Interview: BABËL New York, The Creative Team That's Bringing Magic Back To Nightlife

Picture New York City, 1965: Edie Sedgwick, Mick Jagger, and Lou Reed running around Andy Warhol's silver-flecked Factory. New York City, 1977: Bianca Jagger riding into Studio 54 on a white horse for her 30th birthday. New York City, 1995: Legendary club kids Michael Alig and James St. James turning tunnels and churches into party sanctuaries. Now picture New York City, 2014. Needless to say, the "models," bottles, and button-up promoters don't quite live up to their nightlife predecessors; which is exactly what prompted the launch of BABËL New York. The creative collective, led by international nightlife veterans, Waël Mechri-Yver and Juriël Zeligman, has spent the past year putting the magic back into the city's soirée scene, throwing unforgettable parties with eclectic guest lists and otherworldly ambiance.

Creating a cultural community reminiscent of the creative scenes of The Factory and Studio 54, BABËL focuses on uniting various nightlife tribes from the worlds of art, music, and fashion in order to produce truly unique experiences at some of the city's most exclusive venues. With residencies at the Bowery Hotel and Mondrian Soho this summer, BABËL is a fête force to be reckoned with. We caught up with Waël and the team to talk their nightlife revival, inspirations, and plans for future magic.

[Interview by Stephanie Maida] [Photos by Wendy Ploger]