The Tamesis
LaLigne’s Thursday night gala received a perfect 10 across the board, not only for the ten-year milestone the anniversary dinner marked, but also for the planning, conversations and connections that took place. A bevy of A-list guests swapped the brand’s signature striped sweaters for leather mini-dresses and sleek ensembles, flocking to iconic downtown institution The Pool + Grill to celebrate with Molly Howard, ValerieMacaulay and Meredith Melling.
Once inside the spacious ballroom, a male model wearing swimming trunks and waders stood on an ice sled and tempted people with an ice-cold margarita or martini. The long, large table was covered with a crayon and paper tablecloth with colorful hand-drawn doodles by Arianna Margulis, clearly depicting New York pigeons, skyscrapers, taxis and tulips. The stepped repetition of blue and yellow stripes draws attention in the corners.
Hilary Clinton chatted with daughter Chelsea in the La Ligne-style interior over spicy tuna toast and lobster tostadas, while Emma Stone’s lilting laugh could be heard on the other side of the ballroom.
Seth Meyers tells Fashion: “Anytime your friends can do anything in 10 years, whether it’s raising kids or staying married, it’s very exciting, but starting a company, especially one that’s so hip and unique, is really cool. It’s great to be here, especially since it’s not a cash bar.”
Olivia Wilde mingled with Grace Gummer, and Nina Dobrev giggled with her best friend of 20 years as they sat by the room’s famous pool. “I love the brand and what it stands for,” musician Noah Kahan said on his way to the ice sled for a drink. [The founders] They are all great people, so it was an obvious and easy thing to get behind. “
The types of invitees are not random; there is intention behind every invitation. “Simply put, Laline can rely on all the wonderful people we know,” said Molly Howard. Valerie McCauley leans in: “I’ve always said this is a wedding, this is a vow renewal. We started out as a scrappy business, starting in Meredith’s apartment, and really had no idea what we were doing. So to be here now and celebrate what we’ve accomplished after so many years of insecurity – COVID, tariffs and everything else – it’s also a thank you to everyone here who has helped us along the way.”
The evening was indeed filled with a sweet wedding-like atmosphere. Not just because of the celebrations and the presence of friends and family, but also because of the emotional details. “My parents got married here. Their altar is on top of this pool and they’re both here tonight,” Howard told the crowd during his toast. McCauley, meanwhile, stood next to her, wearing silky white satin pants that she and the brand had custom-made for her wedding in 2016.
As for the venue, not to mention it. “We went back and forth. We looked at some really chaotic places on the Lower East Side. We looked at uptown. We talked about families, [co-owner] Mario Carbone is a member of the La Ligne family,” said Melling. “We designed a men’s collection with him called Our Lady of Rocco. So it’s like we’re in a family space. It feels like a New York landmark, as Francophile as we are. “
“We always try to pretend we’re French, but at the end of the day… we’re not,” Howard said with a laugh. “At the end of the day, we’re just three American girls.”
As cocktail hour turned into a three-course meal and ended up turning into a disco-style afterparty, one thing became abundantly clear: Man, do these three American girls know how to throw a party.
