Taylor Swift Squeezes Close Pal Ashley Avignone Tight While Celebrating Designer’s Birthday in Sweet New Photo

Taylor Swift is celebrating one of her oldest friends!

The pop superstar’s night out in New York City on Saturday, Dec. 28 was not just a date night for herself and boyfriend Travis Kelce, it was also a celebration for designer and stylist Ashley Avignone, a longtime member of Swift’s inner circle.

The 14-time Grammy winner, 35, marked her close friend’s special day at Chez Margaux, an exclusive members club in the Meatpacking District, with a friendly embrace, some celebratory photos and, of course, a birthday cake, the designer revealed on Instagram.

Backdropped by animal-print pillows and seats, the singer and the stylist squeezed each other tightly for a sweet photo, which Avignone used to kick off her birthday post.

Related: Taylor Swift's Surprise Eras Party Included Everything from Tour's 'Willow' Capes to the Viral Cleaning Cart

Elsewhere in the post, the designer showcased her sprinkle-covered cake, which was both funky and funny, poking fun at the stylist’s age with frosting that read: “Ash is 25 (again).” Joking about the message on her Instagram Stories, she added, “Who’s counting?”

In one shot, Avignone prepared to blow out a candle on the colorful confection and in another, she showed the sweet treat up close.

“Happy birthday to me,” she captioned her birthday post, adding, “Emphasis on the *happy* 😆.”

Related: Every Celebrity Who's Been to Taylor Swift's Rhode Island Home Through the Years

Swift and Avignone have been friends for 16 years, according to the designer, who wrote, “30 years of life for you, 11 years of friendship for us," while celebrating Swift's 30th birthday in 2019.

“Thanks for being the bestest friend, listener, dance party-starter, story teller, haircut enthusiast, with the biggest, warmest and most generous heart,” the 2019 birthday message continued. “Happy Birthday Tay!! Love you to pieces ❤️.”

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The duo first met through another one of Swift’s good friends, actress Emma Stone. In 2010, Swift and Avignone supported Stone, 36, at the premiere of her breakout movie Easy A, and later accompanied her to the 2011 Vanity Fair Oscar party.

Avignone has since been with Swift for several major moments, from the singer’s “22” music video to her iconic 2023 Independence Day party.

She has also accompanied her to several Kansas City Chiefs games to cheer on the pop star's tight end boyfriend, Kelce. The two pals are also responsible for one of Swift’s most iconic Chiefs game moments.

Related: Travis Kelce Pulled Off Taylor Swift's Surprise Eras-Themed Party by Making a Stealthy Outfit Change

At the 2024 Super Bowl, as Swift and Avignone were rooting for the Chiefs as they went up against the San Francisco 49ers, the jumbotron panned to them as they both chugged their drinks.

More recently, Avignone supported Swift at her own birthday party, a surprise, Eras Tour-themed bash thrown by none other than Kelce.

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