Emmanuelle Chriqui and Bryan Greenberg “Pay it Forward”

With no bus in sight I decided to make the trek across 42nd street to the exclusive Lucky Strike Lanes and Lounge for the Fashion Delivers Pay It Forward Event. Upon arrival I noticed a pretty sparse crowd which was of little surprise as I arrived. I got there just in time to catch a few celebs strike a pose on the red carpet. There was the just as hot in person as he is on screen Bryan Greenberg from HBO’s How To Make It In America, (so excited for season 2) and Emmanuelle Chriqui from HBO’s Entourage who were the hosts of the event and then a few other I don’t know whos. After about five minutes my A-D-D kicked in and I had to seek entertainment elsewhere. And since there is no better source of fun than booze I headed to the bar which was sponsored by Patron. Yes the Gods had smiled upon me. I ordered a Patron and lemonade and told the bartender to hold the lemonade and sucked that thing down so quickly I knew my second drink had to be a double. It had been that type of day.

I scanned the room and noticed that the room seemed to be filling up quite quickly.  There were lot of stiletto clad women channeling their inner Kim Kardashian dressed in Herve Lerger-esque dresses. And judging by the alarming feast of banker type men looking to find their Ms. Bradshaw their were spot on with their wardrobe choices. As I checked of my watch or should I say blackberry I realized an hour had gone by and nothing extraordinarily interesting had happened. But then our celebrity hosts announced that there was more to the story.

The actual purpose of the festivities extended beyond getting people tipsy off of Patron. We were all there to honor four industry leaders for their positive impact on the community and environment. The honorees included model and humanitarian Lane Carlson the executive director of Sunflower Children Organization which focuses on providing basic needs such as health care to forgotten children of the world and Summer Rayne Oakes has been deemed the world’s first Eco-Model due to her only working with companies and brands that shared her values. Contemporary designer and philanthropist Carlos Campos who gives back to his native Honduras through the Carlos Campos Foundation and also cooperates with Aid for Aids a non profit dedicated to improving the quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS in Latin America and the Caribbean was also on the roster. As well as NYC based make-up artist Rose Marie Swift committed to not only helping women look beautiful but stay healthy while doing it through her organic line RMS Beauty and her educational site www.beautytruth.com. Greenberg and Chriqui gave their praises, the crowd erupted in applause and everyone swayed and lit their lighters.

But what would a fashion event be without a little…fashion. Thanks to our favorite trend obsessed retailer Forever 21 the bowling lanes were transformed into runways. The brand showcased their usual run of all too cute items that every girl “must” add to her wardrobe. Cute frocks, short shorts, and my favorite socks with sandals. Boys got plaid shirts and fedoras. In a few short minutes the show was done and so was I.

Cheers,

Jenaya Singleton

(Images below thanks to Lady and the Blog)

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Sir Sean Connery Hosts “Dressed to Kilt!”

Though press arrival was scheduled for 5pm for the “Dressed to Kilt” event hosted through the Friend’s of Scotland, red carpet arrivals did not begin until 7:30, aaah the glory of journalism.   Proceeds from the annual event benefit the Wounded Warrior Project, Paralyzed Veterans of America and the Erskine Hospital of Scotland and from what I see draws big press.  I was confined to a tight space flooded with photographers, cameramen, and reporters holding their voice recorders like trophies.  I stood in the distance trying not to fall asleep as celebs walked the red-carpet. I don’t know, but everyone else seemed to. I guess I need to brush up on my D-listers.

But I digress.  The final spectacle was Sir Sean Connery who appeared happy with his family by his side.  Despite my exhilaration at catching a glimpse of the original 007, I couldn’t ignore my grumbling stomach. Time to find out where the real party is.  Making my way through the funhouse that is M2, I finally stumbled ( no literally I stumbled; 6-inch platforms and a slippery floor are not the best combo) upon the reception which to my surprise/relief was nearly empty.  But before I could check the status of my pinky toe, the place was swarming with trust fund babies and UES socialites.

