Good Vibrations

(NEW YORK) Hip hop's greatest legends, newest names, and biggest fans came out to play Tuesday night for Vibe's 15th anniversary party at The Cathedral. From Salt-N-Pepa's Pepa to Bizzy Bone of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony to Chanel Iman and handfuls of America's Next Top Models, generations of enthusiasts sipped Hennessy and supported the magazine and the night's performers, Doug E. Fresh, Naughty by Nature, Estelle, Brand Nubian, and Ryan Leslie.

"[Vibe] definitely shows Naughty by Nature love," said the group's Vin Rock. "We were the first cover, the first feature for the magazine...They lost their virginity to us!"

"I was in Vibe, maybe three years ago, in an interview with Iman," said Chanel Iman, who looked stunning in vintage Givenchy. She arrived on the arm of Leslie, though reportedly the two are just friends. "I'm on vacation right now," she said of her pre-Fashion Week plans. "I'm just here to support him." Her lips were sealed about where she'd be walking this September, though those in the know expect her to be partout.

More hip hop-loving model guests who may be making appearances at Fashion Week: ANTM Season Five contestant Nik Pace (in Nicole Miller) and Season Eight winner Jaslene Gonzalez (in Just Cavalli). "I know I have a few shows booked already," Gonzalez said. "I just found out today!" She, too, has sentimental ties to Vibe. "I was actually in the Vibe Vixen shoot for '07," she said. "It was one of my first high fashion shoots!"

Former Diddy umbrella-holder and From G's to Gents host Fonzworth Bently walked the red carpet in shoes made just for him in Italy: slippers with the silhouette of (what else?) a man holding an umbrella. Guests Cassie,Teyana, Heavy D, and T.I. mingled while Vibe editor in chief Danyel Smith and fashion director Memsor Kamarake while dishing about who they want for future covers. Said Kamarake, "I don't think anyone has escaped our clutches yet!" Smith, however, disagreed. "I want Whitney Houston back!"

Between performances, host Alesha Renée of BET auctioned off 14 poster-sized Vibe covers on canvas (including the September 15th Anniversary issue with Jay-Z), 1 XVIBE custom hat by New Era and 1 pair of XVIBE Adidas Forum sneakers signed by the celebrities in attendance; $2,500 was raised and will be donated to the Point Community Development Corporation, an organization dedicated to providing arts and music development support to youth in South Bronx.
EMILY GYBEN