Tuesday night my mom invited me to a party. Not just any kind of party. The kind with beautiful people, which wasn’t a coincidence. The rooms at Lauren Santo Domingo’s (@thelsd) home on Gramercy Park were filled with beautiful people who beautify people: we all work in the fashion industry. Except for one honored guest: Madam Vice President Kamala Harris.
So for this night unlike any other I played it cool, with a pink blazer dress almost too short to be legal and white Gucci-knockoff loafers too close to be scrutinized. I accessorized with an orange and pink nautical patterned hair-scarf that I had made into a bow, conservative gold hoops,and an acrylic see-through shell purse that was overflowing with business cards. My sister Mary was the perfect arm-candy.
Anna Wintour, the host, some may say more identifiable than most women of the world, quickly came up behind me and thanked us for coming. I could have spotted her anywhere: a razor-sharp bob haircut with thick black sunglasses she slowly lowered upon her welcoming. She had a frailty that allowed her to slip around any furniture or grouping of people easily and she could just kind of appear somewhere, without a cumbersome sort of entrance.
I took up a conversation almost immediately with her friend Zandy Forbes being that we both had interests in mental health. We chatted as fifty or so guests trickled in, among them Padma Lakshmi, Vera Wang, Christian Siriano, Tory Burch, Wendell Pierce, and various Vogue editors. People gradually formed a photoline for the main event in a draped-off room.
Mary with actress Sheryl Lee Ralph and Conde Nast edior-in-chief of LGBTQ+ publication Them Sarah Burke 
Mary and I with Vera Wang, a legend
VP Harris was convincing on the first official campaign stop for BIDEN HARRIS 2024 that America’s best days are ahead and after her speech I chatted size-inclusivity with Christian. I approached Vera Wang last. I told her of my days as a dresser, wardrobe supervising her bridal gowns at Bridal Market Week. I brought up her iconic 2009 collection when she did red and black gowns. Groundbreaking. She was so touched at the memory.
Vera Wang and I having a special moment
We scurried to our dinner reservation for a post-mortem. Some parties are hard to beat.
The celebratory Cocagne (Coke + a shot of champagne) after for such an incredible night 
Mary, my mom and I on our way to change at Mary’s apartment before the car ride home
Too amazing! And I the Art History major am ogling the artwork in the background!
What a flippin’ auspicious occasion…fashion dignitaries abound beyond KH..very special commentary! Loved it!
Thanks Leslee!