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Shop It Now20 Super-Glam Pics From DVF's Benefit (Hello, Afternoon Color Shock!)
While the weather in the Big Apple might blow today, last night we got to ditch the jackets and roll sleeveless to the Junior Spring Benefit for the Lincoln Center Institute. Held at The Bowery Hotel — which, oh-so-conveniently, we can spy from our office windows —the Diane von Furstenberg-sponsored dinner (and, naturally, after-party) was basically open air; The giant paned glass windows let in a downplayed draft that was mercifully not humid. We almost thought Serena Merriman, the tireless organizer of the annual fundraiser, paid for the breeze: She dramatically opened those heavy velvet curtains and let in le air at the same exact time as the arugula was served.
While hostess Carey Mulligan couldn't make it (re-watching, we hope, Baz Luhrmann's deliciously addictive Gatsby trailer), plenty of young thespians, editors, and general girls-and-guys-about-town took advantage of Mother Nature's easy chill to experiment with color in a way that's got us clicking over to DVF's e-commerce site, like, five minutes ago. Vogue's Valerie Boster donned an electric lilac silk plunger, Lily Kwong neon-ified some Hermès orange, and Chelsea Leyland's patterned Diane frock made us think of sherbert on adderall (oh yeah, our own Kristian Laliberte went for a Seize Sur Vingt suit that could double as a chic traffic cone). Though we stayed for Chairlift's sweet set, the Acme after-hours do just wasn't happening — we had to go home and research tangerine bathing suits. Overnight delivery, obviously.
Photo: Joe Schildhorn/BFAnyc.com
While hostess Carey Mulligan couldn't make it (re-watching, we hope, Baz Luhrmann's deliciously addictive Gatsby trailer), plenty of young thespians, editors, and general girls-and-guys-about-town took advantage of Mother Nature's easy chill to experiment with color in a way that's got us clicking over to DVF's e-commerce site, like, five minutes ago. Vogue's Valerie Boster donned an electric lilac silk plunger, Lily Kwong neon-ified some Hermès orange, and Chelsea Leyland's patterned Diane frock made us think of sherbert on adderall (oh yeah, our own Kristian Laliberte went for a Seize Sur Vingt suit that could double as a chic traffic cone). Though we stayed for Chairlift's sweet set, the Acme after-hours do just wasn't happening — we had to go home and research tangerine bathing suits. Overnight delivery, obviously.
Photo: Joe Schildhorn/BFAnyc.com
Relive Your Love For LCD Soundsystem (And Party For A Cool Cause)
If you find yourself still mourning the end of LCD Soundsystem, or even watching the video of the final concert on a regular basis, this is the party for you. The Kitchen, NYC's premiere nonprofit event space, is hosting their annual spring gala benefit, and the after-party will feature a DJ set by none other than James Murphy himself. He'll be spinning his upbeat electronica for the bold-faced crowd, which will include the night's honorees, Joan Jonas and Steve Reich, among other big names. Proceeds for the bash will fund The Kitchen's upcoming season, supporting innovative artists, dancers and performers. Tickets for the after-party run $75, a small price to pay for a night with some of music and art's best up-and-coming players.
For those with deeper pockets, there will also be a formal cocktail hour and dinner at 6 p.m., with individual seats starting at $500. You'll get the chance to mingle with the evening's co-chairs — the likes of Selby Drummond and Matthew Doull — and have one huge tax deduction, natch. Where: Capitale, 130 Bowery (at Grand Street); 212-334-5500.
When: Wednesday, May 23, after-party from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Photo: Courtesy of The Kitchen
What Happens When R29 & Warby Parker Get Down For Internet Week
"Style, Specs, + Tech," are not just three Refinery29 obsessions, but also the name of the party we threw last night with Warby Parker. We needed to fete internet week right, which means in style, which means to gather a really chic crowd, a DJ, a venue, and some drinks. So, with our fave eyewear company, 150 dapper guests, and DJ Brendan Fallis (remember his kick-ass spring playlist?), we headed to Mondrian SoHo's Mister H to sip on Titos Vodka cocktails. The result was a raucous rager that tipped its hat to all things technology and fashion. And don't feel left out. We've got some of the cutest snaps of the night right here so you can relive it with us (and understand why we were maybe a few minutes late to work this morning).
