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LaQuan Smith Hosts a Pre-Met Dinner With Taraji P. Henson, Babyface and More
LaQuan Smith Hosts a Pre-Met Dinner With Taraji P. Henson, Babyface and More

Yahoo

time09-05-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Yahoo

LaQuan Smith Hosts a Pre-Met Dinner With Taraji P. Henson, Babyface and More

While some were rushing to a last-minute facial or doing one final fitting, friends of LaQuan Smith took the night before the Met as a chance to unwind before the big day. Smith hosted a dinner at Cafe Zaffri with VIP guests like Taraji P. Henson and Babyface on Sunday evening — though it was the designer himself who drew the most flashbulbs when he arrived, a full crew in tow. More from WWD Chance the Rapper, Cynthia Erivo Join UTA for Pre-Met Gala Celebration Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Hunter Schafer Join Olivier Rousteing for Johnnie Walker Vault Launch Dinner Leon Bridges, Julez Smith and More Attend 'Grace Wales Bonner: Togetherness' at the Guggenheim He and Henson exchanged kisses on each cheek, the actress sparkling in a strong-shouldered bejeweled look, while Babyface introduced himself to Smith with a handshake. 'I'm overwhelmed, I'm excited — I'm not nervous, I'm just more anxious,' Smith said of his feelings ahead of the Met. 'I'm anxious to just really debut the looks that I've been working on for so long.' Smith said he and his team have been conceptualizing the looks they've made for the Met for the last six to eight months — 'which is not a lot of time.' 'I'm still doing fittings. I'm doing one tonight,' he said. While we'll have to wait until the red carpet reveal to see the guests he is dressing, the designer previewed his own outfit. 'For me, my approach was more about sticking within the theme of really strong suiting, strong tailoring, and bringing that glamour and pizazz that everyone knows LaQuan Smith to be,' he said. 'I'm bringing the glamour and a level of sophistication.' As for what he's looking forward to from everyone else? 'I want to see what Teyana Taylor is going to wear. I'm looking forward to seeing how everyone is going to interpret this incredible dandyism theme,' he said. 'I'm looking forward to seeing Black excellence on the carpet.' Launch Gallery: Babyface, Taraji P. Henson, and More at the LaQuan Smith Met Gala Pre-Party Dinner Best of WWD A Look Back at SAG Awards Best Dressed Red Carpet Stars SAG Awards Wildest Looks of All Time on the Red Carpet, Photos From the Archive: A Look Back at Marc Jacobs Annual Holiday Party [PHOTOS]

Olivier Rousteing Discusses His Collaboration With Johnnie Walker
Olivier Rousteing Discusses His Collaboration With Johnnie Walker

