Temple Bar on Lafayette Street was one of the ‘90s hottest places  – the kind of sophisticated and decidedly downtown boîte to enjoy a Martini – or many – in one of the most elegant spaces below 14th Street. Fast forward to Thursday night, when CFDA and Afterpay took over the bar, newly reopened in its former glory by David Rabin and three partners, to celebrate future of American fashion talent and the start of New York Fashion Week.

Designers Maria Cornejo, Edvin Thompson, Raul Solis, Maisie Wilen, Batsheva Hay, Adam Lippes, Rio Uribe, Melissa Davis,  Nicole Miller, Rodney Epperson, Junny Hibbert, Kimberly Goldson, Frederick Anderson, Nicky and Simone Zimmermann, Christian Juul Nielsen, Miko Underwood, Patricia Bonaldi, David and Phillipe Blond, and Alejandra Alonso Rojas were among those who turned out for the special occasion. Also joining CFDA’s Steven Kolb and Afterpay’s Melissa Davis and Natalie McGrath were Tan France, Malcolm Carfrae, Brandice Daniel, Angela Watts, and more.

“I am so happy fashion week’s back,” Tanya Taylor said. “People are happy. There are also younger talents showing this week, which is exciting. People feel they have space to be creative here.”

Hillary Taymour of Collina Strada echoed the sentiment. “I am so excited for New York Fashion Week, and it’s going to be so much fun. We have a lot in store for this week and I can’t wait to show my collection.”

And just like that – a turn of phrase belonging to a certain group of friends sipping Cosmos in the Nineties – New York City was back, and more glorious than in a long, long time.

Let the shows begin!