The 5 Best-Dressed Babes At Oscar De La Renta's Fancy-Pants Dinner
On Wednesday night, ODLR seemed to be the acronym of choice. The NYC-based designer was one of the generous sponsors of the inaugural "Donor of the Day" event (named after the The Wall Street Journal's column, which profiles high-level philanthropists), a sit-down dinner at The Whitney for 150 guests, many of whom — surprise, surprise — were major donors. Appropriately, the evening was hosted by artist Jeff Koons whose 2014 retrospective will be the last exhibition held at the Madison Avenue space before the museum heads downtown. The cause on tap was The International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children, an amazing charity whose aim is to protect children from sexual exploitation and abduction. With moving speeches by Koons (whose own child was abducted), de la Renta's CEO Alex Bolen, and, most notably, ICMEC's president Ernie Allen there — if you can excuse us for being trite — really wasn't a dry eye in the house, especially after a musical performance by the insanely talented Brandi Carlile. The folk rock singer had the crowd actually on their feet, whooping for more (not a usual sight past 14th Street), and Carlile obliged, belting out a soul-splitting rendition of Jeff Buckley's "Hallelujah."
On a lighter note...the frocks! Oscar de la Renta, obviously, decked-out a bevy of our favorite PYTs, with floor-sweeping gowns that wouldn't be out of place on a Cannes red carpet. Click through to spy our fave five, including
@oscarprgirl
Erika Bearman's crop-top that's motivating us to do a sit-up (or twenty).
On a lighter note...the frocks! Oscar de la Renta, obviously, decked-out a bevy of our favorite PYTs, with floor-sweeping gowns that wouldn't be out of place on a Cannes red carpet. Click through to spy our fave five, including
Sandro Opens Another NYC Shop & Unleashes The Bumbys To Judge Your New Outfit

We're all kinds of crazy for fashion house Sandro — we seriously just can't get enough of their Parisian-chic pieces. Slip on an edgy moto jacket or a pair of their cutting-edge trousers, and one could easily be mistaken for a French girl-about-town (or one of their celeb cliental). Now, they're expanding their NYC presence with a new Soho boutique, and feting the store's opening in a big way. Not only will they be providing champagne for customers to sip while they browse the new summer collection (yes!), but they've recruited performance art duo The Bumbys to entertain partygoers. The artists' act, a major hit with the fashion set, includes hilarious commentary on bystanders' outfits, all delivered behind the guise of wigs, bandanas, and sunglasses. Or, as they call it, "A fair and honest appraisal of your appearance." We know you've been dying to finally hear how you look in those drop-crotch pants.
When: Saturday, May 19, from 1 to 5 p.m.
Where: Sandro, 8 Prince Street (between Elizabeth Street and Bowery); 212-226-3226.
Photo: Courtesy of The Bumby's
Geek Out At Internet Week With Refinery29 (We Have Your Passes!)

We love the Internet. Aside from the fact that, hey, you are reading us on it, a defining facet of the R29 crew is that we thrive online. Of course, we enjoy an occasional cat GIF, but in the last 10, five, or even two years, digital interconnectedness has made the fashion world much more robust. We tweet questions to designers, turn to Pinterest for inspiration, and sit "front row" to runway shows taking place on the other side of the world. (And, yes: Videos of kitties jumping in boxes.) Clearly, the web is our heaven.
Which is why Internet Week New York is just as important to us as the tents in September and February — it is just as much a part of our industry. (Though, admittedly, we get more sleep and less blisters at IWNY.) To anyone who gets their news online (i.e., everyone), this week is chock-full of poignant panels tackling creativity on the Internet, unpacking the role of Pinterest and Instagram, and discussing why fashion rules the web. Even R29 will drop some knowledge, with founder Philippe von Borries as a key speaker discussing how the internet has made fashion and commerce accessible to the masses.
Since IWNY is relevant to anyone working in media, tech, journalism, or fashion (in other words, New York City), R29 is giving away not one, but 50 passes to the conference. Not only does that mean up-close access to these great panels (including, ahem, R29's), but that means all the perks, too — from Uber vouchers to the invite-only parties. Just sign up below to enter to be one of our 50 guests to IWNY. You'll walk away with loads of insider knowledge, crucial new contacts, and a glimpse into the future. And maybe a new favorite place to find cat GIFs.
Say Frieze! The Best Party Pics From NYC's Inaugural Art Fest
A staple of the London contemporary art scene, the Frieze Art Fair made its NYC debut this past weekend. Taking over Randall's Island (not everyone in the office even knew of its existence), the four-day long-weekend celebration invited participants from far and wide (including Latifa Echakhch, Joel Kyack, and Ulla von Brandenburg), as well as those who work right within our own hometown (Tim Rollins and K.O.S., Rick Moody, John Ahearn, Uri Aran, and Virginia Overton). Along with the outdoor exhibitions we always welcome with open arms, however, this kind of New York premiere called for more than just the A word — what's the Big Apple without a bash or two?
The theme of the Frieze Fair allowed for artists to use the Randall's Island space and architecture as a part of their creations, and we found that models, editors, and celebs, in turn, decided to use NYC as their playground to party (and dress up) in honor of these creative masters. Okay, so maybe Frieze is no Art Basel, served with a side of sweet sunshine and South-Beach sand, but we think this Northeaster feast is just as exciting, and we could certainly get used to its annual arrival on our own small spot of land right off the coast of Manhattan Island. Ready to get a taste of what you were missing this past weekend? Jump ahead for the best party pics that Frieze had to offer, and cross your fingers the art fair comes back for more New York next year.
