>From Bloomingdale's to the Metropolitan Pavilion, fashion was the theme for
the night. Gen Art, that wacky wonderful group that brings together young
Artists and Affluents alike, held their Styles 2000 International Design
Competition on Tuesday, April 4. Todd Oldham, Kate Spade and Norma Kamali
were among the celebrity judges, and everyone from Mark Baer of the NY
Stock Exchange to Robin Pernice of Luminant Worldwide to Cindi Cook of
Hampton's Country were among the guests. Of course, the fashion show and
new avant-garde fashions were the cause celebre. Broke your arm
rollerblading? No problem, you can still set the trends with a neon-pink
arm sling. Worried about being drab at the beach this year? Clear that
thought from your head and slip into a mirrored bikini under a mirror-mesh,
see-through moumou. Entranced, angry, "take over the world" stares came
from the IMG models as they strutted down the catwalk as rows of eager
onlookers smiled silly smiles. Taylor Standlee and Claire of SmartRay were
taking notes on the new designs and commented on how the men's fashions
were the funniest. I suppose it's hard to keep a straight face when Joe
Model is popping out of his bikini.
The after-party continued the entertainment as Ross Burton, Lancome's
national makeup artist, was on hand to showoff the company’s amazing
website (one of my favorite sites in general -- so interactive!) and drag
queens outfitted in 70s-styled aqua, sparkly pantsuits performed makeovers
for willing participants. When the cheese table opened up all the skinny,
cool people turned into animals and stuffed their faces with any scrap they
could grab. Evian set up a water bar that looked like it was straight from
their ad campaign. And as I headed for the door, Cecilia Pagkalinawan of
Boutique Y3K, always the fashionable one, reintroduced me to Wendy Diamond,
Founder and Editorial Director of Animal Fair.
