Inside Ermenegildo Zegna’s Uptown Bash, Where New Campaign Face Mahershala Ali Was the Guest of Honor

Last night, a well-suited crowd gathered in a private Upper East Side townhouse to (unofficially) kick off New York Fashion Week. The special occasion? Menswear brand Ermenegildo Zegna hosted a bash to celebrate its brand-new campaign face: the two-time Oscar-winning actor Mahershala Ali.

The new campaign, titled #WhatMakesAMan and focused on redefining fashion and masculinity, is Ali’s first fashion campaign, therefore his starring role demanded a grand affair. The evening began with cocktails on the terrace, where views of the Manhattan skyscrapers were set against a golden-hour sunset (a view so pretty that Victor Cruz was spotted whipping out his iPhone to get a snap—Instagram bait!). There, guests proceeded to sip on Champagne and mojitos as they chatted amid the gorgeous scenery. Equally as gorgeous was the model Irina Shayk, who slithered in quietly among the editors and influencers, wearing the chicest black slip dress.

After the sunset, guests were then invited to descend the townhouse’s grand staircase to a lower floor, where Zegna’s artistic director Alessandro Sartori hosted an intimate chat with Ali. The duo spoke of what drew each other to working together this season. After dressing Ali for a few red carpet events, Sartori said he was drawn to Ali’s innate sense of style. “I was impressed with your style, but mostly what you knew about fashion, fabric, construction,” Sartori told Ali. The actor, meanwhile, spoke of his effortless experiences of being fitted by the label for various step and repeats. “I’ve had the good fortune of working with several companies on red carpet events, I’ve been through a couple of awards seasons now, but I always really appreciated and admired my experiences with Zegna most, and with [Sartori] specifically,” he said. “Just communicating about little details, being conscious of the quality, and knowing the effort and energy that [Sartori] puts into the designs.”

Following a sneak peek at some new videos and imagery from the new fashion campaign, guests then walked down a few more flights for dinner time, where chef Mario Carbone served up a special course for the night. (Because why fight for a table at his downtown Italian hotspot, Carbone, when he can come to you?) On the menu were comforting Italian staples: meatballs, pasta, black truffles, pickled eggplant, filets—and perhaps his most signature dish of all, the spicy vodka rigatoni. Nearby, the open bar kept the drinks flowing as well; the whole affair took place in a grand art-filled dining room where a dazzling chandelier hovered above. In other words, not a bad kick-off to Fashion Week.