May 22-23 – Rosie had powerful friends, as evidenced by the first annual NEMO benefit for lymphoma research. House of Field designer David Dalrymple explained, after showing his Fall 2003 collection: “Rosie was the hostess over at Beige, Eric Conrad’s [fashion-world-heavy] Tuesday night party at Bowery Bar. And she was like a living fashion icon, such a genius and such an inspiration always. So it just seemed perfectly fitting, and I know she would have loved it. “ After Rosie succumbed to lymphoma, Dalrymple said, “When we all felt so helpless, this was a way to kick in, raise some money.” Patricia Field added, “I loved Rosie, she was a gem.” The bash at Roxy featured performances by the bands Luna and very of-the-moment Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Famous for their highly theatrical performances, Yeahs drummer Brian Chase took the night off, so vocalist Karen*O and guitarist Nick Zinner did a low-key set. All that plus food from Nobu.

Newsflash! We caught Anna Wintour wearing a cheap synthetic gown! At the Fashion Institute of Technology's graduation ceremony, the ever-chic Vogue editor in chief told the 2,600 graduates that the fashion business has become a global force, and that they are heading into a very different industry than the one she entered 30-odd years ago. “I didn’t go to fashion school, I didn’t even go to college. When I was your age, fashion magazines were widely regarded by mothers as finishing schools for girls of a certain background. Interest in fashion was limited to a very small section of society", she said in her commencement address. 1963 FIT graduate Calvin Klein received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree. His advice to budding designers: "Be inspired, and be fearless."