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 about what it's like to appear on TV, 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.

"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.

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.

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!"

"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."

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.

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.

"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."

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."

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.

"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.

"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."

Rogan Gregory, Kim Gordon, Ryan McGinley, and Claire Danes sipped Champagne at Opening Ceremony last night while they gawked at the store-exclusive line of Nike x Liberty of London floral-print Dunks. "It's such a perfect partnership for us because when we launched the Chloë Sevigny line, her first words were, 'I need Liberty prints,' and it's all over her collection," said Opening Ceremony co-owner Humberto Leon. "Most athletic shoes for women aren't that good and the guys get the best colorways, but taking the feminine theme so far actually works and looks cool." So cool, in fact, that we're sure men will be lining up to get the limited-edition kicks, but they'll have to have small feet: The shoes go up to size 12 women's, which is roughly 8 1/2 men's. One guest not poring over the shoes but chatting it up was Danes. "I'm not really a sneaker fan. I'm an Humberto fan and Opening Ceremony is just the best store. I shop here a lot," she said. Any favorites? "Alexandre Herchcovitch," she said. "But I just like how well the store is curated overall." Come September, the selection at Opening Ceremony will become even stronger with the launch of 15 Japanese designers. And as for the Olympics—which loosely inspired the store's name—Leon promises they will be hosting "something amazing" for the Beijing games.

Apparently even Kate Moss can be taken in by the image of Kate Moss. At least that was the case last night when the model walked into Milk Studio for the party she was hosting with Agent Provocateur in celebration of the new bridal collection campaign, of which she is the face. Getting off the elevator, Moss turned to see her Nick Knight video projected on several walls. "Oh, that's me!" she said, blushing. "It's awfully big." The rest of the crowd, including Lake Bell, Rinko Kikuchi, the Costello Tagliapietra guys, Phillip Lim, Richard Chai, all three members of the MisShapes, Julia Restoin-Roitfeld, Sari Gueron, and Byrdie Bell (in a sheer top from the lingerie line), seemed duly impressed with the imagery (words like "icon" and "amaaazing" were being tossed around like rice at a wedding). Joe Corre, the man behind the kinky products that Agent Provocateur has become famous for—and the son of the equally provocative Vivienne Westwood—was in the middle of it all, looking dapper in his checkered bow tie. "I can't say that I actually like to travel," he responded when asked about his visit to New York. "And first arriving in New York—with all the perfect blocks and busy streets—can feel a little artificial. But after a few days I don't want to leave. When I arrived it was chilly, but now it's warm out and I'm having fun and I'll be sad to go back."

"You literally can't spit in here without hitting someone famous." So said one familiar face at the Armani-hosted party at Bungalow 8 after the Met ball last night, which also served as a birthday party for George Clooney (Amy Sacco raced out of the Met early to prepare for the festivities, causing a few tongues to wag). And the observation wasn't an overstatement—walking through the middle of the legendary late-night establishment (which was no easy feat, by the way) was like walking through the pages of a glossy magazine. Eva Mendes, Amber Valletta, and Francisco Costa chatted with Kelly Klein and Aerin Lauder Zinterhofer at the first circle booth on the left; CBS's Leslie Moonves held court at the polka-dot booth on the right; next to him was Valentino Garavani's table; three tables in on the left had Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, Harvey Weinstein, David and Victoria Beckham, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, and Dita Von Teese, the last propped up on a palm tree; across from that table was Allegra Versace, Hilary Duff, Brendan Shanahan, and Sean Avery, in a tuxedo jacket with beaded lapels; at the bar were Chace Crawford, Cat Deeley and Christopher Bailey, and Scarlett Johansson; and in the upstairs lounge, Mary-Kate Olsen, Jacquetta Wheeler, and Byrdie Bell found space and a view. "This is the most glamorous crowded disaster ever," one Oscar nominee sighed. But many would agree that the close quarters were worth it, especially when, a little after midnight, John Mayer led the room in a round of "Happy Birthday" and then crooned out a couple of Sinatra-esque hits with Fergie. From her seat in the last circular booth on the left, Ellen Barkin put it best. Nudging Sacco, she said, "Just another night at Bungalow, eh?"

