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 BY DAVINA CATT | | |
Between being a relative newcomer to New York and the interminable round of store openings, launches and key “scenester” goings-on in the city, trying to discern what and what not to attend becomes quite the task.
I stopped by the Rachel Roy launch party to celebrate her new diffusion line, which is now exclusively available at Macy’s. I was expecting that, taking the economic times in mind, I would find a fairly low-key affair, instead, the top floor of the midtown building was thumping to the beats of DJ/model/Rolling Stones offspring Alexandra Richards, and a coterie of bold-faced fashion names – Kelly Bensimon, Amy Astley, Meredith Melling Burke– who were scouring through the clothes rails. Jones Apparel Group has taken on the task of supporting and expanding the Rachel Roy brand in a bid to spearhead international growth for the designer. “Accessible fashion has always been a passion of mine. | |
RACHEL Rachel Roy | | |  | | | | | Every woman should have the opportunity to express herself through style. Being able to design a contemporary product line that truly reflects a sense of individuality is a great honor,” remarked Roy herself. Named “RACHEL Rachel Roy”, the Sportswear pieces range from $59 - $299, and there are also handbags and jewellery to complete the look. Signature pieces garnering the attention of the party-goers were the George Morillo inspired prints, featured on the footwear and handbags, and the 24hour dress – a day to night failsafe - which comes in numerous fabrics and prints. | | | | | | | 
Derek Lam and Rhianna | | Superluxe was at its very best at the opening of the very first Derek Lam stand alone boutique down in Soho. Designed by internationally esteemed architects SANAA, of New Museum of Contemporary Art fame, the store is a retailers dream – a 2,800 square foot boutique situated on the ground floor of a 19th Century manufacturing building on Crosby Street.
Guests happily sipped on champagne and sampled delicious vegetable dumplings while taking in the luxury of Lam, and the fairly futuristic interior seemed to be well admired by the A-List fashion tribe - Anna Wintour, Anne Slowey, Philip Lim, Brian Atwood- who all turned out to support the designer we’ve come to look to for highly-perfected use of fabric, detail, and wearable luxury. Causing the biggest stir, though, was the appearance of Rihanna, who stole the show in a white, high-wasted Lam pantsuit. But, I think most excitement was generally centred on the fact that we can now find Derek Lam in New York - and all in one place!
Mixing it up a bit from all the fashion swansong, I spent an early evening casting my eye over the debut solo exhibition of fashion and fine art photographer, Andrea Tese. Definitely one to watch for the future, and the recent recipient of the National Arts Young Innovative Award, Tese’s striking work was met with appreciation and applause at Talia Eisenberg’s Heist Gallery on the LES. Entitled, “Boats Against the Current”, Tese’s oeuvre has a certain je ne sais quoi. | | | | | | | | | Featured were images from a project Tese worked on called “After”, uniquely depicting the aftermath of experience, (rather than capturing the experience itself). The title of the show was borrowed from a line by F. Scott Fitzgerald, which refers to the futile determination of humanity, a sentiment Tese heavily explores. | | | | | | | An interesting crowd gathered to support the artist, including Plum TV’s Daniel Hone, NY Times writer Raul Barreneche, Sebastien Le Pelletier, owner of Gallery Nine 5, and fashion designer Chadwick Bell. At the end of the night, guests migrated downstairs to the Norwood Club’s private dining room, where everyone celebrated the closing of what has been a successful debut for Tese.
Unsurprisingly, the bubbling conversation centred around Tese’s images – I, myself, was caught by a Hitchcock-esque scene of a dead deer’s carcass on the early morning roadside, juxtaposed with those asleep in a perfectly constructed house looming in the backdrop. Empowering stuff. Expect much more. | | 
Andrea Tese – After | | | | | | |
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