Noses aren't generally celebrated on the Manhattan social circuit. Nipped, bobbed, slimmed, and so on, yes. Celebrated, no. But when the nose in question is fragrance maestro Carlos Benaïm, creator of Bulgari's latest scent, Jasmin Noir, that not only calls for a celebration, but a 70-person dinner. Amid the Roman columns of the Elizabeth Street Gallery's sculpture garden, enthusiastic sniffers sampled the fragrance's signature notes of gardenia and tonka bean. But could it convert Arianna Huffington, a sworn Hermès devotee? "The French say that you are either faithful to your man or your perfume," purred the blogosphere queen. "And I think I'm ready for a change." Whether the switch in question would involve scent or swain, she failed to specify. After dinner, guests lingered to enjoy a few extra glasses of chardonnay—which wasn't in nearly plentiful enough supply for some. "Jeez, the wine is flowing like glue tonight," bemoaned Ann Dexter-Jones.

—Evelyn Crowley

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