Russel's Rowdy Week

(NEW YORK) "Dude, can you believe all these beautiful people are here for you?!" exclaimed Erin Wasson as she greeted Russell James at the launch of his eponymous book at the Stephan Weiss studio. After hosting a second major party in less than one week with Donna Karan, James probably was ready to accept that reality--but was still humble about his recent attention and career accomplishments. "There's is great satisfaction in getting a great picture," he said in between a caravan of kisses from mannequins and their agents. "But there's no more satisfying feeling then actually working. I came to the city with basically nothing and no formal education so it's a great feeling to overcome the survival aspect of my job."

Fellow Aussie and James' friend Nicole Trunfio tried to explain why people from Down Under bother to transplant to Gotham. "Australia is probably one of few counties in the world that wasn't involved in a war or a major international conflict," she said. "We're very laid-back. But when we need to work, we take a plane to America!" Brooklyn Decker, meanwhile, chose not to take a plane to Melbourne and watch her fiancé play in the Australian Open semifinals against Roger Federer. Instead, she attended the last night's sushi cocktail and caught up with the likes of Doutzen Kroes, Alessandra Ambrosio, Noemie Lenoir, and Alan Cumming, and watched Andy live at 3:30 that early morning. The American star unfortunately lost.

Karan took the time to admire the highlighted photos from James' book and discussed her ideal female beauties. "To me, the girl is only beautiful when her spirit and soul comes out naturally, and someone else doesn't feed her to be in that state," she quipped. Very spiritual and newly super blonde supermodel Angela Lindvall might be right up the famed designer's alley. She was in New York for only few days to shoot an Oscar campaign with Hugh Jackman and director Brett Ratner. "Maybe in my dreams I could attend the Academy Awards if they'll be so kind to offer me a ticket," she smiled. "I'm in California, so I can be on call!"
VALENTINE UHOVSKI