Simone Rocha and her Brother Max Hosted a Delicious Dinner Party at Bergdorf Goodman

“No matter what situation you’re in, bread can change your life,” began Max Rocha, the man behind London’s beloved Café Cecilia, as he hosted court over a dinner of rapt guests at Bergdorf Goodman. The chef, and brother of equality beloved designer Simone Rocha, was explaining his menu that kicked off with Guinness bread, recounting how he found culinary arts at one of his lowest points. And now, one of his highest—literally—as guests like Chloë Sevigny, Quil Lemon, Precious Okoyomon, and Colin Dodgson crowded into Bergdorf’s top-floor restaurant for a Rocha-fed meal. Our plates were curated by Max, with lobster pasta, asparagus with rosemary butter, and a delectable poached pear with chocolate and cream sauce making up the dinner, while our souls were fed by Simone, whose cascades of ruffles and frills and bows never disappoint.

The Rocha siblings had brought their romantic visions stateside to celebrate Simone’s ongoing partnership with Bergdorf Goodman, which carries her frocks and accessories in his fantasmagoric store. Linda Fargo and Yumi Shin, both in blazers with ruffled shoulders, presided over the evening, with Fargo presenting Rocha with a poem that reflects the warmth we all feel in a Simone dress. (Surely, BG’s first dinner where the guest of honor received a poem.) As the wine flowed and little tutu skirts popped downstairs for smoke breaks—where onlookers couldn’t help but cheer, “You look amazing!”—Simone toasted the table and thanked Bergdorf’s for absolute support with all creativity and for really being on my side.”

Post poached-pear, there was some talk of who could take home the tablecloths and who might venture downtown to Fanelli’s for another Guinness, Simone’s twinkling muses fluttering out of the store like snowflakes on a balmy spring night.