Of course, a birthday party wouldn’t be complete without an extravagant cake. A sculpture of the latter was the backdrop for a live performance by Ravyn Lenae, where guests from Michael Kors to Natalia Dyer, Hari Nef, and Jason Wu danced as multicolored confetti filled the air. Vashtie Kola soundtracked the evening as well, with throwback tunes by Justin Bieber, Fergie, and Far East Movement that kept spirits high. The occasion was optimistic and diverse, just like the assortment of established and emerging brands Bergdorf’s is known for carrying.
“There’s so many special pieces about this place,” said Bergdorf Goodman president Tracy Margolies. “The curation, the people, the relationships. I think it’s an intersection of art, creativity, and imagination. It’s everything that you want. You want to dream, you want to feel like family, and you want relationships. It’s all about the experience—we have the most beautiful products in the world here.”
Indeed, the deeper meaning of having one’s pieces in the store wasn’t lost on attendees — especially its family of designers. “Bergdorf’s is such an iconic institution, and I feel incredibly privileged to be able to sell our work here and to partner with them,” said Christopher John Rogers. “They’ve been amazing supporters of us since our second season, and have really been able to buy the collection in a way that feels specific for the store, but also incredibly representative of the brand. It’s exciting to be part of the journey.”
Through all the glamour and fanfare, Bergdorf’s 125 years in business has been a truly impressive feat. It’s all owed to its wide-ranging curation and sense of authenticity and enchantment, according to Fargo, which will keep its gilded doors open for centuries to come. “If the chandeliers could talk in this building, they would tell you that they saw Barbra Streisand dancing and singing her way across the main floor,” Fargo said, twirling in a Bergdorf’s-printed Akris dress from her archive. “They saw Miss Piggy and Joan Rivers giving each other beauty tips at the beauty counter. Liza Minnelli stealing pies from the film Arthur, and Armani, Gianfranco Ferre, and Michael Kors. Everybody who’s ever mattered in fashion has been under these chandeliers.”
