Stavros Niarchos has seen the world and dated its women, but he'd never been to Milan until Thursday night. He spent his first evening in town at Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana's dinner to celebrate their collection earlier in the day. And so far, he insisted, he'd been pleasantly surprised, especially after the downbeat things he'd heard about the city. No mystery there—downbeat isn't part of the duo's lexicon. Inside Gold restaurant, Gabbana—slicked-back hair and red bow tie—was gleefully promising a big surprise later on to mark Dolce's 50th birthday. Guests including Mr. and Mrs. Marc Anthony, Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves, Claudia Schiffer, Eva Herzigova, and Dita Von Teese (in other words, the contents of the afternoon's VIP room) ate pasta alla pomodoro, cotoletta alla Milanese, and irresistible little nubbins of Sicilian cassata. Then, Cinderella coaches arrived to tote a special few to the evening's stage two at the Hotel Principe. The big surprise? Diana Ross performing a special set for the birthday boy. Not too shabby, eh, Stav?

— Tim Blanks