Photo: Neil Rasmus/BFAnyc.com
Photo: Neil Rasmus/BFAnyc.com
The 10 Best-Dressed Style Stars At Last Night's Met Ball
There's a whole slew of fresh couples in town, but that doesn't mean all the star relationships you love to love aren't still going strong, too. At last night's Costume Institute Gala at the Met, arguably the fashion world's biggest party, we spied muses and their designer dates—both old and brand-new—who we always look for on a red carpet.
Dakota Fanning got romantic with Louis Vuitton (we told you at least one Fanning would!), Camilla Belle slinked up to a silver Ralph Lauren, Florence Welch rocked that insane McQueen, and, unlike the grainy paparazzi pics of Us Weekly-staples holding hands, this love fest was fully documented by 1,000 lenses. Without further ado, we're dishing our list—a top 10 to be exact—of the stylish ladies who deserve the best-dressed crown. Breakups might be on the horizon, but right now, the honeymoon phase is in full effect.
Click through to see the 10 red-carpet looks that really brought it at last night's Met Gala—and pick your fave!
Dakota Fanning got romantic with Louis Vuitton (we told you at least one Fanning would!), Camilla Belle slinked up to a silver Ralph Lauren, Florence Welch rocked that insane McQueen, and, unlike the grainy paparazzi pics of Us Weekly-staples holding hands, this love fest was fully documented by 1,000 lenses. Without further ado, we're dishing our list—a top 10 to be exact—of the stylish ladies who deserve the best-dressed crown. Breakups might be on the horizon, but right now, the honeymoon phase is in full effect.
Click through to see the 10 red-carpet looks that really brought it at last night's Met Gala—and pick your fave!
Inside The New NYC Nicholas Kirkwood Store (& The VIP Party)
We're no stranger to Nicholas Kirkwood's spot-them-from-across-the-cobblestones designs. But now that he's opened his first NYC store in the MPD, we can get to know them a lot better — after all, where better to practice our cobble-hopping skills. So, yeah, we're talking swinging by every day for just a glimpse at the summer shoes we can't wait to strut in with our new spring dresses (fine, even if we don't leave the store with them). If you can't afford to swipe the kind of plastic needed to exit with one of Kirkwood's creations, the British designer's boutique is worth the 1% jealousy.
The 1,500-square-feet of foot porn (the good kind) is directly across the street from the High Line and the coming-so-soon Whitney Museum of American Art, and carries the full collection of styles and collaborations, meaning art- and nature-lovers no longer have to trek to various department stores to score their Nick hit. Oh, and there's a private backyard garden that's on-point for a lil' post-sandal-spree sunbathing.
On Friday, we trekked over to Washington Street for the grand opening — hosted by Kirkwood himself — to join other NK addicts for some bubbly and shoe spotting. Luxe shoppers like Bee Shaffer, Nora Zehetner, Michelle Violy Harper, Hannah Bronfman, and Kate Foley scooped the range, displayed like works of art in custom-built niches, platforms, and tables — appropriate as we can see one or two of the pairs making their debut at a certain museum. We made ample use of that dove gray circular banquette to slip on some of our favorite styles, but we're not telling if we left with those turquoise blue/houndstooth/shocking pink pumps. Pass by Pastis this weekend, though, and you might recognize us, or, err, our accessories...
Nicholas Kirkwood, 807 Washington (between Gansevoort and Horatio streets); 646-559-5239. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.
Photo: Courtesy of Nicholas Kirkwood
The 1,500-square-feet of foot porn (the good kind) is directly across the street from the High Line and the coming-so-soon Whitney Museum of American Art, and carries the full collection of styles and collaborations, meaning art- and nature-lovers no longer have to trek to various department stores to score their Nick hit. Oh, and there's a private backyard garden that's on-point for a lil' post-sandal-spree sunbathing.
On Friday, we trekked over to Washington Street for the grand opening — hosted by Kirkwood himself — to join other NK addicts for some bubbly and shoe spotting. Luxe shoppers like Bee Shaffer, Nora Zehetner, Michelle Violy Harper, Hannah Bronfman, and Kate Foley scooped the range, displayed like works of art in custom-built niches, platforms, and tables — appropriate as we can see one or two of the pairs making their debut at a certain museum. We made ample use of that dove gray circular banquette to slip on some of our favorite styles, but we're not telling if we left with those turquoise blue/houndstooth/shocking pink pumps. Pass by Pastis this weekend, though, and you might recognize us, or, err, our accessories...
Nicholas Kirkwood, 807 Washington (between Gansevoort and Horatio streets); 646-559-5239. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.
