Social intelligence

chattering class

Vickyward

Guest commentators on the financial cable shows tend to be shouty men in striped shirts. But a rather different face has been showing up on CNBC lately, one that's familiar to New York's social and media types: Vicky Ward, Talk magazine survivor and current Vanity Fair contributing editor. Ward credits her new gig as a talking head to "stalking" the channel's senior VP, Jonathan Wald, whom she met through mutual friend Dan Abrams. ("You can never know enough people," she counsels.) So far, the blond Brit (wait, this is CNBC, not Fox News, right?) has sounded off on everything from the declining newspaper business to the booming call-girl industry—the latter is becoming a bit of a journalistic obsession for the writer, who has profiled Jeffrey Epstein and the D.C. Madam. Speaking to Ward, Style.com was quick with the tough questions: What's it like, for example, sitting through all that hair and makeup? "The traditional helmet hair and power-shoulders look is far behind us," she said, sounding relieved. "But I've learned that what looks great in real life can be horrendous on camera. I've worn the same dress about five times, as it was the only thing in my wardrobe that I realized worked." Now it seems all she needs is one of those catchy television nicknames, though we hear Money Honey is already taken.

Photo: Courtesy of CNBC


Outside sources

it's not easy being uma

The usual trials of celebrity-hood aside--mink-stealing accusations, baby rumors, and ill-advised product endorsements--Uma Thurman has been subjected to some confusing media attention of late. Does her public love her (see: stalking) or hate her (see: suing)? If you need a break, Uma, get a yacht, or even just part of one. If a virtual escape is more your style (fewer fans that way), there's always the coffee-table-sized video game controller (NB: do not tell your boyfriend). You might as well order in while you're at it; soon there won't be any more restaurants in New York, or at least not in the Meatpacking District.

Dept. of culture

summer loving in the golden state

Kbrooks

Just in time for the warm weather (not that we're getting so much of that today in New York), L.A.-based artist Kimberly Brooks brings her dreamlike canvases to Culver City's Taylor De Cordoba gallery for an exhibit called "Technicolor Summer." The new series of oil paintings, which focuses on a family grappling with illness in the midst of a California summer, features Golden State backdrops such as Yosemite National Park's forests and the Pacific Ocean. "Unlike other shows that have very specific ideas tied to them—like a musical artist releasing an album, where each painting is a song—I think I will be painting this show, in some form or another, for the rest of my life," says Brooks. "Technicolor Summer" will be on view from May 10 to June 14.

Kimberly Brooks, "Canon Drive," courtesy of Taylor De Cordoba


charlotte moss tells some, not all

Charlottemoss

Members of the Park Avenue A-list abounded at Charlotte Moss' showplace-cum-retail store on the Upper East Side last night to celebrate the launch of her newest tome, "A Flair for Living," available now from Assouline. Among the well-heeled guests sipping wine and browsing in the three-story town house were fellow interior doyenne Nina Griscom, Vogue's Hamish Bowles, Billy Norwich (above, with the author), and Gillian and Sylvester Miniter. "I design every day, so that comes easily, but it's harder to actually sit down and put the pen to paper," said Miz Moss about writing her sixth work. "But once you get me going, it's hard to get me to stop!" When asked if she feels like someone might just study her beautiful books in lieu of contracting her services, she laughed. "I'm not worried, as I'll never reveal all my secrets. I'm not writing a tell-all!"

Photo: CLINT SPAULDING/PatrickMcMullan.com


Shopping alert

make your mother a wrap star

Robe

Mother's Day is one of those holidays for which you're duty-bound to give a present, but with all the cheesy gift sets, predictable flowers, and fattening chocolate that make up the usual range of possibilities, you're faced with a dearth of interesting options. For one that won't wilt or melt, present Mom with a luxurious robe from Jo Malone, new in stores this month. The full-length wrapper is made of semi-sheer, breezy Irish linen—perfect for lounging by the pool, taking breakfast in bed, or looking polished while getting ready for a night on the town—or, depending on the lady, all of the above. They're available for $245 at Jo Malone flagship stores, www.jomalone.com.

Photo: Nicola Kast


fashion people do read!

