For Auckland-based Lauren Tapper and Sarah Harris Gould, an 18-hour flight to join their New York fanbase for a tipple was a no-brainer. On Wednesday evening, the Kiwi duo marked their official launch on Moda Operandi—and ergo their first US retail partnership—with a sunset cocktail party at Bridges in China Town.

Despite the 90-degree heat that had swamped the city that day, guests remained committed to wearing the sumptuous velvet and wool pieces from the pre-Fall 2026 collection, which had gone live for shoppers just hours previous. “Moda is such a great launch pad, particularly for emerging and independent brands,” Tapper told Vogue. “We design for the woman on the go, who wants something a little different and more romantic. Moda is known for always having a good eye and curation [for her].”

It was an evening for firsts—seeing as it was also the inaugural American night out for the brand, which the two former colleagues started in 2017. “We both studied design, but ended up working in different roles in fashion before starting the label,” Tapper explained.

Against the backdrop of the Michelin-starred restaurant’s chunky and retro glass bricks and leather banquettes, attendees caught up over white Negronis as they sampled oysters with kumquat and chili, cured sardines with cucumber and Meyer lemon, and the crowd-pleasing tuna with dates and sesame. (A welcome chance to savor the popular eatery’s menu, given that available reservations are few and far between.)

The crowd, including Moda Operandi’s co-founder Lauren Santo Domingo and president April Hennig, encompassed stylists, designers, creatives, models, and many Vogue editors; all of whom had been steadily tracking the brand’s ascent on Instagram over the last few years.

As it got later and later, some attendees took part in a pop-up portrait studio organized by photographer Holly Sarah Burgess, while others challenged friends to a game of Gin Rummy, given that there were plenty of Harris Tapper-branded playing cards scattered across the cherry wood bar.

“We feel right at home,” said Tapper. Quite!