Friday Fête: Hennessy’s Lunar New Year Soiree, the Whitney’s Art Party, and More

Last Saturday, Sandy Liang and Mission Chinese Food kicked off the Lunar New Year at Sister City’s restaurant Floret in New York. Guests rang in the turn of the century with eats crafted by famed chef Danny Bowien and Congee Village. Fashionable attendees also enjoyed an open bar and music from DJs Alice Longyu Gao, Matt FX, Justin Hager, and Kristine Reano. And just before midnight, guests were invited upstairs for an afterparty with glittering views of the skyline on the hotel’s rooftop bar, Last Light.

On Monday, Uniqlo presented its Spring/Summer 2020 collection at Industria on West 12th Street. Attended by guests like Zoe Laz, Denny Balmaceda, Ryan Clark, Calu Rivero, James Turlington, and Hilary Rhoda, the showcase highlighted the brand’s “LifeWear” collection, new collaborations with names like JW Anderson, Hana Tajima, and Ines de la Fressange, and the its latest sustainability effort— a recycling initiative and the “Warm Welcome” program, which aids refugees.

Hennessy honored artist Zhang Huan and his collaboration for the Lunar New Year on Tuesday night with a celebration at Public Arts in New York City. The evening welcomed the Year of the Rat with a performance by Chinese artist Bohan Phoenix, and a modernized take on the classic dragon dance that was complete with an LED lightshow and music by DJ Toy. Guests were also treated to the unveiling of Huan’s new work Eaux-de-Vie, commissioned especially for the limited-edition cognac collection.

Tuesday evening also marked The Whitney Museum of American Art’s annual Art Party, hosted by co-chairs Olivia Palermo, Michael Carl, Micaela Erlanger, Nigel Sylvester, and artist Jamian Juliano-Villani. Sponsored by Tod’s, the night began with a seated dinner, music by singer-songwriter Zsela, and champagne by Mod Sélection. Following the meal, guests like Katie Holmes, Kate Walsh, Rosie Assoulin, Willa Nasatir, Wu Tsang, and Victor Cruz joined the party on the museum’s ground floor, where DJs Dizzy Fae, Okay Kaya, and SHYBOI performed sets. Partygoers also had the option of visiting the 8th floor café for a performance of Darren Bader’s triple DJ by BEARCAT, br0nz3_g0dd3ss, and Riobamba, and a specialty tequila bar by Casa Noble.

Last night in SoHo, jewelry brand Âme celebrated the opening of its newest showroom in New York. The 1,000-square-foot boutique features interiors by frequent brand collaborator Baranowitz+Kronenberg, welcoming clients to stunning dark interiors. Complete with glass cloche hanging capsules and custom display pods, the space allows customers to peruse the jewelry as it’s encapsulated around them. Celebrating the grand opening were names like Mary Leest, Mariah Strongin, Pamela Tick, and the brand’s creative director, Elinor Avni.

And last night in Denmark, fashion brand Ganni held its annual Copenhagen Fashion Week party following the presentation of its Fall/Winter 2020 collection. Husband-and-wife duo and brand founders Ditte Reffstrup and Nicolaj Reffstrup welcomed guests like Ian Bradley, Lucy Williams, Naomi Smart, and Susie Lao for a night of festivities that encompassed the two floors of a townhouse in the city’s center. Partygoers danced to DJ sets, snacked on dumplings by the local spot, GAO, and enjoyed drinks by Empirical Spirits that were served from a Ganni-themed leopard mirror bar. The experience was completed by a velvet-draped karaoke bar (along with a special performance by Emma Rosenzweig, who took the stage dressed as the Danish clown Pierrot) and a tent installation by artist Anna Clarisse Holck Wæhrens.