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Lies Maculan’s “Opens” The Dream Shop

Now admittedly my expectations were quite low for this event.  Gallery openings are often a bit of a snooze fest for me, but as I entered the doors something inside told me this was not going to be that type of affair.  Maybe it was crossing paths with Countess Luann de Lessepsas as she was making her grand departure or my immediate notice of  the statuesque Erin Fetherston with her signature blond tresses.  Or the crowd filled with artsy eccentrics and other “in-crowd” types without the snootyness and pretension.   Though, I think it was because I was pleased to see the bar was not overflowing with free-loaders.  Almost immediately, I made my way over to entertain the bored servers, and by entertain I mean ask for a drink, and opted for a Bellini which knocked me off of my feet.  But fortunately for me there was an oddly placed seating arrangement furnished by the modern designs gurus of Bo-Concept.

When I finally pulled myself together and stopped seeing double I ventured to check out the exhibit of Lies Maculan’s  work and all interesting paintings/installations.  The installation was of life-sized photographs that were comprised of objects and human beings that represent our subconscious thoughts, deep I know.  Where a plane represents “Independence.”  While some were more literal,  “Have balls” represented by two golf balls.  Other notable images included “The perfect husband” who holds a mop and bucket in one hand and a briefcase in the other.  I like the way this girl thinks and a  piece that touched on the now socially acceptable plastic surgery epidemic, “Reinvent Yourself” was an image of a well structured woman who’s  face was replaced by a mirror.   And then there was my personal favorite, “Speak Your Mind“  that showcased a wooden hand with its middle finger up, it had been that type of day.

I found myself tempted for another drink and realized it was time to go.  Great art, cool people and an over successful party.

The Dream Shop, a photo-realistic room installation by Lies Maculan(30 West 21 Street (b/w 5th and 6th Avenues) runs through end of March.

Cheers, Jenaya Singleton

Images from the event

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Jen Kao Fall Winter 2010 Collection

“The City” Cast Parties at Guess by Marciano

A stiletto clad mob bombarded the doors of the Guess by Marciano store in Soho for their chance to rub elbows with MTV‘s ‘The City‘ cast members who were on hand the party and support the Susan G. Komen for The Cure Greater New York. Whitney Port, Olivia Palermo and  ELLE’s creative director Joe Zee were in attendance;  along with Ramona Singer, who looked amazing with her new shoulder length hair cut and Alex McCord and her partner in crime Simon van Kempen from Bravo’s The Real Housewives of New York.

The party was jam packed with beautiful and fashionable industry insiders many of whom made sure to be in the direct line of the camera crew taping.  Seriously trying to get their 2 mili seconds of fame.  Yes, they were actually taping an episode of The City.

Squeezing and battling my way through the boutique and desperately looking for the bar or a server with a drink, I stumbled upon the tiniest hors d’oeuvres known to man.  I mean geez, there are some fashion people who do eat.  I tried some chicken and shrimp “appetizer” which I forgot about almost as soon as I ate the thing.  Fortunately, the wine was  so on point that the lack of food was forgiven.   The music provided by DJs Jamie Biden and Alexandra Richards was a wonderful distraction from the overcrowded event.  With a drink in hand and Jamiroquai’s Just Dance blasting on the speakers I found myself feeling quite content.  While scanning the room I caught a glimpse of Tinsley Mortimer, Rick Fox with his lovely arm candy Elisha Dushku and Marc Indelicato from ABC’s Ugly Betty among others.

But the highlight for me was for my minimal $5 donation that supported Susan G. Komen for The Cure Greater New York(one of sponsors for the party) I scored some fantastic swag.  I got one of those cute hangers that holds your purse on tables, it even has sparkles on it,  Lock and Mane dry shampoo, philosophy one-step facial cleanser and Essie nail polish in ruby slippers just to mention a few.  Jealous?…you should be

And, if you aren’t jealous already will be after you see the pictures….

Cheers Jenaya Singleton

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