Dolce Vita Knows How to Throw a Party: An Exclusive Look Inside the Brand’s Williamsburg Apartment

Ava: What inspired this concept and how did you make it come to life? 

Sarah: The concept was inspired by our Fall campaign, Designed to Be Lived In. We wanted to take the campaign beyond traditional marketing and create something people could actually step inside and experience. Rather than a traditional pop-up, we envisioned a lived-in residence that felt like an extension of the Dolce Vita woman, bringing together fashion, interiors, art, and community under one roof.

We approached the space as if we were designing someone's home, mixing vintage furniture, curated artwork, and thoughtful details to make it feel both aspirational and approachable. The programming was just as intentional. We wanted to create moments that felt natural to the space, from intimate dinners to community gatherings, giving people different ways to experience the brand.

Our collaborators were an important part of bringing that vision to life. We worked with women across fashion, art, food, and hospitality whose perspectives felt authentic to both Dolce Vita and the Williamsburg community. Julia Mervis starred in our campaign and hosted an intimate dinner, Zoe Johnson brought her take on Sunday Sauce to the Flat, and Shanna Nasiri of local wine bar With Others helped create our wine program. We also incorporated artwork by Gabriela Mifsud throughout the residence. Each collaboration brought something different to the experience, while celebrating the female creatives and local businesses that make the neighborhood so special.

Ava: If the flat had a resident, who is she? What does her weekday look like, what’s her style, and what’s her go-to pair of shoes?

Sarah: She's creative, curious, and has a strong sense of personal style. She's someone who appreciates good design, collects pieces over time, and finds inspiration in the people and places around her. Her weekdays start with coffee at her neighborhood spot, followed by meetings around the city, a stop at her favorite vintage store, and often an impromptu dinner with friends.

Her go-to shoe is a ballet flat or a classic loafer. Something understated but interesting, equally at home with relaxed tailoring, worn-in denim, or an evening look. She's never overly dressed, but always looks considered.

Ava: Which pieces from the collection are your favorites and how are you styling them this fall?

Sarah: Two of my favorite styles from the collection are the Ritla Cap-Toe and the Jazmin. This fall, I'm drawn to playing with proportion, texture, and unexpected color combinations while keeping the overall look quite understated. I love the Ritla with relaxed, oversized tailoring, a beautiful knit, or a pair of worn-in trousers. For the Jazmin, I'd lean into the contrast of something more feminine with structured pieces, like a fluid skirt paired with a boxy jacket or an oversized cashmere sweater. I think the most interesting looks are the ones that feel a little undone, where the shoe adds just enough personality without overpowering the outfit.

Ava: What do you hope women take away from the Flat, both the collaborators and the guests who walk through the door?

Sarah: More than anything, I hope they leave feeling inspired and connected. The Flat is an extension of Dolce Vita as a lifestyle brand, bringing women together through fashion, art, design, and shared experiences. We wanted to create a space that celebrates creativity and encourages genuine connections. Whether someone discovers a new artist, makes a new friend, or leaves feeling inspired to express their own personal style, that's ultimately what we hoped to create: something that stays with people long after they leave.

On my way out, a new pair of burgundy flats in hand, I kept thinking about the little details: the dress form draped in belts and tasseled necklaces, the shoes in every corner, the Polaroids on the counters. It felt less like a brand activation and more like being welcomed into someone’s home. For one month in Williamsburg, Dolce Vita turned its world into a home you could walk into and leave with a little inspiration for your own.