On Friday, inside the model Heidi Klum’s annual Halloween bash at the Hard Rock Hotel in Midtown Manhattan, a red velvet cake in the shape of her severed head seemed to surveil the crowd of about 500 people on the floor below.
Hours earlier, Ms. Klum walked onto a blue carpet as the Greek mythological monster Medusa, known for her power to petrify onlookers and turn them to stone, with her husband, the musician Tom Kaulitz, dressed as a calcified warrior.
Inside the club, a guest dressed as an Ozempic injection bopped with a guest dressed as an Uno card. Nearby, someone channeling Mia Thermopolis, the protagonist of “The Princess Diaries,” mingled with a partyer who came as Patrick Bateman of “American Psycho.” The actor Ice-T, in a mask splattered with blood, and his wife, Coco Austin, who was projecting a sultry version of Chucky, lounged on the couches.
At the bar, guests sipped on Butterfinger-tinis, a cocktail from one of the night’s sponsors, as “You Really Got Me” by the Kinks and “Roxanne” by the Police played through the speakers.
At exactly midnight, Medusa and her petrified date ambled into the D.J. booth to dance with the producer Questlove, who was dressed in a light blue suit as Randy Watson from the movie “Coming to America.” Slithering snakes were on the projector behind him.
“It’s Heidi!” the guests shrieked as they raised their phones to take pictures.
See some of the costumes from the party below. Interviews have been edited and condensed.
Joseph McRae
(As the Cat in the Hat)
Tell me about this outfit.
We’re giving, like, a modern, fashion-forward Cat in the Hat.
I was just on the newest season of “Project Runway,” so I had to show up to Heidi’s party in, like, a Joseph McRae number. So we got the big sleeves, but the hats are one of my key items— my signature stack beanie.
But listen, I rode the train over here, and so I was on a train like this.
Elevator Boys
(As Bell Boys with Cake)
What are you dressed up as?
We are the Elevator Boys as bell boys tonight, and serving Heidi Klum as cake.
Did you work with her on that or was it your idea?
It was our idea. We came up with the bell boys idea first and then added the Heidi thing to give it a little spice.
What flavor is the cake?
Red velvet.
Ann-Katrin Schmitz
(As Tariffs)
What are you dressed as?
I’m dressed as tariffs.
Why?
Because I’m from Europe, and that’s the thing that scares us the most at the moment.
Rei Ami
(As Zoey in “KPop Demon Hunters”)
You’re wearing your character Zoey in “KPop Demon Hunters.” Does it feel like coming home?
Yes, I see many sides of myself in this character.
It aligns so well. It kind of scares me almost. Yeah, so it’s not really a costume. It just feels like an extension of myself.
Maye Musk
(As Cruella de Vil)
What inspired you to be Cruella de Vil today?
At 77, you can be Cruella de Vil. Who else can do it as well as an old lady?
Do you have a Dalmatian at home?
I don’t have a Dalmatian. I’ve got a little rescue, white, fluffy dog.
What’s his name?
His name’s Del Rey, because I used to live in Marina del Rey. That’s when I got him.
Alisha Haridasani Gupta is a Times reporter covering women’s health and health inequities.
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A Cat in Hats: Wackiest Looks at Heidi Klum’s Halloween appeared first on New York Times.
