Fashion Archives

New York, 17 June 2008 – This year’s Whitney Art Party outdid itself, with a torrent of celebrities, art-world luminaries and fashion designers streaming into the Skylight Studios, downtown in trendy Shnot.  A burst of flashbulbs went off while we were chatting with Spider-Man star James Franco – first daughter Barbara Bush had arrived.  Sean Lennon, Monique L’Hullier, newlyweds Eli Manning and Abby McGraw, Sean Avery and Ivanka Trump were just a few of the other notable folks at the party. 

Many of the female guests wore the Herve Leger bandage dresses that Max Azria, the evening’s sponsor, revived – and they all pulled off the form-fitting frocks sensationally. Rocking a short white bandage dress, Rachel Bilson told us what she’d been up to while in New York – shopping in the meatpacking district that afternoon.   Gossip Girl star Michelle Trachtenberg talked up her line of jewelry, called Bella Veritas, that she makes on her dining room table.  “It’s all handmade by me, one of a kind pieces.  It just sort of started out as fun gifts for my friends and it escalated into we should sell this in stores”, she tells us. 

Eva Amurri collects black and white photographs, but has not worked up the courage to bid at a live art auction.  “I’d be too scared to, like I’d put my hand up when I wasn’t sure”, she said as she made her way through the cavernous space, eyeing possible acquisitions – this was a silent auction, after all.

New York, June 4, 2008 – The folks at La Mer celebrated World Ocean Day in style, hosting a bash for Oceana, the world’s largest ocean conservation advocacy group.  True, the gala was at Rockefeller Center in Manhattan rather than at the shore, but in the city, they managed to pull in Michelle Trachtenberg, Alek Wek and Rosario Dawson, who showed off her new boyfriend, Mathieu Schreyer, who DJs in Los Angeles under the moniker Mr. French.  Dawson seemed really happy – beaming, actually – but demurred when we asked the two to pose together for a photo.  So, we snapped the lovebirds separately.  Amber Valletta and Ted Danson joined the throng; both are Oceana spokespersons.  Danson looked dashing sporting a short beard that matched his white hair. 

Photos: Caroline Torem-Craig

New York, June 2, 2008 – We got confused when we arrived at the the New York Public Library for this year’s Council of Fashion Designers Awards and it was deserted!  Turns out, they moved the entrance to the other side of the building, in Bryant Park.  Well, fashion thrives on change, right? 

Eva Mendes says that she only made the change to Calvin Klein once Francisco Costa came into the picture at the design house.  (Wait, it wasn’t because they hired her to be the face of the brand’s products?  Go figure.) 

Sean Avery recently made a fashionable change, from professional ice hockey player to intern at Vogue magazine.  “Everything’s going good!” Avery said at the CFDA gala.  “I’m not allowed to talk about it too much, but it’s fun and I’m having a good time. I’m learning so much.  I haven’t had to get anyone coffee yet!”  It’s only been a couple of weeks, so Avery hasn’t been made over by the fashionistas yet, Devil Wears Prada-style.  “I kind of just like to go on my own individual thing”, he says of his style.  “I don’t really take well to tips at this point, but maybe I’m becoming a little bit more open-minded.” 

Tom Ford merely shrugged when asked if he’s going to bring out a line of clothing for women, but he’ll look to the just-deceased Yves St. Laurent for inspiration.  “He really created an aesthetic for women that’s still very much in line today.  It was hardwired into my own design aesthetic. I’m very sad that he’s no longer with us”, Ford said.

New York, May 15, 2008 – Surfing legend Laird Hamilton boarded a boat at dawn on Thursday and sailed into New York Harbor, with the intent of surfing around the Statue of Liberty.  However, the waters around Lady Liberty proved wave-free, so Hamilton stood on his surfboard and paddled instead, no doubt thankful that he did not fall into the murky New York waterway.   The stunt launched “Wonderwall”, Hamilton’s new line of skate and surfwear with discount apparel chain Steve & Barry’s.

Along for the ride were Hamilton’s wife, pro volleyball player Gabrielle Reece and their daughters Reece Viola, age 4, and Brody Jo, four months.