Inside the Parties of New York Fashion Week

Philipp Plein’s after-party stole the show.

February 17, 2018 5:00 am

Even though the after-parties in February were not as legendary as they were in September, Philipp Plein’s after-party, hosted at Duggal Greenhouse, a large warehouse space at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, stole the show.

The designer dubbed the show “Space Invasion: Conquer of the Universe” and indeed, even getting into the party felt like going through airport security. Chilly rain was pelting on the guests waiting in line to get in. First, you were met by several PR powerhouses with iPads in hands, annoyed at the party crashers who were not on the list, standing inside a white tent outside the warehouse. Then, you had to walk through metal detectors and have your belongings screened by security. All of that unless you were on a VIP list and entered through a different door. Outside, there was a caravan of Philipp Plein-branded Lamborghinis and Porsches.

Inside the warehouse, you entered a different universe—a winter wonderland populated by supermodels and celebrities. Attendees included Kate Upton, Shanina Shaik, Victoria Justice, Cordell Broadus and Migos, who performed during the runway show.

Model And DJ She Marley Marl (@shemarleymarl) and artist Pauli Cakes (@pauli.cakes) at The Last Magazine and Burberry party on Monday, Feb. 12. (Demi Vitkute)

Fake snow cascaded down throughout the venue. A massive spaceship stationed at the center of the room created a fog that was pierced by laser beams. Liquor choices included vodka, gin and tequila, but the only mixer was different types of Red Bull—a deliberate choice for an all-night rave. Experts have warned in the past that drinking vodka mixed with Red Bull is similar to cocaine, resulting in an awake-drunk state. Energized, dozens of people were dancing on a Plein-branded snowplow to techno soundtrack from Ibiza’s Circoloco DJs Seth Troxler and Damian Lazarus. Maybelline Python Metallic Lip Kits were being handed out to guests.

You could enter an extraterrestrial tunnel made from tinfoil and upstairs, from the balcony, the designer and his friends were having a feast catered by Cipriani Monte Carlo, overlooking the raging party.

Model Indi Irvin (@eyeoccupy2k17) and Melanie Pebbles (@melaniepsmith) at Glassbook’s New York Fashion Week closing party on Wednesday, Feb. 14 in Soho. (Demi Vitkute)

One of the attendees, Loris Jones-Randolph, a social media strategist, showed off her dance moves on the floor, attracting other dancers who then started dance battles. A circle of people formed around them and filmed on their phones.

“That party brought production value back to partying,” Jones-Randolph said. “It was really meant to transport you to a different world, one you didn’t just live in but belonged to … I could have vogued all night long and the whole crowd was with it,” she said.

Creative Director of Izon Magazine, John Patrick, who also went to Plein’s party last season, said this year’s  extravaganza was more creative, like “a high-fashion rave” rather than a concert. “The snow coming from the sky was dope,” he said.

Other parties compared to Plein’s seemed dull. But since it was Fashion Week, it didn’t matter whether it was Saturday or Monday, the partying didn’t stop. Two other noteworthy parties happened at the same time on Monday: The Last Magazine’s 10th anniversary celebration in collaboration with Burberry and VFiles with Adidas.

DJ at The Last Magazine X Burberry Party (Demi Vitkute)

The Last Magazine’s party took place at Radegast Hall & Biergarten in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and was hosted by supermodel and activist Adwoa Aboah, who appears on the new Spring 2018 issue cover. The party reached capacity quickly and people had to wait outside to go in. It was warm and cozy inside. Guests drank beer or other liquor from large beer glasses and snacked on sausages and pretzels while listening to tunes from the lineup of DJs Chloe Caillet, Daniela Lalita and Kim Ann Foxman. Behind them, there was a projection of names of the fourteen hundred people the magazine has collaborated with over the past decade. Some of them, including Bill Skarsgård, Mario Sorrenti, Phillip Lim, Stella Maxwell, Tao Okamoto, Derek Lam, joined to toast the last ten years. It was more of the magazine’s family and friends gathering rather than a dance party. One of the guests joked that this crowd is “too cool to dance.”

Guests at The Last Magazine’s party (Demi Vitkute)

VFiles, fashion’s social media platform, usually hosts a fashion show where young designers show debut collections. Last season, Vogue suggested that instead of a runway show, VFiles should just throw a big party. And that’s exactly what they did. At Terminal 5 in Hell’s Kitchen, VFiles teamed up with Adidas Originals and married a live photo shoot with a party.

VFiles publicises their shows on Instagram, giving all users of their website the opportunity to come, so there was a huge crowd outside, including celebrities like Slick Woods, Sasha Lane and Joey Badass. The event was called “Be Heard. Make Noise” and it sure was loud. The party started with DJ Gianni Lee and dancers The Bond Twins and ThatKidManny. VFiles set up a photo studio onstage, bringing the backstage of a fashion show to the front. A live photoshoot was conducted on stage and the images were blown up on a screen as models posed and DJ Mazurbate performed. Attendees and Instagram stars strutted and twerked. One of the major moments was when Young Thug styled his longtime partner Jerrika Karlae onstage.

To close Fashion Week, Glassbook in association with Ashton Michael, Zandwagon model management and Shoshana Fisher threw a party inside a speakeasy studio in Soho. DJ TY Sunderland spun the playlist and guests sipped on cocktails by Zirkova One+Together Vodka. The party soon ran out of drink mixers, which were later restocked. Since Women’s Fashion Week this season began right after Men’s, many guests talked about being exhausted and said they’re looking forward to a full night’s sleep. So are we.

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