Françoise’s Johanna Senyk was on cloud nine while quaffing Champagne at Ariel Arce’s new ‘little Pearl Box in the sky’ on Wednesday evening. In a backless black sequin gown, the designer was animatedly pointing out who in the room was wearing what ultra high-end fabrics from major luxury labels: “She’s in Hermès leather, she’s in silks used by Chloè!” That’s because Françoise’s gives a new lease of life to deadstock materials, fashioning them into desirable dresses and party season must-haves, all for a very attainable price point. It’s safe to say it’s been selling like hotcakes on Moda Operandi.
The luxury e-tailer hosted a house party-style soirée to better acquaint tastemakers, models, editors, clients, and stylists with Françoise and Senyk. And where better to have on the invite than the latest lower Manhattan haunt to be tempting people every time they scroll their TikTok feeds? Having just opened its doors days ago, the sultry surroundings of The Pearl Box were the perfect backdrop.
Guests made their way to the reimagined three-story 19th century building on West Broadway (which at one time was a fur dealer’s warehouse), entering through the new restaurant Heroes; also the brainchild of the team behind Tokyo Record Bar and fondly-remembered Niche Niche and Air’s Champagne Parlor. Things kicked off upstairs, in the soft seafoam green-hued private entertaining and dining area nestled on the second floor. A candelabra-lit grazing table prepared by Amy Karp, decadently laid out with popovers, mounds of butter, olives, tart cherries, and moreish Iberico ham, served as the de facto meeting place.
Lauren Santo Domingo and April Hennig, Moda Operandi’s chief merchant, welcomed attendees as they swapped notes on what they were wearing. Françoise has become an IYK, YK label, thanks to Senyk’s creations, which are executed in fabrics she’s lovingly sourced and collected from all of the notable European houses over the last two decades. Moda launched the Trunkshow this spring to resounding success—buyers ended up reordering it three times as client requests kept piling up. Now, Moda has teamed up with Françoise for a special lace capsule, available for pre-order now. (A sneak peek of it was already working the room last night.)
Once they could tear themselves away from the delectable spread and the divine floral arrangements by Carolina Malabet, chicsters made their way—gorgeous Armani Casa glassware in hand—to the crown jewel of the space. The hotspot’s mirrored and scarlet staircase is already proving to be the outfit snap flex of the moment. It’s a portal to The Pearl Box, which feels as if you’ve become a Halstonette version of yourself and slipped into a seductive Seventies apartment that’s all lacquered surfaces, vases of orchids, wood-paneled walls, and vintage black furniture.
One couldn’t think of a better setting for people lounging nonchalantly in their fringed crepe caftans, ruffled off-the-shoulder frocks, patchwork silk shirts, and sparkling maxis. Over crystal flutes of Champagne Delamotte Brut NV, Ten to One rum cocktails named for French pop songs, and homemade potato chips, guests dishes on Halloween plans, and swapped skincare tips. Yes, that viral pink peel-off face mask is evidently as good as you’ve heard—now let’s see if it can hide the signs of a few midweek cocktails and salty snacks….
