New York Fashion Week, for all its virtues, is not known for intimacy. The music is louder, the parties larger, and the conversations more fleeting. Last night at Bergdorf Goodman, Valentino threw a dinner for its ACT collection and defied those expectations. Hosted by Emily Ratajkowski, the evening served as a reminder of how important relationships are to the industry.

On the second floor of Manhattan’s most iconic retailer, attendees gathered for cocktails. As trays of Champagne circulated the room, society darlings and cultural disruptors swapped fashion week schedules. Ziwe and Tina Leung embraced their wild side in animal print. Imaan Hammam beguiled in a black cut-out sweater worn over a white shirt. The supermodel’s palette was echoed by Harley Viera-Newton, who wore lady-like white, Sarah Hoover sparkled in a black sequined mini dress.

After cocktails, attendees found their seats at a long table, elegantly set with red roses. Bergdorf’s Linda Fargo stood to welcome her guests, who raised a glass to the enduring relationship between Valentino and the department store. The two luxury titans have enjoyed a friendship, Fargo joked, “longer than any of us can remember!”

Midway through a delicious September feast, Ratajkowski gave the room a special treat: a reading from “My Body,” her upcoming book of personal essays. With the charisma of a performer and the vulnerability of a poet, Ratajkowski enraptured the room. Per request, the contents of the excerpt remain confidential but once “My Body” is released, readers will be stunned away by its honesty and elegance.

After dinner, guests kissed goodbye to attend the many parties around the city or to retire and rest up for another exciting day ahead.