Dossier

The door policy at Norwood is notoriously tight, but at last night's launch party for new journal Dossier, the fashionably late had to consider themselves lucky if they made it up as far as the top step of the club's well-groomed stoop. While management downstairs was busy turning the new arrivals away, upstairs the party was bustling—perhaps oddly so, given that Dossier is an upstart publication with the temerity to consider itself literate. "We wanted to create a magazine that solved the problem of airplane reading," explained Dossier founder and editorial director Katherine Krause. "Like, what if instead of buying six different magazines—a few to look at, and a couple to read—there was just one that had everything you liked?" A tall order, but then Krause and her Dossier co-founder, Skye Parrott, are both industry vets, and for the debut issue of the biannual publication, they dug deep into their Rolodexes and pulled out contributions from the likes of Mario Batali, Nan Goldin, and Zac Posen, as well as numerous other names familiar from bylines and mastheads. Dossier's appeal to contributors was a no-brainer, according to Parrott. "Just because you like fashion," she said, talking over the din of the crowd, "that doesn't mean you don't like to read." And apparently, just because you like to read, that doesn't mean you don't like to party.


Social intelligence

saks, hermes drink up for charity

Hermes

"Every once in a while, you meet someone in life who's like a Mother Teresa," said Saks Fifth Avenue's Terron Schaefer at a luncheon yesterday celebrating the exclusive launch of Hermès' new fragrance, Un Jardin Après la Mousson. Schaefer was referring to Scott Harrison, a former nightclub promoter (his first gig was Nell's) turned humanitarian. Just under two years ago, Harrison founded Charity: Water, an organization that builds wells in impoverished countries. Inspired by Harrison's commitment, Hermès donated a well in Kerala, India, the romantic locale that inspired the company's latest perfume. And in just two weeks, Saks has raised $151,000 dollars to build wells in developing countries through the sale of $5 bracelets and $20 Mother's Day e-cards (available at www.saksfifthavenue.com and www.charitywater.org; Saks is donating 100 percent of the profits from sales). The next big wave? Saks' Water Ball on June 10.


Social intelligence

buy this bracelet, help an orphan in africa

Oa2

Thanks to Margherita Missoni, anyone who thinks shopping is merely a recreational hobby need no longer feel guilty. At least not if they buy the bracelet she commissioned from Greek jewelry designer Ileana Makri. Proceeds from the piece, which went on sale this week at Jeffrey in Chelsea and online at Yoox.com, will go to OrphanAid Africa, a charity that Missoni has been affiliated with since traveling with its founder, Lisa Lovatt-Smith, to Ghana. "I ran into [Lovatt-Smith] at a time in my life when I needed to reassess my values," Missoni says. "She told me what she was doing, and two weeks later I was with her in Africa. When I came home I founded an Italian chapter of OrphanAid Africa." In addition to raising awareness, the bracelet will raise much needed funds for the charity. As Missoni explains, "A steady income is what many African charities need to plan for long-term goals." Hence her idea to launch different types of products for the charity, each one a collaboration with one of her fashionable friends, every three to six months. Next up will be a sneaker she designed with Pro-Keds and Damon Dash, to be followed by a project with Rachel Zoe. "The trick is make it cool enough that someone wants to buy it on its own—and then when they find out it's for charity, they can't stop themselves." In the upcoming weeks, Makri's design will be sold at Colette in Paris, Matches in London, and 10 Corso Como in Milan. But the trinket has already found itself onto the wrists of some stylish ladies, including Victoria's Secret angel Selita Ebanks (who is also fronting the bracelet's campaign), Karolina Kurkova, Joy Bryant, and Mischa Barton.

