Braving the biting cold that is familiar to New York City this time of year, the fashion week faithful headed to the West Village on February 11, warming up inside as famed Single Malt Scotch Whisky distiller Lagavulin capped off an eventful NYFW. Journeying from the Isle of Islay in Scotland, the savored spirit joined burgeoning designer Connor McKnight in welcoming contemporaries from across disciplines for an evening celebrating quality craftsmanship in every form.
Just behind the doors of a private, emerging locale subtly encased within the Manhattan madness, a slew of characters arrived, searching for a much-needed reprieve after seven days of runway presentations and after-party escapades. Dressed in cozy, seductive mood lighting, the space itself even reflected the refined yet relaxed essence both Lagavulin and McKnight uphold in their respective processes, giving the entire night a charmingly elevated allure.
For more than 200 years, the cherished Scotch Whisky has set the standard for quality in craft, focusing its efforts on mastering the distillation of its signature 16 Year Old Single Malt. As a bastion of exceptional technique, Lagavulin’s committed ethos continues to inspire and motivate a visionary like McKnight as he forges his own legacy, one stitch at a time.
Toasting to timelessness, the artisanal entities sought to ensure that those who most resonate with their unyielding dedication to the work had a chance to share in a moment of revelry, honoring all the effort spent establishing longevity for generations to come.
From the event’s opening to the last call, the evening was humming with effervescent energy as VIPs, friends, and familiar faces took over the intimate venue, filling the space with chatter over the week’s most high-profile sartorial offerings. Sipping on a special Lagavulin-infused menu that included a smokey Spicy Margarita, a passion-fruit mix dubbed “The Davis,” and a custom Green Chartreuse concoction dreamed up by McKnight himself, everyone from designer Raul Lopez and beauty influencer Teaira Walker to rapper SAINt JHN and cultural personality Rickey Thompson had the chance to taste the aged ambrosia shipped out from Scotland.
With Stonie Blue stepping behind the decks to curate the soiree’s soundtrack, stylish attendees like Hannah Holman and AJ Harris mingled with the likes of HS Editor-in-Chief Noah Johnson and musician Rapsody as spirited vibes ensconced the lush lounge.
Passing midnight, the lively crowd slowly dissipated, departing in a fleet of taxis, leaving behind fashion week’s bygone memory. Still, the spirit of Lagavulin carries on in those who know good things always take a little extra time, and what a time it was.
Discover more Lagavulin lore at lagavulin.com.
Please drink responsibly. LAGAVULIN Single Malt Scotch Whisky. 43% Alc/Vol. Imported by Diageo, New York, NY.
