What does Barneys CEO Howard Socol think of Diane von Furstenberg? "She's sexy as hell." And DVF of Socol? "He has muscle." Both the retail chief and the fashion icon were honored at the 60th annual Parsons Benefit and Fashion Show on Monday night, which raised nearly $2 million for the school. (Additionally, von Furstenberg donated $250,000' worth of scholarships.) In from Paris, Alber Elbaz presented Socol's award, while Anderson Cooper introduced "DVF"—as he called her. Oscar de la Renta, Anna Wintour, Burt Tansky, Derek Lam, and Peter Som were among the stylish multitude who turned out for the event at the Grand Hyatt. So what's the secret to Parsons' success? "In this time where all it takes to be a fashion designer is to be famous, here they teach you to be good," Elbaz said.

Downtown, meanwhile, Chanel hosted its Tribeca Film Festival dinner at Ago, the chic Italian eatery in the back of Robert De Niro's newly opened Greenwich Hotel. Guests like Natasha Richardson, Brice Marden, Blake Lively, and Mary-Kate Olsen ostensibly came to toast the artists who had donated works as festival prizes. But many seemed more intent on sizing up De Niro's talents as a hotelier. "I like this room," said Patti Smith, as she gave the cocktail lounge a once-over. "It's like a library. And I like libraries." Neighborhood resident Christy Turlington Burns, already something of a regular, was also boosterish. "You have to come back when the outdoor courtyard is open. It's amazing. And the bistecca alla fiorentina is delicious," she said, flashing her megawatt grin. If De Niro is in the market for a spokesmodel, he should look no further.

— Laird Borrelli-Persson (Parsons) and Evelyn Crowley (Chanel)