Blondies Have More Fun! Gucci, Debbie Harry, and Kelsey Lu Celebrate a New Campaign at Manuela
Debbie Harry is currently stopping traffic on Lafayette Street, where a gigantic mural of the singer starring in the latest Gucci campaign towers high over the Soho sidewalk. Last night, on another corner in the neighborhood, the Blondie frontwoman was also stopping traffic in real-time as passersby did a double take as she entered a signless restaurant on Prince and Wooster.
Gucci invited friends of the house to be among the first to experience Manuela, an eclectic art-filled eatery from the duo behind Hauser Wirth while raising a glass to its latest campaign. Titled ‘We Will Always Have London,’ it pays homage to the city and its prevailing influence on the brand’s DNA (after all, founder Guccio Gucci began to dream up the brand while working as a porter at The Savoy Hotel in the late 1800s.) Harry is starring front and center, which is fitting, given that she shares the spotlight with the Blondie bag. Also featured in the ads is Kelsey Lu, the singer and cellist, who was on co-hosting duty on Wednesday evening alongside Harry.
As guests filled the dining room, marveling at the art installations over the bar and whetting their appetite with passed hors d oeuvres, photographer Nan Goldin, who shot the series, could be spotted catching up with her old friend, the actress Jemima Kirke.
“She’s such a great photographer; she knew exactly how to get what she wanted,” Harry said of working with the award-winning Goldin. “Nan and I do go way back, but I didn’t actually know her that well. I used to see her at the clubs. But then Blondie went on the road so early; we were on the road from 1975, so I feel like I missed a lot!” Harry added, “I felt a lot of confidence in her; she was really calm, sweet, and subtle. I’ve done campaigns a lot over the years—but I would love to work with her again.” Maybe a ‘We’ll Always Have New York’ bonus special? “Oh, I’d love to. Let’s do it! I want to do it,” Harry agreed.
Kitted out in pieces from Sabato De Sarno’s recent offerings, many attendees from the worlds of art, fashion, and entertainment were also toting the Blondie bag, an archival number from the 1970s that has been given a new lease of life and expanded into a full handbag line.
While some had experienced Manuela’s London and LA outposts before, the sneak peek of the sustainably-focused, locally sourced menu came as a treat to all. Think: Red Kuri squash with stracciatella and hazelnut, Halibut with wax beans and Jonah crab butter, and a crowd-pleasing dessert in the form of a Churro ice cream sandwich with vanilla ice cream and Cajeta caramel sauce. Opening next week, reservations are supposedly already as in-demand as a pair of Gucci’s Rosso Ancora platform loafers.
Seated next to her longtime makeup artist and fellow New York icon, Miss Guy (who also did her glam for the campaign), Harry ruminated on what makes a good dinner party these days. “Well, it’s really about the people. I’m prejudiced towards New Yorkers—but we do know how to act and communicate,” she told Vogue. As such, when Heart of Glass popped up on the playlist, no one made a fuss, but simply shared a tactful nod, wink, and cheers towards the center of the room.
Matteo Prandoni/BFA.com1/17Yesly Dimate
Sansho Scott/BFA.com2/17Christopher Bollen, Jemima Kirke, Derek Blasberg
