After the New York Times declared the celebrity age over for fashion week, I noticed an invigorated Fall 2017 season with celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Jessica Chastain, Julianne Moore, Madonna, Sarah Jessica Parker and so many others gracing the front row. Enter Philipp Plein, whose name is annoyingly hard to spell, (I noticed People magazine got the spelling wrong), taking fashion week by storm by presenting a multimillion dollar show and after-party at the New York Public Library this past Monday February 13th.
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| Nicky Hilton |
Who is Plein and how did he erupt into the fashion scene-currently owning more than 100 stores worldwide? Born in Munich Germany, this phenom was studying law when he began designing furniture, eventually starting a furniture company in 1998 and making bags and accessories from the leftover exotic leathers. His casual fashion brand was born in 2004 with a ready-to-wear label launching in 2008.
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| Destiny Sierra, Erin Cummings, Rachel Vallori and Tika Camaj |
His clothing is edgy, and rock ‘n’ roll with studs and leather adorning much of his luxurious garments. His women’s 2014 fashion show featured Naomi Campbell, Rita Ora and Irina Shayk-so to say this designer is on the rise is an understatement. In 2007 he won the GQ Awards National Brand of the Year and Heidi Klum recently wore a silver mini of his to the Grammys.
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| Vito Basso |
Tonight this German ingenue made it all about New York being this was his big debut in the Big Apple after presenting several seasons in Milan. Fittingly, he hired Carine Roitfeld to help him pay homage to the City with women dressed as skyscrapers and the Statue of Liberty adorning the stairs and lobby of the Library. Moreover, the Naked Cowboy and multiple Elvis impersonators entertained the vast crowd-what could be more New York than that?
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| Paris Hilton and Sebastian Faena |
The guest list was nothing short of spectacular with Madonna, Kylie Jenner, Tyga, and Tiffany Trump, watching “models/celebrities” Sofia Richie, rappers Fetty Wap, Young Thug and rocker Pete Wentz strut down the runway.
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| Hot Felon Jeremy Meeks |
If all that wasn’t exciting enough rapper Nas opened the show with his song “If I Ruled The World” and felon turned model Jeremy Meeks participated in the exciting extravaganza. Meeks was great – his startling blue eyes and gorgeous physique were otherworldly and his enigmatic demeanor didn’t hurt.
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| Stunna Dior |
If all this wasn’t dramatic enough the show which was called for 9 PM was held up until Madonna arrived at 10:15 causing a stir amongst attendees with some fashion editors choosing to leave. The after-party which was scheduled to start at 10 PM was a full hour late with hundreds of people waiting outside in the frigid air until they were allowed to enter at around 11:30.
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| “The Naked Cowboy” |
Even the sight of the Naked Cowboy clad in underwear joyfully strumming his guitar couldn’t calm the hundreds of freezing attendees. Despite all these hardships, the party was a smash success with dozens of models such as Cindy Bruna, Hailey Baldwin, Imaan Hammam, Elsa Hosk and Nicky Hilton dancing the night away.
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| Hailey Baldwin with friends |
There were tiny cars given to guests who drove through the party and numerous top DJ’s entertaining the crowd with techno and pop tunes. Moreover, the number of male models was astounding, with beautiful men such as River Viiperi, Vito Basso and Twan Kuyper socializing nonchalantly. A lucky few were allowed to head up the stairs to the VIP section and hear Paris Hilton DJ while the glitterati ate dinner.
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| Models |
This party was so exciting I found myself back in love with New York after having just returned from Miami. Just when it reached a crescendo at the early hour of 1:09 AM, the crowd was forced out by belligerent security guards. I bumped into Paris Hilton and famous photographer Sebastian Faena leaving the Library with a smile on Faena’s face. “What’s the secret to a great photo”, I asked Faena, to which he replied “I really don’t know.” I guess it’s like a great party where everything comes together inimitably for that magical moment that you wish you could relive each and every evening
– Lieba Nesis
