Lucky Ladies

(NEW YORK) Scores of shopping-mad women in the Metropolitan Pavilion, countless racks of clothing, an on-site DJ and a bar could only mean one thing: Lucky magazine hosted their 5th Annual Lucky Shops event, benefiting Robin Hood foundation, and Thursday's opening night was a dizzying retail experience. "There are quite a few women running around with shopping bags!" observed Jessica Szohr, who quietly purchased a few sweaters and pair of jeans for the winter. "But I'm not an involved shopper because I don't try anything on. I'm very quick and easy. Buy, pay, and move on!"

But most women last night did not pay top bucks for tickets to follow that philosophy. After all, the event, hosted by Kim France and chaired by the likes of Leighton Meester and Georgina Chapman, provided the opportunity for up to 70% discounts on brands like Botkier, Vena Cava, Kate Spade, Earnest Sewn and Charlotte Ronson. Chapman, however, admitted that she was there more for the charity than for the retail overdrive. "Marchesa is the best money-saving proposition ever for me. Though I love shopping, I barely have time to actually do it," she said. "During my wedding, instead of gifts, Harvey and I asked for donations for Robin Hood. It's an incredible cause and we've always been very involved."

But while guests like Alexandra Richards, Noemie Lenoir, Lisa Mayock, and Charlotte Ronson may have utilized their plastic, there were plenty of diversions too-like mini-hot dogs, lobster club sandwiches, gelato and Coca-Cola--in new, aluminum bottles. "There are all these racks of clothes around me, and yet all I want is a pretzel," joked Meester, who graciously posed for every fan-requested digital moment. But eventually, she did find something she was truly interested in: a shiny red car. "Yep, can someone just wrap that for me and I'll take it to go!"
VALENTINE UHOVSKI