Gigi Hadid turned 23 on the 23rd yesterday, making it her lucky "golden" birthday—and giving her the most lavish theme to run with at her New York City party that night. Gigi left with Bella Hadid, and paparazzi photographed them together in their best going-out birthday looks. (They did the same thing for Bella Hadid's birthday back in October.) Gigi wore a glitzy gold Atelier Versace dress and makeup; Bella matched in leopard because it's important to show sister solidarity without upstaging.
Paps seemed to be stationed at Gigi's place for a good portion of the afternoon. They photographed a man struggling to carry a "Gigi" rose arrangement into her building. They also caught Bella entering the place with the most extra gold-wrapped gift.
Bella additionally gave the gift of an Instagram tribute with an essay caption about how great Gigi is. She wrote: "23 years ago the world was blessed with a little angel. Best friends since the moment you held me in the delivery room! You’ve been waiting for this day for your whole life...23!!!! Golden ! Just like u! At least once a day, I think and wonder how I got so lucky to have you as a sister. To have someone to teach me as I grow, to love me as I am, and to be together for every step of the way. I look at photos and watch videos of us growing up, and it just makes me smile/ 😭 because I know that I’d never be able to do this life without you. Nothing would be the same !!!! You are my comfort blanket, my idol, my confidant, my built in best friend, and, of course, the best gift @yolanda.hadid and @mohamedhadid have ever given me... You too cheeto @anwarhadid ❤️ I am so proud of the woman you are, the ideas you have, the strength you have built, and the love you radiate. Thank you for being YOU!!! When you are truly you, no one can stop you!!!!! I love you more than you’ll ever know ! There is no one I would rather spend this life with. My Forever muse and bfff(and ever and ever and ever) My sissy pantelones, The ONE!!!! I love you. @gigihadid"
Olivia Culpo, Hailey Baldwin, Joan Smalls, Martha Hunt, Lily Aldridge, Gigi's brother Anwar Hadid, and his girlfriend Nicola Peltz were photographed arriving at the Brooklyn Heights Social Club at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge where Gigi's party was held (because yes, they did the exceptional and traveled to a different borough to celebrate). Cara Delevingne was also there, Instagram stories from the night revealed.
Gigi's cake was a gold jersey, and Gigi also, understandably, switched from her skin-tight gold dress to gold-embellished sweats before blowing the candles out. Comfort really is always the right choice.
Gigi's half-sister Alana Hadid documented the night pretty thoroughly on her Instagram and revealed that Gigi had a photo booth, a custom gold-themed party filter, and a "23" manicure. Of course she did.
Missing from the party was Gigi's ex Zayn Malik, who was photographed at her apartment last week visiting (sparking probably-false reconciliation rumors among tabloids), and Kendall Jenner, who devoted four Instagram stories to talking about how she misses Gigi and darnit, Gigi, come back to her:
