With the Standard and now the latest hotspot SL Lounge, it looks like the Meatpacking district is regaining much of its scenester cred. The former Lotus club has been fully revamped (complete with chic eatery Abe & Arthur's upstairs)and last Thursday, played host to Interview Magazine's annual Masquerade Ball.

But first, a pre-party was to be had. Hostess Fabiola Bercasa, dressed in a full length black and red gown that she deemed "Russian princess by way of Tim Burton," welcomed Sophia Lamar, Genevieve Jones, Eugene Remm, Scott Buccheit, and Interview's Susan Kilkenny to Milk Studios(450 W 15th St NYC 10011 (212) 645-2797) for the proper preparation. The VIPs glammed up for the main event with the help of MAC makeup artists and Alex and Ani jewelry, whilst sipping specialty concoctions created exclusively for the event by Stoli.

Once sufficiently adorned for a night on the town, guests proceeded one block south to SL, where talk turned quickly to what has now become "Halloween week." For many, the notion of celebrating Halloween on a Saturday night in New York is more than a little daunting. Not surprisingly, most of the celebrations are coming early. Kipton Cronkite, who will be out of town on the day-of, plans to do his fete-ing (and dressing up!) at the Central Park Conservancy Ball this Tuesday. Scott Buccheit will be hosting a night-before cum birthday party at ping-pong mecca SPiN. As for the hostess herself? She has big plans for Allison Sarofim's annual Halloween bash, that likewise will be held pre-holiday. But, don't ask her to reveal her costume just yet: She is still keeping those details under wraps. If her Thursday showstopper was any indication, it should be well worth the surprise!



Mark Birnbaum, Aimee Ruby and Scott Buccheit



Scott Sartiano and Allie Rizzo



Carly Cushnie, Christian Cota and Michelle Ochs



Genevieve Jones, Keegan Singh and Fabiola Beracasa