This article chronicles the unique wedding of artist Ingvild Gillet and designer Connor Hickey, held in Paris, highlighting their journey from a chance encounter to a deeply personal celebration. Their nuptials were characterized by bespoke fashion choices from Ann Demeulemeester and Rick Owens, a testament to their artistic professions and individual styles. The narrative delves into the meticulous planning, the emotional significance of their chosen venue, and the various creative elements that transformed their special day into a truly unforgettable experience, reflecting their shared values and dedication to their union.
Seven years ago, the paths of Ingvild Gillet, a writer and performance artist, and Connor Hickey, an industrial designer for Rick Owens, briefly intertwined in London. Connor vividly recalled Ingvild's captivating words and profound gaze from that initial meeting. Years later, after Connor relocated to Paris, he felt compelled to reconnect with Ingvild. Despite their prior brief interaction, her presence lingered in his thoughts. His decision to reach out led to a memorable evening at her home, where Ingvild, in a white nightgown amidst candlelight, immediately captivated him. She described how she instantly fell in love with his vibrant spirit, innovative ideas, and ambitious projects.
Initially, the couple was uncertain about marriage. After four years, Connor recognized Ingvild as the love of his life and his ideal partner for navigating the world, yet they carefully considered the essence of marriage. Ultimately, they chose to formalize their profound connection and the relationship they had meticulously built. Ingvild shared that their engagement period, spanning a year, was a journey of understanding the true meaning of lifelong commitment. This quiet, demanding, yet extraordinary year, she noted, held more significance for them than the actual wedding day. They became secretly engaged in September 2024, delighted to introduce each other as 'fiancé'.
The creative duo dedicated almost a year to meticulously organizing their wedding, which took place on July 5, 2025. The festivities commenced with a ceremony at Église Saint-Eustache in Paris, followed by a reception at Ingvild’s parents’ residence in Blaru. The groom recounted that despite the extensive self-planning, the process deepened their bond and strengthened their family ties. Ingvild mentioned her parents' year-long effort in gardening and planting hundreds of cosmos flowers at their country home, adding a personal touch to the celebration. Many creative collaborators contributed to their special day. They partnered with Alix O’Byrne from Les Diners Perchés for tablescape curation and even sourced silk, customized serviettes, and bronze vases from Rick Owens’s team. A unique highlight was their custom wedding fragrance, a blend reminiscent of cathedral incense, with 200 infused candles crafted for guests, thanks to friends from New Zealand.
Connor's choice to wear Rick Owens for his wedding attire was entirely expected. The industrial designer donned a custom suit inspired by Rick Owens's classic tailoring, featuring contemporary crops. His shirt, with slim sleeves and a spearpoint collar, subtly referenced Chester Cordite. Opting for a "dinge color" shirt instead of traditional white, Connor cited Owens's philosophy: "If you make the T-shirt dirtier than your teeth, then your teeth look whiter. That is my little beauty tip." He completed his ensemble with jet black wool trousers and a blazer, expertly tailored by Wil Barber.
For her wedding day, Ingvild was drawn to the "wistful romanticism" of Ann Demeulemeester. Her custom gown, designed by Stefano Gallici and his team, exceeded her wildest expectations. Ingvild described the creation process, from initial sketches to fabric selection and fittings, as a profoundly aligned experience with their engagement. The dress featured a laced-up back, a gauze vest with raw-metal accents, and a five-meter train crafted from two types of silk. Ingvild made three trips to Milan for fittings, with the final one being particularly emotional. Stefano Gallici also surprised her with a handcrafted tiara for the ceremony and assisted her with preparations, ensuring everything came together perfectly amidst the pre-wedding bustle.
To complement the bridal party, Ingvild had custom pearl white dresses made by Noa Pearce for her bridesmaids, while the groomsmen wore a diverse mix of Rick Owens tailoring, traditional Scottish wedding attire, and Agnes B. Before the wedding, both Ingvild and Connor celebrated with their respective bachelor and bachelorette parties. Ingvild's event, organized by her bridesmaid Georgia Polks, involved a weekend in the countryside with ten friends, dressed in white, gathering wildflowers, painting, and enjoying white wine. Connor’s celebration was more boisterous, with friends driving him to various parties, culminating in waterskiing on a lake near Paris after a sleepless night.
The day before their main ceremony, the couple legally married in a small civil service in Blaru, attended by close family and friends. A humorous rush to catch their train from Paris ensued, as they had all celebrated a bit too late the night prior. Ingvild wore her Norwegian grandmother's wedding dress, and as they exited the church, her sisters showered them with rose petals collected from the garden. They then walked the twenty minutes back to the country house, with passing cars honking congratulations.
The highly anticipated wedding day arrived, with guests gathering at Église Saint-Eustache. Ingvild expressed deep personal significance in being married by Père Gérard Bénéteau, who had also baptized her. He was equally moved, as it was his first time officiating the wedding of someone he had baptized. Père François Baumann, Ingvild’s father’s cousin and a priest in Taiwan, co-officiated the ceremony. Ingvild highlighted his bilingualism, which allowed for a seamless mix of French and English throughout the service, ensuring everyone felt included and happy.
The Gillet-Hickey wedding was a deeply personalized and artful affair, demonstrating how two creative individuals merged their distinct visions into a harmonious celebration of love. Their journey from a brief London encounter to a grand Parisian ceremony, adorned with custom designer garments and surrounded by loved ones, underscored the strength of their bond and their shared commitment to a life together. The event seamlessly blended high fashion with intimate family moments, creating an inspiring testament to their union.