The Bride Wore a Dress Inspired by Degas’s Ballerinas for Her Upper East Side Wedding
Designer Caroline Irvin and investor Samson Mesghena first met when they kept crossing paths at the gym—the Equinox in New York’s Flatiron neighborhood, to be exact. She had been out of college for a few years; he had recently graduated from business school. After months of seeing each other in passing, Samson finally made his move in December of 2019, when he walked over and introduced himself.
“I was immediately charmed by his ease, his humor, and kindness,” Caroline remembers. A few weeks later, he called and asked her to meet him for a drink. She didn’t need convincing. After dating for nearly five years, they got engaged on a Saturday in November of 2024. Samson told Caroline that they were going to the Gagosian Gallery to see a Peter Doig show she’d been wanting to visit.
“He told me to get dressed as we would be having brunch afterwards,” she remembers. “It sounded like a perfect Saturday!”
But, heading west toward 10th Avenue, she realized they’d driven right past the gallery. “Before I could question our course, there they were: a captain and crew, crisp in their whites, standing at attention beside a sailboat moored on the Hudson,” Caroline recalls.
They set off on an afternoon sail, complete
They set off on an afternoon sail, complete with a picnic lunch. As they approached the harbor, with the Manhattan skyline behind them and the sun hitting the Statue of Liberty, Samson got down on one knee. That evening, they celebrated over dinner with both of their families. Less than two years later, they were married in New York City—where they met, built their life together, and where both of their families are rooted.
“There was never really a question of doing it anywhere else,” Caroline admits. The planning process started almost immediately after the engagement. “From the beginning, I wanted the weekend to feel elegant and thoughtful, with a sense of understated glamour woven through every detail,” Caroline explains. Naturally, that began with the invitation suite. The couple worked with Fête’s in-house design team, looking to 19th-century calling cards for inspiration and pairing classic typography with Spencerian calligraphy by Mona McCormack.
“Working with Jung Lee and her team at Fête was one of the best decisions we made,” Caroline says. “Jung understood the atmosphere we were hoping to create very early on and carried that vision through every part of the weekend with such creativity, calm, and grace.”
“While the vows themselves are serious, we always wanted the weekend to feel joyful and celebratory,” Samson says.
Planning was bittersweet at times, as they had
Planning was bittersweet at times, as they had both lost a beloved parent: Samson’s father and Caroline’s mother. “More than anything, we kept returning to what the weekend was truly about: family, gratitude, and celebrating with the people we love most.”
The wedding weekend began with the rehearsal dinner at Le Bernardin, one of the couple’s favorite restaurants in the city.
“The food is extraordinary, and it felt very meaningful to welcome our guests into a place we’ve loved and returned to over the years,” Caroline says. For the first evening, the bride chose an Oscar de la Renta column dress with an off-the-shoulder neckline covered in mother-of-pearl and crystal blossoms. She accessorized with a three-strand diamond rivière necklace and canary diamond drop earrings sourced by Lauren at Verstolo, as well as her mother’s engagement ring and emerald eternity wedding band.
Steven Rice styled her hair in a soft side-swept wave, evoking the 1950s, while Natalie Livingston kept the makeup warm with sun-kissed skin and a smoky eye. “Steven and Natalie were such an important part of the weekend,” Caroline says. “And we had a wonderful creative rhythm together from beginning to end.”
The next day, on the morning of the wedding, the bride and bridesmaids got ready together at the Lotte New York Palace, while Samson and his groomsmen had a gentleman’s lunch and got dressed at the couple’s apartment in Flatiron.
The bride wore a dress by One/Of
The bride wore a dress by One/Of. She and the brand’s founder, Patricia Voto, were already in each other’s creative orbit, as Caroline worked at the design house while finishing her coursework at Parsons. “One afternoon, after visiting a bridal boutique for inspiration, I brought in photos of a lace gown to get Patricia’s thoughts,” Caroline says. “Somewhere in the middle of talking through the designs, the conversation shifted, and it became clear that of course we should design the gown together.”
Caroline drew inspiration from the imagery of Degas’s ballerinas and the cinematic photography of Peter Lindbergh.
“The Degas reference was about the spirit of tulle, specifically the way it catches the light, its movement, and the fleeting quality he captured so beautifully in paint,” she explains. “I wanted to contrast that softness and couture sensibility with the raw energy of New York, creating something deeply romantic but also modern and alive.”
The final design featured an open-back halter bodice in blush Chantilly lace, hand-appliquéd with organic lace motifs.
