Parsons Benefit Part 2

If you are not much of a fashionista, but want to act like you know more then you really do (cause really who doesn't like to be a bit of a know it all?) then drop the names of either of the next two designing duos. You will earn yourself some quick cred.

David Neville and Marcus Wainwright

The boys above design Rag and Bone; well fabricated, timeless basics with a bit of an edge. Everyone loves their clothes. They were school mates in England and have now taken NY by storm with great jeans and fantastic shirts.

Jeffrey Costello and Robert Tagliapietra

This next pair design Cotello Tagliapietra.

This bearish couple live in Brooklyn, and look they they got lost on the way to the bathroom at the Rawhide on 8th ave, and ended up in the pages of Vogue.

In fact here is Vogue's quote about the pair:

"Jeffrey Costello and Robert Tagliapietra, an unexpected team of Brooklyn guys who make nothing but the best dresses."

James Perse and Donna Karan

From the cuddly to the kissable; me. At least that is what Donna Karan thinks.

She wanted to see some of the shots I took of her, at the sight of one in particular, she planted a kiss on my cheek.

What can I say, the woman has built an empire on her good taste.

Alber Elbaz and Howard Socol

On to the awards portion of the evening. Alber Elbaz presented and award to Howard Socol. They were so funny together on stage. It was a love fest.

Diane von Furstenberg

Meanwhile Diane von Furstenberg waited in the wings. She is one of those people that just does not take a bad picture; amazing.

Oscar de la Renta

Speaking of amazing, Oscar de la Renta was sitting next to Anna Wintour, at the same table as André Leon Talley.

What a great audience for the students to have at their first fashion show. They worked hard to get to that point, and when they did their bow, you could tell how excited they were to have the chance show their work to a room full of important designers, editors and retailers.

Parson's Benefit Part 1

I photographed the Parson's Annual Benefit and Fashion Show last week for WWD and DNR, and it was filled with some crazy fabulous people.

There was a reception, awards ceremony, dinner, and a fashion show of the students work to round out the evening.

Diane von Furstenberg

Diane von Furstenberg was one of the honorees. The award was presented to her by none other then America's boyfriend Anderson Cooper.

Anderson Cooper

Anderson Cooper and Diane von Furstenberg

In Anderson's intro of DVF he mentioned that the two of them hang out. Apparently they were hiking together in a rain forest the weekend before.

Not in New Jersey, or upstate? NO. A rain forest.

If you have a crush on Anderson (it's OK, a lot of people do.) A word of advice, make sure you like to schlep and look fetching in gore tex.

Tim Gunn

Speaking of fetching, another silver fox, Tim Gunn was there, giving Anderson a run for his money.

Natalie Massenet

Online retailer Natalie Massenet showed her support for the school and her taste in accessories .

Carl and Iris Apfel

And on the topic of accessories. I saw some of the women in the room eyeing this necklace-it eyed them back.

I loved the his and hers Sylvia Weinstock glasses in tortoise. The glasses made me hopeful that there might be a fantastic cake later in the evening.

Alas, there were just more fashion people and celebs.

Jan-Hendrick Schlottmann and Derek Lam

The very sweet (but not at all cake-like) Jan-Hendrick Schlottmann and Derek Lam, of Derek Lam were there.

Narciso Rodriguez and Donna Karan

The event had a lot of big name designers as evidenced by this two shot of Narciso Rodriguez and Donna Karan.

So many in fact that I am going to split this post in two parts.

Shoe Star Elimination 1

I have been shooting the stills for this project for FN for a few months now.

This is like the footwear version of project runway. If you like shoes and reality TV then this next clip is for you.


Nine West FN Shoe Star Episode 2 - Elimination 1

Asi Wind on VH1's Celebracadabra

So I was up late a couple of nights ago, transferring this big job to the WWD server (more on that later.) I was watching VH1 and who did I see on their new celeb reality show about magic but Asi Wind. I did a party with him on New Year's eve and he is amazing.


Each celeb is paired up with a magician. Asi is teaching Ant. Ant is being painted as the shows villain. This means that the producers will keep him on for as long as possible the maximum amount of drama.

Daft Punk Cresendolls

I have had this song in my head for days and wanted to share it. It is from Daft Punk's Discovery album. The video is from an anime film called Interstella 5555. The film is the set to the entire album Discovery.

Jefrey Fashion Cares '08

Last week I shot the Jeffrey Fashion Cares 5th annual charity event for DNR and FN.

Jeffrey and his staff have always done a great job putting on a wonderful event and this year was no different. It was twice the size of last year's event. The money raised goes to Lambda Legal, Gay Men's Health Crisis, and the Hetrick-Martin Institute, home of the Harvey Milk High School.

Jeffrey Kalinsky

Jeffrey was coordinating and making sure that everything was perfect with serious focus. His shoes however told a different story. Seeing as how I was there for FN I had the chance to capture them. They were crazy.

Jeffrey's shoes

It was a night of a thousand reality stars, well a half dozen any way. There was the latest Project Runway winner Christian Siriano.

Christian Siriano

Project Runway Judge and former(?) Elle Fashion Director Nina Garcia was also there.

Nina Gracia and Christian Siriano

The Bravo Family was out in force. It is NBC's gay channel and this was a very gay event, so it was fitting.

Jack Mackenroth, and Carson Kressley

After the cocktail reception there was a fashion show. Here are some of the highlights.

James Sherwin at The Mark Hotel in the NY Times

The Mark Hotel

My dear friend James Sherwin is taking over the helm at The Mark Hotel. The NY Times has done a great article about the hotel featuring oodles of great quotes from James and a photo of him to boot.

The Lobby