This has to go down as one of the most gorgeous spring dinners in the city.
The setting: a private event space at 1 Hotel Central Park overlooking the flowery mise-en-scene in Central Park.
The hosts: Amanda Hearst and Hassan Pierre; a swishy guest list including Nicky Hilton Rothschild, Zani Gugelmann, Lily Kwong, Alek Alexeyeva, Browne Andrews, Bianca Arielle Bailey, Shane Gabier, Tarik Lakehal, Anais Mali, Christopher Peters, Nausheen Shah, Arden Wohl and Andrew Ye.
The reason for this haute gathering? The launch of Atelier Swarovski on Maison-de-Mode.com, the ethical fashion site founded by Hearst and Pierre.
Glittery tablescapes featuring pieces from Atelier’s 2016 spring/summer collection gave the room a sparkly glamour, as did Alek Alexeyeva, Bianca Arielle Bailey, Amanda Hearst, Zani Gugelmannm and Nicky Hilton Rothschild, who wore items from the line, as well.
Atelier is the company’s luxury line launched in 2007 with collaborations from some of the world’s top designers, ranging from Karl Lagerfeld to the late Zaha Hadid. But high-profile partnerships are rooted in the brand’s DNA and reach back over a hundred years. “Swarovski has been collaborating with couture houses such as Chanel and Dior since the early 1900s,” says Nadja Swarovski, (Atelier Swarovski Home was launched a few weeks ago at the Salone del Mobile. Expect big names here, too, like design luminaries Daniel Liebskind, Tord Boontje, and Ron Arad.)
Maison-de-Mode began four years ago as a traveling luxury boutique, with pop-ups at some of the world’s biggest happenings, like Art Basel Miami and the Oscars. Last year, Hearst and Pierre launched Maison-de-Mode.com to broaden the reach of their ethically curated line. Items contain labels with icons showing whether a product has been made from recycled or organic materials, crafted in the USA, is cruelty free, Fair Trade, or artisanal among other designations.
Chef Jonathan Waxman’s restaurant Jams, located in the hotel, created the dinner menu; appropriately, all items were locally sourced and organic.