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 BY JENE LUCIANI | | |
It doesn’t take much to get me to an event. Promise me some interesting celebrity types, a swag bag and I’m there. Sometimes all it takes is a cleverly decorated invitation (yes, I’m still a sucker for some sparkles and confetti) and my RSVP is guaranteed. The holidays of course had everyone out and about for a cause (who said New Yorkers don’t care??) and the stars were out in full-force hawking everything from skincare lines to cranberry juice (Yes, cranberry juice). Thirsty for more gossip? Read on for the full scoop. | |  | | | | | Couture for a Cause…
He’s famous for doling out advice to aspiring fashion designers on Project Runway but on November 10th, Tim Gunn used his star power to help out a very good cause. The “Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style” host (who happens to be a very nice guy too) joined some 700 people as they converged on the West Village for a fashion fiesta like no other.
The Gay Men’s Health Crisis’ 2nd annual Fashion Forward event raised more than 200k for the cause… and featured the fashions of top designers including Michael Bastian, Betsey Johnson, and Ports 1961 by Tia Cibani, Tim Hamilton, Charles Nolan, and John Varvatos. Other attendees included supermodel Beverly Johnson, designers Derek Lam and Sue Stemp and some former Project Runway contestants too, natch. Lam, as well as Gilt Groupe, Diane Von Furstenberg and several others, sponsored the event.
Pets Take Center Stage…
Here’s one event that really went to the dogs: Bideawee, a no-kill shelter and pet adoption organization in Manhattan, set out to find the country’s first StarPet™, the best dog and cat “stars” in America. It was conducted by celebrity pet trainer Bash Dibra (he’s trained the pampered pooches of SJP, Mariah Carey and J-Lo, to name a few) and after much tail wagging, the finalists were announced at a star-studded luncheon on November 10th. | | 
Ivanna Trump and Moe | | | | | | | | 
Michelle Williams and
Ursula Stephens
| | The pets were paraded in front of a panel of celebrity judges including Ivana Trump, Paulina Porizkova, Roberta Flack (who told me she has 15 dogs living in her 1 BR Manhattan apartment!,) Michelle Hurd and Amanda Setton from the CW’s Gossip Girl, Survivor’s Jenna Morasca, the Today Show’s Jill Rappaport and the Village Voices’ Michael Musto and finally, a winner was chosen in both the feline and the canine categories.
Montel Williams acted as the day’s MC, which also featured appearances by Dr. Ruth, Constantine Maroulis from American Idol and Elvis, Laurie and Andrew from CBS’s the Greatest American Dog.
Hot Birthday Bash…
A hair-raising affair in Soho on November 11th, as stars like Michelle Williams and America’s Next Top Model Dani Evans feted celebrity hairstylist Ursula Stephen’s birthday, with a bash sponsored by FHI Heat.
Perhaps the highlight of the night, which drew 250 VIP guests to the L'Oreal Professional Product Institute, was when the evening’s hostess, Destiny’s Child singer Michelle Williams, serenaded the birthday girl (her stylist, natch.) Stephen’s a-list roster of clients also includes Rihanna. You’ll hear more about what she’s been up too… below. | | | | | | | | Friend-worthy Skincare…
In the throes of winter here in New York, there’s nothing more predictable than the inevitable dry, itchy skin the season brings. So, when one of our favorite former “Friends,” Courteney Cox Arquette, fled her home-base of sunny L.A. to join a select group of New York-based reporters (including myself) for brunch at Milo’s on 55th, to tell us all about her favorite skincare line, which she also happens to be the spokesperson for, we listened. Kinerase, (pronounced like KINE-erase) which is sold in retailers like Nordstrom and Sephora, uses plant-based extract Kinetin, to fight the signs of aging and sun damage. “I live in Hollywood where everyone is always looking at you and analyzing you and it’s hard,” says Cox Arquette. “So this product really makes it easier for me.” If this is the secret to the 44-year old actress’ youthful looks, we’re buying. | |  Courteney Cox Arquette and Guests | | | | | | | | 
Frida Giannini and Rihanna
Unicef Snowflake Lighting Ceremony
| | Snowflake Lighting…
What do Rihanna, Gucci and UNICEF have in common? Well, on November 19th, the songstress was feted in New York for the new Gucci “Tattoo Heart Collection,” for which she is the spokesperson. The event doubled as UNICEF’S snowflake lighting ceremony, a worldwide children’s organization that will net a portion of the proceeds from Gucci’s Tattoo Heart Collection to. Got it? After a Gucci-clad Rihanna braved the cold to officially light the not-so-shabby snowflake (it measures in at 23 feet in diameter, over 28 feet high and weighs 3,300 pounds, with 16,000 Baccarat crystal prisms) high atop 5th Avenue, she joined the likes of Madonna, Mary J. Blige, Blake Lively, Becki Newton, Timbaland, Adrian Grenier, Robert Pattison, Ne-Yo and Gucci Creative Director Frida Giannini for a soiree at Gucci’s Flagship 5th Avenue store. | | | | | | | | Guests were able to purchase items from the new collection while sipping on Sergio Mionetto and Grey Goose Vodka cocktails. Rihanna also serves as the spokesperson for the fourth annual Gucci campaign to benefit UNICEF. “I am blown away by what UNICEF has been able to accomplish in Africa with the funds raised by Gucci,” says Rihanna. “I feel very fortunate to be a part of this collaboration.” | | | | | | | Eco-Chic Event…
Rihanna’s not the only R & B superstar that’s out to do some good. Russell Simmons’ Diamond Empowerment Fund held an event the next night at eco-chic club Greenhouse, for the Community and Individual Development Association, a free college in Johannesburg, South Africa. Co-hosts Simmons, LL Cool J and David Blaine mingled with South African supermodel and event co-chairs Nicola Breytenbach and her husband Benjamin Steiner, Miss Africa USA 2008-09 Nyasha Zimucha, international supermodel Liya Kebede, Tatiana Ali, Mario and former NFL player and ESPN commentator Ray Crockett, among others, while DJ Cassidy spun some tunes and revelers purchased diamond and sapphire baubles donated by Zales. The event was also the official launch of “Africa's Angels,” a new ambassador program for D.E.F. | |  Supermodel Liya Kebede
& Russell Simmons | | | | | | | | Simmons Pumps Up Black Friday…
From one Simmons to another: On Black Friday, the traditional start to the holiday shopping season, it was Richard Simmons who was making headlines! Yes, the famous fitness guru surprised early bird shoppers at Macy’s Herald Square with some early morning stretches and free samples of Ocean Spray’s Cranergy™ Energy Juice Drink. Dressed in a Christmas elf-like outfit adorned with sequins and complete with his famous short-shorts, Simmons helped shoppers get a jump start to their shopping day (and perhaps work off some of the previous days turkey) with a sweatin-to-the-sales aerobics routine as they waited in line for the store’s doors to open. | | | | | |
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