Photo: Courtesy of OrphanAid Africa


Social intelligence

theyskens' gray monsters and amethyst gowns

Shaffer

Yesterday evening, for the second time in three days, Olivier Theyskens filed through the brand spanking new "Superheroes" exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum. This time, though, the Nina Ricci designer was the main attraction—as opposed to the parade of dolled-up Hollywood folk who came through the space at Monday's gala. Congregating in the Carroll and Milton Petrie Sculpture Garden, a few lucky ladies, including Fabiola Beracasa and Shoshanna Gruss, listened intently as the Costume Institute's curator in charge, Harold Koda, spoke to the designer about the heritage of Nina Ricci. Joining him were three of his creations, including a ruffled gray number the museum staff affectionately calls the Gray Monster and a wedding dress recently worn by a well-publicized high-society bride. The two spoke about Theyskens' childhood—his parents were surprisingly unconcerned when an adolescent Olivier spent a lot of time with dolls (he compared it to a future football star being very good with a ball at a young age)—his excitement at joining the house of Nina Ricci, and how Ricci herself valued the creation of one couture garment. On that point, Theyskens referred to the voluminous, amethyst-based dress that Bee Shaffer wore on Monday night. "At Nina Ricci we do not hesitate to do an incredible dress. We're able to do real couture." A few laughs came when Theyskens told a couple of anecdotes, one about how he once got color inspiration from a meal of mussels and fries at a café in Belgium ("I wanted THAT yellow"), and another about a woman who asked about the cleaning instructions for her Nina Ricci suit. After the talk, the long-tressed designer was all smiles at the bar. "Ah, wait," he said, suddenly remembering the Paris luxury dry cleaner that he favors, "I should have just given that woman the number for Delaporte!"

Photo: Sherly Rabbani and Josephine Solimene


Social intelligence

james galanos to young: lose the jeans

Jamesgalanos

"I'm retired, you know. So I don"t really do this type of thing anymore," James Galanos said last night at FIT's Fashion Design AAS Exhibit, sponsored by the Simms Foundation. "But Mr. Simms invited me, so here I am." Galanos, who dressed Doug Simms' mother, Marie, in the 1950's and '60's, along with Betsy Bloomingdale, Diana Ross, and Nancy Reagan, took in a fashion show featuring his one-time client's wardrobe (now part of the museum's permanent collection) and assessed the graduates' modern-day takes on his creations. "What they tried to do was show these students the quality of workmanship in my clothing," Galanos noted. "Design-wise, I don't see anything in this group that looks like anything of mine. However," he added, "they're very nicely done." Since the majority of the beaded, tiered, and ruffled looks were fashioned with premieres and parties in mind, we asked Galanos whether he thought young Hollywood was getting it right. "I look at the red carpet—same bodies, same clothes, same hairdos. There's no individuality, frankly." And what about the average urbanite? "I just hope that young people today can get back to dressing and looking like something instead of just wearing blue jeans every day, all day long," Galanos sighed. "They look messy. They just don't know how to put it together anymore. But," he conceded, "I'm an old-timer."

Photo: Lester Cohen/WireImage.com


Social intelligence

the dollar's bad, but a spousal tattoo is arguably worse

Americans aren't the only ones bemoaning the dollar's increasingly feeble attempts at viability in the global market; Europeans want to see the greenback buck up a little, too. Had enough of being a dominant economic superpower, E.U.? Turns out pop's latest dominant economic superpower, Nick Cannon and Mariah Carey (you know she's bigger than Elvis, right?), had been planning their secret wedding for ages—or long enough, at least, for Mariah to get a tattoo reminding her of the nuptials. Celebrity couples with spousal tattoos have great marital track records, so we wish the Cannons all the best. For Romance with a capital R, skip the mind-numbingly overanalyzed "Sex and the City" movie and go steam punk. Added bonus: It turns out wearing a Victorian-inspired gown to your next office party may be a safer bet than showing skin to the CEO.

Social intelligence

rogan hosts a bowery beer bash

Roganstore

Hipsterdom from near and far turned out last night for the opening of Rogan's second New York outpost. Rogan Bouwerie is located in the old Bouwerie Lane Theatre, and effort was made to retain the history of the space. "I have a weird anti-commercial thread, which is why I chose the Bowery," said Mr. Gregory. "It has a lot of history and it fits our brand well." The original theater lights cast lights and shadows across the space, while the crowd—dressed in mostly monochromatic tones—danced to tracks provided by the DJ located upstairs. More subdued guests chose to lounge (and pose) on the store's Donald Judd-inspired benches, designed by Rogan himself. Still others guzzled forties with custom Rogan-designed tags that read "You Can't Stop What's Coming." You most certainly can't.

Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for ROGAN


Social intelligence

women unite, says goodwin

Goodwin

"Here's to not wasting our brainpower on counting the calories of our lunch," toasted "Big Love" star Ginnifer Goodwin, the recipient of Women in Film and MaxMara's Face of the Future award in Los Angeles yesterday. Wearing a tie-dyed silk sheath by the designer, Goodwin joined Lauren Graham and co-star Jeanne Tripplehorn for the lunch given in her honor at the Sunset Tower Hotel. Not even a walking cast could keep Rose McGowan from attending the event, held as a precursor to June's Crystal + Lucy Awards. There to cheer on the progress women have made in the industry, Goodwin also warned the female-heavy industry audience of the obstacles yet to come. "Celebrating women in film is extremely important," the actress asserted. "And bonding together and being aware is what will help propel us forward."

Photo: John Shearer/WireImage


Social intelligence

the allure of the body beautiful

Wells

Linda Wells hosted Allure's Most Alluring Bodies photography exhibition and silent auction to benefit skin cancer research last night and brought out the likes of Hilary Duff, Katharine McPhee, Paula Patton, and Olivia Palermo to strut their own seemingly flawless bods on the red carpet. But the real action was on the walls inside Skylight Studios—nude photos of Kate Moss (by Craig McDean), Naomi Campbell (by Mert & Marcus), and Scarlett Johansson (by Annie Leibovitz) were up for bargain price bidding. "I really want this one!" said Rachel Zoe, jotting down her name under the sexy Moss photograph. The master stylist clearly knows a thing or two about alluring forms. "The women I work with have unbelievably beautiful bodies in totally different ways. Jen Garner has the most flawlessly toned body that makes me want to work out when I see her; Cameron has legs to here; and Eva has that perfect Old Hollywood face. They're inspiring to be around!" she said. The evening's host was busy checking out her own favorites, including Pamela Hansen's nude Carla Bruni-Sarkozy photo from 1994 and a piece by Marilyn Minter. "I really want to bid on it, but it's very boob-y," said Wells of the latter. "I wouldn't know what to do with my kids."

Photo: NEIL RASMUS/PatrickMcMullan.com


Social intelligence

london's magazine music wars

Fashbash

A magazine war has taken hold of Britain's capital. Vogue, Pop, and Dazed & Confused have all formed rival DJ gangs (the Voguettes, the Popettes, and the Dazed Invaders) that are playing to well-heeled crowds across London. Casting circulation figures aside, it's the music that dictates who's nosing ahead of the competition. Last night saw two of the competing DJ troupes, the Voguettes, who've already been booked to perform at Glastonbury, and the Dazed Invaders, go head-to-head at designer Henry Holland's club night, Fash Bash 2. (Only Holland, it should be noted, could persuade the East London Boombox crowd to defect to the West End for a fashion face-off.) "Fash Bash is all about having fun," he beamed from the dance floor, while his friends—designer Francesca Versace, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, and the denim clad, ponytailed Scarry sisters—formed a ménage of plaid and oversize bows in the background. Last night's party had a definite nineties twist, with Sisqó's "Thong Song" the crowd-winning hit. Notable in her absence was British Vogue's cover star and Henry's bestie, Agyness Deyn, who's currently decamped to New York.

Photo: Courtesy of Movida


Social intelligence

why love is like a pair of jeans

Guybookcover

"One guy had a limp. One guy had an eye patch, which he swore was a temporary flaw. One guy liked Stephen Sondheim a little too much," reminisced writer Alix Strauss, editor of "Have I Got a Guy for You" (Polka Dot Press), a new collection of essays about the men with whom mothers have fixed up their daughters. We caught up with Strauss last night at the book party at Alice + Olivia. She continued, "My mom is great at picking out a pair of black pants for me. She can call me up and say they're winter weight or they're summer weight, they're thin, they'll hug your body, but only I can buy jeans for myself. Sometimes, I think your love life is like a pair of jeans. You know, you have to try them on to see how they fit and they all fit very differently. She could never walk into a store and say, 'Here are jeans that'll work for you.' There are like 80 million different kinds of jeans!" When Strauss began sharing her wretchedly funny (though touching) war stories with other literary friends, she realized she was not alone, and the book idea was born. There's still a glimmer of hope, though: To round out the collection, Strauss included one story of a young woman who met her husband through her mom.


