From Comunista to Fashionista--Models Strut Down the Great Wall of China

When Qin Shi Huang erected the Great Wall of China in 221 BC, protection of the Chinese Empire's northern borders was what he had in mind. More than 2000 years later, Karl Lagerfeld had a different thought.

Last week, for the first time, the historic monument was transformed into the world's largest runway to showcase Fendi's Spring 2008 collection. The show, which was the grand finale to a four-day extravaganza, was attended by socialites, celebrities and fashionistas including Kate Bosworth, Zhang Ziyi, Tinsley Mortimer, Thandie Newton, ASW Members Julia Restoin-Roitfeld, Amanda Hearst, Fabiola Beracasa, Laird Borrelli, Billy Farrell (New York's ubiquitous shutterbug) and Zani Gugelmann who effusively recalls the show as being "a magical, surreal moment - surpassing all expectations I could have ever imagined."

Not everyone was so happy. ASW member and Executive Director of the Association for Asian Research, Erping Zhang, felt that "reducing a historical landmark such as the Great Wall to a commercial site for self promotion is not a decent idea."

As we march towards the 2008 Olympics, it is becoming increasingly clear that China, a politically socialist, yet seemingly economically capitalist nation is openly and visibly embracing American and European luxury brands, and placing them center stage.

It also seemed fitting that the Fendi celebrations overshadowed the Chinese Communist Party's Annual Convention, which was held during the same timeframe.

— Sabine Heller and Alonso Dominguez

Super Saturday

Fabiola and The Tinz

The word 'super' barely did the 10th annual Super Saturday garage sale extravaganza any justice. With everyone from Alberta Ferretti to Zac Posen flogging their wares under the tents at the field of the Hamptons' Nova Ark Project, it was more of a case of a super-size Saturday of unadulterated shopping. The sale, hosted by designer and summer Hamptons denizen Donna Karan, is clearly no ordinary garage sale. Before even eyeing up a single pair of cut-price Helmut Lang pants, attendees shelled out $400 for general admission tickets. It was all for an excellent cause since every cent went directly to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.

ASW members such as Petra Nemcova, Fabiola Beracasa and Jason Beckman were on hand to shop up a storm for charity. The ASW contingent was also represented on the other side of stalls. We noted that Stacy Bendet's Alice + Olivia and Sulaika Zarrouk and Lily Rafii's Felix Rey was doing brisk business all afternoon. Rachel Zoe, Christy Turlington and Petra Nemcova were amongst the other attendees who stalked the grassy aisles looking for bargains. Guests who could tear themselves away from the rails of Zac Posen suits, Diane von Furstenberg dresses and Turnbull and Asser shirts took time out to enjoy free manicures, gelato and psychic readings in surrounding tents.

Meanwhile, as closing time approached, retailers dropped prices to the floor, resulting in some super, super bargains. Vera Wang gowns, for example, were going for a mere $50. By the end of the day, most guests had amassed an impressive collection of shopping bags but there was still more to take home. At the gate, guests with the right wristband received a weighty extra-large goodie bags.

— Sabine Heller

Versailles in Wall Street--Hermès opens downtown NY emporium

Chloe Sevigny

Hermès toasted the opening of its new Wall Street store with a
sumptuous soirée on Thursday night. Early evening cocktails at the store, which is conveniently located opposite the New York Stock Exchange, were followed by an opulent Versailles-themed party held at the legendary Cunard Building.

As partygoers such as Rachel Weisz, Chloë Sevigny and Leelee Sobieski entered the building's grand hall, which once served as ticket office for Cunard's ocean liners, they were greeted by a winged wooden horse mounted on a platform in front of a wall of pine trees. Behind the trees the real party began with performers on stilts in horse masks towering over guests who feasted on spreads of oysters, cold cuts and champagne.

Kipton Cronkite, Serena Nikkhah

Midway through the evening, guests, including ASW members Fabiola Beracasa, Olivia Palermo, Emma Snowdon-Jones, Kipton Cronkite, Serena Nikkhah, and Derek Blasberg were welcomed into an adjacent gated garden - complete with real grass and fully-grown trees – where they indulged in towers of macaroons, profiteroles and an assortment of truffles and cakes. A rousing tap dance performance and a dance party capped off the truly decadent evening.

— Sabine Heller

A Night Fit for a Queen

Fabiola Beracasa, Tinsley Mortimer

If clinking glasses in a setting of leopard print Louis XV furniture, pastel-colored macaroons and a set of landed gentry with ringlet wigs to match the macaroons sounds a bit too hedonistically “Marie Antoinette” for you, then perhaps you wouldn’t have enjoyed the decadence of last week’s grand soiree held at the Museum of the City of New York.
However a small selection of New York society types gleefully indulged themselves at the flamboyant, 18th century-esque dinner prepared by Daniel Boulud.

Amidst the champagne crowd were many ASW members including Susan Shin, Fabiola Beracasa, Olivia Palermo, Arden Wohl, Kipton Cronkite, Euan Rellie, Zani Gugelmann, Patty Raynes, Lily Rafii, Byrdie Bell, Tracy Stern, Brook Hazelton, Lisa Anastos and Alexandra Lind Rose.

Kipton Cronkite, Olivia Palermo	Arden Wohl	Byrdie Bell

Carlos Mota, Zani Gugelmann

While the dress code for the evening was characterized as “hot couture,” many guest took it upon themselves to go “white hot,” celebrating the beginning of spring by cladding themselves in nearly white gowns and cocktail dresses. Amongst the ladies in white were Tinsley Mortimer, Cristina Greeven Cuomo, Mrs. Rose, Ms. Bell, Ms. Palermo and Ms. Gugelmann, who opted for a floor-grazing J. Mendel gown.

Other guests chose to classify the dress code in other ways, Ms. Wohl, for example, became a vibrant flapper in vintage Lacroix, her trademark headpiece comprised of a band of velvet. Ms. Beracasa, who chose a trailing, stained-glass print gown with ostrich feathers at the neck, also looked part flapper thanks to the black-feathered hairpiece she had adorning her hair.

However bespoke the look, guests enjoyed the grandeur of the atmosphere.

- Erin Skrypek