Soon after the Simkhai Spring 2026 show wrapped, guests made their way to the members-only hot spot Chez Margaux to celebrate the designer and his co-hosts for the evening—Google executive Stephanie Horton and actor Taraji P. Henson—who was also ringing in a birthday.

Held in the Leopard Room, the scene was lush and low-lit. Long tables glowed with clusters of candles; at each place setting, a gold conch-shell clutch by Simkhai sat beside an exquisitely hand-lettered card.

Guests included Taraji P. Henson, Tiffany Haddish, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, Misty Copeland, Aurora James, Mason Barnes, June Ambrose, Fai Khadra, Mia Moretti, Simon Huck, Antoni Porowski, and more.

If the room looked sultry and sophisticated from every angle, it felt equally warm. The energy was convivial, the kind that makes a dinner feel like a reunion—very much by design. “For me, the show is the creative part—that’s the art in it—but I equally love the art of hosting and bringing people together and community,” Simkhai said.

Henson isn’t a token co-host; she’s a close friend and collaborator. In 2024, she joined the house at the Met Gala’s “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion.” She champions Simkhai’s sartorial vision and his dedication to designing for women. “I love the brand, and I love Jonathan,” she said. “It all comes through in his clothing. You can’t go wrong with a Jonathan Simkhai—you really can’t—if you want to feel like a woman and if you want to feel classy.”

Later in the evening, Simkhai rose to thank the room. As he finished his remarks, Tiffany Haddish wrapped him in a celebratory hug. On those suede leopard-print banquettes, it was clear: these were friends as much as guests. The camaraderie coursed through every table.