May 31, 2026Every spring for the past nine years, much of the storytelling energy at 1stDibs has been focused on the 1stDibs 50, our annual online celebration of some of the design universe’s brightest stars. But our robust virtual campaign has always been complemented by a remarkable in-person event. And to mark the launch of our latest iteration earlier this month, we once again hosted a dinner in New York City that brought together honorees from far-flung locales — one of the rare opportunities on the calendar for top talents to assemble in an intimate, elegant setting and be feted and fed, and flattered by their peers and, yes, fans like me.
For this year’s dinner, 1stDibs took over the Waverly Inn, a restaurant in the West Village that is as iconic as it is beloved. Multiple-time honorees — among them such local heroes as David Kleinberg; Damon Liss; and William Sofield and Emma O’Neill, of Studio Sofield — mingled with first-timers like San Francisco’s Catherine Kwong, Miami’s Gregory Santos and Waldo Studio‘s Tom Bartlett and Sasha von Meister, who flew in from London. Old friends reunited. New friends were made.
Adding to this year’s festivities, the honorees, my 1stDibs colleagues and I were joined by team members from Miele and House of Rohl, the 1stDibs 50’s dual presenting sponsors. Specialty martinis, courtesy of Cîroc, set the tone, and I could feel the warmth and energy coursing through the Waverly Inn throughout the night. A beautiful room brimming with comfort and conviviality and lively conversations among design powerhouses: That’s every 1stDibs 50 interior come to life.
