Raye Helped Bloomingdale’s and Burberry Ring in the Holidays with a Street Performance
“We hold on for hope—yes we do,” Raye’s velvety-smooth voice uttered into her microphone. “And if you see my husband—ha, ha, ha—tell him I’m right here outside Bloomingdale’s performing a little Christmas set.” Clad in light-reflecting sequins and shades by Burberry and, for once, shoes, the South London native launched into her impossibly catchy new track. Hundreds of people of all ages who had lined up on Lexington Avenue eager to catch a glimpse proceeded to sing the words right back at her.
It’s been a stratospheric year for the British Vogue cover star, and she was feeling the love. Tapped by Bloomingdale’s and Burberry to unveil the holiday windows with an al fresco set, she flew in especially to perform, with her beloved band in tow. “I’m most thankful for music, for my band, and my beautiful team,” she said on Wednesday evening ahead of the fizzy feeling-inducing show.
A mere two months since she released Where the Hell is my Husband!, the earworm has been streamed over 175 million times on Spotify alone. “It’s number 58 in the Billboard charts,” she beamed to the audience, barely containing her excitement. “As a British artist, rising up there in the American charts? Come on!”
While she said that the chance of finding a Mr. Raye to smooch underneath the mistletoe in time for the season was admittedly slim, there was nothing that could dull her shine. “Christmas is in a few weeks darling,” she laughed. “I’ve no prospects so I think it’s a reach—I’m in the studio all the time. I’ve no time to meet him!”
Accompanied by musicians kitted out in suits and sneakers and backing vocalists who had donned Burberry scarves and court shoes, Raye also performed the jazziest version of Jingle Bells you ever did hear. “There’s a lot more words innit than you would have thought,” she said in her distinctive English accent, nodding to the sheets of paper with giant lyrics printed in front of her.
During the mini concert, the mounting holiday spirit was palpable. Justine Lupe bounced her one-year-old daughter on her lap in time to the music, while others had brought their siblings and spouses along. Prompting a double take, there was even a knight in shining armor sitting nonchalantly in the stands—no, not a potential husband, but the Burberry Equestrian Knight personified. “Tonight, we have the privilege of uniting two heritage icons from London and New York,” Bloomingdale’s CEO Bron Olivier said, while Burberry CEO Joshua Schulman noted that the relationship dates back over seventy years. Overhead, some 126,000 miniature lights had been assembled to wrap the department store in a signature checkered scarf for the coming weeks.
After the show, guests including Alicia Silverstone, Lori Harvey, Suni Lee, Sarah Pidgeon, Louisa Jacobsen, and Taylor Hill headed up to the newly-refreshed Studio 59 restaurant to toast with cocktails served in Baccarat crystalware—perhaps stopping by the just-unveiled two-floor Chanel boutique to prepare a wish list for Santa. On 59th Street, a cart outside the Canada Goose experiential pop-up served maple lattes for those making their way to the subway, while others kept the night going over burgers and beers at a Burberry-hosted after-party at PJ Clarke’s.
Sansho Scott/BFA.com1/18Raye
Marc Patrick/BFA.com2/18Justine Lupe, Louisa Jacobson
