Versailles in Wall Street--Hermès opens downtown NY emporium

Chloe Sevigny

Hermès toasted the opening of its new Wall Street store with a
sumptuous soirée on Thursday night. Early evening cocktails at the store, which is conveniently located opposite the New York Stock Exchange, were followed by an opulent Versailles-themed party held at the legendary Cunard Building.

As partygoers such as Rachel Weisz, Chloë Sevigny and Leelee Sobieski entered the building's grand hall, which once served as ticket office for Cunard's ocean liners, they were greeted by a winged wooden horse mounted on a platform in front of a wall of pine trees. Behind the trees the real party began with performers on stilts in horse masks towering over guests who feasted on spreads of oysters, cold cuts and champagne.

Kipton Cronkite, Serena Nikkhah

Midway through the evening, guests, including ASW members Fabiola Beracasa, Olivia Palermo, Emma Snowdon-Jones, Kipton Cronkite, Serena Nikkhah, and Derek Blasberg were welcomed into an adjacent gated garden - complete with real grass and fully-grown trees – where they indulged in towers of macaroons, profiteroles and an assortment of truffles and cakes. A rousing tap dance performance and a dance party capped off the truly decadent evening.

— Sabine Heller