Los Angeles is getting a lot greener today. Over in Westwood, the Hotel Palomar is opening, with 268 guestrooms and suites, views of the city's skyline, and more than 40 eco-friendly practices (including in-room recycling bins, energy-efficient lighting, and organic food and beverages in the minibars). Special introductory rates start at $229; see www.hotelpalomar-lawestwood.com for more information. And over on Robertson Boulevard, the latest edition to the H. Lorenzo retail empire is ready to welcome shoppers (on-again BFFs Katie and Posh are fans of the mini-chain) with a solar-powered boutique designed by Oliviero Baldini. The 4,000-square-foot shop, which stocks Zac Posen, Viktor & Rolf, and Veronique Branquinho, is completely paperless—meaning your Balmain purchase will be tucked into a reusable linen shopping bag and you'll get an e-mail receipt.

On Monday afternoon, Vogue's Sally Singer and retailer Pete Nordstrom hosted a luncheon at quaint West Village eatery The Little Owl in honor of 6267 designers Roberto Rimondi and Tommaso Aquilano. And with the grandest party of the year—the Met gala—mere hours away, "What are you wearing tonight?" all but replaced "Hi, how are you?" as a salutation among the fashion-centric crowd that included Isabel and Ruben Toledo, Joanna Della Valle, Chiara Clemente and Waris Ahluwalia. "I'm wearing Brian Atwood…on my shoulders," quipped Byrdie Bell, who was in fact planning to wear a gown by Atwood and to attend the gala as his guest. "It's going to be Brian, his boyfriend, and me," she explained. "I'm kind of the third wheel, but I'm okay with that. I'm just happy to have two such attractive dates." Rimondi and Aquilano, both Met ball first timers, were gearing up for some serious stargazing. "I'm excited to see Nicole Kidman," said Rimondi in his charmingly heavy Italian accent. "I like her as an actress." We didn't have the heart to break it to him that since Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes were expected guests of the gala's honorary chairman, Giorgio Armani, there was every chance that Cruise's ex would likely be a no-show.

"Everyone keeps thanking me for this party," said Giambattista Valli, in a gray three-piece suit made especially for the evening's event: a party in Valli's honor at the Chelsea apartment of Carlos Mota. "But it's not like I did anything for it. I was just an excuse." But why quibble over details? According to more than one person in attendance, Valli's party was a great one, whether he was host or merely honoree. "I'm having so much fun tonight," said T Magazine editor Stefano Tonchi, who spent most of the evening reclining between Jacqueline Schnabel and Nadine Johnson in Mota's boudoir. Francisco Costa responded, "I know; I love a house party. So much mischief happens when there aren't any cameras." (Well, there was at least one.) While any mischief was well hidden, smokers (an unavoidable presence at a Euro-packed party like this one) were in full force. Joining the designer were a handful of Valli girls: Mary-Kate Olsen, Astrid Muñoz, Margherita Missoni, Coco Brandolini, Lauren Santo Domingo, Linda Fargo, and Zani Gugelmann. And just when people thought it couldn't get any more glamorous (or crowded), wouldn't you know it—Valentino himself, with Giancarlo Giammetti in tow, arrived shortly after midnight. "Just another Friday night at mine," Mota laughed.

Seven New York toasted the arrival of Gareth Pugh Saturday night with a bash at the Tribeca Grand that brought out the MisShapes and model du jour Agyness Deyn. In between a photo shoot and back-to-back parties (Madonna's show, Steven Klein's birthday, drinking at the Annex, etc.), the enfant terrible designer was a bit exhausted—and apprehensive—before sharing the DJ platform with Seven's Joseph Quartana. "I only have four CDs on me, one of which is the greatest hits of Mariah Carey," Pugh said. "I'm a bit worried about the way people will react to it." But he had no need to fear; Jeremy Scott didn't leave the dance floor until 4 a.m. The celebrations continue tonight for Pugh, as he prepares to view his piece at the Met's "Superheroes" fête. "I'm very excited! I just sent them a box with a long list of instructions and furniture polish," he said. And when the party ends, work begins. "As soon as I come back from holiday in the Canary Islands, I'm going to hit the ground running for September. I feel like I have a lot to live up to with my last show," he said, before giving us a hint of what's to come: "It's all loosely based on the Ophelia painting by Millet—the girl in the pond who is sort of drowning, but you don't know if she's dead…that's an exclusive."

