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Elle Decor’s Party of the Year

by habituallychic

09 . 23 . 09

Last year, I announced that the Williams-Sonoma Home store opening fete was the party of the year and now I can unequivocally say that Margaret Russell’s book signing for Style and Substance: The Best of Elle Decor at Bergdorf Goodman last night was the party of 2009! Many of the designers who were featured in the magazine and are seen in the new book were on hand to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Elle Decor.

The response was so overwhelming that they actually had to move the party down to the third floor to accommodate the crowd! The fashion contingent included the ridiculously handsome design duo Badgley Mischka, Cynthia Rowley and her husband Bill Powers, Zang Toi, Reed Krakoff and his interior designer wife Delphine, and the only American couture designer Ralph Rucci.

The President is in town this week and so is his interior designer. Michael Smith was at Bergdorfs to celebrate Elle Decor, as were designers Alexa Hampton and her mother Duane, Steven Gambrel, Antony Todd, Thomas O’Brien, Juan Montoya, Matthew White and Frank Webb, Maureen Footer, the super sweet Celerie Kembel, and Ron Marvin who I hear has redecorated his famous apartment which we will see soon! The stunningly beautiful India Hicks was also there with her husband David Flint Wood. I also got to chat with the talented architects Gil Shaffer and Peter Pennoyer while they were standing in line to have their books signed! No sign of Peter’s wife, interior designer Katie Ridder though!

Many of my favorite design friends were also in attendance including Laurie Reynolds, Jessica Gold, Kevin Isbell, Allison Caccoma, Harry Heissmann, David Lawrence, Carolyn Sollis, Pierre Frey, Kim Huebner, Lori Reich, Eddie Ross and Jaithan Kochar, Chandler Hudson Kenny and her architect husband Anderson Kenny, Lizzie Bailey, and Anne Patterson who works with Amanda Nisbet. Amanda is in London and unfortunately had to miss the party!

We all joked that if something happened to Bergdorf Goodman last night that the entire design world of New York would have been wiped out! It was a great event and it was wonderful to see so many designers come out to support Elle Decor! And most importantly, I can say that the new book is worth checking out! I’ve already read it cover to cover and I can’t wait to see what they do in the next 20 years! Thanks Elle Decor!

20 Comments
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  1. Paulette P. September 23, 2009 | 1:53 pm

    Yes, all of the Interior Design Luminaires were there, it was a great celebration. Nice to speak to you and O la la, your necklace rocked.

  2. Lindsey Conrad - Nabors September 23, 2009 | 4:15 pm

    What an amazing night that must have been! So cool! And ditto on your necklace – it’s fab . . . . along with your nail polish! Great color! Thanks for sharing your amazing night with all of us! I can only imagine how amazing it was to be surrounded by such genius!

  3. Alaina @ Live Creating Yourself September 23, 2009 | 4:25 pm

    So here’s the million dollar question: when you have the country’s top designers, editors, and bloggers in the same room – what percentage of the conversation is actually on design? Or does something completely unrelated dominate the conversation – like the health care debate or this fall’s hit series, Glee? haha

    Oh to have been at least a fly on the wall… sounds like an amazing time!

  4. Rebecca June September 23, 2009 | 4:37 pm

    What else can I say but that I am COMPLETELY jealous!

    xoxo

    Rebecca June

  5. plaisirs simples September 23, 2009 | 4:58 pm

    I agree! Last night was an amazing event! I was hoping to recognize you from your picture but with 600+ attendees, it was impossible! Glad you had a blast too!

  6. thomas September 23, 2009 | 7:19 pm

    that sounds absolutely fantastic. wish i was there!

  7. Style Noir September 23, 2009 | 7:40 pm

    I am TRANSFIXED by M. Russell’s radiance– I wonder what her secrets are! Regardless, I’m a believer!

  8. CashmereLibrarian September 23, 2009 | 8:22 pm

    Wow. You look beautiful and I can’t imagine how overwhelming it must be to be part of all that talent!

    Can’t wait to peruse Ms. Russell’s new book!

  9. High-Heeled Foot in the door September 23, 2009 | 8:25 pm

    You looked amazing! What a great event. Next fab party I need to get invited as your plus one! I’m sure you have lots of fun stories to share.

  10. Urban Dwellings Design September 23, 2009 | 10:40 pm

    Lucky girl-sounds like an absolutely fantastic time!

  11. ArchitectDesign™ September 24, 2009 | 1:47 am

    why don’t I live in NY again? lol

  12. Suzy September 24, 2009 | 2:52 am

    I’ll second that comment by Stefan…why don’t I live in NY?? Lucky you…what a fun night that must have been!

  13. Grant K. Gibson September 24, 2009 | 5:49 am

    You and Margaret look great!

  14. Carol Ann September 24, 2009 | 2:33 pm

    Love Elle Decor…will now be looking for the new book.
    Great picture, nice to have great pictures to remember great events…you are one lucky designer. Have a wonderful weekend, looking forward to more about your trip to Paris…I hope there is more to say…
    Regards, Carol Ann

  15. The Blushing Hostess September 24, 2009 | 8:23 pm

    Invitation lost in the mail…

  16. Alice Olive September 25, 2009 | 1:24 am

    Love the necklace, HC!

  17. maison21 September 25, 2009 | 4:13 am

    love the picture- so glamorous, you and your new BFF.

  18. Raleigh September 25, 2009 | 3:39 pm

    You can experience this event in all its glory in our soon to be posted video recap. We spoke with many of the designers and guests and you’ll get a real sense of the party.
    Check out elledecor.com and our facebook page, video will be up around 10/01.
    Thanks Heather!

  19. Paula Grace Designs September 26, 2009 | 4:18 am

    Very fun! What a night that must have been 🙂

  20. Habitually Chic September 28, 2009 | 7:35 pm

    Sorry for the delayed reply! I have been a little under the weather!

    Paulette P. – So nice to meet you! I can’t wait to hear more about the book!

    Lindsey – I wish I could figure out how to make that necklace because it’s sold out and everyone loves it! The polish is the one I posted about, Estee Lauder Black Amethyst! I love it too! Everywhere I looked was a design genius! It was amazing!

    Alaina – Definitely did not discuss Glee! Ha! We did discuss vacations and the summer. Everyone brought up Paris because they either read about it and enjoyed the coverage or are going themselves this fall. A few designers told me about their upcoming books which was exciting! I also got to meet a few designers who I had yet to meet. It was all fun and exciting!

    Rebecca June – if you ever come to NYC, you are more than welcome to join me at an event!

    Plaisirs Simples – So sorry to have missed you! It was a crazy party! Maybe we can connect at the next one!

    Thomas – it was fantastic!

    Style Noir – I think she stays out of the sun unlike me 😉

    Cashmere Librarian – Thanks! You’re too sweet! You will love the book too!

    High Heeled Foot in the Door – Thanks! Fall is design party season!

    Urban Dwellings Design – one of the perks of living in NYC!

    Architect Design/Stefan – you are welcome to come anytime!

    Suzy – you too! I hope you can take a holiday to the US when you start working for yourself!

    Grant – thanks! Just trying to catch up to you and your fabulous photos 😉

    Carol Ann – some people are bored by the Paris coverage but I still have so much more to post so I’m going to try to mix it all in!

    The Blushing Hostess – LOL! Maybe next time!

    Alice Olive – thanks! I am so glad that I bought it!

    Maison21 – Ha! I wouldn’t go that far!

    Raleigh – Can’t wait to check it out! Thanks!

    Paula Grace – it was so much fun!