“Athleisure I couldn’t relate to,” said Tory Burch. The 49-year-old designer has made it her mission to redefine the American sportswear market with her latest venture, Tory Sport, which the designer likened to a startup. And last night’s soiree was the brand’s big moment at the opening of the first stand-alone retail store on Fifth Avenue in the Flatiron District. Traipsing past the tennis net outside was a chic coterie of models including Chanel Iman and Jessica Hart and designers including Narciso Rodriguez, Tabitha Simmons, and Misha Nonoo, while actresses including Camilla Belle, Ashley Greene, and Eva Amurri Martino scanned the racks filled with pieces fit for taking to the court, hitting the links, or even a midnight dip in the ocean.
“I love tennis,” said Burch, dressed in a Tory Sport top that was given an evening-friendly makeover paired with a metallic Lanvin skirt and Tabitha Simmons heels, “and I run and walk.” So what does Burch—who was flanked by handsome waiters in custom Tory Sport tracksuits with coordinating headbands and wristbands à la Richie Tenenbaum—want to do next? “Skiing,” said the designer, adding, “We did a couple sweaters and outerwear, but I want to do some real skiing.” And anything for the boys? “Eventually. Kool the Gang was supposed to wear it tonight!” exclaimed the designer of the evening’s surprise performers. And while Burch may not relate to athleisurewear, her tracksuit is proving popular with A-listers including Sarah Jessica Parker and Emma Stone. Is there anyone Burch would want to see in her latest offerings? “Absolutely Rihanna,” said Burch, beaming. “She’s incredible to me.”
