The boys over at Mao PR have been kicking off Fashion Week for several years now with a party to launch their semi annual magazine full of interviews and images of Fashion Royalty from yesteryear and beyond.
The party was such a chic treat in the early years when it was held at the Morgan but recent fetes have, for me, been a flop. Too big, too many people, too much going on (although sipping champagne with Mamie Van Doren was pretty spectacular three seasons ago).
This year the bash was held in a newish venue on Beaver Street. The space must be from the 1930's with soaring mosaic columns and grand entrance. It seemed like a large space but compared to other years at mega clubs the vibe felt quaint.
BOB held court onstage until Kendra from Karen Black performed (or pranced around in body paint with a nubile fry gal by her side).
All the freaks came out whom I really don’t see to much anymore. My New Years resolution was to stop going out so much and besides fashion week, I have been fairly good about it. Amber Ray was a vision of Gothic Cockatoo; June ditched her trademark platinum wig for rainbow of locks obviously snatched from the wig room of Miss Understood.
I spent quite some time in the corner with the handsome David from Nasty Pig. I could talk bondage with him for ages. So ethereal! Not really but why not speak about such things with an expert? (www.nastypig.com) Then Shania Rendezvous crept in, snapped this picture and bolted to cause scandal somewhere else.
I was thrilled to see Mary Gehlhar out and about! Since having adorable lil All-Star, she has been mommie dearest but tonight she left the tot at home and mingles with the masses who have missed her for so long. Welcome back Mary!
(note: Patty McWagon loves seeing Mary because when he calls out her name, 10 gay men turn around)
Matt Bell, new to Mao, old friend to me, was totally in his element chatting up everyone and playing the perfect host. How long would this last during fashion week? Well it lasted until the Jason Wu show when I saw him play with his headset perfectly to ignore a screaming faux stylist who swore she was best friends with his boss. Well done Matt!
After several hours and several vats of vodka Fay, Deepak, Reinaldo and a bevy of artists fled the scene and headed to the Beatrice. There we had quite cocktails around 10:30 with Matthew and the bartenders before the hurricane known as Yanna blew in with uber stylist, Patti Wilson. We had a load of fun and danced till the wee hours apparently with an 'America's next top model' and a load of other Beatrice beats.
Thanks Mao for a splendid kick off to a glorious/torturous week....
