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 ... Read More

October has been a busy month for designer Naeem Khan. He spent the first two weeks in India, designing a wedding dress for the December San Francisco nuptials of Google Vice President Marissa Mayer. His return stateside has found him no less busy. On October 13th, he played host to a bevy of his favorite women to kickoff the Alzheimer's Association Rita Hayworth Gala at his new boutique in Saks Fifth Avenue.

Muffie Potter Aston, Andrea Stark, Hilary and Bryant Gumbel, Somers Farkas, Gala Chair Alexandra Lebenthal, and Gala founder Yasmin Aga Khan were among the ladies who toasted the designer and the charity. "I love these women," gushed Khan, who has been involved with the Gala for over 5 years and counts Aga Khan as one of his "best friends." The event, themed "So Near & Yet So Far," will take place this Tuesday in the Waldorf=Astoria Grand Ballroom.

As ... Read More

Movies were the most popular form of escapism during the Great Depression. So, it was only appropriate in these oft-discussed challenging economic times, that three of our most celebrated interior designers have found inspiration in the world of cinema.

Last Tuesday, Gilt Groupe partnered with the Hearst Corporation to host the third annual Designer Visions program at the brand new Soho Mews townhouses. Hundreds of guests, the likes of Jonathan Adler, Sela Ward, Pamela Fiori, Lloyd Boston, Douglas Hannant, Frederick Anderson, and Christian Leone, held court in the central garden whilst perusing and admiring each of the three cinema-inspired townhouses.

They were all quite different, really. Thom Filicia collaborated with House Beautiful to create a modern, warm, and, ultimately, inviting home that was inspired by the 80s classic "The Big Chill." The closet was filled with Gilt clothing and accessories and, as in all of the townhouse models, a large flatscreen projected ... Read More

PLUS: “Quest” Toasts "The Trump Card"

"I went through 98 years of L.L. Bean history, archives, and catalogues and cherry-picked references that were relevant for today's girl and today's guy," said Bean Signature Creative Director Alex Carleton at the preview party for his Spring '10 collection last Tuesday.

The Cape Cod and Boston native, who has lived in Maine for the past 11 years, "grew up wearing L.L. Bean and it is a brand that is close to my heart and has always been part of my vocabulary." It is only natural, then, that the Rogues Gallery founder was chosen to oversee creative direction on the iconic brand's new Signature Collection. At 98 years, L.L. Bean is on the eve of its centennial. Nonetheless, Carleton "did not want this to be a vintage brand. I needed [the collection] to work for today."

To that end, there are plenty of great new classics, ... Read More

"The only thing I am wearing tonight that is manufactured in the USA is my underwear," declared "Schmatta" producer Sheila Nevins to an audience of fashion designers and insiders, including Anna Sui, Nanette Lepore, and Mickey Boardman. Bold a statement though that may be, it set the tone perfectly for Emmy Award winner Marc Levin's documentary, that premieres Monday, October 19th at 9pm. The eye-opening documentary depicts a bygone era (perfectly captured by George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue"), where the garment industry was not only the largest single employer in New York City, but also provided an opportunity for immigrants (mostly of Jewish and Italian descent) to hone their craft and create their own middle class. To quote former CFDA president Stan Herman, "the garment district was a community and felt like a small town" and the Garment Unions helped foster this feeling of camaraderie.

However, with each succeeding decade, cheaper ... Read More

DONALD, MELANIA and FRIENDS TOAST the AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION -- WITH a LITTLE HELP FROM GRAFF and MICHAEL KORS

"Remember, red wine is best for your heart, but all liquor will help raise your HDLs," said Mount Sinai Hospital's Mary Ann McLaughlin to an audience of American Heart Association friends and supporters the likes of Douglas Hannant, Frederick Anderson, Felicia Taylor and Campion Platt. And with that mandate, the official kickoff to the 55th Annual Palm Beach Heart Ball had begun.

Hosts Andrea and John Stark graciously welcomed guests to their stunning midtown penthouse in celebration of the occasion. Honored were co-chairs Petra Levin, Melania Trump and, of course, The Donald himself, who received a special thank you for giving the lead $100,000 gift to reach the Heart Ball's $2 million fundraising goal.

For Andrea Stark, the festivities were joyous, but also slightly bittersweet: "I became involved in the American Heart Association ... Read More

Entrepreneur and philanthropist Kipton Cronkite has carved more than a niche for himself over the past several years. In 2002, he founded KiptonART, a private establishment dedicated to promoting up-and-coming artists to the ultimate tastemakers and influencers in art, entertainment, society, and business. These past few years have seen both Kipton and his organization cut a swathe through virtually all mediums, promoting not only artists but also musicians, filmmakers, and fashion designers.

Hollywood actors, international socialites, and cultural dignitaries flock to Kipton's coveted showings, that are held either at private residences or in conjunction with uber-luxury brands, such as Asprey, Van Cleef and Arpels, and LVMH. It should be noted that, in the midst of all of these accomplishments, Mr. Cronkite also had a day job as Director and Head of Investor Relations for Bank of America's Alternative Investment Advisors division. Whew! I guess this is what they like to call ... Read More

I was probably more sympathetic than most who read about Mischa Barton's alleged red-carpet mix up at last week's Metropolitan Opera gala. The thing is, even for this native New Yorker, Lincoln Center often throws me for a loop, specifically when there are two events happening at once.

A couple of years ago, on my way to a benefit for The School of American Ballet, I lost my bearings somewhat. I eyed a festive looking crowd across the way at the Metropolitan Opera House. But, when I looked to my left at the New York State Theatre where the SAB fundraisers are regularly held, I saw no one. Perplexed, I wandered toward the Met. Perhaps the SAB had decided to move their event to a different venue? No, they had not, as it turned out. Upon realizing that I had nearly waltzed into the wrong party, I headed back to the ... Read More