Night Lines: The ICA Bash

The Liberty Hotel set the standard for the season with its over-the-top November opening bash (champagne and mug shots, anyone?). Last night, the ICA more than measured up with its on-site one-year anniversary party, complete with a New York-worthy runway show by Salvatore Ferragamo.

Bostonista braved the cold and traveled to Southie—in a collective eight inches of heel—to survey the scene at the city’s newest museum. Despite the plastic wineglasses, the vibe was cool luxury in the made-over lobby.

Cambridge’s DJ Heartthrob spun tunes from a stage high above a room of mingling movers and shakers. Man about town and Showroom owner Doug Gates (in his own pair of Ferragamos, no less) talked summer in P’town with art collector (and Bostonista favorite) Mario Russo.

Nearby, WWD reporter Kate Bowers—in a gorgeous red velvet number—and Neiman Marcus’s Crystal Carlton marveled at the surprisingly well-dressed party goers. (We suspected the latter was made up of a certain BU contingent).

At around 8:30, the whole tipsy crowd was herded to the third-floor theater, where VIPs sipped champagne alongside the runway from cushy white leather banquettes. We spotted Esquire darling, and Russo stylist, Gary Croteau in the front row, and chatted with the lovely Suzanne Cats of LuxLash.

The fashion show itself was smooth and short—the audience applauded the imported models, backless dresses, and feathered accessories. Afterward, DVF-clad stylist-about-town Erica Corsano and her date, Stuff@Night Creative Director Mike Diskin, gave the show—and the scene—their stamp of approval.

Alas, the skimpy veggie springs rolls and bbq chicken pizza hors d’oeuvres couldn’t hold us over (though we did devour several mini chocolate cupcakes), so we decamped to Toro for patatas bravas, brussel sprouts, and conversation with our favorite blonde waitress/blogger Kirsten Amann.

All in all, not bad for a Monday night.