The 2014 Hugo Boss Christmas Party took place at ‘Queen of the Night’, the immersive theatrical spectacle at the Diamond Horseshoe Supper club in the basement of New York’s Paramount Hotel. As I descended the hotel’s slow moving intricate staircase, I was offered ‘the blood of the queen’ and at my startled expression, the mystery man behind the ‘blood’ offering explained ‘its mulled wine’. It was delicious and warming, especially after having been out in the cold. As I reached the bottom of the stairs I was whisked away into a dimly lit room overflowing with elements of sexuality. At first glance, the room looked hauntingly beautiful, I felt like I was in an expensive high class, 1930s or 1940s ballroom.
As a guest I was was able to experience a show loosely based on Mozart’s ‘The Magic Flute’ where cast members roamed the room inviting guests to participate in one-on-one intimacies that usually began with an unsettling and prolonged stare. I noted that the line between the audience and the stage was porous and often filled with approaches from the cast members doubling as ‘butlers’. An anonymous hand may be slipped around the waist, kisses to the fingertips or an invitation to a private room where one can engage in flirtatious games, whispered intimacies or even a ritual bath!
The overtures appeared to be a full frontal assault on the impulse to shy away from strangers, avoiding eye contact and keeping one’s body at a safe remove’. I briefly wondered how this establishment manages to not only get away with all these acts but also induce people into playing along with sybaritic abandon. The answer is simple. Curiosity mingled with alcohol, unlimited, all you can drink alcohol, ranging from champagne to hard spirits.
Guests were encouraged to enjoy a communally shared feast of lobster, pork and ribs. To my delight, I found myself seated on the best table in the room. The occupants of this table included Hugo Boss’ Creative Director Jason Wu in all his glory, the new Hugo Boss Americas CEO, the Visual Merchandising Director Lisa Chamberlin, the Regional Visual Merchandiser Ariel Rodriguez, all dressed impeccably of course. The free flowing alcohol seemed to bring everyone together, my table was all laughter and chatter. Perhaps due to a mixture of the alcohol flowing through my system, the amazing atmosphere, and the fact that my boss Lisa Chamberlin was cracking and plating my lobster for me, I felt an odd almost tangible serenity.
Following what felt like binge eating and binge drinking, I was ready. I took to the dance floor with the amazing Christie Rotter in hand and we swayed and danced until we felt dizzy. Next on my dance card, Ariel Rodriguez. I don’t fully remember this dance as I was too intoxicated to hold it together by this point. I think at some point during the night Edgar Contreras, another Regional VM whisked me onto the dance floor and squeezed a few more swoops before I blacked out. This was truly a memorable night, I am grinning from ear to ear even as I write this… I suspect I will continue to do so for a long time.
Moon Coated 