A cozy uptown cocktail marked the start of New York’s holiday season with a glittering guest list and whimsical décor by Mrs. Alice
New York’s social calendar turned festive this week as Derek Blasberg and Alice Naylor-Leyland welcomed friends to The Mark Hotel for a cocktail evening celebrating the start of the holiday season. The intimate event, held on November 5, gathered a mix of editors, designers, and tastemakers in a setting that was equal parts glamorous and inviting — a hallmark of Mrs. Alice, the English homeware and tableware brand founded by Naylor-Leyland.
The Bar at The Mark, nestled on 77th Street, transformed into a jewel-box of holiday warmth. Mrs. Alice’s signature tablescapes set the mood, complete with nutcracker lamps, miniature reindeer, and layers of festive trimmings that nodded to a distinctly British approach to holiday charm. Between sips and laughter, Martha Stewart and Helena Christensen were seen admiring the décor, while Sara Moonves and Kate Young caught up nearby with stylist Ian Bradley.
The evening drew a notably diverse crowd spanning fashion, art, and design. Guests included Tory Burch, Giovanna Battaglia Engelbert, Ann Dexter-Jones, Paul Arnhold, and Wes Gordon, alongside creatives such as Angelica Hicks, James Perkins, and Rachel Hovnanian. Models Daria Strokous, Helena Christensen, and Ivy Getty mingled among editors Stellene Volandes and Allie Michler Kopelman, while philanthropist Darren Walker toasted the hosts with Amy Griffin.
The atmosphere struck the right balance between polished and playful — part English country charm, part Manhattan sparkle. For Naylor-Leyland, whose Mrs. Alice brand is known for its maximalist take on entertaining, the evening offered a seamless translation of her creative world into real life: a celebration of conviviality, craftsmanship, and festive whimsy.
As the city’s lights twinkled outside The Mark, the event marked more than just the start of the season — it reaffirmed the enduring appeal of gathering beautifully, a sentiment perfectly embodied by Mrs. Alice’s art of the table.
