New York, May 28, 2009 – Despite rain and fog, partygoers packed the rooftop of the Palace Hotel in midtown Manhattan shortly after 9:00 P.M. to witness the official lighting of the electric Burberry sign across the street, atop the fashion house’s new U.S. headquarters.   The Burberry sign became a part of the New York City skyline since the building at 444 Madison Avenue is one of only a few in the city zoned for such.

And so the rock band One Night Only blasted music as guests like Orlando Bloom, Claire Danes and Hugh Dancy, Harry Connick Jr., Carla Gugino and Rose McGowan happily danced in the rain on the rooftop terrace.  Bloom laughed when we asked him a question.  “I can’t hear you,” he shouted.  “Honestly, I’m like, partially deaf.”   

Blake Lively, Penn Badgley and Justin Long arrived late, made a quick circle at the packed party and then decamped to the hotel’s restaurant for dinner. 

Burberry creative director Christopher Bailey had sole discretion over how the sign would look.  “Nobody’s allowed to have a choice,” CEO Angela Ahrendts said firmly.  “[Christopher] controls everything the consumer sees.  As far as the brand is concerned, he can have whatever he wants,” she said.