By Benjamin-Émile Le Hay 9/06/12 5:21pm

fashion week

Anna Wintour, Diane von Furstenberg, Oscar de la Renta and Sarah Jessica Parker

The Oscar: De La Renta Honored by the Couture Council

Quelle chance that the venerable philanthropist and socialite Jean Shafiroff invited The Observer to wine and dine at her table at the David H. Koch Theater for Fashion Institute of Technology’s 2012 Couture Council of The Museum luncheon.  Despite the hefty $1,000-a-head price tag, around 600 guests, including Sarah Jessica Parker, Barbara Walters, Anna Wintour, Simon Doonan, Fe Fendi, Diane von Furstenberg, editrix and realty star Nina Garcia, Carolina Herrera, Mario Buatta, Yaz Hernandez, Martha Stewart, Dennis Basso, Ruben and Isabel Toledo, YUE editor Chiu-Ti Jansen and Mayor Michael Bloomberg, paraded uptown for the ruckus.  FIT’s clout was undeniable with so many powerful New Yorkers packed into the gold-leaf foyer. Truth be told, 2012 Couture Council Artistry of Fashion honoree Oscar de la Renta certainly deserved credit for the monumental turn-out. Read More

By Charlotte Lindemann 7/19/12 5:35pm

Party Photos

6 Photos

The Hostess

Latin Flavor at the LivingThere Magazine Launch

Ignoring the thunderstorm that hit New York yesterday afternoon, LivingThere Magazine’s guests partied indoors for the publication’s launch, hosted by covergirl Yaz Hernandez at El Museo del Barrio.

Though Patrón’s national events manager Chenoa Johnson told us the evening was originally planned to be poolside (the only way to drink tequila), even without the sunshine partygoers immersed themselves in the summery theme by feasting on Dos Toros gourmet tacos and Magnolia Bakery sweets while listening to Latin dance music. Ms. Hernandez described it as a “celebration of Latin culture”: the food, the music, the tequila and the location. The event also included a private tour of the Barrio museum galleries: “I loved the exhibition,” admitted Valerie Steele, director of the Museum at FIT, noting the great combination that contemporary art and yummy food make.

Click through to our slideshow for a peek at the festivities. Read More

By Daniel D'Addario 5/17/12 9:00am

the eight-day week

Alexandra Lebenthal (Getty Images)

To Do Thursday: Yaz, We Can

Yaz Hernandez has a special cause—and no, it’s not tick-borne disease. (Not yet, that is. We’re sending her some literature we picked up at last night’s benefit.) She’s being honored for her commitment to the Latino cultural institution El Museo del Barrio at the museum’s fundraising gala, along with designer Narciso Rodriguez and Bacardi. The Read More

By Drew Grant 5:50pm

Philanthropy

9 Photos

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Power BFFs: Philanthropic Duos at Last Night’s New Yorkers For Children Cocktail Reception

(Lana Smith and Polina Proshkina)

Tis the season to be generous: when all New York’s biggest philanthropies start gearing up for balls, galas, and nightly events to raise money for every cause imaginable. It’s that magical time when a young person must go and prove that they know their junior leagues from their junior committees from their young people’s council. Read More