photo by Ryan BurkeIn our brand-new column, "The Coolest Person In the Room," we're asking our favorite nightlife pros (hosts, DJs, door people, promoters, bar/club owners, club kids, bartenders, socialites) to tell us about who they think is the one party person whose look is always on point, whose energy is contagious, and whose scene is worth checking out -- basically, that person at the club who they've got their eye on and think we all should know. In each installment, the previous "coolest person in the room" will pass the baton and nominate someone else.
To kick things off, we decided to feature one of our all-time favorites and a 'Coolest Person In the Room' par excellence, Ladyfag. The hostess hardly needs any introduction so suffice to say that whether you're catching her throwing one of her regular parties like SHADE, 11:11 or Holy Mountain, presiding over her Pop Souk market or popping up on Riccardo Tisci's Instagram, Lady makes New York sparkle a little brighter. Below, she nominates the inaugural "Coolest Person In the Room,"Domonique Echeverria.
Tell us about Domonique.
Domonique Echeverria is one of my favorite nightlife creatures in this city -- she's a party hostess extraordinaire and designs fabulous clothes not only for herself, but lots of nightlife folk (including me!). She's basically a nightlife fairy spreading love and good vibes wherever she goes and when she walks in the room, everyone feels it.
When was the first time you ever her?
She moved here a few years ago, and Michael Magnan, who's my DJ sidekick, was like, "you have to meet this girl Domonique, you will fall in love." He was right. We're born on the same day, so the minute I met her it all made sense. We actually gave her her first gig guest hosting at my old Family Function party a few days after she moved here. She now runs this town like a magical Mother Hen, with all her boys following her everywhere she goes!
What makes her unique?
She's the real deal. She loves nightlife and really cares about people and in turn they trust and love her back. Her energy is contagious. Her looks are always next level. She's hilarious and keeps us all laughing. Her promo style is her just ranting honestly, which is what it makes it sooooo amazing: "I'm PMS'ing. Can someone come to 11:11 & bring me weed & chocolate?!" I could go on and on, but I think what is really telling is the fact that in this scene full of catty queens, I have still yet to meet a Domonique naysayer...everyone loves her! Also, she has the best ass in the business. It's so big and voluptuous, it hosts the party on it's own -- seriously!
What's your favorite memory of Domonique?
I'm sitting here laughing at all these crazy Domonique memories. Unfortunately they are seriously too scandalous even for Paper -- but just ask her, she's notoriously honest. You get more then you bargained for with Domonique, and that's a deal with the devil I happily would make.
