It's hard to believe that a city already bursting at the seams with culture and nightlife could possibly support the overlap of New York Fashion Week and the Armory Show. And yet, art and fashion devotees from across the globe flocked to the city for a week of debuts and celebrations, somehow finding a corner to drop their bags in before heading out on the town. Whether it was dinner with Dior, a winged lineup of designers dancing to Doechii, or a litany of runway afterparties, CULTURED was there to scope out the scene and provide readers with an inside look at the industry's most sought-after events. As the week wears on, check back in to see our ongoing coverage.
Victoria's Secret Gives Fashion Week Its Wings
A long week of fashion-forward events kicked off on Sep. 6 with a celebration of Victoria's Secret's The Tour ‘23, a feature film spotlighting 20 female designers creating collections out of Bogota, Lagos, London, and Tokyo. To mark the launch, the brand rolled out its signature pink carpet for a litany of talents and angels, including Adriana Lima, Adut Akech, Alton Mason, Brooke Shields, Candice Swanepoel, Doja Cat, Emily Ratajkowski, Gigi Hadid, Julia Fox, Lily Aldridge, Lukas Gage, Naomi Campbell, Naomi Osaka, Pat McGrath, Paul Wesley, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Taylor Hill, and Winnie Harlow. Inside the Manhattan Center, guests were treated to performances by artists Doechii and Goyo.
Peggy Gou and Skepta Bring Down the (Glass)House
Underground event collective Teksupport scheduled a slate of events for fashion week, starting on Sep. 6 with a DJ lineup featuring grime artist and designer Skepta; another grime veteran, Jammer; and club mainstay Peggy Gou. The three performed at Glasshouse, which features floor-to-ceiling windows reflecting and reverberating the powerful sonic landscape held within. Guests including Evan Mock, Isabela Grutman, and Carlita could be spotted in the audience bouncing along.
Dior Gives Charlize Theron Her Flowers
What do Charlize Theron, Rachel Brosnahan, Natalia Dyer, and Stephanie Hsu have in common? They were all at Dior's Brooklyn Botanic Garden cocktail on Sep. 7, celebrating a new series of works commissioned from Jean-Michel Othoniel by the house. The collection of six works, "The Flowers of Hypnosis," are currently on view at the venue (through Oct. 22, 2023), and last night, the artist also unveiled a limited edition piece created for the house to accompany its new L’or De J’adore fragrance. The small, golden blossom cradles the glass bottle, and its design served as the inspiration for the latern-smattered table setting of the intimate dinner that followed mid-evening drinks.
Cash App and Marshall Columbia Paint the Town Pink
The mobile payment service Cash App and spirited Brooklyn-based designer Marshall Columbia joined forces to celebrate their collaborative Pink Collection, developed in concert with the Pink Cash App Card. The vibrant collection made its debut during an energetic launch event at 99 Scott on Thursday, Sept. 7. Model and foodie Gabbriette curated a contemporary menu for a dinner that transformed into an adrenaline-pumping party, featuring live performances by Bapari, Memphy, Club Eat, Bambi, Slayyyter, and VTSS. Some of fashion’s hottest stars including Hari Nef, Julia Fox, Alex Consani, Eartheater, Ethel Cain, Yves Tumor, and Matty Healy joined the function to celebrate the genderless pink collaboration. The collection includes puffy handbags, plush wallets, and a range of skate culture-inspired pieces.
Lacoste Serves Up Style at 90th Anniversary Party
The 90th anniversary of Lacoste has prompted a wave of worldwide celebrations. The latest? A sizzling New York rooftop party. Held on Sept. 9 at the Lower East Side’s Nine Orchard hotel, the event offered a fitting synthesis of athletics and fashion against the backdrop of the US Open Tennis Championships and New York Fashion Week. Lacoste Creative Director Pelagia Kolotouros had the perfect podium to present her vision for a brand favored by the likes of Venus Williams, Devonté Hynes, and Irina Shayk. Emily Ratajkowski, Adesuwa Aighewi, Malik Monk, Brandon Flynn, and Jeon Somi were among the guests who posed in front of a Lacoste-green wall emblazoned with a neon version of the brand’s iconic alligator.
Armory Week’s Cultural Commemoration at Chapel Bar
Collectors and artists gathered to celebrate Armory Week on Sept. 8 at Chapel Bar at a bash overseen by the brand’s mononymous director of cultural engagement, Desta. Following an intimate dinner, hosts Rafael Prieto of Savvy, fashion designer Bárbara Sánchez-Kane, communications director Sophie Gubernick, and mezcal expert Yola Jiménez joined forces for a night celebrating cultural achievements. Designer and artist Sánchez-Kane fêted her inaugural solo show in New York at the gallery Kurimanzutto while Gubernick raised a glass to friends and clients who had gathered to celebrate her new communications and partnerships firm, SGAdvisory. Yola Jiménez of Yola Mezcal designed a custom bar using designs by Masa Gallery’s Brian Thoreen. Prominent figures in attendance included Laura Harrier, Harold Ancart, and Dianna Agron.