Photo: Courtesy of Nicholas Kirkwood
Party Parisian-Style In NYC At This Très Chic Benefit
Aahh Paris… Home of the Eiffel Tower, the croissant, and of course, the Louvre. Not planning an escape to the city of love and light? Ne vous inquietez pas (don't sweat), because NYC has an event coming up that'll rid you of your Paris woes. The Consul General of France in New York and American Friends of the Louvre are holding their Young Patrons Circle's Annual Benefit in honor of the legendary museum and all the beauty it holds. Break out your swankiest cocktail attire and brush up on your French, because Paris only comes to NYC once a year.
When: Thursday, May 10, from 8 to 11 p.m.
Where: Consulate General of France, 934 Fifth Avenue (at 75th Street); 212-367-2645; purchase tickets here.

Photo: Courtesy of American Friends of the Louvre
When: Thursday, May 10, from 8 to 11 p.m.
Where: Consulate General of France, 934 Fifth Avenue (at 75th Street); 212-367-2645; purchase tickets here.

Photo: Courtesy of American Friends of the Louvre
When Gucci, GQ, & James Franco Send Invites, The Answer Is Always YES
We have a history with James Franco. He tells us things. Things like which teeny bopper he prefers (Selena over Justin), what kind of undies he wears (American Apparel boxer briefs), and obvs, where he parties when he's in NYC. So, of course we had the scoop on his whereabouts last night when he showed up to represent Gucci at their made-to-measure men's suiting event. And, you guessed it, we managed to make it uptown, too. With beats by R29 BFF, Solange Knowles, some champers, and yup, even bacon strips (by the bar, natch), the GQ-co-sponsored event was an obvious and instant success. We're just confused as to how all the other party-people knew James, too — they couldn't stop chatting and staring! We, on the other hand, you know we played it cool...
Click through for some of the snaps from last night's main event.
Photographed by Neil Rasmus/BFAnyc.com/ Courtesy of Gucci
Click through for some of the snaps from last night's main event.
Photographed by Neil Rasmus/BFAnyc.com/ Courtesy of Gucci
The Perfect Dinner Party: Dom Pérignon Takes Over Acme
Champagne hangovers are the worst. Literally, fear. But sometimes the bubbles overload is worth that third Advil, especially when the 'pagne in question is Dom Pérignon. The storied French brand is no stranger to throwing ragers in NYC—witness the dance moves that glow-in-the-dark Dom creates. So, last Wednesday, you can imagine we got our Thursday work done early in preparation for their second annual "Just For Fun," dinner, masterminded by the queen of fun herself, Ursula Damani at Nadine Johnson and creative-man-about-town Johnny Misheff, held at NYC happening haute-spot Acme. Ostensibly celebrating Pérignon's master winemaker (or if you wanna get fancy, oneologist) Vincent Chaperon, the supper, as the name suggests, was more of an opportunity to catch up with new and old amis alike, albeit with a collaborative performance between French composer Koudlam and his friend, artist Rita Ackerman.
Since the bites and bubbles were also billed as a get-together to toast the "power of creation," or Dom's support of the arts, it's no shocker our fellow table-mates included the crafty crowd, museum heavyweights, and perpetual good-time girls and gals (in a lot of white before Memorial Day): model Lily Kwong, The Webster owner Laure Heriard Dubreuil, Chloë Sevigny, Michelle Violy Harper, designer Johan Lindeberg, Michael Stipe, and Jenny Shimuzu ('member her) noshed on signature Acme bites like duck in a jar and those depressingly good donut holes while getting very, very generous refills of the sparkly stuff. Though we couldn't last past midnight, with the level of our head pounding in the a.m. we can't imagine the migraines of the late-night sippers. "But it was just for fun..." somehow didn't cut it as our excuse the next day.
Photo: Joe Schildhorn/BFAnyc.com; Courtesy of Nadine Johnson.
Since the bites and bubbles were also billed as a get-together to toast the "power of creation," or Dom's support of the arts, it's no shocker our fellow table-mates included the crafty crowd, museum heavyweights, and perpetual good-time girls and gals (in a lot of white before Memorial Day): model Lily Kwong, The Webster owner Laure Heriard Dubreuil, Chloë Sevigny, Michelle Violy Harper, designer Johan Lindeberg, Michael Stipe, and Jenny Shimuzu ('member her) noshed on signature Acme bites like duck in a jar and those depressingly good donut holes while getting very, very generous refills of the sparkly stuff. Though we couldn't last past midnight, with the level of our head pounding in the a.m. we can't imagine the migraines of the late-night sippers. "But it was just for fun..." somehow didn't cut it as our excuse the next day.
Photo: Joe Schildhorn/BFAnyc.com; Courtesy of Nadine Johnson.









