Hostess Extraordinaire Aerin Lauder Hosted a Two-Day Soiree Down in Palm Beach
Let it be known that Aerin Lauder does it best. Her mentality that every single detail matters was on full display over the weekend as she celebrated the latest launches for AERIN (Lauder s lifestyle brand)—a new fragrance and the Williams Sonoma x AERIN spring collection. Seamlessly, she hosted her 48-hour ‘retreat’ in Palm Beach, which included a sit-down dinner at her estate. And, the following evening, a dinner at The Colony Hotel.
Kicking off during sunset hour on Wednesday at her private, impeccably manicured historical residence, she explained that Palm Beach “has always been a source of inspiration to me—my grandparents had a home down the street, so I was extremely proud to host here.” The focus of the celebration on Wednesday evening was the latest fragrance, Mediterranean Honeysuckle Tiare, inspired by tropical scents with notes of a Tahitian gardenia known as the ‘tiare’ and grapefruit. "What could be more perfect than this setting at what I consider to be the perfect place,” she says.
An extremely curated group of old friends traveled from near and far to fete the fragrance—Julia Amory, Daphne Oz, Kathy Hilton, and Nicky Hilton Rothschild. The evening commenced poolside with sips of cocktails and bites of hors d oeuvres as a local Mariachi band performed. Lauder, who was dressed in Raquel Deniz, mingled with Kelly Klein and Lauren Layne Merck. All the while AERIN Global Ambassador Tylynn Nguyen, who “swears by all Aerin rose-infused products like the lip balm and the candles,” hobnobbed with pastel-clad Kathy Hilton in an Etro gown and her daughter Nicky Rothschild Hilton, who wore a Palm Beach-appropriate Oscar de la Renta ensemble.
Shortly thereafter, an intimate dinner for forty was enjoyed in a private dining room within the confines of her 1930s home. Supping on her seafoam green and off-white tablescape, which boasted her stunning mainline collection, all were catered to by a team of cream-suited staff. A delectable Caesar Salad and fresh, lump Crab Cakes were served; Princess Diana’s favorite Pouilly Fume, Baron de L, made for the perfect pairing.
On Thursday morning, all attendees were transported, or walked, to AERIN’s boutique off Worth Avenue in the historic Via Mizner. Lauder had invited her favorite hat designer, Sarah Bray-West of Sarah Bray Bermuda, to create custom hats.
Come dinner time, everyone made their way to the East Garden at The Colony Hotel to celebrate the new Williams Sonoma AERIN collaboration. Bursting with elegance, florals by Lewis Miller of Lewis Miller Designs were created “to play off the colors of the China and her new line while incorporating fresh colors like yellow in honor of Passover and Easter,” Miller explained.
Wearing a lilac Carolina Herrera lace gown paired with a cream blazer effortlessly draping on her shoulders, Lauder introduced her latest Williams Sonoma collection. This collaboration included a range of robust products, from tabletop and entertaining pieces to outdoor furniture and embroidered pillows. “It was inspired by my love for East Hampton and references baskets, raffia and, of course, blue, green, and white,” she shared.
Invitees—Bettina Anderson, Daphne Oz, Lizzi Bickford, Stephanie Hill, Sarah Bray-West, and vintner Joey Wölffer— were seated at a table that was set by none other than Lauder herself. All departed with a silver cup from the collection with their initials engraved—and with an arrangement of Millers’ florals. Because Lauder knows what all good hostess knows: Everybody loves a party favor!
Photo Credit: Alex Frank1/15Nicky Hilton Rothschild, Kathy Hilton
Photo Credit: Alex Frank2/15TyLynn Nguyen