Forbes

time05-05-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Forbes

Olivier Rousteing Discusses His Collaboration With Johnnie Walker

Johnnie Walker Vault x Olivier Rousteing Couture Expression Where whisky meets haute couture, renowned French designer and creative director Olivier Rousteing of Balmain has teamed up with luxury Scotch whisky brand Johnnie Walker in a high-fashion collaboration where artistry collides. Marking the debut cultural partnership as part of the new Johnnie Walker Vault platform, this project is part of a wider initiative that combines bespoke blends, luxurious experiences and collaborations with cultural icons all under one visionary banner. The project, titled Couture Expression, features a limited-edition collection of four seasonal whisky blends: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter that have been crafted by Johnnie Walker Master Blender Dr. Emma Walker along with Rousteing himself. Of course, he's drawn inspiration from his world of haute couture with each blend representing a unique sensory journey tied to the designer's connections with each season. Developed over 12 months in a private 'atelier' beneath Johnnie Walker Princes Street in Edinburgh, the whiskies share a rare and luxurious core, including ghost whiskies from Brora and Port Dundas and these have been layered with selections from the Vault's 500 rare, aged, and ghost whiskies. Johnnie Walker Vault x Olivier Rousteing Couture Expression 'Pushing boundaries through blending artistry has always been at the heart of my work, and opening the doors of the Johnnie Walker Vault to welcome such a progressive, creative talent of Olivier's magnitude has been something that will stay with me forever.' says Master Blender, Dr. Emma Walker. She continues, 'Olivier brought an emotional language to the blending creation, and we worked together to explore what whisky can express - technically, sensorially and artistically. We deliberately chose to use the same whiskies across several of the seasons, playing with proportions, textures and seasonal notes to create four distinct expressions of whiskies' The artistry doesn't stop at the whisky, and in true style, each expression is housed in a square crystal decanter handcrafted by artisans from Baccarat; its shape an ode to the bottle first created by Alexander Walker in the 1800s and topped with a sculptural wing stopper channeling the Johnnie Walker 'Keep Walking' ethos which Olivier reinterprets as a phoenix from the flames. Ahead of tonight's Met Gala, where Rousteing will debut his red-carpet wears, after all, he's no stranger to bold, glamorous looks, the designer discusses this latest collaboration, the creative process behind the Couture Expression, and the intersection of fashion and whisky craftsmanship. Olivier Rousteing: Growing up, I remember both my father and grandfather drinking Johnnie Walker by the fireplace at home. It was a beautiful place in a forested landscape, but very cold. Working on Johnnie Walker Vault has resonated so much with me and made me realise how blending whisky is no different in love and craft to my own passion for fashion and couture. Since the beginning of the century, Johnnie Walker has created a strong heritage of excellence, something I appreciate given the very personal and emotional aspect of my own work. Johnnie Walker Vault x Olivier Rousteing Couture Expression OR: From the go, I found myself sketching out ideas of how the bottle could look. The team at Johnnie Walker brought me a beautiful cubic form bottle which Alexander Walker, son of John Walker, used in the early days of the brand. I think it's pretty magic to take this visual silhouette from back then as our starting point, and once we thought of working with Baccarat, we knew such a form fashioned in fine crystal was going to create something pretty couture and iconic. I couldn't resist dressing the bottles, draping pieces of fabric around them, which sparked the concept of interpreting them in a metallic sheen. Moving onto the stopper was when it truly took flight. John Walker broke boundaries which were anchored in the past, but always looking to the future, and given their slogan is 'keep walking', I thought let's just keep walking until we fly, imagining the sense of freedom a bird must feel. Having been badly burned myself a few years ago, it felt like a phoenix rising from ashes, so the wings that envelope the stopper are really symbolic on so many levels. I was a bit star struck meeting Dr Emma Walker. I'm very shy and she's the one with a seismic knowledge of alcohol and whisky. I felt like her apprentice as she held my hand and took me into her world, sharing the extraordinary process of creating a new blend, like an orchestral symphony and tweaking all the different instruments. The beauty of this collaboration was how we worked together and our symbiotic passions, and all the back and forth travelling between Scotland and London. OR: Quite a bit of Scottish! Her precision is next level. She works like an artist come mathematician to achieve the most incredible blends. There were so many parallels between us, you know, I'm a bit like that in fashion, being a bit of an architect. At the same time, I'm so obsessed with fabric and the minutiae of design. The world of spirits is such a balancing act of dosing and emotion, tasting and blending. So fascinating to see how different blends conjure different emotions. Now when I taste anything I have this hyper awareness of emotions, not dissimilar to how I look at fashion. OR: Fall, which is the gold one, is like my baby as it's the first we created, evoking crisp mornings with smoke, spice, and tonka. This blend benefits from the tension that comes from ingredients that aren't really supposed to work but do. One of the whiskies has an old Port Ellen in the blend which is really special. The second one I love is the winter because it again comes back to smell, evoking to early memories. It's the one in a black bottle, very smokey with a more intense blend. Anyone who's not a connoisseur may think it's very strong, but I wanted an emphasized flavor on this one, which I think feels more empowering. Summer, in the silver bottle, is a bit fruitier, and conjures a lightness you'd associate with an endless, sun-kissed summer. Spring, the rose gold one, is more about a celebration of renewal and transformation. There's brightness, optimism, hopefulness. When spring approaches, you're just like, okay, the weathers lifting, the flowers are coming up, so the blend is fresher. OR: If there's one that resonates most, I'd say maybe the winter one. It's tough, there's power, a lot of strength. OR: I've worked for so long on an incredible outfit that you will see me presenting on the red carpet. It's going to be a big weekend where I wake up in a couple of years thinking 'wow, we made it. We did it.' The Met is so historic, being such a great part of pop culture. So, it's going to be a wild moment for me, particularly with this year's theme, 'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style. Johnnie Walker Vault x Olivier Rousteing Couture Expression Johnnie Walker Vault x Olivier Rousteing Couture Expression will pre-launch at Harrods from today, including the full collection of decanters numbered '1'. The collection launches globally from the 26th of May with only 25 bottles of each season available worldwide.

