CITYist

On Monday, The Gramercy Park Hotel hosted The Rose Bar Sessions, a series of intimate exclusive performances for a hand picked crowd, featuring a live performance by music legend Liza Minnelli. VIP guests including Mary Louise Parker along with her new boyfriend Charlie Mars, Sandra Bernhard, Tony Danza and Alan Cumming were on-hand as Minnelli performed tracks off of her new album, Confessions, which debuted on September 21.

Photo by Seth Browarnik/WorldRedEye.com

LACOSTE L!VE—the hip and rebellious offspring of the Lacoste family—recently opened up their first shop in SoHo, and they’ll be celebrating tomorrow with a live Art Battle featuring Sean Ono and See One. Head on over to the shop (134 Prince St.) from 2-5pm to get in on the action. Cause after all, art and fashion—just like graffiti and New York—go hand in hand.

If you missed any of the excitement (or the madness) from this year’s FNO, we’ve got you covered. Take a peek after the cut of some of the night’s highlights from this year, like Naomi Campbell’s 14 dopplelgangers at Dolce&Gabbana, the bombshells at Victoria’s Secret, celebs at Dior, Ralph Lauren and DKNY, and oh yea—the showering Lacrosse players Gant featured in its windows.

As if looking spectacular on the cover of our September issue wasn’t enough, Heidi Klum came out to celebrate last night with us at The Lamb’s Club looking just as radiant—and by no means were we the only one’s who noticed. And since she chose to don a sparkly gold Phillip Lim outfit to the event, we can’t help but think that the gold suit that we put her in (also Lim) might have rubbed off a bit. See what everyone else is saying after the jump!

What better place to host a summer fête than an NYC rooftop? That’s just what Intermix did last night, and although we didn’t make an appearance (Hot Chip was beckoning) the affair was one to remember. Trendsetter favorite Yigal Azrouël stopped in, as well as model Hilary Rhoda (in a killer pair of hot pink strappy sandals), 30 Rock’s Katrina Bowden and actress/socialite Byrdie Bell. Hosted at Skylight West, Chrissie Miller acted as DJ while “doo-wop Punk” group Locksley and British quartet Deluka provided the tunes. Check out a few party pics after the jump.

So, like we mentioned, we had a chance to stop by The Fader’s issue release party the other night. Deep in the subterranean depths of the Hudson Hotel, a rather diverse crowd gathered to hear the musical stylings of Wavves (whose album, King of the Beach, drops today on iTunes). The performance was just as angsty as expected—though the acoustics could have been better. The real surprise of the night, however, was when rumor turned into reality and The Dream took to the stage. We’d been hearing loud murmurings all night that the R&B hit-maker, who just released his third album, Love King, had no plans to perform. So when he suddenly appeared, partially singing, partially lip-syncing new songs “Make up Bag” and the titular “Love King,” it was even sweeter. Check out pics, and a video of Wavves peforming “King of the Beach,” after the jump.

Get over Hump Day with a little boozin’ at the NYC Indy Spirits Expo next Wednesday at 6:30 (VIP entrance at 5 p.m.). Yes—locally produced, independent liquor is the latest in the foodie/drink snob trend. From vodka to cognac, the unique spirits come from small operations in New England to bigger indie brands from all over the world. You’ll even meet the people behind the fine drinks—exhibitors from Love Potion No. 9 to Square One Organic Vodka.

We stopped by Milk Studio’s glorious rooftop penthouse last night to peep at some of Melissa Shoe’s ingenious plastic footwear creations (jelly shoes aren’t just for grade school anymore) and, of course, to peep at the beautiful partygoers. Said attendees included Marc Jacob’s husband Lorenzo Martone, models Erin Wasson and Dree Hemingway and designers Yigal Azrouel and Prabal Gurung. Amidst some party-starting tunes by The Misshapes (including Robyn, Passion Pit and Hot Chip), some lemon and watermelon-flavored rum cocktails and some gorgeous views of the sunset, the vibe flowed freely in the first none sauna-like weather we’ve had in days.

Sample sales at Parlor showroom, home of some of our favorite indie fashion brands such as Samantha Pleet (see yesterday’s post), trend setters Timo Weiland and southern belle style from Lorrick, are more of a party than any sample sale we’ve ever seen. This evening, the designers from Timo Weiland will be DJing the sale (dance party anyone?) and passing round margaritas (which, frankly, is all we’re thinking about on this hot Friday afternoon). As for Ms. Pleet: not only does she design delightful daywear, she also bakes.

