The fabulous LSD, aka Lauren Santo Domingo, is a darn good hostess—flitting about the bustling Moda Operandi London showroom in a black Emilia Wickstead dress, the pinkish walls and big windows perfectly lit up for a Christmas party, as if she ever needed an excuse to have one. Sipping fruity cocktails and champagne, we chatted about some of our favorite London designers: Wickstead, Mary Katrantzou, Nicholas Kirkwood, Roksanda Ilincic. Friends Tatiana Santo Domingo and Eugenie Niarchos, in a flamingo pink Gucci dress matching the space, then arrived, followed by Alexia Niedzielski, Lily James, and Poppy Delevingne in a fabulous green Chanel mini. A small crew of men—including Lauren’s husband, Andres Santo Domingo; John Michael; Philip Radziwill; and Charles de Viel Castel—mingled among us, which is always a nice change. (Let’s face it: Most fashion parties must go on without them.)
After delicious bites of tomatoes, burrata, a bit of beef, and veggies, the party really kicked off. The waiters cleared the table, and instead of plates of petit four, they dropped off piles of wrapped gifts. We all gasped, wide-eyed, while Devon Radziwill began explaining the game “White Elephant” to the novices. Eagerly, we each drew numbers and waited our turn to unwrap our picks, and the second I was lucky enough to get a £500 Moda Operandi voucher, the guns were blazing. Amanda Brooks did not bat an eyelid, snatching it right out of my excited hands only minutes later. Of course, she too would soon lose the voucher to Isa Arfen, and on it went with screeches, shouts, and laughs from all corners. The pitch across the room got louder and louder. Tatiana shamelessly bagged not only a three-piece, superchic luggage set, but also a £1,000 voucher, while Lauren sweetly exchanged her lovely fur stole for my candle. I could not have been happier. And Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece, who sat at our table, was all smiles about her trophy: a blue Edie Parker clutch emblazoned with the word Royal from the hands of Sarah Harris. I think that’s what you call a perfect match.
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