Kneenly Observed

(NEW YORK) At Banana Republic's just-opened Soho flagship, the halls are already decked. The Broadway behemouth is awash in greenery and its related decor--not to mention snuggly merch, satin add-ons, and plenty of baubles. Planned your holiday party yet? Banana Republic's EVP and creative director Simon Kneen kept his extracurricular projets under wraps while greeting guests and the occasional BR-superfan crasher at the opening party last night. "I haven't actually booked anything," he said. "I'm not very good at booking."

So who was responsible, then, for the arrival of one Mary-Louise Parker? "I think it was a fake fur white jacket," she said, referencing her first encounter with the brand that apparently, launched a long-term fixation. "I still have it. These are the kind of clothes that everyone can wear and most people can afford, and the salespeople are really helpful. If you don't know what to wear, it's a good place to go."

As the Weeds star perused the goods and indulged the photos, the mightly Elle trifecta of Robbie Myers, Carol Smith, and Joe Zee strode in. Stefano Tonchi and Anne Christensen held court upstairs, where the menswear and champagne flowed freely. (According to one helpful sales associate, it'll be served up all weekend long. Attention...) Within moments, chanteur Charlie Mars took to the floor wearing an argyle sweater from Holiday '09. "It took me a long to find my character," continued Parker of her Nancy Botwin wardrobe. "In the last two seasons, I've kind of figured it out. She's part cowgirl, part California--everything Western, really. Also, a lot of layering of gold jewelry. I think she's very into fashion."
ASHLEY BAKER