New Yorkers for Children has long been the socialite charity of choice. And such is its influence that even one of its lower-key events—Tuesday night's cocktails at the Harold Pratt House in celebration of the upcoming annual fall gala—drew half the Upper East Side in their best Oscar de la Renta frocks (a wise choice, since the designer is an active supporter and made a cameo appearance). Gillian Miniter attempted to explain the turnout. "I think it's the venue," she said. "This isn't a store party." Not that there's anything wrong with retail entertaining, or so argued Peter Nordstrom. (He would, of course.) As to how the department store scion wound up co-hosting the evening, he explained, "Anna [Wintour] got us involved. We wanted to have a bigger presence in fashion and in New York—and I have to say this has been such a rewarding way to make that happen." Stay tuned for the charity's main event, to be held post-New York fashion week on September 16.

—Derek Blasberg