Battle of the Fast Fashion Parties: H&M x Kenzo vs. Topshop
The third presidential debate may have dominated the headlines this week, but H&M x Kenzo and Topshop partied on. Who did it better? We compare.
Politics may have dominated the headlines this week, but that doesn’t mean there weren’t parties aplenty for the fashion crowd. In fact, many people skipped out on the head-to-head match between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump in order to attend the launch of H&M’s newest collaboration, with Kenzo. Still, they were game to share their opinions on the red carpet. “I mean, I think Donald Trump is an idiot,” said Rainey Qualley. “There’s no way that’s going to happen.” The November 8 election also dominated table talk the following evening, at a Topshop dinner in honor of the brand’s new campaign, starring Taylor Hill. Here, a side by side comparison of the two fetes.
Location, Location, Location: Topshop: TriBeCa’s Spring Place H&M x Kenzo: Pier 36
Host with the Mostest: Topshop: Taylor Hill H&M x Kenzo: Kenzo designers Carol Lim and Humberto Leon.
Creative Direction By…. Topshop: The brand’s own Kate Phelan. H&M x Kenzo: Frequent Grace Jones collaborator and design legend Jean-Paul Goude, who directed the fashion show.
Tribes: Topshop: New York It girls, millennial models, lots of off-duty editors relieved the debate went well for their gal. H&M x Kenzo: Actresses, rappers and red carpet mainstays, lots of on-duty editors anxious to watch the debate.
The A list: Topshop: Sarah Snyder, Tali Lennox, Madeline Poole, MacKinley Hill. H&M x Kenzo: Lupita Nyong’o, Chloë Sevigny, Iman, Elizabeth Olsen.
Musician(s) in Residence Topshop: DJ Chelsea Leyland H&M x Kenzo: Chance the Rapper, Ice Cube, who performed at the after party, and a lot of beatboxers.
That’s Entertainment: Topshop: Posing for Boomerangs inside Spring Place’s red room. H&M x Kenzo: Posing for Boomerangs in front of the beatboxers.
The H&M X Kenzo show on Oct. 19
Scion of the Party: Topshop: Rose Gilroy, daughter of Academy Award-nominated screenwriter Dan Gilroy and actress Rene Russo. H&M x Kenzo: Rainey Qualley, Andie MacDowell’s singing, song-writing daughter.
Talk of the Table, and the Front Row: Topshop: The gaffes of both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, the problems with hospitality in post-embargo Cuba (still), pro/cons of HBO show Westworld. H&M x Kenzo: The imminent third presidential debate, Vogue’s endorsement of Hillary Clinton, “When is Ice Cube coming on?”, the temperature.
On the Menu: Topshop: Beef carpaccio with truffles, wild Branzino, and homemade gelato and sorbet. H&M x Kenzo: Popcorn, meatballs, Peroni beer, and sushi passed in Chinese takeout containers.
Goody Bag Topshop: Not this time. H&M x Kenzo: A scarf from the collection.
Who Partied Harder? H&M vs. Topshop
Elizabeth Olsen at the KENZO x H&M launch party.
Chelsea Leyland, Tali Lennox at the Topshop dinner.
Chloë Sevigny at the KENZO x H&M launch party.
Mackinley Hill, Taylor Hill, Kate Phelan, Rose Gilroy at the Topshop dinner.
Lupita Nyong’o at the KENZO x H&M launch party.
Madeline Poole at the Topshop dinner.
Jean-Paul Goude at the KENZO x H&M launch party.
Rose Gilroy, Duffy at the Topshop dinner.
Chance the Rapper at the KENZO x H&M launch party.
Sarah Snyder at the Topshop dinner.
Rainey Qualley at the KENZO x H&M launch party.
Tali Lennox at the Topshop dinner.
Iman at the KENZO x H&M launch party.
Taylor Hill at the Topshop dinner.
Bethann Hardison, Jean-Paul Goude, Iman, Chloe Sevigny, Humberto Leon, and Carol Lim attend the KENZO x H&M launch party.
Mackinley Hill, Taylor Hill at the Topshop dinner.
