Despite the torrential rain last Thursday night, celebrities, designers, and scenesters alike turned out in full force to fete a host of celebrations taking place throughout the city that evening. One of my favorite designers, Rag + Bone, has opened up a women's shop at Saks Fifth Avenue, which is far closer to my uptown abode than the design duo's Soho digs. Designers Marcus Wainwright and David Neville kicked off their latest outpost with a big party on Saks' fifth floor, and I could not wait to check out their new -- and more convenient -- space. The shop itself is charming, and is decorated with vintage items to give it that lived in feel that new stores so often lack. Guests supped on mini-cheeseburgers, petite frites, veggie quesadillas, and washed all of that down with ice cold beers whilst grooving to the tunes of DJ Suga Ray and enjoying an exclusive performance by Smith Westerns. For those who really wanted to get their fashion on, the designers were offering one-on-one styling with looks straight off the runway. Regrettably, I did not have the time to be dressed by the experts, but I will be making a trip back to the store soon enough, and I will simply have to trust my own sartorial judgment.
From Saks, I headed downtown to the Opening Ceremony Shop at the Ace Hotel, where Target and many of the past GO International designers toasted the program's five year anniversary and the launch of the GO International Designer Collective, a 34 piece capsule collection from 17 previously featured designers, including Luella Bartley, Rodarte, Zac Posen, Thakoon, Richard Chai and Erin Fetherston. The $45 dollar dresses went on sale at target.com and select stores on Sunday the 13th, but a slew of fashion-minded and celebrity guests got a head start at the Opening Ceremony shop on Thursday over champagne and gin cocktails. This was an opportunity apparently few amongst the fashion set could resist, and, indeed, seemingly everyone was there: Liv Tyler, Chloe Sevigny, Lake Bell, Michelle Trachtenberg, Olivia Munn, Brad Goreski, Chiara Clemente, Mickey Boardman, Peter Davis, Target Style Consultant Nina Garcia, Opening Ceremony's Carol Lim and Humberto Leon, and past GO international designers Erin Fetherston, Thakoon, Rogan Gregory, and Richard Chai.
Behind the store is the lobby, which was turned into a vast party space, where DJ Mia Moretti spun along to electric violinist Caitlin Moe. Santigold rocked a three-song set, but it was the surprise musical guest who really "Holly-rocked" the house down: none other than Sheila E. The crowd went wild, although I wonder how many were actually old enough to remember the performer back in her Prince days. No matter: she played her biggest hit, "The Glamorous Life," and for this crowd that was totally worth wearing their good heels in the rain. Now that Opening Ceremony has played consummate host, the question on everyone's mind is: will they be next to collaborate with Target? Stay tuned.