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PAGE SIX EXCLUSIVE: Miranda Priestly & Andy Sachs Step Out of the St. Regis — Just Lunch, or Something More?
Has New York fashion’s iciest icon finally thawed?
The New York rumor mill is in overdrive after notoriously private Runway editor-in-chief Miranda Priestly was spotted emerging from Manhattan’s St. Regis Hotel alongside none other than former assistant-turned-journalist Andrea “Andy” Sachs — the former assistant whose whirlwind tenure at Runway became something of fashion folklore — and according to eagle-eyed onlookers, this did not look like business as usual.
The sighting marks the second time in less than a week that Priestly, quietly terrifying queen of couture and patron saint of perfectionism, has been seen in unusually close company with Sachs. Eyebrows first shot up Sunday when the pair were seen lingering over what witnesses described as an “unusually cozy” brunch at the River Café in Brooklyn, marking their first public outing together in nearly three years.
“Miranda Priestly does not linger,” one diner told us. “She usually moves like everyone around her is late. But this? She seemed… relaxed.”
Yesterday’s sighting — their second in a matter of days — has Manhattan’s fashion set positively vibrating.
The pair have reportedly not been publicly seen together since a Manhattan soirée celebrating designer James Holt’s spring collection nearly three years ago — an event Sachs later covered for The Mirror in what fashion insiders begrudgingly admitted was “surprisingly good” reporting for a society piece.
For the uninitiated: Sachs was once Priestly’s famously overwhelmed assistant, surviving the cutthroat halls of Runway for a solid eight months before making a dramatic exit during Paris Fashion Week — punctuated, legend has it, by tossing her company phone into a fountain and vanishing into a life of “real journalism,” leaving Priestly stunned.
And yet, in an unexpected twist for anyone familiar with Priestly’s famously unforgiving reputation, Sachs was never blacklisted.
Now, after years apart, the duo appear closer than ever.
Witnesses tell Page Six the pair exited the St. Regis Thursday afternoon after what appeared to be a leisurely late lunch, tarried on the hotel steps longer than expected “deep in conversation,” dressed with their usual impossible polish. Priestly, inscrutable behind oversized sunglasses, appeared noticeably relaxed, while Sachs — now a rising reporter at The Mirror — was seen laughing at something the fashion queen said before the pair departed hand-in-hand.
Hand-in-hand.
“Yes, people noticed,” one amused hotel guest told us. “Miranda Priestly doesn’t exactly do casual.”
Naturally, speculation exploded.
The sighting has left fashion insiders asking the question no one ever thought they’d ask: Has the Ice Queen finally met her match?
“She trusts very few people,” one longtime industry insider said. “Andy always seemed… different.”
Now, their sudden reappearance together — twice in one week, no less — has sparked feverish whispers throughout New York’s fashion set.
Is Priestly mentoring Sachs again? Rekindling an unlikely friendship? Or has fashion’s most formidable editor finally met the one person capable of disarming her famously glacial exterior?
In an industry fueled by whispers, perfectly tailored coats, and impossible standards, this pairing may be the season’s most unexpected headline. One thing is certain: in a city fueled by whispered secrets, black town cars, and impossibly expensive outerwear, no lunch at the St. Regis is ever just lunch.
Watch this space.
***
Andy sighs as she reads the article. She had got up early with Miranda to spend some time with her Mate even though she was going over The Book and the paper arrived before Miranda was done, giving Andy time to peruse the possible damage before the Editor.
While the photo of them is flattering and it was not completely obvious what they had been up to prior, the article itself meant that they would have to be dodging the paparazzi now, too. Thankfully, she isn’t at work to witness the mobbing of The Mirror. She has a feeling she is going to hear from Greg before the day is out.
Miranda closes The Book next to her, putting it aside and holds her hand out for the paper. “Well? How bad is it?”
“Surprisingly, not as bad as it could have been.” Andy grimaces as she hands it over.
Miranda looks it over before tossing it on the table next to The Book. “Delightful picture at least.” She comments. “Oh well, what’s done is done.” She looks over at Andy, who is sitting there chewing her thumb nail. “It will be fine, Andrèa.” She pulls the thumb gently away from the brunette’s mouth. “None of that. We’ll just stick to the company line and let them make their own assumptions. It will die down eventually.” Miranda was not worried in the slightest. She has already prepped Leslie and knows the woman will do her job.
They hear a patter of tell tale feet coming down the stairs and they both cannot help but smile as Ciri bursts into the room, rushing at them and squeezing in between them on the sofa.
“Mawning Mamas!” The tot says as she snuggles against Miranda yawning, reaching her hand over to rest against Andy. “Ciri comes to Wunway today pease.” She looks beseechingly up at Miranda. Miranda and Andy glance at each other warily, the idea of allowing their daughter out of the house not one to be taken lightly, especially after the attacks and now the article. Andy shrugs at Miranda, indicating it was her choice. They would both be at Runway anyway bar the time Andy would be collecting Caoimhe from the airport.
Andy reaches across and brushes Ciri’s fringe from her eyes. “Why do you need to be at Runway, lovebug?” She asks softly.
“Cuz Mama. Faiwy happenings today. Mama knows.”
“Well, I guess that settles it.” Miranda chuckles softly. “She is meant to be there or she wouldn’t know about it. The wards are strong enough to keep out any incursions and we have several members of the Clan working there.” They hadn’t told the girls about Andy’s heritage, and Ciri had not brought up witnessing her Mama grow wings during the attack at Emily's. “She can stay with me while you collect Caoimhe though.”
