The Soho Circuit

(NEW YORK) The downtown set was divided among bevies of fêtes Tuesday night, from launches to shopping parties and in-store cocktails galore. The Garrard showroom in the heart of Soho hosted a group of Marchesa-clad ladies as Georgina Chapman unveiled her collection for the British jewelry brand, designed in collaboration with creative director Stephen Webster. Fine jewels inspired by the feathers Chapman references so often in her Marchesa collection were on display (some even adorning taxidermied birds), while guests like Mischa Barton, Rachel Roy, Keren Craig and Tinsley Mortimer browsed and sipped champers.

"She's a real stickler!" laughed Webster of his glamorous collaborator. "She'd say, 'The head on that bird is looking that way and it looks really nice, but the head on this one doesn't!' I'd say, 'First of all, that's amazing, and yes, that's true. We'll fix it.'" Chapman herself was modest about her efforts: "I think sometimes when you're not as knowledgeable about something, you have to be a little bit fearless," she said. "And Stephen was so great to work with." Webster's perks of the collaboration extended past his newfound friendship with Chapman--he got to meet her illustrious husband, Harvey Weinstein, as well: "He had me on Project Runway!" Webster revealed. "The accessories episode--it was brilliant. It was a bonus for me."

The feathery theme affected even the night's attendees; Helena Christensen breezed in wearing a micro-mini dress and a feathered topper, eliciting an emphatic "Yowza!" from Weinstein. And Becki Newton certainly let the jewels give her some ideas. "I would wear feathers every day," she laughed. "In fact, maybe I should start. That would be a good style challenge! Amanda [Newton's character on Ugly Betty] would be able to wear feathers morning, noon and night. Maybe I should talk to Georgina about that."

Meanwhile, a few blocks southeast of the all the glittering Garrard jewels, the Harper's Bazaar team took over Derek Lam's new Crosby Street boutique for a private shopping event. Ten percent of the night's sales went to Housing Works, but shoppers needed little persuasion. "Any opportunity to come to the store and do a spot of shopping!" laughed Glenda Bailey, who happily revealed her purchases. "A pair of shoes! And I've also ordered some pieces for next season. We've already shot three of the tops-and two of them I'm ordering!"

"It's amazing to see old clients and show the new collection," said Lam, who greeted loyal fans like Kelly Bensimon. "It's a wonderful way for a designer to figure out what people are looking at, loving, and hopefully buying!" Lam-philes who didn't make the fête needn't fret missing the chance to have the designer's aid while trying on his gorgeous confections. "But our offices are upstairs," Lam revealed, "so I'm in the store all the time!"
EMILY GYBEN