"I've been Burberrized," said Anouck Lepere, in a draped minidress, at the Another Man dinner co-hosted by her future husband, Jefferson Hack, and the trench-friendly label on Saturday night at Patroon. She wasn't the only one sporting a Christopher Bailey look—Agyness Deyn arrived in a glitter Burberry cape accessorized with a vintage sequin cap. However, apart from those genetically blessed ladies and the occasional Cat Deeley or Julia Restoin-Roitfeld, this was mainly a manly event. "I wanted it to be a men's party," Hack told us. "How often do you get a chance to do that in this business?" The good news was that he had gathered a pretty impressive crew: "Pop Idol" 's Will Young sat with "The Chronicles of Narnia" 's William Moseley and "Gossip Girl" 's Penn Badgley at one table; Craig McDean chatted with Vivi Nevo at another; and Michael Stipe talked shop with Mario Testino. Conversation mostly hewed to fashion, but one gentleman got political. Turns out the actor and current face of Yves Saint Laurent menswear Simon Woods is quite the Hillary Clinton supporter. Woods got into a few debates, including a rather heated one with Interview's Christopher Bollen that resulted in a coffee stain on Woods' white button-down. (Woods attended Oxford with Chelsea Clinton and has been hitting the campaign trail with the potential First Family for months.) "I don't mind, really," he insisted of the caffeine blemish. "I'm flying back to North Carolina tomorrow morning and I'm sure the stains will get worse."

Thursday night was probably the first time that the Kills' Alison Mosshart and Jamie Hince got to play two concerts in one evening in the same venue. Six songs into the show, a fire detected on the roof of Webster Hall put a stop to the music for nearly 45 minutes until two fire engines pulled up and checked things out. "That was that fireman's 15 minutes of fame," Agyness Deyn said of the yellow suit-clad FDNY'er who crawled through the ceiling of the legendary concert hall and, after asking everyone to stay calm, couldn't resist yelling "rock and roll!" into the stage microphone. Turns out it was something minor—or so we hope. At any rate, the inhabitants of the VIP section—Deyn, Kate Moss, Mary-Kate Olsen, Jefferson Hack, Alexandra and Theodora Richards, Lou Doillon, and Lily Cole—were soon rocking out again. (Not a bad cheering section, eh?) "They're so good together," Olsen said during the concert, adding that Mosshart's dance moves—a combination of writhing, headbangs, and twirls—were similar to her at-home, one-woman dance-offs. "It's like they're in their own little worlds and totally in their element onstage." Indeed, when the VIPs and the band's friends and family gathered backstage post-show, the equally sweaty Hince and Mosshart were morphing back into their sensitive, demure off-stage personae. "I'm sorry I'm so out of it," Mosshart said. "I'm recuperating." Well, when they ran out of liquid medicine at Webster Hall, the action was moved to the Bowery Electric, where more meds were served.

Guests hoping to catch a glimpse of Andy Warhol's "Double Marlon" at Christie's party at the Soho Grand were in for a disappointment. The iconic painting was meant to be the star attraction Wednesday night, but issues of insurance and logistics proved prohibitive. "A few flatscreens playing 'On the Waterfront' isn't really the same thing," said one miffed attendee. Not that people belabored the fact for long. With guests like Agyness Deyn, Jefferson Hack and Anouck Lepère, Thom Browne, Byrdie Bell, Derek Lam, Elise Øverland, and Natasha Vojnovic, there were things to look at other than just the walls. Making a quick stop at the party was Francesca Versace, Donatella's niece, who graduated from St. Martins Lane in 2006. Although she placed her graduate womenswear collection in a few stores, she's since turned to men's and is now part of the creative team revamping the Italian brand Verri. "To do clothes that I don't wear is a new challenge that I'm enjoying very much," she said. "But every time I come to New York, I want to stay longer." Leigh Lezark, meanwhile, was already missing the city as she mentally prepared for her drive on Thursday from New York to Louisville for the Kentucky Derby, where she will be deejaying. "Those things are always such a good idea at first, but then when the time comes…" reflected Lezark. "Oh, never mind, I'm sure it will be amazing. I just wish I wasn't the only driver." Unfortunately, her posse—nightlife impresaria Sophia Lamar and fellow MisShape Geordon Nicol—don't have their licenses.

