“You’ll probably find me somewhere between Southampton and Montauk on my surfboard,” joked Roopal Patel, Saks Fifth Avenue’s SVP and fashion director, at the New York flagship yesterday evening, referring to her remaining Fashion Week–free days. While Patel wasn’t shy about discussing how to catch the perfect wave, last night was all about the most elegant setting: Saks’s new terrace, located at the end of its mammoth shoe floor, 10022-Shoe. And while guests including Keren Craig, Carly Cushnie, and Michelle Ochs had to pry themselves from the distracting fancy flats and sizzling stilettos, others like Prabal Gurung and Brandon Maxwell enjoyed the sweeping views and delectable nibbles while sipping on Veuve Clicquot.
The 1,500-square-foot space provides a wraparound view of Rockefeller Center and Fifth Avenue, and partygoers were able to order drinks or snacks while taking in the late-summer sun. As for Patel, who recently returned from a surfing trip in Biarritz, it appears that it’s back to work—sort of. When asked what she’s most looking forward to wearing for fall, the industry veteran cited new talent Demna Gvasalia. “I’m excited for Vetements and Balenciaga to get into the store,” said Patel, noting, “[I want] to see what it looks like on my body.” No doubt amazing given the workouts she endured in the ocean.
