Since winning “Project Runway” in 2008, Christian Siriano has made a name for himself in the fashion world by crafting glamorous, inclusive and boundary-pushing designs.
But that prized creativity really springs into action when he’s engaging in one of his favorite pastimes: entertaining his friends and family.
His top tip for throwing a successful soiree? A solid theme and aesthetic to drive the rest of the party’s elements. Recently, Siriano hosted a birthday dinner at his Tribeca apartment in New York City and requested that his guests arrive dressed as their favorite magazine cover story look. “You need to make it fun!” he says.
With that philosophy in mind, Siriano partnered with Bombay Sapphire for the launch of its cocktail couture collection, Christian Siriano x Bombay Sapphire. With classic drinks such as Gin & Tonic and Collins as his muses, the now sold-out, limited-edition capsule included everything from dresses to a martini glass-shaped clutch. “Everybody in my life is a Bombay drinker already,” he explains. “But I wanted to do something special from my world. These are really cool pieces that people can wear when they’re having parties.”
Beyond the style, Siriano adds that hosts should also aim to engage all the senses. “I think it’s really important [in terms of] design,” he says. “And don’t forget about the touch! I love fabrications that are more vintage and lived-in. I don’t even like a napkin that’s brand-new. Just take a cloth or piece of old fabric and cut it up.”
Ahead, Siriano shares seven of his party-hosting essentials with CNN Underscored.
“My table is filled with little candles,” he says. He loves the Diptyque brand in particular because “the fragrance burns to the end and never loses its scent,” he says. “It makes the house smell so good!” This three-piece collection from the luxury French perfumer includes candles in berry, fig and rose fragrances, each with a 50- to 60-hour burn time.
Yup, the world-famous designer really does get his cocktail glasses from the Crate & Barrel offshoot. “I think they’re beautiful, not too expensive and the quality is actually amazing!” he says. Each 10-ounce glass, in fact, is handblown and features a short, flat-rimmed coupe with optic texture. The glasses are also available in sets of four and eight.
Using this smooth gin, Siriano can craft a French 75 cocktail with prosecco, fresh lemon juice, white sugar and a garnish. “When people come over, they usually expect some wine — but I like surprising them with a specialty drink,” he explains. Siriano even debuted a French 75-inspired haute couture gown during the brand’s New York Fashion Week show last September.
No Siriano-hosted party is complete without the proper soundtrack. “Music is super important!” he says. “I want my guests to hear it in every room, even upstairs and in the bathroom.” That’s why he has several voice-enabled and wireless Sonos speakers, such as the classic Sonos Era 100.
He found his favorite cutting and charcuterie board at a shop in the south of France. As an alternative, he singles out the large, hand-carved boards from South Loop Loft. “I love that it’s a stained vintage board,” he says.
Siriano says he just got this stainless steel flatware set, which is hand-made in France’s Laguiole region and has a mirror-polished finish. The five-piece set includes a salad fork, dinner fork, dinner knife, soup spoon and teaspoon.
Take it from the man himself: If you sit in one of the made-to-order red oak and ivory boucle chairs from Siriano’s interior design line, “you will honestly have a great night!” As he notes, these seats stand out for a reason. “They’re comfortable and modern,” he says. “And you don’t feel like you’re sitting at your mother’s dining table. I wanted it to feel like you’re in a cool restaurant.”