Blog

It Takes a Village

2010-03-09T05:52:10Z

Twenty-five chefs from restaurants around Greenwich Village and scattered locations around the city pulled out all of the stops last night at a benefit for Greenwich House. The event, held at the Altman Building, on West 18th Street, brought together eateries including Commerce, The Little Owl, Perilla, Market Table and Braeburn.

Greenwich House, which raised more than $100,000 at last year's benefit, works to assist individuals who require assistance in the areas of health care, education and other social services. The organization, founded in 1902, also kicked off a silent auction, with items remaining available for bid online here, until March 18. Among the treasures to be bid upon include tickets to see the Knicks play the Miami Heat and a yoga session and lunch with Russell Simmons. For more party pics, click here.

Bebe Pulls Out the Big Guns: Part II

2010-02-16T18:48:00Z

If you've been dreaming of dressing like a Kardashian, you now have your chance. The reality show siblings featured their new Kardashian Collection to the press and trade this morning, at Stage 37, on West 37th Street.

Shown on the Style 360 Stage (which has been organizing similar events all week, coordinated by Hachette Filipacchi), the Kardashian looks included one worn by Kim herself, as she appeared with her face and hair partially covered under a gray hoodie that was also a dress, accessorized with short leather gloves.

Each sister brings something different to the table: Kim's looks are classic and sexy, Kourtney's are bohemian baggy and Khloe's are more edgy.

Singer-songwriter Adrienne Bailon, Jenni "JWOWW" Farley, of MTV's Jersey Shore and Caroline and Dina Manzo, of Real Housewives of New Jersey, were among the celebrities who turned out to show their support. Available in Bebe stores nationwide and on-line, the collection can be seen here.

Photo and reporting by Katherine Martinez.

Bebe Pulls Out the Big Guns

2010-02-16T17:00:00Z

Last night, Bebe's SoHo store was alive with excitement. Press lined up outside to view the Kardashian Collection, designs created by socialite sisters Kim Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian and Khloe Kardashian-Odom.

As they shopped, guests enjoyed bubbling Champagne and canapés while mingling to the energetic beat of DJ Little Boots. The launch party was sponsored in cooperation with Style 360 and Elle Magazine. Eileen Rivkin, Elle's sales director, remarked on the surge of interest in the line, which is not surprising, given the clothing's chic, feminine appeal. The contoured one-shoulder tops, shimmering clingy goddess wrap dress, and belted- and mesh-bodice designs offer a peek-a-boo look that is truly captivating. Fresh energy was the essence of the evening.

Designs in a mix of black, white, hot-pink, and fatigue green colors are available for women of every shape and size. The collection is exclusive to Bebe and is now available for purchase in stores nationwide. Reported by Katherine Martinez

Ladies in Red

2010-02-12T04:57:00Z

Heidi Klum, Kim Kardashian, Estelle, Bethenny Frankel (left), Raven Symone, Kristin Chenoweth, Jordin Sparks, Felicity Huffman and Kimora Lee were among the stars who donned red gowns in and sashayed down (what else?) a red carpet in support of the Heart Truth campaign, which is an organization devoted to raising awareness of heart disease as the leading cause of death for women.

The celebrity models certainly had plenty of heart, and all looked stunning in their shimmery red dresses, by designers from Marchesa to Oscar de la Renta. With few exceptions, these women are curvy--and proud of it. Not least of them, New York's pregnant "Real Housewife"! No word on whether Bethenny talked baby tips with "Desperate Housewife" Felicity Huffman, whose television character is also expecting a baby any week now.

Was it Leia Who Convinced Him?

2010-02-05T00:20:00Z

We asked hip-hop star Snoop Dogg what his favorite Star Wars film was this afternoon and without hesitating, he answered "Return of the Jedi"!

The performer was in town helping to promote the launch of the new Luke Skywalker and Yoda sneakers, part of a Star Wars line from Adidas. To add further hype to the event (and certainly much to the chagrin of the Rebel Alliance), the footwear company also brought a squadron of Stormtroopers to overtake Times Square and SoHo.

Check back with New York Insider next week for our special coverage of the Force-filled day.

Rock On!

