The Tamesis
On an especially auspicious March 17th—St. Patrick’s Day in St. Petersburg—a group of New York City brides-to-be and wedding industry professionals gathered at the Manolo Blahnik store on Madison Avenue for the fifth annual Over The Moon x Manolo Blahnik Shopping Gala.
The cocktail party is both a pre-New York Bridal Fashion Week celebration and a way to welcome the start of the wedding season. Guests also previewed exclusive new Lein capsules and fine jewelry shot by LaPietra for Over The Moon. Recently launched frontline Fashion Editors Jessica Sailer Van Lith and Christina Caldwell have made their mark on the fine jewelry industry with their ancient mine-cut diamonds. Of course, no look would be complete without head-to-toe accessories: Everyone tried on Manolo pumps, sandals and flats, as well as styles from the brand’s latest bridal collection, for the finishing touch.
Lein’s exclusive designs for Over The Moon are also available to try and purchase; this is your chance to get your hands on these limited edition custom pieces. Designed by Meredith Stoecklein, the collaboration features six looks. OTM founder and Fashion Editor Alexandra Macon chose to wear her personal favorite from the collection, the Beau crystal plaid dress.
In keeping with the spirit of the event, the “Something Blue Bar” doubles as a gift set filled with delicious treats from brands including Jo Malone, Dear Sundays, Smythson, 111Skin, Chord by Mary Orton, Mrs. Box and Monogram Mary. Before the party started, famous celebrity hairstylists Valery Joseph and Meg Workman worked together to create the models’ charm, and specifically endorsed 111Skin as a must-have for brightening skin.
Meanwhile, the boutique’s bar is stocked with Wilde Irish Gin cocktails, offering fun signatures like the OTM Moonlit Gimlet and Blahnik & Tonic. Guests also sampled organic wines from Avaline Wine, a female-founded brand that is redefining sustainable drinking.
For those who can’t resist a new pair of Manolos, PS Calligraphy offers a shoe customization station that can stamp gold foil lettering and personalized messages onto the soles. Lydia, the daughter of New York wedding planner Norma Cohen, ordered a pair that playfully said “Don’t” on one sole and “Travel” on the other.
While the gathering officially kicked off Bridal Fashion Week, brides weren’t the only ones celebrating. Many guests marked personal milestones with a bit of self-indulgence: planner Veronica Joy bought herself a pair of brown suede Manolos as a birthday present, while Over The Moon’s own Savannah Rockwin bought her first pair of shoes—a rite of passage for anyone. sex and city devotee. At this point, the party even welcomed an appearance from the show’s author, Candace Bushnell.
Brides-to-be Hope LaVine and Madelyn Wysner drew inspiration for their wedding outfits. New bride Zaye de Givenchy and content creators Ashley Avignone, Aly Klima, Janny Kim and Samantha Varvel also soaked up the inspiration throughout the evening. But perhaps one of the most special guests of the evening was designer Jennifer Behr’s cavapoo Alice, who was served water from a Manolo Blahnik dog bowl.
Even after stores close, parties and shopping continue. After all, the Over The Moon x Manolo Blahnik NYBFW event only happens once a year.