It was essentially Madonna's after-party at that risque cabaret the Box last night. Earlier that evening, she and buddy Justin Timberlake played a performance, billed as a thank-you show for her successful record release, at the Roseland Ballroom. Joining friends like Domenico Dolce, Elizabeth Saltzman Walker, Rosie O'Donnell, Benjamin Cho, Ingrid Casares, Ingrid Sischy, Sandy Brant, Byrdie Bell, Leigh Lezark, and a slew of others who one couldn't identify in the seedy, dark environs, Madonna sauntered in swaddled in furs ("Could she be wearing more dead animals?" one person uttered, adding with a sigh, "She's so Madonna!") and balancing a martini between her well-manicured fingers. She only stayed for one of the evening's performances. Apparently she still loves shock value, but the Material Girl is totally a mother now. Let me describe the scene…carefully. Picture it: At the front table, Madonna huddles between Timberlake and Steven Klein. The lights go down, and the glittered and tattooed MC, called Raven O, takes the stage. The performances begin: a marching band's rowdy rendition of Britney Spears' "Gimme More"; a woman dressed as an oversize female reproductive organ slow-dancing with a giant glitter tongue. Then a masked marionette stumbles onstage and produces a Russian doll in the most sacred of ways. A few minutes later, she rewinds. The crowd goes wild. (At least, so I thought. My eyes were bleeding.) There was a lot of cheering and yelling, even from Madge herself. Then again, maybe that was just her celebrating. "Hard Candy," her eleventh studio album, is fast becoming another record-breaker for the unstoppable, knows-not-age force. Remember, she'll be 50 in August, people!

Composer, playwright, photographer, biographer, critic, raconteur. John Gruen embraces any of these labels. But as he readies himself for the publication of his memoir, "Callas Kissed Me…Lenny Too!", the 82-year-old Gruen is also prepared to accept—however self-mockingly—another, more subjectively descriptive sobriquet. "People were jealous, so they started calling me a starfucker," notes Gruen, whose chatty book details a life spent among the boldfaced names of art, music, and dance. "And it is true, I loved the glamour! I make no apologies for it," he continues. "Who wouldn't want to be in the orbit of a Leonard Bernstein, a Rudolf Nureyev? It's not just the talent that makes them so compelling. The talent is there, but me, at least, I was seeking out the glamour." Though he claims to be leading a more inward-looking life these days, Gruen will be making a return to the scene at tonight's launch party for "Callas Kissed Me." Having written the authorized biography of Keith Haring, back when the artist was still alive, Gruen is one 82-year-old undaunted by the prospect of book-partying in the heart of the West Chelsea club zone, at Mansion. "I'll tell you who has the glamour now," says Gruen, who's more up-to-date on these things than he lets on. "Madonna. She's the one. A real natural glitz, that girl. You know," he adds, "I met her once."

Style.com's family has increased by one. Executive editor Nicole Phelps and her husband, Andy Baker, welcomed Nikolas Aristedes into the world yesterday—at 4:30 p.m. on 4/30, to be precise. Our congratulations to the happy parents.

Alison Mosshart and Jamie Hince, the London-based duo behind the band the Kills, blew into town this week for a performance on the Conan O'Brien show, which aired Tuesday night, and a gig tomorrow night at Webster Hall. The Conan show ended up being a family affair for the Floridian Mosshart. Her mother Vivian, her aunt Nancy, and her brother Matthew showed up for the taping. "It was definitely a moment," Mosshart said later at the Spotted Pig in the West Village, where friends and family met up after their performance. "My brother and I used to always share hotel rooms when we were on family vacations. We'd stay up watching shows like Conan O'Brien. That's what I was thinking of when I was up there." Mother Mosshart nearly missed the late-night gig, standing behind a giant, vision-obscuring boom mike. "Thankfully, it swooped down during the performance so we could see her. She was fantastic," she said. Ah, maternal pride. Thursday night's performance (which will no doubt have some glam attendants—Hince is Kate Moss' better half) at Webster Hall is already sold out, so if you don't have tickets you'll have to wait for Conan reruns to get your fix. Or hit the road with the band—their tour, which promotes the new album "Midnight Bloom," started Wednesday in Boston. Go to their MySpace page for dates and places.

Last night's Beatrice Inn revelers included some familiar faces--Zac Posen, Tara Subkoff, Waris Ahluwahlia, Chiara Clemente--who came out to celebrate the premiere of Harmony Korine's new film, "Mister Lonely." One less-familiar face: French sportswear doyenne Agnès B., tearing it up on the dance floor no less. Taking a break from getting down, the designer, a long-time supporter of Korine and his partner in the production company O'Salvation, called his latest effort "a work of poetry." She also mentioned a personal celluloid project. "It's a story I wrote a long time ago," she explained. "It's a road movie. I plan to start shooting in March." More imminently, she'll be introducing a screening of the Jean-Luc Godard classic "Breathless" at the Film Forum on Friday night. Beyond that, there's work to be done as a producer on director Gaspard Noé's next feature. "I just love film," she said. "To watch it, to work with directors like Harmony, Gaspard, and Claire Denis, and to make them too."

