Center City jeweler Henri David, known for creating pieces worn by Stevie Nicks, Elton John, and several other icons, has hosted a legendary Halloween ball each year since 1968 and plans to keep it going, writes Victor Fiorillo for Philadelphia Magazine.

The 57th iteration of the ball will take place at the Kimmel Center.

David will soon be honored at the Woodmere Museum, where a new building will debut a collection celebrating Philadelphia-made jewelry with David as its focal point. The display will include a mannequin dressed in one of his past costumes and adorned with his handcrafted jewelry.

David began hosting his Halloween parties in 1968 after accumulating an impressive collection of outfits from his drag performances and wanting an occasion grand enough to wear them.

“I think I had 300 people the first year,” he said. “I lost my shirt but didn’t care. It wasn’t until the 1980s when it really took hold, where it would be covered by all the news stations and newspapers, and everybody who was anybody was there — gay, straight, or otherwise. Thousands of people.”

As a Philadelphia native who is nearly 80, David also has great perspective on how the city and times have drastically changed over the decades.

Read more about Henri David and his decades-long tradition known as the Halloween ball in Philadelphia Magazine.

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