Upon arrival at Mayor Adams’ home, guests were greeted with passed specialty cocktails and elegant plant-based passed-canapes ranging from savory to sweet. The pale blue walls and large crystal chandeliers of the ballroom set a stately tone for the soirée as attendees excitedly explored the famed New York mansion. Creative director of Carolina Herrera, Wes Gordon kicked off remarks regaling party-goers with endearingly nostalgic stories of his own beginnings as an up-and-coming designer.
“I grew up in Atlanta sketching women in dresses on the margins of my math notebook and tyrannically telling my mom and sister what to wear. Being a fashion designer was always my dream career, and New York was always my dream home,” said Wes Gordon. “Thirteen years ago, I moved to New York after art school and, like so many, was determined to start my own collection and be the next Ralph, Tom, or Calvin.”
After a warm welcome by Wes Gordon, Mayor Adams addressed the crowd, acknowledging the personal impact fashion holds on everyday individuals beyond the forward-facing glamor of the runway. “This room is full of folks with swagger,” joked Mayor Adams. “You grace Gracie Mansion.” Attendees dressed to dazzle, showing our New York Mayor just what New York fashion is all about. Throughout his speech, Mayor Adams referenced the impact something as simple as a well-designed tie can have.
“It’s such an honor to be at Gracie Mansion on the precipice of our new collection, Wierderhoeft’s first runway show. Having the support of the CFDA and Vogue, who’ve given the encouragement and resources to do a major collection, means the world,” Jackson Wiederhoeft told Vogue, wearing a stunning purple gown of their own design. “That’s part of what New York represents, and September fashion week is the time of the year when the city comes alive.”
Attendees included Diane von Furstenberg, Karlie Kloss, Emily Ratajkowski, Tory Burch, Aurora James, Stacey Bendet, Tommy and Dee Hilfiger, the entire 2022 Vogue/CFDA Fashion Fund member class, and many more. “It’s really crazy because places like Gracie Mansion and being in a room with all of my icons are so far out of my everyday reality. I’m from the Midwest, and I identify as a Midwest designer,” Elena Velez told Vogue. “I feel very helped by the CFDA and relatively discovered by them. As a result, I’ve gotten so much important fellowship solidarity with other designers who are at the same stage in their careers as me and who identify with where I’m at in growing a business.”
As party-goers took a final bite of dessert and wrapped up conversations dedicated to fashion and all things New York, the night concluded. “I was talking to my Nana about being at Gracie Mansion. She’s Italian, and my great grandparents moved from Italy. My great grandfather was an immigrant who worked in the sewers. All of the sacrifices they made have helped bring me to this moment, and it’s such an honor that my ancestors got me here,” said Jackson.
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