It’s officially gala season, which means celebrities, socialites, and everyone in between will don their best gowns for evenings filled with champagne, celebration, and fundraising. All the usual events returned this year, including the New York City Ballet Gala, co-chaired by Sarah Jessica Parker, Dianna Agron, and Andy Cohen among others. Also on the schedule was Storm King’s Annual Gala at the Rainbow Room in Rockefeller Center, and the New York Philharmonic Opening Gala. But it isn’t just the black-tie affairs filling up the social calendar, and New York isn’t the only city that gets to have all the fun. In Los Angeles, Kerry Washington, Justine Lupe, and more stars got together to welcome the new creative director of Tod’s, while in downtown NYC, H&M hosted a block party attended by Riley Keough, Emily Ratajkowski, and Nara and Lucky Blue Smith—where Kaytranada was spinning hits all night. And that’s just the beginning. There will be many more fêtes to come, and even if you can’t score an invite, you’ll want to keep up with all the celeb-filled goings-on here.
On December 18, Mark Ronson and Justin Theroux corralled an intimate crew of VIPs and New York figures for their annual Holiday party. Of course, Ronson and his sister Samantha Ronson stepped behind the DJ booth to soundtrack the evening as guests enjoyed Petrossian Caviar and cocktails from Código 1530 Tequila and Great Jones Bourbon. The bash was held at the Pebble Bar—a cocktail lounge nestled right against Rockefeller center—which was decorated with festive Baccarat crystal and wax sculptures.
Ronson and Theroux hosted the likes of Chris Rock, Dianna Agron, Don Lemon, Antoni Porowski, and Louisa Jacobson who all got in the Holiday spirit during the evening. A performance by Ghostface Killah of the Wu-Tang Clan sent guests on their merry way.
Kim Kardashian rolled into the Skims Fifth Avenue store on Thursday, December 13, ready to celebrate the grand opening of her flagship, unwilling to let a foot injury get in the way. She was joined by fans and former models of the brand, including Cardi B, Ice Spice, Ciara, and Teyana Taylor, many of whom were dressed in head-to-toe Skims—specifically, pieces from the brand’s latest, leopard print-adorned collaboration with Dolce & Gabbana.
Tate McRae, FKA Twigs, June Ambrose, and more of the attendees explored the expansive space, sipping on beige cocktails and bites that matched the monochrome interior. Live mannequins in Skims sculptwear and hosiery and Marilyn Monroe-esque wigs modeled in the store windows and among the racks. DJ Gilly Chan kept the party going until it was time to head to ZZs Club for dinner.
Meanwhile, downtown, there was nothing beige about the Banana Republic SoHo store, which was transformed on Thursday night for the brand’s holiday party, hosted by Derek Blasberg. Holly-adorned, red velvet booths and fringe-covered ceiling lamps provided a warm glow to the room. It was the perfect atmosphere for attendees like Zac Posen, Carolyn Murphy, Martha Hunt, and Ella Emhoff to celebrate the winter season.
The theme of the evening was Cocktails & Cashmere, and guests were treated to an abundance of both. They participated in a wreath-making workshop while sipping on a winter margarita or rosemary fizz and took images in front of a festive, bow-adorned photo backdrop. Bites from New York City chef, writer, and entrepreneur Jonah Reider kept everyone fed, while personalized monogrammed cashmere sweaters provided warmth for their trips home in the dropping temperatures.
Christopher Young, Olivia Wilde, Lauren Santo Domingo.
No one does the winter season quite like Tiffany & Co. Beyond the fact that brand’s crystal and silver ornaments are a staple on so many trees, and its Fifth Avenue snowflake is like a North Star for the world’s best shopping street. (Not to mention, there’s no delight quite like receiving anything in a Tiffany blue box.) On Thursday night, guests of the house, including Olivia Wilde and model Georgia Fowler, gathered at the jeweler’s flagship, The Landmark where they toasted the holidays over caviar and champagne while a string trio played live music.
This year, the snowflake was joined by a new dazzling work—a larger-than-life version of Jean Schlumberger’s iconic Bird on a Rock featuring almost 50,000 micro-LED lights and giant ruby eyes. Wilde had the pleasure of lighting the piece, based on the original 1965 design. When fully lit, it rivals both the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and the Times Square New Year’s Eve ball in its brilliance.
Ava DuVernay, Brunello Cucinelli, and Oprah Winfrey.
Over in Los Angeles, meanwhile, Brunello Cucinelli hosted an evening at Chateau Marmont in celebration of the brand’s latest eveningwear collection. Decked out in their best Brunello, Oprah Winfrey, Law Roach, Ava Duvernay, Eve Hewson, Quinta Brunson, and more notable guests sipped on cocktails in the hotel’s lounge, before enjoying an intimate dinner in the garden.
