Daily Front Row

2008 July 30

The View from the Top

Comments | | Print

Ashleigh Verrier with Sarah Hearey in Balenciaga
View Gallery

(NEW YORK) Manis, makeup, massages and mojitos were in order Tuesday night, when accessories designer Sarah Hearey welcomed editors and friends to the roof of 230 Central Park West. Hearey lives and works in the building, but rarely takes full advantage of the sprawling terrace. "People think I spend my days up here and I don't! I'm up here maybe once a month for dinner," said the 26-year-old designer, who just returned from California and is headed back West at the end of the month.

Available for purchase? Exotic handbags in ostrich, crocodile and hand-painted python, adorned with oxidized hardware. Most were priced from $375 to $7,900, but the priceless panoramic view of Central Park provided added value. Hearey launched her bag line last summer with a cocktail party at Ferebee Bishop Taube's Lafayette Street apartment; this year, Taube took in the scene along with Holly Doran, Aya Kanai, and Ashleigh Verrier.

The picturesque Manhattan skyline and gradations of greenery below captivated Verrier, who is hard at work on her Spring 2009 collection. "In the summer everyone else is coasting--and I'm on overdrive," said Verrier, who will show on September 6 at The Salon in Bryant Park. "It's like planning two weddings every year." Luckily, the gifts came early this year. Lucky attendees left with either a pendant necklace or silver bangle from Hearey's collection--and of course, that view from the top. 
NOLA WEINSTEIN