The 8 Most Exclusive Magazine Parties in the Country

by Claire O’Sullivan, Content Marketing Manager 

Luxury magazines have evolved to be so much more than the print guides we know and love. Dynamic websites, brand partnerships, and exclusive events are all part of a magazine’s brand identity. The best magazine events feature gorgeous décor, flowing champagne, and star power you won’t find anywhere else. We’re taking you behind-the-scenes of some of the most exclusive magazine parties in the country from Vanity Fair, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, W Magazine, GQ, Elle, and Entertainment Weekly.

There are few parties where Glenn Close, Barbra Streisand, and Miley Cyrus can be found mingling together, but that’s exactly what happened at this year’s Vanity Fair Oscar party. Mark Seliger captured gorgeous portraits of the stars and Justin Bishop snapped the party. And the cuisine of choice? In-N-Out burgers, of course.

The annual bash is the hottest post-Oscars ticket in town — and for good reason. The event has grown so greatly it now requires an entire street to be shut down on Oscars night. A custom-built structure adjacent from the Wallis Annenberg Center in LA houses party guests. As of recently, an outdoor garden and lounge space in front of City Hall have been added to the sprawling party. It’s fair to say receiving an invitation to this event is as honorable as an Oscar itself.

Photographer: Seliger Studio | Design: BWArchitects | Caterer: Nomad | Floral: Kally Ellis

Year after year, the Met Gala is a party to remember. Held the first Monday each May to raise money for the Costume Institute, the Met Gala is hosted at the beautiful Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Anna Wintour, editor of Vogue, first became chairwoman of the Met Gala in 1995, and she has final say over each invitation and guest. Details of the gala are always kept secret in advance of the party, but guests always enjoy a cocktail party, tour of the museum, and exclusive dinner party. The 2018 Gala stunned with a celestial theme of ‘Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination’ where guests dressed in ornate yet ethereal religiously-charged attire. We are patiently awaiting the red carpet appearances for the 2019 Met Gala themed “Camp: Notes on Fashion.” Camp embodies the spirit of extravagance, so it only makes sense that Lady Gaga — the queen of pop culture camp — serves as a co-chair of the event. 

Venue: Metropolitan Museum of Art | Production: Prodject | Design, Décor & Floral: Raul Avila Inc. | Lighting: Frost Productions | Tent: Arena Americas | Caterer: Glorious Food

The Harper’s Bazaar Icons Party gained some extra attention thanks to an altercation between dueling female rappers, Cardi B and Nicki Minaj — but that didn’t stop this party from being one of New York City’s hottest. The Icons Party, hosted at The Plaza Hotel, is one of the biggest events of New York Fashion Week. This year, guests danced along to a performance by Christina Aguilera while sipping signature cocktails by Belvedere and Moet & Chandon.

Venue: The Plaza New York

The Beverly Hilton hosts its fair share of glamorous parties, and the InStyle and Warner Bros’ Golden Globes Viewing Party is one of our favorites. JOWY Productions worked with Marks Garden, Revelry Event Designers, and other key event professionals to transform the iconic hotel into a stunning black and white soirée. Actual golden globes filled the ceiling above beautifully-decorated dining tables, where guests enjoyed delicious cuisine while watching the awards show.

Photographer: Heather Kincaid | Venue: The Beverly Hilton | Design & Production: JOWY Productions | Florals: Marks Garden

Hosted in the penthouse suite of West Hollywood’s Chateau Marmont, the W Magazine Pre-Golden Globes party is one of the hottest to hit during awards season. The event was hosted the Friday before the Golden Globes, which was hosted on Sunday, January 6, 2019. This year, W Magazine partnered with Giorgio Armani Beauty and Audi for their much-anticipated cocktail party. Décor was kept simple — framed, large-scale posters filled the walls with covers of W’s new Best Performances issue, as well as portraits of the celebrities featured in the issue. Guests toasted their nominations and recognitions with glasses of Perrier-Jouët Champagne and snacked on mini cheeseburgers.

Venue: Chateau Marmont

On December 6, 2018, GQ honored the men and women reshaping the cultural landscape at their 21st annual GQ Men of the Year Awards Party, sponsored by Hugo Boss. Guests snacked on canapes before their three-course dinner, prepared by Michelin-star chef Paul Ainsworth, who is also a GQ Food and Drink award winner. Haig Club provided an eclectic offering of whiskey cocktails, including the speciality Haig Club X GQ Cooler. What we love most about this event is its diverse mix of awards, including International Man, Sportsman, Solo Artist, Politician, Design Legend, and a Lifetime Achievement award. But awards are not solely presented to male attendees; actress Rose McGowan was honored with the Inspiration Award. Presenting these awards was comedian and actor Rob Delaney at the Benedict Estate in Beverly Hills.

Venue: Benedict Estate

Elle’s 25th Annual Women in Hollywood event took place on October 15, 2018 at the Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills. The 2018 nominees included some of our favorite women in Hollywood, including Lady Gaga, Shonda Rhimes, Sarah Paulson, Keira Knightley, Lupita Nyong’o, and more. The event was sponsored by Calvin Klein, L’Oréal Paris, and Hearts on Fire and hosted by fan favorite, Mindy Kaling. The night was filled with powerful, emotionally-charged speeches, photo ops, and, of course, girl power.

Venue: Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills

Entertainment Weekly kicked off the SAG Awards with an exclusive party the night before the awards, hosted at Chateau Marmont in LA. Stars from awards-season favorites Crazy Rich Asians, Bohemian Rhapsody, and This is Us were all at the celebration, which was presented by L’Oréal Paris, PopSockets, Cadillac, and Casamigos. Guests posed for photos, enjoyed a cocktail or two, and anticipated the excitement that the next evening would bring.

Venue: Chateau Marmont

PartySlate is the place where leading event professionals share their work with the world. Find new ideas by viewing and saving hundreds of thousands of beautiful event photos from weddings to birthday parties, corporate events to galas. Easily connect with the best local event professionals and find stunning venues. Sign up now »

Featured event professionals and venues receive additional links within articles. Learn about membership plans »