The Absolute Coolest Magazine Parties of the Year

By Janine Puhak

In “Sex and the City,” Carrie Bradshaw set the bar high when she perfected “work hard, play hard.” Though Carrie’s escapades may have been fictional, there’s nothing imaginary about the glamorous parties that glitter the real-life social calendars of some lucky editors.

Here’s Ed’s all-access review of the coolest parties that are just another day at the office for editors at the hottest publications. You just may find yourself on the other side of the velvet rope someday.

A photo posted by Beyoncé (@beyonce) on May 4, 2015 at 8:15pm PDT

Vogue‘s Met Gala
Location: Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, New York
Founded: 1946
Date: May 2, 2016
Details: It’s one the fashion world’s most exclusive red carpet soirees. The guest is list limited to roughly 700 attendees—all approved by chairman Anna Wintour, of course. The celebration benefits the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and is respected as one of the city’s most intimate evenings in fundraising. Since Vogue’s Editor in Chief Anna Wintour started running the show, the event has raised $145 million for the exhibition. And if Wintour ever invites you to party with her, you don’t just throw on any old thing. Guests get dressed up according to the theme of that year’s exhibit. We just can’t wait to see how the stars take on “Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology” this year.

A photo posted by Kenneth Cole Productions (@kennethcole) on Jul 15, 2015 at 4:28pm PDT

CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Gala
Location: Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, New York, New York
Founded: 1981
Date: June 6, 2016
Details: When the Council of Fashion Designers of America and Vogue team up, fashion writers and reporters will be there to cover it. The event is thrown by the two organizations to support the next generation of American designers in the global economy. From funding to business mentoring, the initiative has enabled budding talent to become household names; previous winners include Marc Jacobs, Zac Posen, Jason Wu, Alexander Wang, Proenza Schouler, Joseph Altuzarra, and Phillip Lim. And you bet celebs in their most Instagram-worthy look will be there.

A photo posted by evan ♡ emma (@evanemmax) on Mar 5, 2016 at 12:03am PST

Vanity Fair Oscar Party
Location: Hollywood, California
Founded: 1994
Date: was held February 28, 2016
Details: The Met Gala of the West Coast is the hottest spot in town after the Academy Awards ceremony. Dreamt up by current editor Graydon Carter, the night is a A-list favorite after the big show. Bonus: In-N-Out Burger is usually served.

A photo posted by VICTOR NIKO (@chicboyproblems) on Sep 17, 2015 at 8:07am PDT

Harper’s BAZAAR Icons Party
Location: The Plaza Hotel, Manhattan, New York
Founded: 2014
Date: September 2016
Details: Around the time of New York Fashion Week the party commemorates the list of “Icons” compiled by Global Fashion Director Carine Roitfeld in the September issue of the mag. If you’re heading to the party as a party of your gig, you can expect to pop bottles with models, photographers, and sartorial celebrities galore in the legendary ballroom of the Plaza.