ME, JANE: It was like a family reunion for the Birkin clan Wednesday night at a cocktail to fete a collaboration between La Redoute, Jane Birkin and two of her offspring, Lou Doillon and Kate Barry. Doillon, in a sunflower yellow Alberta Ferretti dress, had to scoot off early to read love letters at the Theatre de la Madeleine. "We'll soon be taking the gig on tour around Europe and hopefully the United States," said Doillon, just back from Cannes, where she'd "enjoyed swimming at 6 a.m." and a whole load of movie stuff. "It's been a nonstop year for all of us," sighed Birkin, also just back from Cannes, where she'd premiered her first directing effort, "Boxes," loosely based on her family history.

FASHION HIGH: It was a packed house on Wednesday night at the High School of Fashion Industries' 81st anniversary celebration. The school honored designer and alum Tracy Reese, who was presented a designer of the year award from Vogue's André Leon Talley. "If Valentino had a daughter, she would be Tracy Reese," he said of the designer. Reese took the stage to thank her staff and congratulate the class of 2007. "I am so thankful for all of the opportunities I have had throughout my life," she gushed. "I hope that students really embrace their own opportunities and are prepared to devote their lives to fashion." Joseph Abboud presented a lifetime achievement award to men's wear industry veteran Jack Herschlag. Following the awards ceremony, students showcased their fashions in a runway show, which Talley gave a standing ovation and promised to become more involved as a mentor to the students at the school.

THIS JUST INN: Word has it the five-star Crillon hotel in Paris will undergo a major refurbishment in coming months. New York-based French architect and designer Thierry Despont, who is best known for the Claridge's renovation in London and the interior design of the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, has been tapped for the renovation, which mostly concerns the lobby and public areas. The iconic hotel belonged to the Taittinger family until it was purchased by the Starwood group back in 2005.