The men at the new Midtown lounge Frederick’s never looked better. Designer Douglas Hannant presented his first menswear collection there Friday night, foregoing a runway to show his rich looks in their natural habitat. Models mingled by the bar, sipping martinis in their moleskin, velvet, and jacquard tuxedos and three-piece suits. Such luxury may recall another era – Mr. Hannant said he was inspired by the Rat Pack – but style is back. “People are going out again, and men need something to wear,” Mr. Hannant said, “The mood is indulgent, decadent.” Carson Kressley of “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” said “the look is modern ‘Great Gatsby.'” Jewelry designer Zani Gugelman summed up what she saw as “Old School with a twist,” adding, “It takes a man with a lot of confidence to wear it.” In short, as Somers Farkas said, “It’s as elegant as what he does for women.”

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The models at Mr. Hannant’s show would have blended easily into the crowd at Lycee Francais New York’s fund-raiser Friday night.

The crowd was very fashionable, among them Susan Fales-Hill, Bettina Zilkha, and Gilles Mendel – and that’s not even counting the beautiful French women like Nadine Daissain Debaille, who represents the Parisian designer Nelly Biche de Bere.

The independent school, which offers most of its instruction in French, threw a Brazilian Carnival-themed party at Cipriani 42nd Street, raising more than $500,000. The event honored the founder and chief executive of France Telecom, Thierry Breton, whose first job was teaching computer science at the Lycee Francais. Noting Mr. Breton’s business success, Sanford Weill joked to the crowd, “I hope all of you have stock in France Telecom, because if you do, the Lycee will be getting a whole lot more in contributions.”

Simon de Pury led a spirited live auction that included a necklace by alumna Olivia Wildenstein, a meal by Alain Ducasse, an eight-course tasting menu by school parent Daniel Boulud, and a trip for four to Rome. Mr. Boulud, meanwhile, was responsible for the meal at the event – lamb with risotto, a cheese course, and crepes.

“The point of this gathering is to celebrate our success and to party,” the chairman of the school’s board of trustees, Elsa Berry, told more than 600 guests. Ms. Berry was a chairwoman of the benefit, along with Micky Boulud (Mr. Boulud’s wife), Catherine Godbille-Koechlin, and Perla Gray.

A year and a half ago the school moved into its new building, designed by James Polshek, which now houses all its students from kindergarten through 12th grade – they formerly were scattered in townhouses on the Upper East Side.

France’s ambassador to America, Jean-David Levitte, gave an optimistic message on French-American relations, having met with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Monday, and anticipating a dinner between President Bush and President Chirac in two weeks, at Brussels. “This will be the year for repairing our friendship,” Mr. Levitte said.

The school will do its part. In the spring, it will open the first LFNY Cultural Center, which will offer film screenings, discussions, lectures, and concerts for the community.