A dramatic skirt composed of 16 layers of blush tulle fell from the drop waist, while an architectural tulle bow cascaded into a sweeping train. In place of a traditional veil, the bride wore a bespoke Chantilly lace eyepiece, a modern interpretation of the classic bridal accessory, and white Manolo mules. Her hair was styled into a low, slightly undone chignon. “I wanted it to feel romantic and like a tousled Gibson tuck,” she notes.
Samson, meanwhile, wore a black Tom Ford tuxedo
Samson, meanwhile, wore a black Tom Ford tuxedo with cufflinks made from twenty-one-carat Ethiopian gold, each cast in the form of a lion wearing a crown and bearing a flag. “The lion is a symbol of sovereignty and strength in Ethiopian history,” Caroline explains. The ceremony was held at St. James Episcopal Church on the Upper East Side, where they are members of the congregation.
Caroline was escorted there by her father. “We had such a sweet moment just the two of us!” Caroline remembers. “I think we were both quite nervous.”
“Seeing Caroline as she walked down the aisle with the people we love on either side of us is something I will carry for the rest of my life,” Samson adds. Reverend Marisa Fuentes officiated the ceremony. “My overwhelming feeling during the service was just one of pure gratitude,” Caroline says.
“True love is such a rare thing to find, and realizing that our paths were fated to cross and lead us to that altar made me feel very lucky.”
After exchanging their vows, the newlyweds stepped out onto Madison Avenue, where a vintage Rolls-Royce was waiting to take them to the Rainbow Room for their reception. Guests piled onto double-decker buses for the short trip to 30 Rockefeller Plaza.
During cocktail hour, an Ethiopian jazz quartet played
During cocktail hour, an Ethiopian jazz quartet played while guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres, caAt dinner, the father of the bride opened the toasts. “He stood without a single note and delivered the most incredible toast in wedding history,” Samson remembers. “He quoted Victor Hugo—a passage from Les Misérables in which Hugo meditates on the transformative power of love
Caroline’s grandfather, Donald Irvin, was an esteemed minister, and it showed. Her dad really brought the room to a standstill.”
Caroline’s sisters, who were co-maids of honor, spoke next. “Having them beside me that day, and hearing them speak about a lifetime of memories together was almost more than I could take,” Caroline admits. “I was not entirely composed.”
The tablescapes were inspired by late 19th-century French textile books, with deep crimson florals inspired by antique silk velvets and jacquards.
“I chose deep crimson as the central note and used it throughout the florals and tablescapes to bring warmth and intimacy to the grandeur of the Rainbow Room,” Caroline explains. Towering candelabras and tall taper candles balanced the romance with a more modern sensibility. After dinner, everyone flooded back to the dance floor and stayed there. For the late-night festivities, Caroline kept on the embellished halter bodice and paired it with a playful white bubble skirt, cinched at the waist with a black velvet bow.
Steven then transformed her hair into a voluminous,
Steven then transformed her hair into a voluminous, 1960s-inspired half-up style. “A black-and-gold Chanel bow introduced an element of wit,” the bride explains. “We complemented that with statement gold Chanel drop earrings and black leather Saint Laurent Babylon flats. It was an homage to Brigitte Bardot’s effortless chic rewritten for the energy of Studio 54—and perfect for the dance floor!”
The bride says the Rainbow Room was the perfect setting for the glamorous, high-energy evening she envisioned.
“From the rotating disco ball, the panoramic skyline, and the band in full swing, it was the perfect setting,” Caroline says. “We danced to disco and classic pop before transitioning to the Célon Lounge, where DJ Beat Breaker kept the party going late into the night, fueled by a late-night delivery of Shake Shack.”
The next morning, the newlyweds chartered a boat on the Hudson for family and friends, who had traveled from around the world to be with them—hangovers and all—bringing the weekend full circle on the very river where their engagement had begun.
Hand in hand, we walked to Le Bernardin to meet our families and closest friends for the rehearsal dinner. For the rehearsal dinner, I wore an off-the-shoulder Oscar de la Renta gown embroidered with crystals and pearls. It is a masterpiece of intricate craftsmanship. I loved the dress’s dimension and extraordinary detail, which caught the light from every angle. Taking a moment together before greeting our guests.
We welcomed 90 guests to our rehearsal dinner,
We welcomed 90 guests to our rehearsal dinner, many of whom had traveled from around the world to celebrate with us. Oscar de la Renta’s elegant beading detail. Surrounded by our closest family and friends, Samson and I are beaming as his mother, Sinidu Zewdineh, raised a toast to us. The evening’s finishing touches, gathered before the celebrations began: black satin flats, gold earrings, a silk Chanel bow, and a blush quilted bag.
