Ashley Biden took artistic inspiration from her surroundings for her look at the reopening of the Notre Dame cathedral, choosing striking, complex embellishments in a coat by Alice + Olivia.
The daughter of U.S. first lady Jill Biden and outgoing American president Joe Biden, sat alongside her mother on Saturday in Paris at the restored building wearing the brand’s Thomas coat. The piece, by founder Stacey Bendet, was a statement-maker, done in black and gold, featuring embellished jacquard, sharp shoulders, button-less closure and a maxi-length with a high-neck silhouette.
French President Emmanuel Macron (R) and his wife Brigitte Macron (L) pose with First Lady of the United States Jill Biden (CR) and her daughter Ashley Biden (CL) outside Notre-Dame Cathedral ahead of a ceremony to mark the re-opening of the landmark cathedral, in central, Paris on Dec. 7, 2024.
POOL/AFP via Getty Images
It was worn over black trousers and a matching top, complete with black pumps. She accessorized with gold chain necklaces and diamond earrings. Her brown hair was pulled back into a ponytail and she had on a light touch of makeup, including a rose lip.
Meanwhile, her mother Jill wore a blue coat dress and paid tribute to the host country’s design heritage with her accessories, including a Lady Dior bag and the brand’s J’Adior slingback pumps.
The American first lady’s bag was a match to her counterpart, Brigitte Macron, who carried the same piece to match her black coat dress. Brigitte was flanked between Jill and incoming U.S. president Donald Trump, who carried on conversations with her husband, French president Emmanuel Macron.
(L-R): Ashley Biden, First Lady Jill Biden and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump attend the ceremony to mark the reopening of Notre-Dame of Paris Cathedral on Dec. 7, 2024 in Paris.
Getty Images for Notre-Dame de P
The Notre Dame Cathedral grand reopening comes five years after a devastating fire. Restoration, costing hundreds of millions of euros, involved around 250 companies and numerous experts, meticulously preserving its Gothic essence. Approximately 50 global leaders attended, along with notable guests like François-Henri Pinault, Salma Hayek, Elon Musk, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy and Prince William. The event marks a pivotal moment in the cathedral’s over 850-year history.
(L-R) Ashley Biden, First Lady Jill Biden and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump attend the ceremony to mark the reopening of Notre-Dame of Paris Cathedral on Dec. 7, 2024 in Paris.
Getty Images for Notre-Dame de P
When the disaster took place in April 2019, François-Henri Pinault, chairman and chief executive officer of Kering and chairman of his family’s investment arm, Artémis, was among the first in the fashion industry to lend support. “Faced with this tragedy, everyone wishes to give life back to this jewel of our heritage as soon as possible,” he said the night of the Notre-Dame fire. The luxury titan added in a statement that he and his father, François Pinault, would contribute 100 million euros of Artémis funds, “as of now to take part to the effort needed to fully rebuild Notre-Dame de Paris.”
