The CFDA After Party at the Top of the Standard

After the red carpet, after the speeches, and after the text messaging between Anna Wintour and Rihanna, everyone found their way to the Top of the Standard for last night’s unofficial CFDA Awards after-party. Sprinkled amongst the crowd were snowboarder Shaun White, the Brant brothers fresh from the Dior dinner, Atlanta de Cadenet Taylor, and Laura Love. “Rihanna looked incredible,” said Love, before Taylor exclaimed, “She looked badass!”

The majority of the guests were still chatting about the pop sensation’s shimmering ensemble‹a custom-made look by Adam Selman and noteworthy arrival. “This was my first time at the awards,” said Lulu Frost designer Lisa Salzer in a subtly sparkling dress from Lanvin. “I loved the text interaction‹it was so cheeky and funny.”

As the night progressed more designers caught up over cocktails, including winners Joseph Altuzarra, Dao-Yi Chow and Maxwell Osborne, and Tim Coppens along with Olivier Theyskens, Shayne Oliver of Hood By Air, and Pamela Love. “There were so many good moments tonight,” said Love, dressed in a cascading frock from Mara Hoffman punctuated by her own jewelry, “but I loved seeing Rihanna and am so happy for my friends that won.” Wes Gordon was equally appreciative and said the highlight for him, “was going with my date Liya Kebede. It was the chicest prom.”

But the strongest messages were the speeches which resonated with last night’s attendees. “I felt like the emotion was deep,” said Steven Kolb, CEO of the CFDA. “I liked Richard [Buckley] giving Tom [Ford] his award‹you had somebody who has been with him for more than 25 years giving him this honor.” Fans of Ford’s speech included actor Sebastian Stan and Jenna Lyons who said, “I cried more than ever before watching the Lifetime Achievement Award.”

Others, including Marc Alary, Misha Nonoo who arrived arm in arm with newlyweds Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent and Prabal Gurung also felt encouraged by the evening’s honoring of Bethann Hardison. Model Binx said, “Bethann’s talk was amazing and so inspirational,” with Gurung adding, “The best moment was the industry recognizing Bethann.” As the late night turned to dusk, DJ Ross One kept everyone on the dance floor‹whether winner or nominee toasting each other’s success and celebrating an unforgettable evening.