Priyanka Chopra Poses With Lupita Nyong'o, Euphoria Star Hunter Schafer Ahead Of Met Gala
Priyanka Chopra Poses With Lupita Nyong'o, Euphoria Star Hunter Schafer Ahead Of Met Gala

News18

time05-05-2025

  • Entertainment
  • News18

Priyanka Chopra Poses With Lupita Nyong'o, Euphoria Star Hunter Schafer Ahead Of Met Gala

Last Updated: Priyanka Chopra attended an exclusive New York event with Lupita Nyong'o and Hunter Schafer, launching a collaboration between Olivier Rousteing and Johnnie Walker Vault. Priyanka Chopra made a striking appearance at an exclusive event in New York, where she was seen mingling with actors Lupita Nyong'o and Hunter Schafer. The event, held just ahead of the Met Gala 2025, marked the launch of a special collaboration between designer Olivier Rousteing and Johnnie Walker Vault. Dressed in a shimmering black gown and heels, Priyanka looked elegant as ever. Lupita Nyong'o chose a bold black-and-white outfit, while Hunter Schafer turned heads in a metallic black and silver mini dress. The star-studded evening, which took place over the weekend, has already stirred excitement online, with photos of the trio circulating widely in the lead-up to fashion's biggest night. Met Gala 2025 The Met Gala 2025, scheduled for May 5, promises to be a star-studded affair with a notable presence of Bollywood celebrities. This year's theme, 'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style," celebrates Black fashion and dandyism, focusing on the evolution of Black fashion and how tailoring shapes Black identity. The event will be co-chaired by Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, Pharrell Williams, and NBA superstar LeBron James, alongside longtime chair Anna Wintour. Among the Indian celebrities attending are Shah Rukh Khan, making his Met Gala debut, actress Kiara Advani, singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh, and returning attendee Priyanka Chopra. Priyanka Chopra will be wearing a custom outfit by Balmain, complemented by Bvlgari high jewellery, continuing her tradition of bold fashion statements at the prestigious gala. Priyanka Chopra Jonas last attended the Met Gala in 2023. The actress and her husband Nick Jonas made a stunning appearance in black and white ensembles, resonating with the Met Gala theme that year, 'Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty". Priyanka opted for a strapless Valentino gown with a thigh-high slit, paired with white opera gloves and Bvlgari jewellery. First Published:

Priyanka Chopra shines at pre-Met Gala 2025 dinner with French fashion designer Olivier Rousteing
Priyanka Chopra shines at pre-Met Gala 2025 dinner with French fashion designer Olivier Rousteing

First Post

time05-05-2025

  • Entertainment
  • First Post

Priyanka Chopra shines at pre-Met Gala 2025 dinner with French fashion designer Olivier Rousteing

As the evening unfolded, all eyes were on Priyanka Chopra Jonas, who continues to pave the way for Indian representation at global platforms like the MET read more Ahead of her much-anticipated fifth appearance at the MET Gala 2025, Global Icon Priyanka Chopra Jonas, was the star of a glamorous pre-gala dinner hosted by Olivier Rousteing. The evening not only marked their powerful collaboration for the upcoming MET red carpet but also toasted the launch of the luxurious Johnnie Walker Vault collection. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The private soirée in New York saw a gathering of celebrated names from across the globe—Hunter Schafer, Lupita Nyong'o, Rege-Jean Page, and Henry Golding, among others. As the evening unfolded, all eyes were on Priyanka Chopra Jonas, who continues to pave the way for Indian representation at global platforms like the MET. Priyanka is not just a global icon but also huge fashion royalty on the red carpet, and her MET Gala appearance alongside Rousteing and styled in Balmain couture with Bvlgari's newest high jewellery is already the most awaited moment on this year's red carpet. The Queen Bee of the MET returns for her 5th year, and we can't keep calm!

