At a Cocktail Party, The CFDA, Mother, and I am a Voter Encourage Voter Registration for The Midterm Election

Last Thursday evening, the Council of Fashion Designers of America, the fashion label Mother, and the non-partisan organization I am a voter gathered a group at the hallowed Hotel Chelsea. Though the ghosts of literary and artistic greats are rumored to linger within the walls of Hotel Chelsea (even after its most recent renovations), that wasn’t what was preoccupying the party’s organizers. Low voter turnout for the midterm elections was the more pressing matter.

“You are so powerful; everyone here is so powerful,” April Uchitel, one of the founding members of I am a voter, told Vogue. “So many people in this room have such a wonderful platform, that can encourage the youth to participate in the midterms. Most people think of only the grand presidential elections. But this one has always been just as important.” 

On the evening of the cocktail hour, models and influencers such as Devon Windsor, Amy Lefevre, and Bambi Northwood-Blythe lay on the plush velvet couches beneath gorgeous artworks. Next to them, tables embossed with astrological signs were adorned with softly lit candles and a QR barcode that led them and other guests to a landing page where they could register to vote in the midterms within seconds. In the near distance, the lounge’s grand piano was in use, and the relaxing tunes rang in the ears of designers like Batsheva Hay, Jonathan Cohen, and Bach Mai, who were stationed nearby. All the while, grilled cheeses kept together by miniature flags that read “My Vote, My Choice” were being passed around, photographed, and enjoyed. 

At around 8:30 PM, Mother co-founders Lela Becker and Tim Kaeding, the CFDA’s Steven Kolb, and I am a voter-founder Debra Messing reminded attendees of why they were rallied together for the evening. “You all have the power to influence others to exercise their democratic right,” Messing said. “I want you to take out your phones and check your voter registration status, right now. Text ‘VOTER’ to 26797.” Quickly, the room became a sea of lit-up phone screens. Looking over the shoulder of a model, I saw that she was even typing out this information to her Instagram story where (I’m assuming) thousands, perhaps even a million others, may see it. “You write something, and maybe 50,000 people will see it. I post something, and maybe another 50,000 will see it. Together, we can get a greater amount of people involved,” Tim Kaeding said. 

The Chelsea Hotel hosted many great artistic and creative minds throughout history. Collectively, they pushed culture in their own way through their own mediums. On the night of this cocktail hour, the many editors, designers, philanthropists, and models, could play a part in the culture of tomorrow. Time may tell when the midterms take place in two short months. Guests left with a “My Vote, My Choice” bag, and inside, a pair of Mother’s I am a voter socks.