Glitterati gathered at La Mercerie in Soho on Sunday night for a cocktail party hosted by Monse and Pamela Anderson, in partnership with CULTURED. The event was a prelude to fashion’s biggest night, when the world’s brightest stars descend on the Metropolitan Museum of Art for the annual Met Gala.
“It calms me down to see all of these familiar faces and people that have been around us for over a decade,” said Co-Creative Director Fernando Garcia, toasting the brand’s first pre-gala event. Monse’s founders, Garcia and Laura Kim, who serve as creative directors at Oscar de la Renta, teamed up to launch their own brand in 2015.
In the near-decade since, Monse has garnered a significant following among fashion devotees and celebrities alike. As he stood in front of the crowd, mic in hand, Garcia turned to Anderson, whom he described as his “fairy from the forest,” and took the opportunity to stoke anticipation for their forthcoming collaboration. “I hope you guys like what we do tomorrow!” he said.
After the speech, music from the DJ booth resumed and waiters circled the floor with drinks from event sponsors FIJI Water (bottles of water came equipped with straws for ideal lipstick preservation) and Miraval rosé, which embodies the unique blend of art and wine. (Also stocked throughout the space was lotion from sponsor Cetaphil, making for smooth handshakes.)
Guests included Doja Cat, who sported a peekaboo leather cape, and Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez, the latter in a strapless lace minidress. Also in attendance were CULTURED Editor-in-Chief Sarah Harrelson, Instagram fashion partnerships director Eva Chen, models Lineisy Montero Feliz and Hiandra Martinez, designer Phillip Lim, Art Bureau’s Ed Tang, Milk Makeup’s Zanna Roberts Rassi, fashion commentator Ashley Rous, Away founder Jen Rubio, Real Housewife Sai De Silva, and Vetements Creative Director Guram Gvasalia.
The room was abuzz with chatter and predictions about who will wear what on the Met Gala carpet. Montero Feliz told CULTURED she is particularly looking forward to the sartorial stylings of Lady Gaga: “I love her. I think she always has an amazing outfit. Zendaya, too!”
Meanwhile, Anderson looked radiant as ever sporting a bare face and an architectural white top and glittering skirt by Monse. The makeup-free look has become a recent signature for the model, actor, and activist. These days, Anderson told CULTURED, her insider red-carpet tip is: “Less is more!”
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