Read on for details…

These days, every downtown girl is shrouded in lace, bound in leggings and covered with over-sized yet feminine tees. In a shrewd business move, designer Carrie Morrissey took these trends to heart with her line, I Still Love You, available at Lower East Side boutique Convent. In only the most wearable colors (black and white, that is) and desirable silhouettes (super tight on the bottom and flowing on the top), Morrissey adds detail to her designs with lace, cutouts and straps evoking bondage. We stopped by to celebrate the line last night at Fat Baby on the LES—where the line was long, the music was retro and all the party-goers looked like ideal customers.

We were busy bees on Tuesday night. Not only did we take in Patricia Field’s Barbie dreamland fashion show, but we also managed to make an appearance at Mulberry’s celebration for the new book Glastonbury-Another Stage by Venetia Dearden. Dearden’s book provided the backdrop of rainbow-colored photos of concert-goers at the famously muddy festival and the influence for a tipi and bales of straw dyed the color of Easter eggs. Mulberry provided the guests: Agyness Dean, Chanel Iman, Michelle Trachtenberg, Olivia Palermo and Leigh Lezark, among others (photos, of the book as well as the party, after the jump). Chairlift, Kelis and Manos de Dios provided the tunes. Milk Studios provided the view. It was a group effort.

Last night, 230 Fifth’s rooftop bar was transformed into a tropical oasis complete with cheetahs, sequin-covered bathing suits and drag queens. Amidst the mannequins, palm fronds and many, many cosmos, Patricia Field held court over a fashion show complete with swimwear, sunglasses and flowing chiffon bathing gowns alternately created by the Sex and the City designer’s House of Field team, Ivana Sert and The Blonds. We take you through a photographic experience of the night’s events—and though you may not have been in the Malibu Barbie dreamland yourself, these pictures will take you close enough.

Television stars galore turned out for Think PR’s Upfronts stylist studio at the Empire Hotel. From reality judges (Nigel Barker) to sing and dance phenomena (Heather Morris from Glee—yes, the ditzy cheerleader) to stars of shows with too many Emmys to count (Katrina Bowden of 30 Rock), it was a full-on fashion fest for stars of the small screen with beauty and clothing brands like Desert Essence, Sequoia, Fresh Jive and What Goes Around Comes Around. Check out more party pics after the jump.

The socialites were out in full force last night to celebrate Jason Wu’s first ever sunglasses and optical collection. We headed over to Soho’s super-luxe eyewear hub ILORI to gaze at the luminous shades in their appropriately backlit perches in the store’s chic display. With a decidedly 50s starlet vibe, the glasses, made in collaboration with Modo, would look right at home with Wu’s girly frocks. Amidst a sea of mirrors and lights, editors, models and socials from Hamish Bowles to Alana Zimmer and Catherine McNeil (pictures of the party-goers, as well as the glasses, after the jump) sipped some bubbly and admired the wares. We even got to say hello to Wu himself— briefly. The man was in high demand.

Last week, CITY rubbed shoulders with Lindsay Lohan and Alessandra Ambrosio at Wildfox’s celebration for its fall collection. The LA-based brand, made of hearts, cotton candy and California dreams (or, more literally, vintage-inspired knits of an entirely girly and cheerful vein), kicked back at 10AK for “It’s Witchcraft,” an event featuring magicians, candy stations and a “kissing wall,” whatever that is. Check out more party pics after the jump.

For all our readers in London, or those who may find themselves there (though with the whole volcano thing, that’s unlikely), we present Gucci’s limited edition shoe: a wonderfully cheeky polka-dotted lace-up loafer created in collaboration with musician/producer Mark Ronson (and available exclusively at Gucci’s London pop up store).

Stop by Ports 1961 in the Meatpacking District (3 9th Ave) tonight to say hello to CITY and check out some thought-provoking art. The first 100 guests at “Collective Dreams,” an art exhibit sponsored by a team including yours truly, will receive gift bags—not to mention the open bar, beautiful views and hors d’oeuvres everyone gets to partake in.

This Thursday night, celebrate the Brooklyn Museum’s upcoming exhibit “American High Style: Fashioning a National Collection” with a giant piñata, fortune telling and tunes spun by Leo Fitzpatrick, Nate Lowman and David Benjamin Sherry. Oh, and get a chance to see the exhibit’s stunning fashions before they debut to the public on May 7th.

In a perfect world, every night would include food cooked by a celebrity chef and a performance by an indie band. And while we can’t taste the dishes or feel the music’s vibrations, we still get invited to watch such a scenario with IFC’s new show, “Dinner with the Band.” After the jump, learn more about the series (which includes appearances by Rufus Wainwright, YACHT, Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings and others), and last week’s NYC premiere.