Brigitte Macron, Catherine Deneuve, Camille Cottin, Sandrine Kiberlain, Suzanne Lindon, Laura Smet, Guillaume Gallienne, Alex Lutz and Frédéric Beigbeder were also among the mourners.
© Getty ImagesFashion was heavily represented. Along with Claudia Schiffer and the Arnault family, attendees included Jonathan Anderson, Christian Louboutin, Pucci creative director Camille Miceli and Farida Khelfa.
Beatrice Borromeo, an ambassador for Dior, attended with her husband, Pierre Casiraghi. Chef Yannick Alléno and actress Ana Girardot were among other recognizable guests photographed at the service.
Mathilde Favier’s Children Led the Family Farewell
Favier’s children, Héloïse and Carlo Agostinelli, were at the center of the service.
The siblings welcomed mourners outside Saint-Sulpice before entering the church with their father, American businessman Robert Agostinelli. Favier’s sisters, Victoire de Castellane and Pauline Favier-Hénin, were also present.
© Getty ImagesVictoire de Castellane has her own major connection to Dior as the artistic director of Dior Joaillerie.
The ceremony began at approximately 2:30 p.m. and lasted nearly two hours, according to Madame Figaro. Family members spoke during the service before a particularly poignant final moment brought Favier and Altmayer together once more.
Mathilde Favier and Nicolas Altmayer Were Honored Together
Altmayer had been remembered earlier Monday at a separate 10:30 a.m. service at the Saint-Germain-des-Prés church in Paris.
Later, at the conclusion of Favier’s funeral, Altmayer’s coffin was brought into Saint-Sulpice and placed alongside hers for a final blessing and joint tribute to the couple.
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© Getty ImagesFavier had spent years at the center of international luxury fashion, while Altmayer was an established French producer whose credits included OSS 117, Potiche and Monsieur Aznavour.
© AFP via Getty ImagesThe couple died after a road accident in Airvault in western France on August 17. Their vehicle reportedly collided with an oncoming truck while overtaking another vehicle, according to authorities cited in news reports. An investigation into involuntary manslaughter was opened.
Who Was Mathilde Favier at Dior?
Mathilde Favier was one of Dior’s most influential behind-the-scenes executives.
She joined Christian Dior Couture in 2011 and served as its longtime director of public relations. Her position placed her at the center of Dior’s relationships with celebrities, ambassadors, VIP clients and major cultural figures.
© Getty ImagesShe had previously worked at Prada and developed a reputation as an exceptionally well-connected figure in Paris fashion.
But Favier’s influence was about more than access. Her job required the kind of relationship-building that has become increasingly important as luxury fashion, Hollywood and celebrity culture have grown more interconnected.
© WireImageThe stars sitting front row, appearing in campaigns and wearing couture on red carpets are often the visible side of relationships cultivated by executives working behind the scenes.
Favier was one of the people who helped make those relationships happen.
