Presley Oldham Celebrates His Bergdorf Goodman Debut With After-Work Champagne

A failsafe cure for a rainy Friday evening? A touch of retail therapy—followed by a glass of champagne. And so, friends, fans, and followers of Presley Oldham braved the drizzle to gather on the fifth floor of Bergdorf Goodman, raising a toast to the jewelry designer’s debut at the storied department store—and perhaps picking up a pearly treasure to take home for the weekend.

Standing beside a glass case displaying his newest creations, Oldham beamed. “We’ve already sold a few,” he told Vogue. “It’s been a crazy few months, but this was in the works for years, so I’m thrilled.”

“Crazy few months” may be an understatement. After presenting his first live show at New York Fashion Week last September, Oldham was nominated for Emerging Designer of the Year at the CFDA Awards and was also a finalist for the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund. Since launching his brand in May 2020—at the height of the pandemic—his following has steadily grown, bolstered by endorsements from Kaia Gerber, Hari Nef, Kendrick Lamar, and Gabrielle Union. Just days before the Bergdorf celebration, Eva Chen wore a custom Oldham design to the Met Gala.

Dressed for the occasion in a silky black Frame shirt and palazzo pants by J.W. Anderson—borrowed from the wardrobe of his mother, a fashion industry veteran—Oldham proudly showed off his favorite piece of the evening: the Cumulus necklace, crafted from sterling silver and baroque winged pearls. A one-of-a-kind version rendered in 14k gold, made exclusively for Bergdorf’s, will be available through July (and “hopefully longer,” he added).

Among the stylish crowd on hand to celebrate were philanthropist Lauren Levison and her dog Clyde—who happily modeled some of the jewelry—Coach creative director Stuart Vevers, and fellow young designers Christian Cowan and Kate Barton, who bonded with Oldham through the Fashion Fund program. Actress Denée Benton, who plays Peggy Scott on The Gilded Age, was seen trying on a few pieces her character might approve of.

Julie Gilhart, who invited Oldham to participate in a Barney’s pop-up last fall featuring emerging New York designers, also came by. So did Noelle Sciacca, fashion director at The RealReal, who previously partnered with Oldham on two upcycled collections made from vintage jewelry.

If Oldham’s schedule sounds packed, it’s only a glimpse of what’s ahead. He teased a new product category coming soon, as well as a fine jewelry presentation slated for September’s New York Fashion Week. Until then, shoppers can find his latest collection glimmering on display at Bergdorf’s—proof that Oldham’s star is only rising.