Bubbly at Barneys
If you're young and you're a designer, there's a good chance you paid a visit to Barneys last week. The luxury fashion retailer hosted cocktail gatherings honoring that contingent on both Monday and Wednesday. Computer powerhouse Hewlett-Packard sponsored the first of the events, to unveil a camera case, laptop holder, and iPod carrier designed by Proenza Schouler, Behnaz Sarafpour, and Habitual, respectively. Ogling the geek-chic goodies were newly minted Golden Globe winner Mariska Hargitay, as well as Marisa Tomei. The latter evening belonged to Ecco Domani, whose Fashion Foundation awards were bestowed upon up-and-comers Thakoon, Costello Tagliapietra, Mary Ping, Jasmin Shokrian, Richard Chai, and Trovata. Both Ping and Shokrian stayed only long enough for their names to be called before rushing out to finish their designs.

Musical Mommies
"I love the art world, but I could get used to this," said a smiling Yvonne Force Villareal, as she and Vogue photographer Sandra Hamburg performed at Marquee later last Wednesday. The duo otherwise known as Mother Inc. were celebrating the release of their eponymous Fendi-sponsored debut album. Decked out in furs and full-length dresses by the Italian design house, they entertained such guests as Damon Dash, Jade Jagger, and Tara Subkoff with a set of satirical songs including "ATM No TLC," "Under the Scalpel," and "The Real Skinny." Fellow fashionable madre Jagger said she was impressed with the "sexiness of the show," while Subkoff was more coy. "You'll have to wait and see," said the Imitation of Christ designer, when asked if she would ever hire them to play during one of her runway presentations. But it turns out we were onto something: Mother Inc. took center-stage at her Sunday show.

—Sarah Cristobal