To celebrate a heavenly footwear collaboration, it was time for lunch in the clouds on Thursday, as Malone Souliers founder Mary Alice Malone and Tabitha Simmons welcomed a coterie of stylish guests to join them at Coco’s at Colette to unveil their second collection. Still radiating a newlywed glow, supermodel Karen Elson, whose friendship with Simmons goes way back, also joined the shoe savants on co-hosting duty for the intimate afternoon.
The second chapter in the Malone Souliers and Tabitha Simmons collaboration nods once more to the type of English eclecticism that makes for a very wishlist-worthy shoe. Think: romantic, a little quirky, and altogether unique. Co-spearheaded by Malone Souliers creative directors Coco Fong and Valerio Bava, there’s something to tick all boxes. There are mules and slingbacks with wearable heels that will last the night on the dancefloor. There are also mesh pumps with a stiletto heel for any sexy-leaning holiday outfits on your mood board. Studded linen sandals, striped Mary Jane espadrilles, and the retro Isla wedges that wouldn’t look out of place on a vintage Italian postcard round out the offering. And for those who were left with a Tabitha Simmons-shaped hole in their heart when the industry veteran wound down her eponymous line a few years ago, they’ll find what they’re looking for in the elegant Kate flat, which is reminiscent of one of her most popular and endearing styles.
Attendees on the day, who included Jemma Kidd, Sabine Getty, Derek Blasberg, and Mona Patel—as well as an eclectic crowd of content creators, editors, curators, and designers—took the opportunity to take silhouettes from the inaugural collaboration out for a spin. “This room is so full of love,” Vogue contributing fashion editor Simmons said, as she talked everyone through the styles in the collection. “I’m really thrilled. This collaboration and opportunity meant the world to me.”
In the upscale surroundings of a private room at Coco’s—adjacent to the IYKYK swanky coworking club Colette at the GM building—guests gathered for a cocktail and a peek out at the views overlooking Central Park. A leisurely seated three-course meal of Caprese salad, branzino, chicken paillard, and fresh berries that stretched out into the late afternoon then followed.
Post-lunch—and perhaps encouraged by a glass of Champagne or two—it was all too easy to tiptoe across Fifth Avenue, Carrie Bradshaw style, to Bergdorf Goodman where the entire capsule had just dropped and purchase another pair ahead of party season.