At Laila Gohar’s table, Maridenim gets a seat
Drake called her the Björk of food, and rightly so—Laila Gohar’s avant-garde approach to cuisine continues to captivate audiences across the globe. During New York Fashion Week, we had the privilege of gathering a select group of friends and tastemakers at her Manhattan apartment for a luncheon where the art of printmaking meets the art of culinary expression. The occasion? The arrival of Marimekko Maridenim in New York City.
It was an early fall Saturday, and Laila Gohar’s apartment was awash in light. New York Fashion Week had just begun, filling the city with industry insiders, a few dozen of whom were making their way to Gohar’s for lunch with a dash of denim on the side.
Laila Gohar, an artist who has garnered international acclaim for using food as her creative medium, was born in Egypt and now lives and works in the U.S.For Marimekko, Laila is more than a collaborator—she’s a kindred spirit, sharing in our love for multidisciplinary creativity, visual storytelling and a life lived in full, vibrant color. For many, she has also become the consummate hostess, a role she embodies with ease as a contributing writer for the Financial Times' HTSI.
The lunch menu was a tribute to the season, rooted in local ingredients and infused with Laila Gohar’s distinct style and aesthetics. Porchetta, served with a delicate aioli and fennel pollen, was accompanied by a crisp green bean dish and braised beans from Amoon Farm, a Union Square Market staple and one of Laila’s favorites. Fresh salads and a medley of fruits rounded out the offering, all capped off with an incredibly indulgent chocolate nemesis cake.
The true centerpiece of the lunch, however, was the U.S. debut of Marimekko’s Maridenim. The hostess, dressed head-to-toe in the collection, showcased its bold patterns and spirited design. Enormous Unikko-shaped beanbags, scattered across the room for Laila’s son to clamber over, added a touch of whimsy to the elegantly curated décor, while the waitstaff, outfitted in custom Unikko denim aprons, perfectly complemented the sartorial atmosphere. By the end of the luncheon, one thing was certain: Marimekko Maridenim had made its mark on New York City.
Photos by Alicia Mersy (@aliciamersy)