Runways Are for Fashion, But Parties Are for Style

If you thought the “going-out top” was a thing of the past, think again.

The spirit of the elusive night-fit is alive and well at New York Fashion Week, though the runways aren’t where you’ll see the most style. Deep underground in dark corners is where real creativity thrives, like at the Opening Ceremony party on Sunday night, which took over three floors of Hotel 50 Bowery in Chinatown.

In celebration of the Lunar New Year, designers Humberto Leon and Carol Lim invited their community of celebrities, models, stylists, make-up artists, and drag queens to “pig out,” and celebrate the Year of the Pig. In addition to an actual suckling pig from the restaurant Rice & Gold — plus a pop-up snack aisle from H Mart — there were also performances by the dance-party collectives Bubble_T, GUSH, and Club Glam. The Cut’s very own Dynasty took the stage as well.

“With parties like Bubble_T’s, people come out,” said Leon beforehand. “They’re not shy. I think that’s what excites me most about fashion: seeing everyone get really into their looks. Some of them are even homemade.”

In lieu of a show this season, Opening Ceremony invited friends like actress Greta Lee, chef Angela Dimayuga, and author Jenny Han to model for an exuberant, colorful lookbook. The collection, which is a mix of “punk rock” and “girly” styles, was inspired by Leon’s favorite Hong Kong muses from the ’80s: singers Anita Mui and Leslie Cheung.

“Growing up, I felt empowered to wear really outrageous clothing because they did,” Leon explained.

There were plenty of inspiring looks in the crowd on Sunday night as well — plus Justin Theroux in his usual getup. “When you’re at shows, it’s more brand-driven,” Leon said. “But this is style!”

Below, some highlights.