Inside Richie Akiva’s Annual “The After” Met Gala Party
Every year for the past eleven years, Richie Akiva has thrown his “The After” party in New York City. This year was a star-studded affair with the who’s who in the celebrity world attending
The event was produced by Richie Akiva and Badius Productions, while Sebastian Norena was the one behind the party running smoothly. Over the years, hosts for the party have ranged from Rhianna, to Kim Kardashian, Teyana Taylor, Serena Williams and others. Held again at Casa Cipriani, this year’s soiree was smaller and more intimate than last year- a direction that Akiva seems to be inching towards with his events. Hosting duties this year were left to Tyla and Doja Cat, with co-hosting responsibilities taken up by Edward Enniful and actor Colman Domingo. There were a number of parties happening around the city, but Akiva’s party was the place to be last night with the likes of Venus and Serena Williams, Stevie Wonder, Babyface, Zendaya, Tom Brady, Law Roach, Lizzo, Sam Smith, Jaden Smith, and Young Thug showing up.
The rise of Met Gala afterparties
The first Met Gala was held in Post War NYC, in December 1948. It was a private affair in the form of a midnight dinner filled with museum trustees, fashion insiders, and NY socialites, all for the aim of raising money for the Costume Institute. Its venue has changed since its inception to venues like the Waldorf Astoria and the Rainbow Room, with very few celebrities attending in the early years.
But when Diana Vreeland took the helm of chief editor of Vogue and Anna Wintour after her, is when the rise of the Gala’s coveted afterparties, thrown by fashion brands, co-chairs, sponsors, and nightlife veterans like Richie Akiva burgeoned. Wintour saw early on the value of working with celebrities and featuring them on Vogue covers, and their presence at after parties has increased the popularity of the Gala to the average American alike and those internationally.
Richie and his 11th The After
If you don’t know who Richie Akiva is, he’s been referred to as the “nightlife guru” and “king of nightlife,” but he’s trying to get away from those tropes, wanting to be known for hospitality. He’s the Founder of Butter, a restaurant that was mentioned many-a-time in the original Gossip Girl. Last year in a The Hollywood Reporter article I did on him, he mentioned he will be opening Parisian restaurant Ferdi, that’s known for its Cartes d’Envies (or craving menu) in Manhattan. We’re still waiting on Ferdi NYC, but until then his afterparties will have to do.
Nightlife is what he does oh-so-well and hopefully he doesn’t ever stray 100% from it because he’s skilled at bringing people together and creating an atmosphere where people can unwind, even if it’s just for a night. If you name it, he has probably done an event there. New York, The Hamptons, Paris, Milan, Cannes, Ibiza, Monaco, Saint Tropez, Las Vegas, LA- basically almost anywhere luxurious and glamorous has seen a Richie Akiva activation.
Not one to do many interviews, Akiva can come off as quiet and a bit of a mystery to those on the outside looking in. But, I’d say Akiva is often misunderstood. Giving off serious facial expressions, he can be caught cutting up, I just think he’s a quintessential New Yorker and ever astute and attentive in his surroundings. Perhaps he likes the air of mystery but he can actually be a delight to those he knows. His Jewish faith may also be a guide that directs him, as he’s known for helping in the charitable space and giving to the causes he believes in like amfAR, Rhonda’s Kiss, and UNICEF.
As guests arrived at Casa Cipriani, a member-only hotel decked out in their afterparty attire, they had to first navigate the door, which was not as hectic as his other events. If one managed to get in, they were met with a staircase that led into an open space with one of three bars, and a jazz singer accompanied by a bass. A cotton candy station by fluff + fluff, an artisanal cotton candy catering company based in NYC. With caramel flavor as the base, there seemed to be never-ending toppings from gold sparkle to regal raspberry and dandy shimmer to be had.
Snaking around the space, there was the massive dance floor with a DJ on stage, surrounded by reserved tables and chairs. Across from the dance floor was a room with two bars and space for socializing. Guests enjoyed cocktails like Cosmopoli-gin or Sidecar by Cointreu. Further on is what became affectionately known as the “chicken room,” where Baton Rouge founded, chicken fingers restaurant Raising Cane’s kept people fed with their famous fare- which included sweet tea and lemonade (which could be spiked if one chose).
Of course, a party needs music to keep the vibe going and this party went on until the early hours this morning, with musical performances from singer and rapper Kaytranada, Pedro, Kitty Cash at the turntables. Akiva took to the stage with Kaytrnada, who spun early 2000s hits while the dance floor stayed full most of the night. Models attending were Heidi Klum, Tyson Beckford, Alex Consani, Ashley Graham, Mona Tougard, Precious Lee, Adut Akach, and Georgia Fowler. With designers and stylists including Christian Cowan, Law Roach, Brick Owens, Carlos Nazario, LaQuan Smith, Guram Gvasalia, and Maxwell Osborne.
This, I would say is the best Akiva party I’ve been too. It was a very grown up party that was engaging, the music was good, boredom wasn’t on the menu due to the interactive-ness of the party, the cocktails were quality, the food was filling for those needing something more than a canapé, and people were genuinely nice. Here’s to waiting to the 12th party, but his activation in Cannes will keep those satiated until next year.