The back room at Ago in the Greenwich Hotel was packed with celebs (Liya Kebede, Ed Burns, and Liam Neeson among them) at Chanel's dinner for the Tribeca Film Festival on Monday night. But one famous face was missing: Hotel co-owner Robert De Niro was busy filming in Connecticut ("I would have told people he was in the kitchen all night," joked Chiara Clemente). The actor's presence was still felt, however. During a post-dinner tour of the newly opened property, which includes a pool, sauna, and sake bar in the basement, we were told that "Bobby" uses the hotel as his own living room and conference center. With a breezy, cigarette-friendly courtyard and a series of lobbies open only to hotel guests and "friends and family," it looks like a few more boldfaced names will be doing the same. "It's like the Bowery," one guest said—an appropriate assertion, since many of the same people were involved in the construction of both hotels. "But better."

Sure, he often finds himself with the exclusive preview (and red-carpet) rights to some of the most anticipated films coming out of Hollywood, but if Andrew Saffir has found that his guest-list regulars have been acting particularly nice lately, we might have figured out why. Word on the screening circuit is that, because of his friendly relationship with a certain Sarah Jessica Parker, many think that Saffir's Cinema Society will be on the inside track to host the upcoming "Sex and the City" brouhaha next month. Indeed, more than one socialite/actress/designer/local fashion celebrity—most of whom are on Saffir's speed dial—are in hot pursuit of a SATC invitation from him. (And some of them are now revealing that during production they were offered cameos in the film: One actress accepted her part as an extra in a fashion show, while a socialite declined an offer to be featured in a "bathroom" scene for fear of what that vague description could lead to.) "I've seen SJP at three of his past events," one guest told us. "So if that screening is up for grabs, I'm sure it'll go to Andrew." We'll just have to wait and see.

Richard Mortimer, the founder of the now defunct Boombox, perhaps the most written-about club since Studio 54, has this to say on why a MAC-sponsored party celebrating his new online magazine, Ponystep.com, was held in the swank West End club Sketch, rather than the gritty East End: "It's a more grown-up venue because the Boombox crowd are all growing up together—along with me. Things change. But with this lot, they don't mind the location—they will come to wherever the party is." He was right: A slew of Boombox regulars like Henry Holland, Gareth Pugh (who had his makeup done by MAC), and Katie Grand schlepped down to the land of bankers and pinstripes to raise a glass to the launch of the e-zine. "I like it here better," said Boombox follower Cathal O'Brien, turning heads (a feat with this crowd) in a proportion-defying huge black cape by Pugh, which resembled a bat cave. "The loos are soooo much better." Also spotted were Roland Mouret and former Biba designer Bella Freud, who contributed to the inaugural issue of Ponystep.com, which Mortimer describes as a bit like the London version of Hintmag.com. "It's a labor of love. Incredible people who are at the top of their game are working for us for free at the moment, until it really gets off the ground. But all the most interesting and important issues on art, music, fashion, and the like will be there. For anybody who cares about that stuff, it's the first Web site they should log on to in their day. It will be as cool as Boombox, but a lot more serious. It's that whole growing-up thing again."

Once the story broke last week that New York Ranger Sean Avery would be trading his skates and hockey stick for messenger slips and Starbucks runs when he interns at Vogue this summer, we here at Style.com started counting up the evidence for Avery's ongoing passion for fashion. After all, most Rangers don't bother inviting both André Leon Talley and Hamish Bowles to attend hockey games—the Vogue editors have been separately spotted at Madison Square Garden in the past four weeks (Bowles even brought Anh Duong along with him). And it's not just any hockey player who can recite the labels of his outfit like he was perusing the racks at Barneys (a recent look included a Calvin Klein overcoat and stingray shoes, Helmut Lang trousers and shirt, a bow tie by Dior Homme, and black nail polish—by Chanel, natch.) In fact, over post-game drinks at the Beatrice Inn one night, I personally saw him nearly kill a man for spilling red wine on his Miu Miu shirt—no idle threat from the player known as the Rangers' killer. So, for a guy who has European fashion magazines next to Sports Illustrated on the coffee table in his Chelsea apartment, the Vogue gig is a perfect fit. "I'm really excited about it," Avery told us, adding that he's thought about his appearance for a while now, and wouldn't mind being a stylist one day. "I'll probably get a lot of shit for working at a fashion magazine," he says. "But the girls I've met from Vogue look pretty nice. We'll see who's laughing when I get to work with them."