January Jones added a touch of sex appeal to her double-breasted suit with a burgundy lace crop top underneath.
Sharon Stone brought the texture in a midnight blue set adorned with ostrich feathers.
On Saturday, November 23, cult-favorite brand Telfar opened its flagship store, a 10,000 square-foot space, in the heart of Manhattan’s SoHo and Chinatown, officially becoming part of the downtown NYC shopping landscape. Of course, the moment was cause for celebration, and an all-day affair did the job, as Telfar Clemens invited thousands of fans to join in on the fun. They enjoyed a live episode of TelfarTV, an open-mic contest for the masses to show off their talents, and a host of surprise guests.
Participants in the talent contest sang opera, danced, and performed a host of tricks. Clemens, along with a panel of judges, watched over the acts, and if they (and the crowd) approved, the performer was awarded with a free bag. Later, T.S. Madison, Lil’ Kim, and the New York Liberty mascot Ellie the Elephant took to the stage, turning the evening into a dance party, and a celebration of, not only the new store, but also 20 years of Telfar.
At about 8 PM on a Wednesday night, the cavernous interior of America’s largest church, The Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City’s Morningside Heights, was filled with the sounds of a drumline. A gathering of the city’s art elite decked out in a mixture of bowties and boleros (the dress code read “Texas formal”) was suddenly making way for the Marching Cobras Drumline and Danceline. Manhattan cowboys, Episcopalian priests, and majorettes might not have made sense together at most galas, but they certainly did to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the always-eclectic arts organization Ballroom Marfa.
Joe Jonas, dressed on theme, was among the VIPs who came out to celebrate Ballroom Marfa, which has now spent the past two decades helping artists and creatives mount boundary-breaking projects in the small Texas town of Marfa, (among their most famous projects, of course, is Elmgreen & Dragset’s Prada Marfa). With the help of presenting sponsor Brunello Cucinelli, the night raised over $1 million and honored Allison Sarofim and Leo Villareal with trophies designed by Joel Gaitan (seen above in the fuzzy red glasses).
Anna Weyant, fresh off painting Kaia Gerber for the cover of Vogue, joined guests like Derek Blasberg, Lauren Santo Domingo, Leo Villareal, Lisa Yuskavage, Cynthia Rowley, Wes Gordon, and emcee John Early for the night.
You’ve likely already seen images of it all over social media, so by now you’re very aware of the pop-up concert H&M and Charli XCX put on in Times Square on November 18. After giving Charli fans just a 30-minute warning on social media, thousands flocked to Midtown Manhattan, where the pop star treated them to a handful of songs from her Grammy-nominated album Brat in celebration of H&M’s holiday collection.
Of course, the crowd was filled with friends of H&M and Charli, including It girls like Amelia Gray, Julia Fox, and Alex Consani, who were featured on Times Square’s digital billboards while dancing to Charli’s performance of her hits “360,” “Von dutch,” “Apple,” and “Guess Remix.” Later, they all headed to The Chelsea Hotel for an after party hosted by Gray. There, Charli changed from her H&M show look into another ensemble from the brand in order to party the night away to DJ sets by DJ Pee.Wee aka Anderson.Paak, Oscar Nñ (Papi Juice) and k.tea.
On November 20, Christine Baranski, Helena Christensen, RHONY stars Brynn Whitfield and Erin Lichy, and more gathered at the Plaza for the 37th annual Citymeals on Wheels power lunch. Emceed by ABC News senior correspondent Deborah Roberts, the luncheon honored Moda Operandi cofounder Lauren Santo Domingo and The Shubert Organization. Most notably, though, was the fact that the event exceeded its fund-raising goal, raising $1.5 million in one afternoon, which will provide 150,000 meals to older New Yorkers unable to shop and cook for themselves.
Executive Director of Creative Time Justine Ludwig, Rashid Johnson, and Thelma Golden attend the 2024 Creative Time Gala.
The worlds of art, fashion, and philanthropy came together on October 30th to celebrate Creative Time’s 50th anniversary at the arts organization’s 2024 gala. With views of a sparkling Manhattan from Skylight at The Refinery (the site of the old Domino Sugar Factory in Williamsburg, Brooklyn), the evening celebrated five decades of Creative Time’s dedication to public art. Artists Rashid Johnson and Doug Aitken, as well as architects Liz Diller and Ricardo Scofidio, all received honors that evening.
Justine Ludwig, Waris Ahluwalia, and Charlotte Kidd attend the 2024 Creative Time Gala.