2010-02-03T05:52:00Z

Susan Cohn Rockefeller, wife of David Rockefeller, Jr., unveiled her Rocknrola collection of jewelry at Deborah Buck's Buck House Gallery last night, proceeds of which will benefit the charity Oceana. The health of the world's seas is a cause near and dear to Rockefeller, who is also one of the producers behind the documentary "A Sea Change: Imagine A World Without Fish." The packed reception brought out a wide swath of the city's social set as well as actor Sam Waterson, one of the charity's most involved spokespeople.

Just in time for Valentine's Day, the Rocknrola line is ideal for showing that special someone your love. (Not to mention showing your love of the environment.)

For party pics, click here. Photos courtesy of Oceana, and ©Jon Dee/Oceana. To check out the jewelry, click here.

One 'Good' Turn Deserves Another

2010-02-02T15:43:00Z

It was an evening of fabulous photographs and philanthropy at the Chelsea Art Museum last night. Award-winning celebrity photographer Brian Marcus exhibited and auctioned off his moving series Malawi: Images of Progress to benefit Goods for Good, a non-profit organization that finds surplus products from U.S. corporations and funnels them to vulnerable children in the developing world, principally in Malawi and Haiti. The organization provides necessary school supplies, clothing, health and hygiene products to many children in need while also reducing waste at home. Its motto? Making Progress out of Excess.

More than 500 New Yorkers sipped on cocktails donated by Voli Vodka and enjoyed delicious hors d’oeuvre from Newman and Leventhal Caterers while bidding on their favorite photos. Minimum bids started at $500 per print, and some sold for nearly $2,000 each; all but three of the fifty had buyers.

Through ticket sales and a silent auction, the event raised just under $60,000, a portion of which will go to Goods for Good’s work in Haiti, helping to rebuild the lives of orphans.

Atlas Florist, Bianca Blag Total Entertainment, Espon, Hank Lane Music, Leather Craftsman, More than Music, Yale Framing, Pegasus Productions and Fred Marcus Photography generously donated goods and services to make the evening a success. Notable guests included Malawian Ambassador to the U.N. Steven Matejne, Alex Charriol, Kipton Cronkite, Soraya Dorabi, Kate Dylan, gallerist Talia Eisenberg, Keren Eldad, Melissa Foss, illustrator Alessandra Olanow, Emma Snowdon-Jones, Raj Tolaram, Annabel Vartanian and Goods for Good founder Melissa Kushner.

For more party pics, click here.

—WENDY FURRER

Wendy Furrer is a journalist whose work can be seen at wendyfurrer.com.

Showing Concern

2010-01-22T04:33:00Z

A silent auction, flowing Champagne and the sounds of DJ Evalicious made for a great time tonight at 1OAK, in the Meatpacking District. A hastily thrown together Haiti benefit for the relief efforts of both Edeyo and Concern Worldwide, the event drew some of the city's most glamorous personalities. Emcee Nigel Barker promised that he will continue to help shepherd such parties for Haiti in years to come, owing to the massive needs in the Caribbean nation, inequities that, sadly, will not be vanishing anytime in the near future.

For more party pics, click here.

Lexus Achieves New Nexus

2010-01-22T02:33:00Z

Tonight, carmaker Lexus took the wraps off a top-of-the-line sportscar to be known as the LFA. The matte black vehicle on display was surely worthy of Batman and appropriately enough, Gotham sat up and took notice.

At a cocktail party held at Espace, the sportscar took its rightful place at center stage, where guests ogled the hand-built auto, which has a V-10 engine capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 in 3.6 seconds. Lexus luxury partners on-hand to celebrate the debut included Pratesi linens, Soolip paperie, Napa Valley Vintners, Riedel Crystal, Marquis Jet and concierge service Quintessentially.

Reportedly, only 500 LFAs will be produced; the car, a 2011 model, will carry a sticker of $375,000. Clearly, being Batman is not an inexpensive proposition.

Beach Weather

2010-01-21T15:18:00Z

Temps outside may be chilly, but New Yorkers' hearts have certainly kept warm with the many fundraisers that have sprung up in the past week and a half to support relief efforts in Haiti.

One such party, held to bolster the efforts of UNICEF on the island, was held at Niiki Beach midtown. Cost of entry ($20-$30) was a small price to pay for the opportunity to help our Caribbean neighbor. Not to mention catching up with friends over good music and a mojito created by Nikki Beach mixologist Sebastian Norena.

For more party pics, click here.