Stop and Shop

Store parties aren’t necessarily the most glamorous affairs on the continuum of social commitments. Unless, that is, the store belongs to a high-wattage house like Tod’s, which can lure names like Ewan McGregor and Baz Luhrmann on a party-packed Fashion Week night. Monday evening, the brand’s President and CEO Diego Della Valle celebrated the reopening of their renovated Madison Avenue store with cocktails and an obligatory perusing of the candy-colored driving shoes followed by dinner at Le Bilboquet.

As the statuesque actresses Uma Thurman and Nicole Kidman glided through the bar area, the question of personal—and Hollywood—style was an inevitable topic. “A lot of my choices are just, yes, I like that; no, I don’t like that. It’s the same way I choose films: very spontaneous,” offered Kidman, who is off to London in a month to shoot “The Genius” with Colin Firth, Jude Law and Laura Linney. “I suppose I’ve reached a stage of my own distinctive style, which doesn’t change with what’s cool. Comfort is a huge part of it.”

According to Alessandra Facchinetti, the new-ish creative director of women’s collections at the luxury label, Kidman can find plenty to satisfy that need in the Tod’s repertoire. “The good thing about Tod’s is they can wear it every day or maybe for a cocktail dinner like we’re having now. It’s not really a red carpet story,” said the designer. “They can be more relaxed and just enjoy life.”

Of course, at the end of the day, personal style is more than just a great dress or sumptuous pair of shoes. “It’s not a piece or a bag; it’s the attitude,” said Della Valle. “The charming attitude is the most elegant thing.”