There was a slew of artworks on view during dinner and cocktails, including Jennifer Catron and Paul Outlaw’s “Slicing Ham (2020/1792),” along with a specially designed installation piece created from a stack of TVs that screened archival footage of past Creative Time commissions. Other works and activations featured at the event included pieces by Jill Magid, Pedro Reyes, and Mel Chin. At the end of the night, Papi Juice hit the DJ booth for the after party.
The Mexican American photographer Carlos Eric Lopez held his fourth annual Día de Muertos Gala at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles on November 1. This year’s theme was “Hecho in Hollywood,” and hundreds of the biggest Latin culture-makers came together to celebrate their community’s immense impact on the arts. Eva Longoria was honored with the Premio Vida y Legado (Life and Legacy Award) for her contributions to popular culture, while actress Isabel Merced presented the Abuelita Award to her tía Gloria Rojas on behalf of her late abuela. Later in the evening, Merced performed the traditional Día de Muertos folk song “La Llorona” as guests enjoyed their dinner.
Parisian cool made its way to Brooklyn Heights on October 30 as Nordstrom and Courrèges celebrated the launch of its new pop-up and exclusive capsule collection with a candlelit dinner. The soirée, hosted by Nordstrom’s Rickie De Sole and Courrèges artistic director Nicolas Di Felice, gathered a chic bunch of actors, artists, and fashion power players—all decked out in Courrèges, of course. Leading the way were actresses Hari Nef and Louisa Jacobson who both opted to wear pieces from the new capsule which mixes elements of Di Felice’s fall 2024 Courrèges collection with details like party-ready sequins and sultry cut-outs.
Those also among the crowd included the likes of artist Miles Greenberg, French actress Rebecca Dayan, Courrèges CEO Marie Leblanc, and stylist Gabriella Karefa-Johnson. The public can shop the ten-piece capsule collection online at Nordstrom.com and at Nordstrom’s NYC flagship location where the full pop-up experience is on view until December 8, 2024.
Jane Fonda, Quinta Brunson, and more stars came together on Thursday, October 24 for conversations and recognition at the 2024 WIF Honors. Held at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills and presented by Max Mara, the event brought together an impressive array of influential women in the film industry, raising money for WIF’s educational and philanthropic programs and its advocacy for gender parity in entertainment.
Annette Bening was presented the Jane Fonda Humanitarian Award by Fonda herself, while Kate Winslet received the Crystal Award for Advocacy. Kerry Washington took the stage in a strapless white Max Mara dress to receive the Entrepreneur in Entertainment Award, while Joey King suited up in gray for the WIF Max Mara Face of the Future Award.
Winslet took a moment to speak on the importance of events like the WIF Honors and its effect on the industry. “Twenty, thirty years ago, when I was starting out, events like this didn’t exist,” she said. “The idea that cheering on your friends, celebrating that person you stand shoulder to shoulder with and feeling proud of ourselves, large groups of women working together, it’s so significant.”
Tod’s recently appointed creative director, Matteo Tamburini, made a trip to Los Angeles for an intimate dinner on October 23 in celebration of the brand’s new collection. Held at Tower Bar in West Hollywood, the evening was also an excuse to introduce Tamburini to the LA community, as the designer got the chance to mingle with Amber Valletta, Kelly Rowland, Rachel Zoe, and other attendees.
Justine Lupe, hot off the success of her Netflix show, Nobody Wants This, was in attendance at the event, dressed in a red hot leather set and knee-high black boots. The actress spent some time chatting with Matt Bomer, who looked cool in a light brown jacket and jeans.
Kerry Washington, too, wore a leather ensemble, matching her deep burgundy lip color to her fringe dress.
When Debbie Harry invites you to a party, you don’t say no, which explains the impressive turnout at Gucci’s party on October 22. The Blondie frontwoman and singer Kelsey Lu gathered friends of the fashion house to celebrate its new campaign, “We Will Always Have London,” which stars the two artists as well as the aptly named Gucci Blondie bag.
Iris Apatow, Jemima Kirke, June Ambrose, Gabriella Karefa-Johnson, and more were in attendance, and they got the opportunity to enjoy a dinner at Soho’s Manuela ahead of the restaurant’s official opening. Of course, guests were dressed in Sabato Sarno’s finest for the evening, and many toted around the Blondie bag, showing off its multiple colorways and sizes.
It was a big night for Marli New York on October 16, as the jewelry brand celebrated two major occasions: its tenth anniversary and the release of its first-ever high jewelry collection. The evening, titled “A New York Affair,” was themed in accordance with the new collection, which takes inspiration from the city and its vibrant energy. Shanina Shaik, AnnaSophia Robb, and Taylor Hill—face of Marli’s current Life: From Moments to Minutes campaign—were all in attendance at the event, dripping in Marli jewels, of course.
