It was a wild evening at Central Park Zoo last week and not just because of the location’s inhabitants. The Wildlife Conservation Society held their annual gala, and tons of guests showed up in support.
One of the many highlights of the evening was the impressive exhibition of animal-inspired Judith Leiber minaudiere handbags in the arms of guests. Though the designer’s Madison Avenue boutique lent out some of their bags to guests for the evening. there were plenty of personally-owned Judith Leiber creations in attendance as well.
With choices like the Peacock and Foo Dog Ming minaudieres, Leiber certainly has no lack of animal options when it comes to her designs. Some of the ones specifically making a showing at the Wildlife Gala include lions, mallard ducks, butterflies, and dolphins.
“It’s fantastic, and just right for me,” the chairwoman of the event, Allison Maher Stern, said of her purse in the shape of a snow leopard — a nod to the new exhibit of snow leopards at the Central Park Zoo, where the event was held.
As a rule, a minaudiere bag is anything but practical as it’s almost always small, oddly-shaped, and gem-encrusted. However, practicality isn’t exactly top of mind when it comes to dressing for a black-tie event, which is just about the only place the bag style is appropriate.