The painterly florals of the bridesmaids’ dresses, hung on a rack ahead of the festivities. Jung Lee and her team at Fête created our paper suite, inspired by 19th-century calling cards and A. F. Marx’s ornamental alphabets. The resulting monogram appeared throughout the celebration, from the napkins, menus, and place cards to our ring bearer’s pillow. A quiet moment amid the morning’s preparations, before stepping into my dress.
The bespoke lace eyepiece drew inspiration from the intimacy and ceremony of the Spanish mantilla. During my graduate studies at Parsons, I became fascinated by 17th-century European dress and its rituals; this piece reinterpreted the codes of a historic bridal tradition through a distinctly modern lens. The bridesmaids dresses were from One/Of, and the designer and founder Patricia Voto carefully created the palette for the day.
Soft pink accents and deep tones to complement
Soft pink accents and deep tones to complement the venue, the season, and the wedding dress. We used velvet accents as a way to tie each unique combination together. Each dress suited each bridesmaid’s personality and personal style. From left to right: Madeline Irvin, Elizabeth Irvin, Kate Irvin, Libby Sanna, Virginia Laikind, Andrea Rodriguez, Kelsey White, Elaine Irvin, Brynne Kelsey.
Samson and his groomsmen got ready for the ceremony at our apartment downtown. Groomsman Adham Koura assists with the final bowtie preparations before leaving for the church. Samson looks every bit the leading man in his portrait at the Lotte New York Palace. He wore a Tom Ford tuxedo. To honor his late grandfather, he wore his classic Omega watch. The painterly florals of the bridesmaids’ dresses, hung on a rack ahead of the festivities.
Reunited in the courtyard of the Lotte New York Palace for our first look. The sunlit, breezy courtyard of the Lotte New York Palace offered a quiet moment together before the day swept into full swing. An airy tulle bow framed the back of the gown. The hand-sewn appliqué and raw hem incorporated romantic and the elements of couture rooted in antiquity. The bow’s diaphanous tails created the effect of a veil’s train, lending the dress a sense of romance and ceremony.
I loved reinterpreting the codes of heritage fashion
I loved reinterpreting the codes of heritage fashion for the present day, set against the modern backdrop of New York City. A moment of embrace. Headed off to the ball, with my bow caught perfectly in the breeze. I wore brilliant-cut diamond studs, chosen to echo the brilliant cut of my engagement ring, and kept the rest of my jewelry deliberately minimal. My hair was softly tousled into a chignon by Steven Rice.
A modern portrait framed by the richly carved walnut doors of the Lotte New York Palace’s Gold Room. As lovers of art and architecture, we were captivated by the craftsmanship of every detail. Caught in a dreamscape. Captured from a new vantage point, I looked out over the city. I was thinking about the great mid-century couturiers—Balenciaga and Charles James in particular—and the way they created drama through volume and movement.
The blush tulle and sweeping bow felt romantic and ceremonial, but never too precious. It really came alive as I moved and danced. Stopping traffic in a cinematic moment as I crossed the street to the church. With my bridesmaids. They are an exceptionally glamorous and brilliant group of women, each in her own distinct silhouette. From left to right: Elaine Irvin, Virginia Laikind, Brynne Kelsey, Libby Sanna, Kate Irvin, Madeline Irvin, Liz Irvin, Sherelle Ike, Kelsey White, and Andrea Rodriguez.
Samson and his groomsmen gathered on the steps
Samson and his groomsmen gathered on the steps of St. James’ ahead of guests arriving. Their matching burgundy Hermès ties brought the group together. From left to right: Aezana Yohannes, Darren Smith, Harish Venkatesh, Ben Bernstein, Robell Wondwosen, Adham Koura, Collin Emerson, Charles Goura, and Nate Santos. Samson escorted his mother, Sinidu Zewdineh, down the aisle. She is wearing a bespoke pink silk-wool dress and coordinating coat.
The look was crafted with One/ Of. My father Dennis Irvin escorted me down the aisle to the altar. He and my late mother, Lauren Irvin, shared 30 years of marriage. I feel very grateful for their example. Exchanging traditional vows in the sanctuary of St. James’ Church, a grand and holy space. Newly married, beneath the extraordinary gilded reredos. Reverend Marisa Sifontes performed the ceremony.
Just married! We recessed down the aisle while the organ played Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March.”
A grand exit on the steps of the church. Double-decker buses waited along Madison Avenue to carry our guests to the reception. Sophie Sumner and Lauren Lotka are captured here, swept up in the joy of the afternoon. Our guests rode down Fifth Avenue to the Rainbow Room in their finest.
