LaQuan Smith, Jason Wu, and Aweng Chuol Celebrate Barbara Sturm’s Return to New York

A visit from Dr. Barbara Sturm always elicits some fanfare in New York City. In 2019, it led to a raucous night at Indochine that saw Teyana Taylor clearing the dinner tables to open up an impromptu dance floor. On Tuesday night, much of the same unbridled joy was had by all who made their way to Zero Bond, the sleek new private members club in NoHo, to mark both Sturm’s first visit to New York in two years and the debut of the brand’s hair and scalp collection of shampoos and serums. 

Out in full force were Sturm loyalists who swear by the cosmetic ingenue’s products and methods that leave an unmistakable glow. “Look at me!” LaQuan Smith said with a flourish as guests were seated in a room replete with pink and white Orchids by Flowerbx. “Look at my chest! Look at my face! I think what Dr. Barbara is doing is great. I am glowing tonight!” He was joined by fellow fashion world stalwarts like Jason Wu, Saks Fifth Avenue’s Roopal Patel, Nick Wooster, and Laurie Lynn Stark of Chrome Hearts. Model Aweng Chuol, a recent transplant from London, counted herself a new Barbara Sturm devotee too. 

“We did the first pop-up for the Oscars about four years ago, and I remember Rosie [Huntington-Whitley] was one of the first people who showed their facial to the world through Instagram,” Sturm reminisced with us, alongside daughter Charly. “Now, we are launching hair and scalp products, but I really just wanted to check in and see if New York can still party. I’ve missed you guys!” And with that, the evening unfolded in grand fashion, with cocktails and pasta and delicate matcha cakes all making the rounds, but the most coveted offering of the night by far? The gift bag, naturally.