The French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF) will present its fifth annual Art de Vivre Award to Frédéric Fekkai, co-founder and CEO of Bastide and founder of Fekkai, on Monday, June 4. The evening will commence with a cocktail reception, and continue with a dinner at the elegant French restaurant Le Bilboquet. Martha Stewart will present the award to the honoree.

Martha Stewart

For more than three decades, Fekkai has shaped the global beauty landscape. In 1989 he opened the luxury salon and day spa atop Bergdorf Goodman, which drew in celebrity clientele and led to the opening of seven salons. It was in 1994 that he transformed hair care through the launch of his award-winning collection, Fekkai.

After 20 years at the helm, Fekkai launched Bastide, a house of beauty and well-being, inspired by his hometown, Aix-en-Provence. In partnership with his wife and co-founder, Shirin von Wulffen, Frédéric celebrates Provence’s artisans and ingredients with locally made, non-toxic beauty products. Bastide opened its flagship boutique in Aix-en-Provence in June 2017 and now is available in wholesale and ecommerce throughout France, US, Canada, and Australia. In 2010, Frédéric was accorded the Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite, the French National Order of Merit awarded by the president of France to recognize distinguished achievements.

FIAF president Marie-Monique Steckel said: “With his southern French charm and incredible eye for beauty, Frédéric Fekkai arrived in New York and took America by storm. Introducing a natural, sexy approach to hairstyles and sumptuous, coveted products, Frédéric has transformed the world of beauty. We are thrilled to honor Frédéric as he, together with his wife Shirin, launches Bastide, their exquisite new label.”

The 2018 Art de Vivre Award Event Committee includes Thomas Ajamie, Amanda and Zack Bacon, Laurel Barrack, Denise and Frank Brosens, Veronica Bulgari and Stephan Haimo, Samantha and Nabil Chartouni,François Château, Clo and Charles S. Cohen, Hélène and Stuyvie Comfort, Victoria and Francisco D’Agostino, Ariane Daguin, Lise and Michael Evans, Elizabeth Figueroa, Amandine and Stephen Freidheim, Barbaraand Andrew Gundlach, Kalliope Karella, Ana and Philippe Laffont, Cecile and Charles de Lardemelle, Alexia and David Leuschen, Jeanne and Alexandre Leviant, Elizabeth and Christopher Manice, Adrien andMarion Meyer, Jordan and Jason Phillips, Marie-Noëlle and John Pierce, Lauren Santo Domingo, Caroline Schmidt, Leslie and David Schulhof, Lara and Claude Shaw, Kristin Simmons and Eric Mourlot, Amelia andMortimer Singer, Marisa and Robin Van Bokhorst, Selina and Eddy Van der Geest, Clémence and William von Mueffling, Olga and George Votis, and Lisa and David Wolf.

Shirin von Wulffen and Frederic Fekkai