Wes Gordon Celebrated the Newly Revamped Carolina Herrera Madison Avenue Boutique With a Diner-Style Dinner Party

Less than 12 hours after presenting his floral and polka-dot laden Spring 2020 Carolina Herrera Collection, Wes Gordon was at it again with another showcase—the completely revamped Madison Avenue Herrera store, which sits on the plum corner of 75th Street. “I’m so happy with the show this morning,” said the designer, sitting on a punchy orange-colored velvet chaise lounge on the second floor of the space, “and tonight is not my second wave; it’s like my 42nd!”

Indeed, he did not seem low in energy, but why would he be? The new space is something to behold. Color (tangerine, powdery pink) is present but doesn’t overwhelm, and the vibe is at once crisp (like a white Herrera blouse) and dainty (like a Herrera organza skirt). The building itself, constructed in 1925 by architect George F. Pelham, had not been touched by the label since it moved there in 2000. “It was due for an update,” Gordon continued, waxing poetic about his design process with Andre Mellone of Studio Mellone while greeting his adoring guests, who came to fête the new store. “I really tried to think of each floor as different residential rooms; they’re exuberant clothes, and I wanted to create a home for them—a space as exciting and personal and bold as the clothes are. I wanted our clients to walk through with a sense of delight.”

Per last night’s guests, mission accomplished! Guests like Mrs. Herrera herself (who partook in a ribbon-cutting ceremony—oversized shears and all!), Karlie Kloss, Paloma Elsesser, Vogue’s Hamish Bowles, Romee Strijd, Toni Garrn, and Flaviana Matata could be heard cooing compliments as they toured the spacious flagship. But that was just the first stop for the attendees; the real party was to take place next door at Three Guys Diner (where Mrs. Herrera would frequent for a grilled-cheese lunch), which, for the occasion, was rebranded as Carolina’s Diner.

The perimeter of the restaurant was lined with CH-red Mylar streamers, and everywhere you looked there was an elegantly branded touch that harkened back to the diner days of the 1950s. Napkins were polka-dotted and used to wipe the lips of guests as they tucked into burgers, macaroni and cheese, and french fries. Carolina Herrera–clad ladies clustered in diner booths indulged in the casual fare—a burgers-and-ball-gowns kind of moment.

Toward the end of the night, Gordon hopped onto a makeshift stage to introduce the evening’s performance by drag performer Valentina, who sang in both her native Spanish tongue and in English.

Earlier in the night Gordon had conceded, “I had the most fun, over a year and a half, planning it and then 10 months of construction. I’m actually quite sad it’s finished now!” But consider the beautiful space a consolation, Wes!