A Toast to Tradition: Jean Shafiroff Hosts Elegant Bastille Day Luncheon at Maison Barnes

Each July, Bastille Day marks a turning point in world history—the moment in 1789 when the storming of the Bastille ignited the French Revolution and forever changed the global conversation around freedom and equality. This year, that revolutionary spirit found its way into the heart of Manhattan, as Jean Shafiroff, philanthropist and fashion patron, hosted her annual Bastille Day Luncheon at the refined Maison Barnes in New York City.

Equal parts homage and high style, the intimate gathering of approximately 60 distinguished guests was more than a social affair. It was a celebration of French history, culture, and the enduring power of connection.

Shafiroff, whose name has become synonymous with philanthropy and elegant hosting, welcomed an illustrious guest list spanning fashion, media, society, and diplomacy. Attendees included Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia, Julia Haart, Valerie Steele, Ramona Singer, Countess Luann de Lesseps, Marilyn Kirschner, Ava Roosevelt, and NYS Assemblywoman Rebecca Seawright, along with designers Nicole Miller, Malan Breton, Victor de Souza, Vanessa Noel, Nabys Vielman, and Kokin.

The menu, prepared by the Daniel Boulud kitchen, offered a culinary tribute to France—sophisticated, balanced, and quietly spectacular. Elegant service unfolded against Maison Barnes’ artfully designed interiors, where crystal, fine linens, and fresh florals added layers of refinement to the occasion.

Jean Shafiroff, a longtime board member of the French Heritage Society, has built a career not only on giving, but on galvanizing others to do the same. In 2022, the organization honored her at its New York Gala for her leadership in the preservation of French culture both in the U.S. and abroad. She has served on the board since 2012 and remains one of the organization’s most dedicated ambassadors.

Fashion, too, was in dialogue with legacy at the luncheon. Shafiroff arrived in a white and black floral appliqué dress and jacket by Alice and Olivia, later changing into a fuchsia lace Dolce & Gabbana gown, adorned with fashion crucifixes—an ensemble that blended reverence with modern femininity. Her commitment to couture is more than a style statement; she has been a board member of the Couture Council of the Museum at FIT since 2010 and is a well-known collector and supporter of both emerging and established designers.

Though unmistakably elegant, the luncheon reflected Shafiroff’s deeper mission: to use gatherings as vehicles for change. In addition to supporting cultural preservation through the French Heritage Society, she sits on the boards of eight other nonprofits and chairs upwards of ten charity galas each year. Her philanthropic reach spans women’s rights, health equity, animal welfare, and underserved populations, making her one of the most engaged figures in New York’s philanthropic landscape.