V for Valentino

The Fashion Legend's New York Birthday Bash

Valentino may have officially retired from fashion, but his industry friends have certainly not forgotten him. Donna Karan, Zac Posen, Harvey Weinstein, and Marc Jacobs (with not one but two young pals in tow) were among the glittery crowd gathered on Friday night at Allison Sarofim's West Village town house to celebrate the Italian designer's birthday. Although it was billed as a surprise, Val seemed to have an inkling that something was up. "At my age I don't like too many surprises," he revealed. "But this is magnificent. Fantastic!" What the party lacked in spontaneity, it more than made up for in decadence. At the stroke of midnight, a pair of New York City Ballet dancers performed a private pas de deux in Sarofim's tented and mirrored backyard. "This is what I call a house party," said Daphne Guinness between sips of a Valentini, the night's signature drink. "I think we've been missing parties like this."

—Derek Blasberg