Flaunting It

(LOS ANGELES) With a name like Flaunt, it's no surprise that a lavish indoor/outdoor soiree was thrown in honor of the magazine's 10th anniversary on Thursday night at the private estate of Wayne Kao in Bel Air. "Luis [Barajas, Flaunt founder and publisher] is my boy, you know?" said Kao. "We've been doing this for awhile, and I really love having all of these creative, cool people over for some fun. Flaunt is one magazine that really stands out from the others."

The ostentatious bash brought in star-studded company including Eva Mendes, Kim Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian, Kelly Osbourne, Jessica Szohr, Shannon Doherty, Danny Masterson, Balthazar Getty, Niki Reed, Bai Ling, Rachel Smith and more. The invitation requested that guests bring a toy donation to benefit Para Los Ninos.

"I brought a giant teddy bear!" said Szohr proudly, dressed in budget-friendly separates from Urban Outfitters and American Apparel. The Gossip Girl star divulged that being on the show has impacted her personal style in a major way. "I didn't know anything about fashion before the show, but now I'm expected to know everything...which I don't, but I'm learning! I think all of the girls on the show are all sort of morphing into our characters, too. I'll see Blake [Lively] around, and be like, 'Is that top yours or Serena's?'"

Kanye West was equally fashion-focused. "Fashion is something I want to do for the rest of my life. For now, I want to intern on weekends. I've been learning about the industry and have a lot of opportunities, and really just want to get to the point where I can make clothes that are good enough to put my name on them," the musician enthused optimistically. "I'm going to Paris this Saturday to finish my shoes with Louis Vuitton. I understand design, I understand street, I understand the kids, and I understand...black tie, I guess?" he laughed earnestly, smoothing out his dapper Ralph Lauren suit paired with Lanvin accessories.

While guests enjoyed a photo booth, DJ and winter wonderland décor, Barajas spent much of the evening ushering in V.I.P. guests and working the red carpet, "I'm excited to see everyone who has supported the magazine over the years. I decided to wear J. Lindenberg for this occasion because we've worked together and supported each other for years and years. We grew up together and met when we were 12. He was the first person I knew back when he used to work at Diesel," reminisced Barajas, who is currently churning out an exclusive film issue of Flaunt come spring. What's in store for the next ten years for the title? "Hopefully we'll stay alive! Times are tough for everybody right now, but I've got faith."
JENNIFER CHAN