Andy wants to argue. She is completely aware of just how busy Miranda is right now. Miranda presses two fingers against Andy’s lips, silencing her before she can begin as she quickly proposes an alternative arrangement to still keep Ciri at Runway, a smirk appears as she watches Andrèa’s pupils dilate and her lids droop to half mast at the move. “She will be safer at Runway than at the airport. Cara can come to Runway for the couple of hours it will take you to retrieve Caoimhe and leave from there to collect the twins, if it would make you feel better knowing she is not distracting me.” She leans across her daughter to press a soft kiss to Andy’s lips. “Thank you my darling, for considering the magazine.” Miranda marvels, again, at just how different this relationship is in comparison to her previous ones.
Cara agrees to the arrangements without question and sees all the members of the household off at the appropriate times, promising to join the women at Runway before Andy has to leave to collect her Aunt.
For once, everything runs smoothly and Andy is giving Miranda a kiss goodbye at eleven, having relinquished her daughter into Cara’s care. Cara will attend the Runway daycare with Ciri for the two or so hours Andy is gone, allowing her to make some new friends while still being under the watchful supervision of someone Miranda knows and trusts.
***
The ride to La Guardia takes longer than normal but Andy keeps herself occupied talking with Roy about a training schedule and what they would be working on. It passes the time quicker than expected and stops her getting nervous about meeting her aunt. When they pull up Roy tells her he’ll circle a few times and just let him know when to pull in. Andy thanks him and makes her way into the terminal.
She makes it to the right waiting lounge just in time for the flight to be announced and then she is wondering how she would know her aunt, and perhaps she should have brought a sign or something. It turns out to be unnecessary when an older couple of ladies who look like they are barely older than Miranda walk up to her and one of them queries softly, “Andy?”
Andy nods.
The one who spoke nods to herself and as her whole face lights up Andy can see traces of her grandfather in her features. “Oh, my dear,” Caoimhe says. “You look just like how I remember my mother when I was a child.”
Andy laughs a little before going with what her instincts are telling her and pulls the older woman in for a hug. “Welcome to New York, Caoimhe.”
The older woman returns the hug before pulling away, grasping for the hand of the other woman and pulling her forward. “This is Aine. My partner.” Her mocha coloured eyes twinkle fondly at the woman she is introducing to her niece.
Andy knows that look, sees it often in the mirror when she’s thinking about Miranda. Oh, she thinks, that would explain her expulsion from the family and she smiles widely at Aine. Apparently, Andy had just found herself with another new aunt, especially if they have been together as long as she suspects. “It’s lovely to meet you. I’m glad you could join Caoimhe.”
“You too.” Aine replies with a tentative smile.
Andy looks back over at Caoimhe, her own smile still in place. Caoimhe is slightly nervous, Andy can see it in her eyes but is trying not to show it. “You’ll be able to meet my partner once we get out of here. She had to stay at work. Her print deadline for the month is coming up at the end of this week.”
The comment relaxes the pair more than anything else and they both smile back at her. “C’mon. Let’s get your luggage. We can figure out what to do once we’re in the car. I’m sure you’re both tired and whatever you need to tell me can wait if you want to rest before we start getting into it.” She leads them off to baggage claim.
***
Once they’re in the car and on their way to drop off the luggage at the hotel the older women had booked before continuing on to Runway as was their choice, Caoimhe leans over and whispers in Andy's ear. “Your driver is an elf, did you know?”
Andy gasps at her, before glancing at Roy who smiles at her in the rear view. He continues to smile at her, and gives her a nod, letting her know it’s okay to discuss it. They had spoken on the way to the airport why Caoimhe was coming.
Andy chuckles for a second, before looking back at her aunt. “Yes, I know. The old man over there,”
“Oi!” Roy shakes his head at her and laughs. “Just because you’re still a wee babe, respect your elders.” They all have a chuckle at that.
Andy continues. “I only found out about Roy on Sunday. There was a slight altercation when I collected our daughter from her aunts after a sleepover. Roy stepped in to help.” She didn’t elaborate too much. She didn’t want to scare the older women, and besides, she knew she still hadn’t processed it well herself and isn’t ready to discuss it with anyone yet, not even Miranda. “I should probably prepare you ahead of time, especially given you were able to pick Roy immediately. We’re headed to Runway magazine, my partner is the EIC there. The building is warded to kingdom come, and there are a lot of other… um… otherworldly folk who work there.”
Caoimhe reaches over and pats her on the arm. “It’s alright, dear. We came to New York expecting almost anything. Would I be correct in assuming your partner is also not quite human?”
Andy nods, relieved. “There’s so much to cover, I think. I’ve only been aware now for a couple of weeks and only on the weekend found out I am Fae. So far, it’s been extremely chaotic and we’ve barely had a moment to breathe.”
Caoimhe nods in understanding. “I remember. I had a similar few months when I first realized I was Fae. I’m glad you have people to help you through it.”
“Oh yes, Miranda has been extremely supportive and helpful. It probably helps that she is a Dragon.”
Both Caoimhe’s and Aine’s jaws drop. “She’s a what now?” Her aunt asks quietly, not sure she heard her niece correctly. She shakes her head to clear it. “Did you just say your partner is a Dragon?”
“Um… yes.” Andy responds tentatively, unsure of what to make of her aunts’ reactions. “We also have a daughter together.” Best to get it all out because there’s going to be a hell of a lot more surprises to follow, right?
“Oh.” Is all Caoimhe could reply as she tries to process this information and what it means and how it is connected to what she knows. The older Fae realises she has entered a whole different ball game than what she previously assumed. This was not going to be as simple as just introducing her niece to her heritage. For the first time in many years, Caoimhe’s life just got a whole lot more complicated.