VB Corner Bistro sign pulsed a little brighter, with “Veronica Beard” illuminated just beneath it. To kick off New York Fashion Week, the beloved American brand transformed the West Village watering hole from a buzzy eatery into a fashion sanctuary—all in a New York minute.
From the moment guests stepped inside, it was clear who the night belonged to. The space—usually circulating burgers and beers—had been reimagined as a love letter to NYC and the eponymous brand, Veronica Beard. Think: Times Square souvenir shop meets Madison Avenue boutique, if the two had a very chic lovechild named Veronica. A pretzel cart welcomed all with crusty, salty twists in the shape of “VB.” Snow globes, keychains, and NYC memorabilia were packaged up in bespoke “THANK YOU” bags, which guests grabbed on their way in to sip the cocktail of the night: a Manhattan. Duh! The recognizable, dimly lit booths were flanked with florals spilling out of oversized silver tins—marigolds, zinnias, and chrysanthemums setting the autumnal tone.
The Icons Party doubled as a celebration of Veronica Miele Beard and Veronica Swanson Beard’s vision for Fall 2025: the quintessential New York woman on the move. The guest list read like an It-woman yearbook: Katie Holmes and Natasha Lyonne arrived at the same time, holding court on the corner—leaving West Villagers craning their necks on their evening dog walks. Molly Gordon, Nicole Ari Parker, Pauline Chalamet, Misty Copeland, Antonia Gentry, Abby Elliott, and Karen Gillan all delighted at the souvenir wall—some clad in classic tailoring, others in silky sets; all unmistakably Veronica Beard.
“Are you a fashion girl?” Vogue asked Molly Gordon. “Noooooo,” she laughed, her pink lips giving way to a warm smile. “I feel like Jared Ellner has totally changed my life. I am a fashion baby. He is helping me understand how to put myself out there in a more authentic way—so that has made me more of a fashion girl.” Slipping into an outdoor booth with a glass of white wine, Gordon reminisced about her recent pinch-me moments at the Venice Film Festival with Giorgio Armani. “My mom is my fashion icon, and my icon in life. The only thing she ever had of designer apparel was Giorgio Armani, so going to Venice with the brand, especially during this time, was very bittersweet.”
DJ duo The Misshapes underscored friendly reunions and fit-checks with nostalgic beats, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of back-to-school. Gordon, for one, is embracing the season wholeheartedly. “I love back-to-school time. I got back from Venice, woke up at 6 AM, and went to Staples to buy myself a printer,” she deadpanned. “Having a printer as an adult is the hottest thing you can do.”
As night fell and the flicker of neon was the last sign of light, splashing red across the sidewalk, guests grabbed their branded pretzels and their Dash bags and headed into the cobblestone streets for one last Manhattan—iconic.