Designer Lela Rose is one of those uber-chic women whose expertise extends beyond fashion all the way to food and entertaining. We stopped by her Manhattan abode for dinner, and discovered that her eye for couture also translates to exquisite taste in interior design and – of course – a knack for hosting. There’s not really anything Rose can’t do. We’re reeling with both envy and admiration…

What do you always put out when entertaining?

A signature cocktail is a must for any kind of party.

What do you always bring to a dinner party as a guest?

Homemade biscotti.

What’s the ultimate dinner party faux pas? 

I think that when you accept a dinner invitation, you have an obligation to be entertaining. The worst faux pas is a guest in a bad mood who doesn’t follow that rule.

Who hasn’t come over yet, that needs to? What would you cook for them? 

Savion Glover. My dream is to have him tap dance on all of the tables linked together and I would cook any meal he wanted to make this happen.

What are your favorite cities for food and where do you go in each?

In New York, ABC Kitchen and Maysville. In London, Dinner and Ottolenghi. In San Francisco, Mission Chinese Food and Zuni Café. In Paris, Yam’Tcha and Le Pantruche.

Words to host by: 

Always have fun…even if you burn the meal to a crisp.

*Lela Rose, photographed in New York City by Danielle Kosann. Lela wears a Lela Rose dress and necklace. 

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