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The gloriously dramatic Faena New York was the perfect maximalist backdrop for renowned photographer Steven Klein to ring in his 60th birthday. On Thursday night, some 70 of Klein\u2019s inner circle gathered at the West Chelsea hotel to help him usher in the new decade.<\/p>\n
The blowout began in the Living Room, the property\u2019s sultry 1970s-style, leopard print-filled lounge. Just outside the den hangs a Keith Haring mural\u2014the largest work by the artist that\u2019s not housed in a museum. \u201cAlan [Faena] supports artists. He\u2019s a great ambassador to the arts and has been very gracious to let me have my party here,\u201d Klein told Vogue.<\/em> \u201cThere\u2019s no better place to celebrate than here.\u201d<\/p>\n The fashion flock were in high spirits. Lifelong collaborators including Grace Coddington and former British Vogue<\/em> editor Edward Enninful both greeted Klein with a hug. At the bar, Joan Smalls and Patti Wilson chatted with friends while guests caught-up over spicy margaritas\u2014tequila and mezcal are Klein\u2019s personal favorites\u2014and mini cheese empanadas.<\/p>\n Kim Cattrall lounged on a corner banquette with her husband Russell Thomas and conversed with Klein\u2019s sister Hope. \u201cSteven is unapologetically himself,\u201d Cattrall said. The actress was once photographed by Klein for an iconic 2002 \u201cGot Milk?\u201d ad, and again in 2023 for a Skims swim campaign. \u201cThe milk campaign was so wholesome, but he made it his own. When I look at his photographs they are beautifully savage, and I get a very strong reaction. I have one of his photographs that he gave me years ago for a birthday gift. It\u2019s of a stag mounting a horse. I don\u2019t know anybody else who would see that moment and capture it. In all of its passion and technical expertise, there\u2019s also a very powerful and sexual energy that you can\u2019t look away from. It\u2019s an amazing photograph and perfectly illustrates Steven.\u201d<\/p>\n Also in attendance was Helena Christensen, who has starred in numerous Klein-lensed editorials over the years. \u201cSteven genuinely has a caring personality,\u201d the Danish supermodel praised. \u201cHe\u2019s always very honest. When I talk to him, he always holds my hand and is very personal. His talent is mind-blowing. He sees something and I want to go inside his mind to explore. He has a very eccentric world in head which shows in his art\u2014and I love that.\u201d<\/p>\n During the night, Klein was surprised with a three-layer red velvet and chocolate cake, designed by his partner Joshua Cummings. Moments before blowing out the candles, the photographer told Vogue<\/em> that his birthday wish was not for himself\u2014but rather for the fashion industry. \u201cMy wish is that creativity comes back to magazines, and for people to follow their dreams and find their sole purpose in the world.\u201d As the crowd sang Happy Birthday,<\/em> Klein blew out the candles with his 10-year-old son, Ace, and Cummings by his side.<\/p>\n Irina Shayk, a longtime friend, expressed a heartfelt birthday message too. \u201cI wish Steven a healthy and a positive year with lots of love\u2014because that\u2019s the most important,\u201d the Russian runway regular told Vogue,<\/em> dressed in a scene-stealing Issey Miyake outfit. \u201cKnowing Steven for so many years, he\u2019s doing a really good job keeping amazing people close to him. To be here, and be a part of his birthday celebration, is a big honor because he\u2019s one of the most legendary artists out there. I\u2019m very proud to be photographed by him and to be a part of his vision.\u201d<\/p>\n As the last slice of cake was served, guests moved next door to El Secreto, Faena\u2019s seductive new nightclub space that\u2019s anchored by a deconstructed disco ball. Madonna\u2019s son David Banda was the first to hit the dance floor, with Shayk quickly joining. Later on, famed nightlife doyenne Susanne Bartsch stood atop the bar in order to serenade Klein with an exuberant rendition of Happy Birthday.<\/em><\/p>\n By midnight, the last bottle of Champagne was poured and the stylish crowd sauntered toward the exit. Turning 60 marks a major life moment, but Klein isn\u2019t slowing down anytime soon\u2014in fact, he\u2019s tirelessly working toward some important new goals. \u201cMy dream is to make my first feature movie,\u201d he revealed. \u201cIt\u2019s about the dark side of New York. And I want to do more books, more exhibitions, more of everything. Every year is a milestone and every day, every minute\u2014it\u2019s all important and I\u2019m very happy.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n