The RealReal and Conservation International got the conversation started before guests even walked through the front door of The Noortwyck in the West Village on Wednesday night. The dress code was “conversation pieces,” and the crowd happily obliged the request to show off their favorite thrifted and vintage finds — many, naturally, purchased through the online consignment platform.
The party was also an opportunity to celebrate the launch of The RealReal’s Consignment Day Celebrity closet sale, which includes 230 contributions from the personal collections of Kate Moss, Julianne Moore, Natasha Lyonne, Rebecca Hall, Emmy Rossum and more. The sale will benefit Conservation International, which helps protect ecosystems worldwide, with an additional $25,000 donation from The RealReal.
“The whole idea is to just really bring attention to the importance of consigning and that closed loop model for fashion,” said Conservation International’s senior director of brand and partnerships Katie Russell.
“One of the best things you can do in terms of lowering your environmental impact on the environment through fashion and textiles is to buy consignment; use and resell the clothes you love — and wear them for as long and as many times as possible,” added Conservation International’s head of sustainable fashion Virginia Borcherdt. “We’re honestly so excited as a conservation organization to partner with The RealReal who’s really innovating and leading this circular business model.”
Borcherdt was wearing a leopard-print Stella McCartney top — the designer sits on the board of the nonprofit — that she sourced from The RealReal for the occasion.
Guests were prompted to share the stories behind their own conversation pieces by answering the written prompt “ask me about my…” and why underneath a Polaroid portrait of themselves. For The RealReal cofounder and chief operating officer Rati Sahi Levesque, that conversation piece was a pair of Bulgari earrings, her first “big purchase” after the company went public. The spirit of sharing extended to the cocktail menu, which included favorite drinks of both Levesque and Borcherdt, with a short backstory.
There was plenty for the crowd to discuss throughout the evening. Guests included Marisa Tomei, who’s gearing up to start performances of new play “Babe” Off-Broadway at the end of the month, Conservation International ambassador Shailene Woodley, Alexandra Richards, “Stereophonic” star Juliana Canfield, Jacquelyn Jablonski, Daria Strokous, Pat Cleveland, Isolde Brielmaier, Isabella Massenet, Angelica Hicks, Brianna Lance (with her Pomeranian in tow) and more.
Brianna Lance and Angelica Hicks
Marsha Bernstein/WWD
