One of the magazine’s cover models, Lady Gaga, will perform at the bash, an act that the Hearst-owned magazine had been hoping to secure for months. Employees could finally breathe a sigh of relief when the performer confirmed last week.
But their worries weren’t over: Gaga confirmed as reports swirled that the Sultan of Brunei was thinking of buying The Plaza. Would Harper’s have to change the venue at the last minute given the fashion world’s boycott of the sultan’s Dorchester Collection of hotels over his imposition of sharia laws in Brunei? Nerves were on edge again and while “save the date” e-mails went out on Aug. 4, they did not list a location for the party.
Last week the sultan issued a statement denying he was interested in buying the famed hotel — so Harper’s could stick to The Plaza. And on Tuesday, after WWD called Hearst for comment, surprise! E-mailed invites were sent out listing the event’s location but not the fact that Gaga would perform.
Hearst did not return requests seeking comment.
