By Benjamin-Émile Le Hay 9/07/12 12:58pm

fashion week

Ryan Lochte, Anna Wintour and Dwayne Wade at Calvin Klein Collection's FNO bash.

Fashion’s Night in Hell: Why We Hate Fashion’s Night Out

The Observer positively loathes the yearly shopping-and-style populist event known as Fashion’s Night Out. While we certainly understand this social philanthropic “fashion for everyone” affair championed by Anna Wintour and friends, it absolutely obliterates the little decency that remains in luxury shopping in this city. Yes, we all find the attitudes inside the gilded foyer of Hermès to be a bit frigid, but isn’t it completely understandable that if someone was overseeing the aggressive push of $15,000 ostrich-skin merchandise to a marvelously affluent and demanding clientele day after day that they would develop an extreme snob complex? Besides which, unwelcoming as shops such as Hermès may be, the atmosphere does establish some sense of order and brand image, and people can actually browse and shop in peace.

Order means nothing during the evening of Fashion’s Night Out. Peace? Fuggetaboutit! Instead, posh shopping establishments become laden with breathing and mobile fashion atrocities. These individuals bring an uncouth, boisterous je ne sais quoi to boutiques such as Rebecca Taylor, Brunello Cucinelli, Oscar de la Renta, Alexis Bittar and Rag & Bone. They purchase nothing, spill their drinks frequently, scream, hiss, push and even fight. But occasionally order presides, publicists greet attendees and pleasantries and frivolities are exchanged. Donna Karan’s Stephan Weiss book launch party at her boutique on Madison Avenue was one such example. Read More

By Spencer Rothman 6/26/12 6:20pm

Charity Events

Eric McCormick and Debra Messing. (Leandro Justen/Patrick McMullan)

Will and Grace Reunited on Stage at Trevor Live

“I’d be devastated if my son grows up to be a hetero. As a parent, you just envision a certain life for your child. Just imagine the fabulous things he’s going to miss out on! When I think my son might not ever know the joys of having a quarter share on Fire Island, and walking through Judy Garland Memorial Park on the way to the Meat Rack!” Debra Messing said holding back melodramatic tears to a roaring audience last night at Trevor Live, an evening of music and comedy to benefit the Trevor Project.

“Every parent hopes for their child to not be a heterosexual! Think of all the things they’ll miss out on…skinless chicken breasts and brown rice,” Eric McCormick added sarcastically. This was the first time the duo had taken the stage together since their hit TV show Will & Grace went off the air in 2006.

The Trevor Project was founded in 1998 and has since become the leading national organization providing intervention and suicide prevention service to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth. Every year the foundation honors someone who has helped make progress for the LGBTQ community, and this year’s honoree was Susan Sarandon, an open advocate for increasing visibility and understanding of the LGBTQ community. Read More

By Daniel D'Addario 3/23/12 10:30am

the eight-day week

Padma Lakshmi (Patrick McMullan)

To Do Saturday: GLAAD To Meet You

The GLAAD Media Awards go out to artists in film and television who’ve made an impact with portrayals of gay men and lesbians in the media—and despite the fact that the show is mainly about Debra Messing’s straight affair, Smash may well clean up! (Hey, it never stopped Will & Grace.) The producers of the Read More