New York, October 28, 2008 – “If there was ever a store that is the symbol of a city, it is Macy’s in New York City,” said Mayor Mike Bloomberg at the iconic department store’s 150th anniversary party.  And the city helped celebrate: 34th Street was renamed “R.H. Macy Way”, the Empire State Building was lit in red in honor of the occasion, and citizens turned out for an evening fireworks display in the sky over the store’s Herald Square flagship.  The party at Gotham Hall featured performances by Michael Feinstein and singer Charise, and speeches from the mayor, CEO Terry Lundgren and Sesame Street characters Elmo and Miss Piggy.  Martha Stewart, Jessica Simpson, Eva Mendes, Tommy Hilfiger, Kenneth Cole, Steve Madden, and chefs Todd English, Tyler Florence and Ming Tsai toasted the retail giant. 

New York, October 23, 2008 – Leave it to Donatella Versace to accessorize with superstar style.  One of the designer’s dates for the Fashion Group International Night of Stars, Prince, got there a bit late, so Donatella turned up with Sienna Miller’s plaything, actor Balthazar Getty, on her arm.  Donatella wouldn’t have lacked for dinner conversation – her other dates were Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony.  Signora Versace was one of the fashion luminaries honored at the annual gala. 

Other honorees didn’t slack in the date deparment.  Francisco Costa brought Ashley Olsen, Christopher Bailey dressed Kate Bosworth head to toe in his Burberry designs, and Italian Vogue’s Franca Sozzani walked in with Bernard Henri Levy on her arm. 

Phillippe Starck and Christian Louboutin presented one another with awards in architecture and fashion, respectively.  It was Harvey Weinstein, and not his glamorous wife Georgina Chapman, who received a fashion award at the dinner – he's an owner of the Halston brand, as well as a producer of Project Runway.  “I’m just, like, shocked that I’d get any kind of honor in the world of fashion,” Weinstein said.  He’s not the only one.

Debra Messing, Marcia Gay Harden, Kerry Washington, Julianna Margulies and Blake Lively and Penn Badgley were some of the guest sipping Bellinis at Cipriani Wall Street.

New York, October 22-24, 2008 – Adventurous billionaire Richard Branson’s attempt to sail across the Atlantic Ocean in record time has been scuttled by rough weather.  Branson told CNN that his racing yacht, Virgin Money, had been buffeted by 40-foot waves, and that the boat’s main sail was ripped, so he was forced to call off the expedition. 

Branson and his daughter Holly and son Sam set sail from Manhattan early on Wednesday – in the middle of the night, actually, at 2:15 A.M.  OAN was there at that time.  Branson and his crew pulled up to the dock, and Branson cheerfully unloaded his gear from the car and carried it aboard himself.  Branson set sail in high spirits, and has said he will attempt the crossing again.

New York, October 21, 2008 – Everyone was excited to be in Central Park for the unveiling of Chanel’s Mobile Art Container.  Karl Lagerfeld conceived the idea, and Chanel commissioned renowned Iraqi-born, London-based architect Zaha Hadid to design it.  “I think it’s a great location for something like this,” Lagerfeld told reporters.  “[Hadid’s] work looks good in nature. The shape looks good. I think it’s very beautiful,” the Kaiser added. The container set down in New York after stops in Hong Kong and Tokyo, and it will move on with art exhibits in London, Moscow and Paris.  “It’s exciting to bring it to another city, to another country, to another environment. I think it’s a great, never been done before idea,” Lagerfeld said. 

Padma Lakshmi concurred, saying, “I like Zaha Hadid’s work; she’s a force to be reckoned with.”  And Sarah Jessica Parker, looking chic in Chanel, called the evening a very special moment.  “It’s a wonderful idea,” said Parker.   “Anybody would be a fool not to accept this lovely invitation!” she added.

Blake Lively did not share that sentiment – event organizers kept repeating, over and over, that Lively was on her way from the set of Gossip Girl.  We couldn’t wait any longer, and left the Chanel party shortly after 8:30 PM, and headed downtown to the Us Weekly Hot Hollywood party – and there was Blake!  Maybe she couldn’t resist a rare New York appearance by Zac Efron.

New York, October 20, 2008 – The Whitney may be a museum of American art, but this nice Italian lady, Donatella Versace, hosted the fall gala and studio party, and filled the place up with her famous friends.  Sting sang for the dinner crowd; he noted the day had a special significance for him: it was thirty years ago to the day that he first came to New York City.  He ended his set with “Every Breath You Take.” 

Ms. Versace was on the arm of her current spokesmodel, Grey’s Anatomy star Patrick Dempsey; and that’s quite an arm – Dr. McDreamy is even dreamier in person.  Dempsey has enjoyed his stint as the face of Versace.  “I’ve had a great time all year, and we have one more shoot left, and it’s been, uh, a tremendous honor,” McDreamy told us.  “The clothes fit beautifully,” he added.  (They sure fit him well!)

Donatella also graciously clothed everyone; Christina Ricci, Emma Roberts, Helena Christensen, Becki Newton and, of course, Mariah Carey, were all draped in Versace.  Julian Schnabel even wore a tuxedo instead of his usual pajama getup – but he didn’t reveal the label.  Donatella’s daughter, Allegra Beck, attends Brown University, so she took a break from her studies to take in the glamorous evening. 

New York, October 15, 2008 – Hennessy brought its 2008 artistry series to a close on Wednesday with a huge blowout in New York City.  Curator Ne-Yo joined Fabolous and British sensation Leona Lewis on the stage at Gotham Hall, which was so packed that the police closed the doors at various times throughout the evening.  But that didn’t stop the music, and waiters bearing trays of Hennessy cocktails waded through the crowd without spills.  Fabolous told us that he likes to draw, and that he actually studied art before becoming a singer.  Several athletes, including Stephon Marbury, Abram Elam and Olympic gold medalist Sanya Richards, admitted that their musical gifts are limited to singing in the shower.  Brooke Shields arrived late, and somehow found her Lipstick Jungle co-star Lindsay Price in the crowd.  Cute couple Diane Kruger and Joshua Jackson were relaxed and and chatting with everyone. We spotted Ludacris, Usher, Cedric the Entertainer, Rosie Perez and Erika Christnsen at the show.