
On Wednesday, the night before Grace Ling’s spring 2026 show, the Singaporean-born, New York-based fashion designer teamed up with digital luxury concierge service Velocity Black and chef Rōze Traore to host “The Designer’s Table” dinner.
Held at One Hanson Place in Brooklyn, the evening was a multisensory event fusing the worlds of fashion, art and culinary. Guests were treated to a three-course dinner from Traore, with each “chapter” of the meal inspired by Ling’s new runway collection, “Future Relics,” and giving a glimpse as to what’s to come from her show.
Leslie Bibb, Derek Blasberg, Kendra Bailey, Liz Cambage, Jordan Rand, and Velocity Black members were all in attendance to celebrate the artistry of Ling and preview her upcoming show, which will also be held Thursday at the same venue. The main centerpiece for the dinner was Ling’s chrome breastplate look from her spring 2025 collection, which is front and center in her flagship Hudson Yards store.
Grace Ling x Velocity Black dinner at One Hanson Place in Brooklyn.
Marc Patrick/BFA.com
“I’m really excited to be doing this partnership with Velocity Black,” Ling told WWD. “When I first heard about the opportunity of partnering, I was immediately very excited. It just felt so natural and aligned because we both have the vision of creating a deeply special experience, which is what Velocity Black is all about.”
She said that she shares Velocity Black’s ethos of curating experiences and emotions for people — which is also central to her mission to make people feel something when they are buying clothes.
“For me, Grace is much more than a talented designer,” said Sylvain Langrand, chief executive officer of Velocity Black. “She’s an artist that’s creating the future of modern luxury with creativity and innovation.”
Kendra Bailey and Sylvain Langrand
Marc Patrick/BFA.com
Beyond being a fashion designer, Ling is also super passionate about culinary and interior design. She was meticulously involved in the dinner — she laughed about her “micromanaging” taking over when selecting all the details for the evening, such as table setting, utensils, staging and even the smoke machine.
In line with Velocity Black’s philosophy to create once-in-a-lifetime experiences, Ling said when she creates collections, she designs garments with the intention for the looks to “be iconic” 10 years later. She named her collection “Future Relics” because of its implications of being viewed as art in the future.
“I’ve always seen the [Grace Ling] brand in this very elevated and luxurious space,” Ling continued. “It’s very tasteful, which these days, being tasteful is very underrated actually. It’s just an elevated way of showcasing taste. It’s a lifestyle and a way of being. It’s really about bringing in people and curating this full-circle experience beyond the runway and creating a special memory for our clients.”
Grace Ling and Rōze Traore
Marc Patrick/BFA.com
She continued that her collection “accentuates the craft and the details that are sort of lost. I think [craftsmanship] it’s a little lost in New York. But we’re finding it back, especially in New York and in America.”
For New York Fashion Week, Velocity Black members gained attendance access to Ling’s dinner as part of its Secret Spaces series, runway show and after party. The company has teamed up with Marc Jacobs for its opening NYFW party. Capital One, which owns Velocity Black, has also partnered up with Anna Weyant, The Cultivist and Jacobs for “The Dollhouse” installation held at the Academy Mansion.
Velocity Black also announced its partnership with Sotheby’s, where members gain access to the company’s art and culture events, masterclasses and private shopping experiences with archival jewelry, handbags and watches on Saturday. The partnership will see members gaining access to private sale items available only on the Velocity Black app.
Leslie Bibb and Grace Ling
Marc Patrick/BFA.com
The partnership will debut at Sotheby’s Contemporary Curated auction in New York, with Velocity Black as its presenting partner — its members will receive behind-the-scenes access to exhibits and invite-only events from Sept. 20 to 26.
Langrand said that New York and New York Fashion Week hold a special place for the company, with its deep-rooted membership base in the city and its partnerships throughout the week and across the city.
“Whether it’s dining access to tickets, events and travels, we have these incredible partnerships to create access for every single one of our members through the city. Our members are at the center of every single thing we do. Modern luxury is not just about the products and giving access, it’s about creating unforgettable experiences through feelings, emotions and connections,” concluded Langrand.
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