Made in Milan

(MILAN) It was only a matter of time before amfAR would land in Milan. And when amfAR's inaugural Fashion Week event finally bowed, the chairs and organizers meant business. The rookie party was a fairly intimate affair for about 300 guests. Table settings were relatively modest, as were auction presentations. But the evening was so jam-packed with designers, celebrities, and supermodels that the small dining room felt downright grand--no wonder the event raised $1.1 million. Dean and Dan Caten had the Herculean task of presenting their spring show in the morning--and then chairing the gala exactly twelve hours later.

"We woke at 6 a.m. today, and we took a little nap this afternoon because we wanted to be super-rejuvenated for this," exclaimed the twins. "It's our mission to give amfAR a little young energy, some life, and lots of memories!" They even designed rose-colored tuxedoes to match. "We're in '50s mode right now, and we knew that there'd be a lots of black, black, and black at this thing so we wanted to be the pink penguins!" they laughed. Donatella Versace went for the opposite effect. "I didn't want to be glitzy, so I just chose this nice little black number for tonight," she shared. "And you know what, after a crazy week I thought I was going to be too tired to party tonight, but I'm not! But I'm already fitting my next collection starting tomorrow."

Her previous big appointment happened to be Janet Jackson, who stormed into the reception in a gorgeous midnight blue gown by Donatella. "The whole week for me was leading up to this," she smiled. "This evening is very optimistic, but it's also about all of us being warriors. And I know that people in this fashion community can fight for a cause!" Peter Dundas, who in the past attended the big Cannes event, was certain that Milan could step it up. "I've learned that the Italians like to have a good time," the Pucci designer offered. "But I'm going to see a lot of French next. I'm going to Paris to see some friends, and finally chill out."

Tommaso Aquilano and Roberto Rimondi of Ferré had a funny first impression of the dinner setting. "We were scouting the locations for our show few weeks ago and we came down here," recalled Aquilano. "It sure didn't look like this!" Linda Evangelista was just elated to be back in town. "Gosh! It's unbelievable to be back here for a little delicious bite of the city," she said as she surveyed the room. "This is really where I really started with my humble commutes from Paris and tonight I'm paying a tribute with the first person who put me on the plane here. It was Scott from Elite who came down with AIDS when I was really young."

As the supermodel was looking for her table, so were Kanye West and Amber Rose. "I've been to Milan before, and it's a nice little city," West smiled. "But the rest of my schedule has been pretty quiet. Styling Amber for Elle was probably the most exciting fashion thing I've done the whole summer. I didn't know that working with so many designers, accessories could be so cool. Now, I just have to find time to do it again." What's next? "I have a little bit of time before the tour in November," he added. "So we're off to Paris. It probably has to be my favorite European city. Just the energy during Fashion Week there is insane."

But before Kanye and half the room could get to France, the organizers started the famous amfAR auction in between a dinner of shrimp risotto, baked sea bass, and cheese flan. Bianca Brandolini D'adda sold a custom Fendi bike for more than $23,000.  Alek Wek and Giuseppe Zanotti hawked off shoes especially designed for Michael Jackson for more than $14,000, and a DJ lesson by the evening's spinner, Bob Sinclair, went for $45,400. When the bids were going slow, editor of L'Officiel Russia, Evelina Khromchenko had one wish. "I think we need some Russians at the back tables!" she quipped to her seatmates Ennio Capasa and Francesca Versace.

Noémie Lenoir shocked the crowd and the organizers exclaiming: "I'm here to sell a night with myself!" She even unzipped her dress (from front and back) to lure the rich males in the room, before explaining that the night actually only included a long dinner. Final price after all of her aggressive efforts? A solid $14,500--which she seemed dissatisfied with later. "The men should have come here without their girlfriends," she shrugged.

But the Caten twins provided the event with the biggest item of the night--a spectacular, custom-designed leather jacket that was signed by everyone from West to Jackson. Renzo Rosso won the bidding war at $52,000, and he had already a place in mind for his prize. "I'm actually a huge collector of rock memorabilia," he said right after his thriumph. "So, I'll put this in nice glass box right next to my other precious items." The dinner was capped off by an alluring number by Dita Von Teese for appreciative guests like Vladimir Restoin-Roitfeld, Roberta Armani, Angela and Margherita Missoni, Rachel Bilson, Nicole Chavez, Stefano Tonchi, Karla Otto, Poppy Delevigne, and Frédéric Fekkai. The famed hair guru was in Milan for business in between a friend's wedding in Venice and family getaway in Paris.

Those who had energy took in a Bob Sinclair-helmed afterparty upstairs complete with laser lights and chocolate displays. Anja Rubik, who was exclusive to Gucci this week, had energy to drag her boyfriend Sasha Knezevic to the dance affair. "But I have to make it to that fashion shuttle to Paris tomorrow morning or I'll be in trouble" she smiled. Chanel Iman and her own man, Chris Smith, decided to call it a night after the meal. "We had fun in Milan together though," laughed Iman. "We went on the gelato addiction binge over the last week so we need to recover!"
VALENTIINE UHOVSKI