Interview and Jacquemus Have a Very New York Celebration

Last Friday, Interview and Jacquemus celebrated the very French brand’s first New York City store—and the 55th anniversary of this very magazine—with an ode to The Big Apple. After the grand SoHo unveiling, Interview editor-in-chief Mel Ottenberg invited a few friends, including TikTok heartthrob Bach Buquen and Interview cover star Alex Consani, to Arturos, where designer Simon Porte Jacquemus held court while pizza, martinis, and magazines were passed over checkered tablecloths. After dinner, guests including Helena Christensen, Paloma Elsesser, Justin Theroux, Raul Lopez, Jeremy O. Harris, Dara, and Bob Colacello gathered around the restaurant’s piano to listen to live music, courtesy of the classic Italian in-house band. But before the party could end, Mel grabbed the mic and made an impromptu toast to Jacquemus, and the two finished off the fete with a cheeky Frank Sinatra duet. A very New York night indeed.

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DARA: Hi! How do you feel now that you are in New York? 

SIMON PORTE JACQUEMUS: I feel home.

DARA: What’s the most New York thing about you?

JACQUEMUS: No idea. [Laughs]

DARA: Can you teach me how to say something in French?

JACQUEMUS: Ça va quoi?

DARA: Huh? What does that mean?

JACQUEMUS: It means “how are you doing?”—but south of France vibes. 

DARA: Why should people visit your store here in New York?

JACQUEMUS: We’re nice people. We smile a lot. And we have nice bags.

DARA: Ya. Be hot, wear good clothes. Which magazine cover do you identify with?

JACQUEMUS: Shawn.

DARA: Shawn Mendes! Trade! Okay!

DARA: What kind of pizza are you having Mel?

MEL OTTENBERG: Pepperoni with a lot of red chili flakes. 

DARA: What’s your least favorite New York smell.

OTTENBERG: Poop on the train. 

DARA: Do you agree?

DAVID HASKELL: Liquid rat. Like when a dead rat has started to liquify. 

JUSTIN THEROUX: A mouse in the wall is bad too.

OTTENBERG: Actually a mouse in the wall is the worst smell I have ever smelled. 

DARA: Can you say something in French for me?

OTTENBERG: Bienvenue Jacquemus! Je parle francais, mais je ne comprends pas. 

DARA: Ooh la la!

DARA: Worst New York smell?

ALEX CONSANI: Definitely mildew. It’s giving so mildew out in New York. 

DARA: Girl, ew!

CONSANI: It’s giving ew!

DARA: Which Interview cover do you identify the most with?

CONSANI: [Holds up her Interview cover] I would have to say…Liza Minelli!

DARA: [Laughs] Period!

MEL OTTENBERG: We’re still here. Hey, Bach!

BACH BUQUEN: You need a lighter?

OTTENBERG: I’m good, I don’t actually light it. Bach, wait, I’m going to interview you for a second. I’m here with Bach, Bach is holding his issue of Interview Magazine. Was this your first ever magazine editorial?

BUQUEN: Yeah, it’s my first one.

DARA: Wait, Mel, can you do Bach’s dance for me?

OTTENBERG: I cannot do it.

DARA: Come on, you know how to do it! You’ve watched enough of it!

OTTENBERG: I could learn!

BUQUEN: I can teach you.

SCARABELLI: So wait, what happened tonight? Did you meet any hotties? 

OTTENBERG: Did you meet any hot people? Taylore wants to know.

BUQUEN: Haute people?

OTTENBERG: Hot. Chaud.

BUQUEN: : [Foreign language]

OTTENBERG: [Foreign language]

BUQUEN: What the fuck is he saying?

SCARABELLI: [Laughs] What’s your favorite thing about New York?

BUQUEN: I love the parties, the people are very good, very great and nice. I like the weather, the weather is very good.

OTTENBERG: The weather is great right now.

SCARABELLI: Have you had a bagel in New York? Do you have a favorite bagel spot?

BUQUEN: What?

SPEAKER 11: Do you guys want to go to karaoke?

MEL OTTENBERG: Maybe, where are you going?

SPEAKER 11: We’re going to Sing-Sing.

OTTENBERG: On Avenue A?

SPEAKER 11: On Avenue A.

OTTENBERG: We’ll meet you there.

SCARABELLI: What’s your karaoke song, Bach?

BUQUEN: It’s probably “Back to Black” by Amy Winehouse.

OTTENBERG: Oh, wow!