All Around the Mulberry Bush

2010 February 17

Alexa Chung
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(NEW YORK) The library at Soho house was a glittering scene last night as Mulberry creative director Emma Hill, and Alexa Chung hosted an intimate dinner. Friends including Agyness Deyn and Daisy Lowe stepped out for an evening to toast Mulberry and Chung’s partnership with the label. Guests sipped on champagne and took a much-needed respite from their harried Fashion Week schedules, all in the name of the storied fashion house.

The crowd slipped past enormous sparkling silver and magenta leopard sculptures to get to take their seats. Fun fact: the crystal leopards added another stamp to their passports; each beast was made in London and shipped to the United States in one piece. The meal was markedly British, consisting of fish and chips with mushy peas, steak and mushroom pie, mushroom risotto and lemon meringue tarts. “I’ve hardly been able to eat all week. My stomach is the size of a thimble! How am I supposed to eat all these carbs?” one guest wondered. After a satiating meal, a bashful Deyn attempted to dash out of the room, but not before the crowd could break into song and sing “Happy Birthday.” The 27 year-old blushed and uttered, “Aw, thanks guys!” before she blew out her tray of cupcakes that magically appeared before her.

Chung quickly slipped into the spirit of the evening, as she was the only attendee to don her metallic leopard mask each guest received at their place setting. Everyone, however, snapped pictures on their Polaroid cameras that were scattered about the tables. Gloria Baume revealed that much like hotel toiletries, they want you to take the cameras. “Last year I made the mistake of assuming these weren’t for the taking. My friend was like, ‘take the camera!” but I thought it would be stealing or something. Then I found out they were up for grabs and I was so mad at myself. This year, I’m claiming this camera up front!” While there was no dancing following dinner, revelers did shake it as they worked to reveal their Polaroid photos.
EMILY POPP

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