Dept. of culture

move over dubai, doha's moving on up

Rania_blog

When skeptics question whether the Middle East is really receptive to contemporary international culture or dispute the assertion that the region is on its way to becoming the next global cultural hub, the Third Line gallery in Dubai is a powerful rejoinder. More than just evidence that the region has a world-class art scene, the Third Line is in a league all its own. Third Line gallery's opening of a second space in Qatar will ratchet the quality and visibility of art in the area to a still higher level. The new space will be located in Doha's Souq Waqif, now being renovated to resemble the original 1950's-era market but filled with a network of brand-new chic shops and design show spaces. The kickoff show of hand-painted images of old film-star glamour by Egyptian-born, New York-based photographer Youssef Nabil—who has shot Tracey Emin, Nan Goldin, David Lynch, Louise Bourgeois, and Kate Moss—will set the tone for the gallery's roster of regional and international exhibitions. So if anyone asks, there are now officially two front-running, big-time exhibition spaces in the Middle East.

Photo: Youssef Nabil, courtesy of Third Line


Shopping alert

of rabbits, rubber, and revivals

Melissa

Little-known fact: Before there was Mickey Mouse, there was Oswald the Lucky Rabbit (doesn't have quite the same ring, does it?). Oswald was Walt Disney's first character, but the animator lost the rights to the rabbit when he neglected a clause in a contract, thus relegating him to obscurity. Now Oswald, a bunny doppelgänger of Mickey's, is being revived in the most unlikely of ways: on a jelly shoe by the blockbuster Brazilian brand Melissa (which has previously teamed up with Vivienne Westwood and Zaha Hadid). The style just hit Colette in Paris and is due to arrive at London's Harvey Nichols and Browns next week. Will Oswald be able to muscle in on the territory Mickey has staked out with fashionistas? Only sales will tell.

Photo: Courtesy of Melissa

Designer update

out of the garden and into the jewel box

Lc5

"I love symbols, but I'm not a mystic," says Parisian jeweler Lydia Courteille, whose dragonfly pins, butterfly necklaces, and ebony skull rings look as though they were stolen from the fairies. Courteille has a shop just around the corner from the Place Vendôme, where Boucheron, Chaumet, and Van Cleef & Arpels hold court. But her work is decidedly on the wilder side, mixing vintage pieces like nineteenth-century cameos with exceptional stones; carved jade, coral, and turquoise flowers; and enamel animals and insects in oxidized-gold settings. One of the forerunners of the current botanical trend in fine jewelry, Courteille is inspired by the opulent and eccentric style of legendary jewelers such as Jean Schlumberger and René Boivin. "I like mixing expensive materials with inexpensive ones," she says. "But the result has to be exceptional."

Photo: Courtesy of Lydia Courteille


Social intelligence

don't look for interview's new boss in the office

Marcjacobs

"I've read Interview since I was 15," said Marc Jacobs at the party for Brant Publications' new editorial management at Mr. Chow last night. "When I was in art school and high school, I would redraw the covers. I always dreamed of being in it." "A lot of people have come up to me and said how excited they are about it," said Chris Bollen, the new editor in chief. Aside from Jacobs, who has already collaborated with the Interview team (though he would not disclose any details), Bollen's friends Ryan McGinley, Rita Ackermann, and Dan Colen are excited about contributing to the magazine. Of editorial director Glenn O'Brien, who first worked at Interview under founder Andy Warhol and is returning for his third stint there, Bollen sighed, "He's cooler than I'll ever be. I can already tell. He's got life down so well." O'Brien certainly does. "I haven't been in an office in a while," he told us. "I think I was the first editor at large, ever. At a certain point, I decided I didn't want to go to the office. I was actually working for High Times. I said, 'I still want this job, I'm just not going to come to the office.' But we have a nice office. It's only a five-minute walk from my house and I'm the boss, so I can go to work anytime I want."

Photo: Clint Spaulding/PatrickMcMullan.com


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