“What I love the most about this is I feel like I’m on my hen party and that Jeff Koons is the only guy in the room,” said Stella McCartney, addressing the intimate group gathered downstairs at L’Avenue at Saks. “How’d you manage that, Jeff?”
Koons was in good company, joined by guests including Venus Williams — dressed in a polka dot Stella McCartney suit; “Ted Lasso” star Hannah Waddingham, and “Stereophonic” star Sarah Pidgeon, who last week received her first Tony nomination. “I feel like this is long overdue,” said Waddingham, who was meeting McCartney for the first time.
“This is my new best friend,” added McCartney. “Now she’s only wearing my clothes. She’s a Stella girl.”
During cocktail hour, guests were greeted by a tequila cart, tangerine margaritas and a mariachi band, who were dressed in blue Saks- and Stella-branded ties. Miniature piñatas served as seat markers for dinner, with a surprise tucked inside: a small bottle of Stella- and Saks-branded Casamigos tequila.
“It’s Cinco de Mayo, so I hope everyone’s having a cocktail,” said Tracy Margolies, kicking off the start of dinner. Although taking place the night before the Met Gala, the event was in celebration of the new “Stellabration” capsule collection at Saks, which features recreations of the brand’s iconic red carpet dresses rendered in navy tones along with special occasion accessories. “Just in time for the Met,” added the store’s chief merchandising officer.
“If you haven’t got your look sorted out yet…,” McCartney chimed in, drawing laughter from the crowd.
Needless to say, the looks have already been sorted.
Venus Williams, Stella McCartney and Hannah Waddingham
Lexie Moreland/WWD