The biggest names in television, Broadway, and music took a break from their busy schedules for a trip to the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in Morningside Heights on October 21. The reason? To celebrate God’s Love We Deliver and the organization’s annual Golden Heart Awards.
Leading the charge was one of the cause’s biggest supporters, Michael Kors, who also dressed many of the night’s attendees—including Sarah Jessica Parker, recipient of the evening’s Michael Kors Award for Outstanding Philanthropy. The actress wore a black lace dress by the designer and was flanked throughout the night by both of her And Just Like That costars, Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon, also in MK designs.
Clad in a retro-inspired black Michael Kors dress was Megan Thee Stallion, who was given the genLOVE Award for Outstanding Philanthropy. The honorees were rounded out by Broadway’s own Cole Escola, who received an award for Breakthrough Achievement in the Arts. Unfortunately, Escola didn’t ditch their leopard print coat and break into a rendition of “She'll Be Coming 'Round the Mountain” a la Mary Todd Lincoln, but the guests were treated with a performance from Sam Smith to close out the evening.
Cher and Tyra Banks delayed the comedown from the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show with another night of celebration, albeit one that was slightly less performative. On Wednesday night, the two were joined by Jodie Turner-Smith, Cara Delevingne, and more for an event held in honor of the reopening of Burberry’s East 57th Street flagship store. Dressed in Daniel Lee’s best designs, guests enjoyed a cocktail event in-store, followed by a dinner at Jean’s in NoHo.
Current Burberry campaign star Delevingne was also in attendance, pairing a shearling coat with a black leather skirt. Turner-Smith, meanwhile, wore a unique take on the classic Burberry trench featuring cutout floral details and matching wide-leg pants. For his part, Lee dressed in plaid pants and an olive green leather puffer. Altogether the guests looked like a walking advertisement for the brand’s new outerwear-focused push, “It’s Always Burberry Weather.”
On October 17, A-Listers traveled en masse to Melrose Place where FoundRae opened its first-ever LA location. Sarah Paulson, Allison Janney, and January Jones were among the guests who enjoyed cocktails, light bites, and a walk-through of the brand’s new space, set inside a vine-covered stucco storefront on the iconic shopping street.
Also in attendance was designer Aurora James, who tried on one of the vintage-inspired pieces created by FoundRae’s founder Beth Hutchens.
On October 9, H&M celebrated its connection to music with a dance party tucked away on Mercer Street, right behind the brand’s SoHo store. Hosted by Amelia Gray, the night featured DJ sets from Kaytranada, Channel Tres, and Kitty Ca$h, as well as appearances from some of Gray’s model friends like Emily Ratajkowski and Mona Tougaard. Of course, actors Riley Keough and Evan Mock were also on hand for the celebration.
Gray did not hold back when dressing for the evening, donning a reworked hockey jersey as a dress and large, off-white stiletto boots that encircled her legs. Other attendees, meanwhile, stuck with more minimalist attire. Ratajkowski arrived to the event in a gray, v-neck sweater dress and black leather boots, while Tougaard wore gray oversize trousers and a black sweater that casually dropped off one shoulder. Keough, meanwhile, opted for wide-leg jeans and a faux-fur coat, staying warm throughout the night as she enjoyed the music.
That same evening, further uptown, a different sort of celebration was taking place. The New York City Ballet hosted its 12th annual Fall Fashion Gala, raising $3.2 million in the process. The A-list group of co-chairs—which included Sarah Jessica Parker, Amy Sedaris, and Laverne Cox—led the way for a glamorous evening of dance and style, held at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center.
Jeremy O. Harris, Jordan Roth, Justin Theroux, and other stars dressed to the nines for the event, which celebrated the works of three female choreographers this year. The ballets were the crown jewels of the evening, as guests took in the specially designed costumes that accompany each respective performance. Zac Posen, specifically, created the pieces for Tiler Peck’s Concerto for Two Pianos, which capped off the glamorous night.
On Tuesday, September 24, Josh Groban headlined a special evening honoring the New York Philharmonic for its 2024-25 season Opening Gala. The evening began with a cocktail reception before Groban took the stage at the Wu Tsai Theater in David Geffen Hall. He was also joined by guest conductor, Manfred Honeck, who lead Franz von Suppé’s Light Cavalry Overture and a suite of music from Giacomo Puccini’s Turandot. The evening concluded with a sit-down dinner, attended by guests including Alec Baldwin and k.d. lang.
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