Good way to deal with the recession? Pretend it’s a different decade. And that’s exactly how last night’s party for the launch of the Matthew Williamson line for H&M felt.
Driving down the FDR you could spot the huge pink boat looming at Pier 17 a mile away, flanked by a massive red carpet studded by sailor men and women in full regalia, saluting each and every guest as they passed by. Once inside, it was like an ’80s cruise boat, with palm trees, cocktails in coconut shells, and photo booths. “It’s so cruise-y, but in the right way,” said Heidi Mount. “I love it. I feel like I’m on a cruise right now.” And while she wasn’t wearing the H&M designs, she was still model-window shopping. “I have my eye on a couple pieces, like that one that Daria [Werbowy] is wearing right now with all the sparkles.”
Guests lounged in wicker chairs, waiting for the much talked about Grace Jones performance, which didn’t end up happening until late—almost 11:30 p.m.—while the party was set to end at midnight. “I’m just a huge fan of Grace Jones,” admitted Daria, flanked by her big fan: Matthew Williamson. The designer enjoyed his evening, holding court in the VIP area on a bench with his model muse, Lucy Liu, Mary-Kate Olsen, and Lily Donaldson.
Dree Hemingway flitted around the boat’s two floors with Alexis Bledel, in shoes that looked exactly like her fringe Alexander Wang ones that she blogged about for Modelinia. “I got the first pair and just had to get a second pair, I was so obsessed,” Dree explained.
Meanwhile, Selita Ebanks had the perfect summer attire: a brand-new short hairdo, as she’s all set to take off to the Cayman Islands for the weekend. Chanel Iman had a mini photo shoot in the photo booth, Arlenis Sosa modeled bikinis, Patricia Field danced on the risers, and Helena Christensen showed up in one of Matthew’s designs from the second shipment of his H&M line! Now you know it’s cool when all the supers dress in his pieces.
