Rainey Qualley Shut Down Saint Theo’s in Celebration of Manolo Blahnik’s Archival Debut

Last night, West Village’s iconic Italian bistro Saint Theo's was given a Manolo Blahnik makeover. The evening toasted the launch of the iconic brand’s virtual room—titled “The Manolo Blahnik Archives, The Craft.” The high-touch experience transported guests to an alternative Manolo Blahnik universe through a digital lens.

On a school night, the brand drew a diverse guestlist across creative industries. Attendees including Kathryn Gallagher Bruna Tenorio, Jennifer Fisher, Igee Okafor, Tina Leung, Roze Traore, Ana Khouri, Amy Fine Collins, Carolyn Angel, Rickie de Sole, Ashley Avignone, Britt Theodora, Alexandra O’Neill, and Sabine Getty all turned out for the elegant affair.

In addition to the virtual experience, the room was filled with Manolo memorabilia, from sketches of sparkly stilettos to photographs of artisans perfecting their craft. After a buzzy cocktail hour, the group settled into the clusters of cozy, candlelit tables for supper. The menu highlighted all of Saint Theo’s signature recipes, like the chicory salad, lemon linguine, spicy cherry tomato spaghetti, branzino, and dark chocolate budinos, an Italian delicacy, for dessert.

Before everyone dove into the delicious dishes, the brand’s President of the Americas, Andrew Wright, rose to address the room. “It’s incredible to see so many familiar faces and meet new friends tonight,” Wright began. “Mr. Blahnik wanted to share his archives and spread joy with the world in celebration of the art of shoemaking. So, we are thrilled to debut our exclusive digital experience this evening.”

Even musician and songwriter Rainey Qualley flew in from across the country for the starry evening. Between courses, Qualley took center stage to serenade guests with a special medley of songs, including a few of Mr. Blahnik’s favorites. Of course, longtime friend of the house and model Pat Cleveland cheered Qualley on from the sidelines.

To close out the night, the powerhouse singer belted out one of her own heartfelt tracks, which left guests wanting endless encores. Alas, the night came to a close, and attendees ascended off into the city streets filled with a newfound love for the timeless brand’s brilliance in fusing craftsmanship and technology.