West Broadway Gets the Blues

7 for All Mankind fêtes its new SoHo space
Friday, August 15, 2008

(NEW YORK) Despite last night's torrential downpours, 7 for All Mankind's new store was buzzing with partygoers, including Jessica Szohr and Nicola Fiscella from Gossip Girl. Luckily for revelers, there was no black-tie required. "I heard all about 7 for All Mankind a while ago when everyone was wearing them!" said Szohr. "I wasn't trying to be too cool, but then I tried a friend's on and my butt looked so good! Now, I love them."

A wall of images from Tim Mantoani welcomed guests at the door as the Vogue co-hosted party showcased an exhibit called Behind Photographs, giving a look at the men and women behind the lens. Noa Tishby, Dylan Lauren, Kelly Bensimon and Anisha Lakhani were among guests who enjoyed tunes by DJ Paul Sevigny, while others sipped on Grey Goose cocktails and Sofia Blanc de Blancs.

"I like the chains!" quipped Kenny Scharf of the new store's decor. "I have never heard of 7 jeans before, but they sent me these to wear!" Sharf is working on his upcoming float for the art parade in September; look for a giant hot dog.

"We were looking for an iconic SoHo look, and we're so excited because this building offers great architecture and lends itself to be a great showcase for our ready-to-wear," explained Aaron Battista, vice president of retail. He also dished that in addition to the new location in SoHo, the brand is expanding to nine more locations including Miami, Hawaii, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Atlanta, and White Plains, New York.

With Fashion Week right around the corner, we couldn't help but ask where the GG-ers are headed. "There's so much that's going on that week, I'm not thinking about it till it comes," said Szohr. "I want to go here, but I can't. I don't know what I'm doing!" Fiscella, meanwhile, can't wait to get back to Alberta Ferretti. And it wouldn't be a Gossip Girl spotting without a little Season 2 wardrobe dish. "In the first season I had the twin. When she left the show, nobody knew what to do fashion-wise, because they always had us looking crazy together. I asked them to make me even crazier! So this season I'm way over the top. It works."
BIANCA POSTERLI