“I’m from New Orleans, where we don’t need a reason to celebrate,” says the artist Ashley Longshore of her more-is-more philosophy. “And while I find the Southern rituals that I grew up with too stiff, I do like to host fantastic – but not pretentious – gatherings at my SoHo gallery.” 

Ashley Longshore at her gallery in SoHo, New York City. She wears a satin cape by Jonathan Cohen
Ashley Longshore at her gallery in SoHo, New York City. She wears a satin cape by Jonathan Cohen © Weston Wells
Shoe designer Brian Atwood sips from a coupe of champagne
Shoe designer Brian Atwood sips from a coupe of champagne © Weston Wells
Ashley Longshore team members Emilie Eliopoulos and Nora Kaboulov share a toast
Ashley Longshore team members Emilie Eliopoulos and Nora Kaboulov share a toast © Weston Wells

For her party for HTSI, Longshore opts for a technicolour setting: paintings of pop-art icon Andy Warhol are juxtaposed with vibrant, profanity-laden melamine plates and bejewelled purses. The results are jaw-dropping – “where anime meets mild perversion meets comedy”, says Longshore in her Southern drawl.

The table laid by Longshore and photographer Harol Baez
The table laid by Longshore and photographer Harol Baez © Weston Wells
From left: Brian Atwood, Longshore, fashion designer Christian Siriano and Harol Baez
From left: Brian Atwood, Longshore, fashion designer Christian Siriano and Harol Baez © Weston Wells

Hers is a tight-knit crew that includes the shoe designer Brian Atwood, fashion dynamo Christian Siriano and the MSNBC producer Ron Dodd. “The best part is conversation – madness always ensues with this group,” she says. The stage is set with ice buckets full of Champagne À L’EST Rosé, dramatic candelabras and fuchsias – arranged by Longshore and the fashion photographer Harol Baez – atop an ebony centre table, and with a Spotify playlist that includes Róisín Murphy and Ella Fitzgerald.

A marble slab of jelly shots
A marble slab of jelly shots © Weston Wells
From left: Christian Siriano, Longshore and Brian Atwood
From left: Christian Siriano, Longshore and Brian Atwood © Weston Wells
Ashley Longshore team member Nora Kaboulov, shoe designer Brian Atwood, fashion designer Christian Siriano, host Ashley Longshore, producer Ron Dodd, philanthropist Dolly Fox, make-up artist Esteban Martinez, photographer Harol Baez, Kyle Sosa of Alexander McQueen and Ashley Longshore team member Emilie Eliopoulos
Ashley Longshore team member Nora Kaboulov, shoe designer Brian Atwood, fashion designer Christian Siriano, host Ashley Longshore, producer Ron Dodd, philanthropist Dolly Fox, make-up artist Esteban Martinez, photographer Harol Baez, Kyle Sosa of Alexander McQueen and Ashley Longshore team member Emilie Eliopoulos © Weston Wells

In a nod to her roots, Longshore loves to use “proper” linens such as embroidered cocktail napkins and tea towels. She carries a Polaroid camera to create a portrait series throughout the evening, and wears a bespoke red satin-damask cape by Jonathan Cohen, which is itself a dramatic conversation piece. The tattoo artist JonBoy is unable to attend this party, but permanent mementoes in ink are often part of a Longshore event.

Make-up artist Esteban Martinez pours a drink for Ashley Longshore team member Emilie Eliopoulos
Make-up artist Esteban Martinez pours a drink for Ashley Longshore team member Emilie Eliopoulos © Weston Wells
A tower of cupcakes
A tower of cupcakes © Weston Wells
Caviar served on ice
Caviar served on ice © Weston Wells
Longshore shares out jelly shots with Harol Baez and Dolly Fox
Longshore shares out jelly shots with Harol Baez and Dolly Fox © Weston Wells

Alongside the rosé champagne, Longshore serves tequila, caviar with crisps and crème fraîche, and jelly shots in Aperol Spritz and Lychee Martini flavours (“a real crowd-pleaser,” she says). She also serves crostini, oysters, pigs in blankets, and decadent cakes and sweets. “When I have a drinks party it’ll often go until 4am; all the real magic happens after midnight,” says Longshore, adding: “My general approach to a party is ‘carpe fucking diem’.”

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