May 22,1973, was a rainy day, but nothing stops a fashion crowd.

New Yorkers braved the elements and came together 52 years ago to celebrate one of its beloved monuments — the Brooklyn Bridge. The festivities included a fireworks display, a fashion-worthy sit-down dinner, a dose of New York City mischief and a much-needed reprieve from the political fallout of Watergate, which was still unfolding at the time. (The city is again preparing to celebrate in a few days, this time marking its 142nd anniversary).

On Seventh Avenue, designer Donald Brooks hosted an all-male cohort at Bill’s restaurant, a favorite gathering spot for the fashion industry, located on West 40th Street. The exclusive invitation that brought together Calvin Klein, Bill Blass, Scott Barrie, Herbert Kasper and others was extended to welcome one-time Chanel muse Jackie Rogers to Seventh Avenue. Over white wine, shrimp and steak sandwiches, the group shared lively discourse about Rogers menswear collection, barber shops and, of course, fashion.

And the Eye section that day was a nod to All-American designer of the moment, Anne Klein. Klein and her assistant Donna Karan — yes, that Donna — were still garnering praise for the impressive 130-piece fall collection, shown to buyers and the press the day prior.

 “I will never put anything into a collection that I will not enjoy wearing myself,” Klein once famously told WWD.

Klein’s ultra-wearable chic designs, the blouson jacket, the dress (interpreted three ways), the tent-shaped jumper and the satin pajama pant, were standouts from her “Additives” collection, introduced in 1970. The buildable collection of seasonless silhouettes that effortlessly transitioned from day to night was a revolution in the way women curated their wardrobes. Many of the silhouettes have been so successful that they’ve been repeated by brands for decades, remaining the perfect choice for any celebration on the horizon, rain or shine.