Telfar Clemens Celebrated Friend Jeremy O. Harris’s Slave Play With an After-Hours After-Party

Nothing fosters more optimism and energy than the opening night of a play, and last night, at designer Telfar Clemens’s celebration for the not-yet-opened Slave Play, spirits were sky-high.

Despite being held at the height of fashion week—and sharing a night with Tory Burch, Christian Cowan, and Rihanna’s Fenty—the turnout was astounding.

Timothée Chalamet, Lily-Rose Depp, Harry Brant, and Rose McGowan all descended on the Paradise Club to dance, drink, and show their support.

In the months since its opening, the Times Square Edition hotel has hosted many of the most explosive, glittering, and grand events in the city. Just last weekend, supermodel Kaia Gerber celebrated her 18th birthday there with the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio and Kendall Jenner.

In a sleek hallway where the music pounded out all hopes of conversation, Clemens settled into a velvet couch to rave about his friend, Jeremy O. Harris. For his Fall/Winter 2019 collection, Clemens and Harris collaborated on COUNTRY, a highly emotional fusion of theater, music, and fashion. While still a student at Yale, Harris created Slave Play, currently in previews and officially opening in October, and critics have already hailed Harris as the future force in American theater. Harris’s depiction of a slave and slaveowner entangled in a psychosexual game is a dangerous one. Far from an empty provocation, Slave Play has awed, confused, and captivated audiences.

“I think he’s a genius,” the designer said of his friend. “This party is really for him.” As if on cue, Harris walked by and turned to embrace his friend. Harris grinned. He could not mask his delight, that the source of this wildly cool fashion week party was a play—his play no less!

“I’m just so excited,” Harris said with a laugh. His excitement electrified the entire room.