It was fun to surprise everyone with something
It was fun to surprise everyone with something so quintessentially New York. I don’t think many of them had ever ridden on the tour bus! We tucked into our getaway car, a Rolls-Royce, and took a quiet moment to revel in the day before joining our guests at the reception. The handsome groom joining guests for cocktail hour. My bridal portrait. My bouquet was lily of the valley.
Cocktail hour unfolded against breathtaking skyline views, with champagne and ca’s heritage. A moment of tenderness watching the sun set over New York City. The Empire State Building made for a picture-perfect backdrop. Our full wedding party. A spirited, special group who have accompanied us through every chapter and brought so much joy to this one
My two sisters—Kate on my left and Madeline on my right—were the most wonderful maids of honor. I felt very lucky to have them by my side. Bridesmaids Brynne Kelsey, Kelsey White, Virginia Laikind, and Sherelle Ike in their one-of-a-kind looks. Their glamour and poise are on full display here. Bridesmaid Virginia Laikind wearing a vintage taffeta patterned dress with her husband, Daniel.
The magic of Jung Lee and her team
The magic of Jung Lee and her team at Fête transformed the iconic Rainbow Room into a spectacular vision equal parts glamorous and intimate. I wanted the evening to evoke another era, so palms and an abundance of candlelight were used to complement the ballroom’s glittering Art Deco architecture. Our tablescape featured a lush mix of red roses, anemones, and amaryllis, arranged in gold vessels against blush linens.
Layered candlelight and decorative lamps enhanced the ballroom’s glittering, old-world romance. The visual story of our invitation suite continued through to the dinner menus, each bearing our monogram and finished with a deep red velvet ribbon. Kanoko Yoshimoto of Fête executed every detail flawlessly. I wish I could bottle the energy of the evening. Samson’s closest friends from Harvard Business School were the first ones on the dance floor.
They are a dashing group with energy to match. Without question, the Dylan Matthews Band was extraordinary, bringing the Rainbow Room to life with irresistible energy and old-world bravado. Captured in a moment of exuberance on the dance floor with our family and friends. Our guests embraced the evening’s spirit of festivity. Our cake by the one and only Ron Ben-Israel. A quick kiss ahead of cutting the cake.
Spinning and twirling during our first dance
Spinning and twirling during our first dance to “Nothing Can Change This Love” by Sam Cooke. The lyrics are very meaningful to us. We finished our first dance with a flourish. For the opening half of the reception, I removed the bow but remained in my dress—I simply could not bear to part with it. Steven Rice let down my hair, and I added gold Chanel drop earrings for a more celebratory finish.
The speeches were truly unforgettable. My father, Dennis Irvin, my sisters, Kate and Madeline Irvin, and groomsman Darren Smith each gave such meaningful and memorable toasts. My two sisters gave the most heartfelt and touching speech—deeply personal, moving, and entirely true to who they are. Their custom One/Of looks were conceived as inverses of one another, pairing rich jewel-toned duchess satin corsets with skirts fashioned from contrasting brocades and silks.
We didn’t stop dancing the entire night! We were surprised with confetti raining down during a particularly joyful song. The Rainbow Room at full tilt. One of our favorite elements of the Rainbow Room is its legendary revolving dance floor. The stylish and glamorous Andrée Corroon, A dear friend of my mother, cuts a striking figure on the dance floor. Her vintage Tom Ford for Gucci dress was made for dancing!
As the evening unfolded, I changed into
As the evening unfolded, I changed into a second look: a white bubble skirt finished with flounces of tulle, paired with my blush bodice and a slim velvet ribbon at the waist. I completed it with Saint Laurent flats, gold-and-crystal strass earrings, and an oversized velvet Chanel bow. Steven loosened my hair further before teasing it into a buoyant updo. The second look was decidedly mod and impossibly adorable.
It was perfect to dance in. This look was a custom One/Of creation. For the second look, I was drawn to the sculptural romance of Balenciaga’s 1950s balloon skirts. I loved the idea of taking that very couture sense of volume and making it feel lighter, shorter, and a little more irreverent for dancing. DJ Beat Breaker carried the celebration into the night at Celon Lounge for an after-party, keeping the dance floor going until the very end with disco, ’90s remixes, and pop.
Our after-party was in full swing! Enlivened in the spirit of the moment with my younger sister Madeline! We had so much fun dancing all night. A quiet moment together amid the revelry, before the night came to its close. We ushered the evening—early morning—to a memorable finale.
Source: www.vogue.com