Priyanka Jonas, Hunter Schafer Join Olivier Rousteing for Johnnie Walker Vault Launch Dinner
Priyanka Jonas, Hunter Schafer Join Olivier Rousteing for Johnnie Walker Vault Launch Dinner

Yahoo

time04-05-2025

  • Entertainment
  • Yahoo

Priyanka Jonas, Hunter Schafer Join Olivier Rousteing for Johnnie Walker Vault Launch Dinner

On Saturday night, the McKittrick Hotel — the longtime home of immersive 'Macbeth' production 'Sleep No More' — opened its doors for a new Scottish arrival. This time, the story looked a little different: more whisky, less murder. And a lot more Balmain. Olivier Rousteing, in New York for the Met Gala, and Johnnie Walker Vault teamed up to host a launch dinner for their new collaboration, four 'couture' bottles of whisky inspired by Rousteing's connection to the four seasons. More from WWD Here's a First Look at The Mark Hotel's Met Gala Baseball Cap That's Exclusively Gifted to Celebrity Guests Leon Bridges, Julez Smith and More Attend 'Grace Wales Bonner: Togetherness' at the Guggenheim Sarah Jessica Parker, Walton Goggins, Julia Fox and More Celebrate the Cult100 With Valentino at the Guggenheim VIP guests arrived at the venue through a blue-lit hallway, perfume-scented and filled with a trance-y audio track voiced by master blender Dr. Emma Walker and Rousteing, which set the mood for the 'sensorial dinner' ahead. 'The aromas and textures move like a cold spring day. You've got a sparkle in the air.' The Scottish voice then shifted to a French accent. 'When the art of couture meets the art of blending.' 'Hi fabulous goddess,' said Rousteing, emerging from the hallway and greeting Priyanka Jonas on the blue-carpeted step-and-repeat. 'You know I'm with one of the most beautiful women in the world?' he called out to the small group surrounding the pair. Afterward, they made their way hand-in-hand past the photo booth and descended into the dark dinner space, where an inverted pyramid, housing a swirling hologram, extended from the center of a large square table. 'I'll see you tomorrow afternoon,' Rousteing told Jonas. Final Met Gala fittings awaited. ' It's gonna be a really busy day [tomorrow], and I think it's even more complex than last year,' said a jubilant Rousteing before dinner. He and several other guests wore a small gold 'couture flask,' hanging from a long chain shoulder strap. 'Tonight we're celebrating Johnnie Walker; in two days we're gonna celebrate the Balmain dresses and suits. So I feel proud. I feel proud of what I'm achieving. After 14 years of career as a creative director, I feel like I just wanna explore,' he added. 'This incredible collaboration makes me more creative and more curious about everything.' 'He's just so incredibly talented,' said Jonas, who launched her own collaboration with Johnnie Walker last fall. 'Walking together at the Met, and [Rousteing] dressing me, is just really exciting. I think he's one of the most accomplished designers we have right now.' Other dinner guests included Hunter Schafer, wearing a tiny pair of wings, and Lupita Nyong'o — 'Olivier's Angels' — as well as Jeremy O. Harris, Rege-Jean Page, Stormzy, Nicky Hilton-Rothschild and Henry Goulding. 'It's Met Gala weekend. Everybody's in town,' said Goulding, dressed in a tux. ' It's always a fun circus, but it's quite stressful. There's a lot happening,' he added. 'There's so many people in town — I'm not looking forward to the traffic — but [looking forward to] seeing everybody and catching up.' Guests sat for dinner by chef Yann Nury, as the central hologram unveiled the collaboration's spring bottle. Jon Bon Jovi's 'Livin' on a Prayer' queued up as servers placed the first course, setting the scene for the first whisky pairing. Eighties pop hits accompanied each course — from Rick Astley to Kim Wilde and Rick Springfield. 'By the way, the music is my playlist, I'm so sorry,' Rousteing revealed to the room, as 'Whip It' played during the meal's dessert course of whisky-flavored ice cream. 'Tonight we are celebrating more than incredible blends — we are celebrating love, happiness, strength, and togetherness,' added the designer, closing out the evening. After dinner, seats were whisked away and the bottle hologram transitioned to a rotating silver Johnnie Walker mascot. The room's dark hue switched to blue, and a curtain opened to reveal the afterparty's Johnnie Walker Blue bar. New guests arrived, some VIPs lingered for a nightcap, and others made their exit. Tomorrow, and tomorrow: the Met Gala finish line is in sight. Launch Gallery: Lupita Nyong'o, Hunter Schafer, and More at the Olivier Rousteing x Johnnie Walker Dinner Best of WWD A Look Back at SAG Awards Best Dressed Red Carpet Stars SAG Awards Wildest Looks of All Time on the Red Carpet, Photos From the Archive: A Look Back at Marc Jacobs Annual Holiday Party [PHOTOS]

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