Like all good modern-day female friendships, Rebecca Vallance and Nicky Hilton’s was born over Instagram DMs. Years later, what stemmed from Hilton’s message hoping to source a sold-out party dress from the Australian brand, has resulted in a fully-fledged collaboration of dancefloor-ready pieces. What better way to toast to the holiday capsule than to get the gang together for a cocktail?
To celebrate, Vallance, Hilton, and Saks took over Le Bar Penelope on Tuesday evening, bringing no shortage of sparkle to the vintage-style, velvet-draped lounge. Dressed in the pearl-adorned Alivia halter neck gown and the bow-embellished festive Leyla mini respectively, the designer and her fellow party-starter greeted uptown and downtown guests alike, including Martha Stewart, Jordana Brewster, Ashley Benson, Fern Mallis, Leigh Lezark, Brynn Whitfield, Helena Christensen, and Huma Abedin.
It was a warm-up of sorts, given that they’re both off to the West Coast in the coming days, where Vallance is set to experience the famed Hilton family holiday party for the first time this weekend. Despite launch events already taking place in Bel Air, London, and Marrakech — and with more in Beverly Hills and Dubai on the horizon — you might think that Vallance would be feeling worn out ahead of the festive season. Not in the slightest! “It’s so fun! We enjoy it so much,” the designer told Vogue, as she and Hilton agreed that there’s nowhere better to throw a party than New York. In fact, in a few weeks, Vallance will be back in the city that never sleeps, matching its energy once NYFW rears its head.
As revelers made their way out of the torrential downpour outside and into the Upper East Side watering hole, they shed their layers and immediately began posing for photographers and videographers against the venue’s hand-painted animal murals and jewel-toned drapes. Beauty mavens Cassandra Grey of Violet Grey and Tina Craig of U Beauty compared notes on their similarly hued lace dresses, while Tina Leung’s daring catsuit, decorated in a large bow like a holiday present, caused much fanfare too.
Enjoying the scene, Saks’ fashion director Roopal Patel and chief merchandising officer Tracy Margolies shared a ‘cheers’ of their margaritas in their glittering Rebecca Vallance x Nicky Hilton frocks. “The holiday season is always a special time for Saks, and we’re so excited to partner with these two incredible fashion creatives to bring even more sparkle, glamour, and elegance to the season,” Margolies said.
As they pecked on chili rock shrimp, pork belly bao buns, and tuna tartare bites, trays of vanilla-flavored espresso martinis continuously appeared to keep spirits high. Amidst it all, Paris Hilton, the ultimate Duracell bunny, took a quick break to join Pretty Little Liars star Ashley Benson and her actor husband Brandon Jack James for a tête-à-tête on a sofa.
Not long after, while it wasn’t on the official run of the show for the evening, the younger Hilton sister was feeling the mood. As DJ Tokyo Rose started up her 2006 track Stars Are Blind, she hopped up in front of the crowd in her scarlet shades to give a rendition, joined by the likes of Oscar de la Renta’s Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim, Dorothy Wang, and Ezra J Williams dancing and lip-synching along. The only suitable follow up song to proceed? Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.
