Daily Front Row

2010 February 11

AmFar Wonderland

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Lady Gaga and Cyndi Lauper
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(NEW YORK) As the snow and winter storm media frenzy overtook the city yesterday, many wondered whether the annual amfAR New York Fashion Week gala was even going to take place. But the spirit of charity and skilled town car drivers prevailed as organizers had to scramble to add (!) at least six more tables to an already oversold midtown Cipriani room. “I’m from freezing Holland,” smiled Doutzen Kroes. “This is nothing. So I decided to dress for the warmest of climates today.”

The night’s top billed performer, Lady Gaga, didn’t wear much either, though she looked like she took a swim in one of Terrence Koh’s white masterpieces. “I’ve gradually fallen in love with Gaga,” admitted Zoe Kravitz. “I have to be honest and say it wasn’t automatic, but she won me over at Radio City a few weeks ago.” Joining Gaga on stage was her fellow MAC Viva Glam spokeswoman Cyndi Lauper and Rufus Wainwright, who performed separately to Judy Garland staples. Oscar favorite Meryl Streep (and the biggest champion of the evening’s host, Stanley Tucci) gave an emotional tribute to the late Natasha Richardson, who attended the gala last year. Glenda Bailey meanwhile presented an honor to Vuitton’s big boss Yves Carcelle. “It’s always nice to be recognized in such a nice way,” he said. “Especially when my accomplishments were so eloquently exaggerated by Glenda!”

There were some big missing names in the room. Marc Jacobs opted to work on his namesake collection and skipped the dinner, honoree David Furnish and partner Elton John were stuck in Europe, and Carine Roitfeld suffered the same fate. But there was plenty of designer power to make up for the few absentees (we’re talking Donna, Diane, Michael, the Proenza boys, and amfAR champion Kenneth). “I don’t know where to look,” admitted fashion struck Zoe Saldana. “This is night one and I’m already in fashion overdrive.”

Chloe Sevigny was just happy to be back in the city after wrapping the current season of Big Love. “I don’t care that the weather is horrible,” the actress offered. “I’m just finally catching up with friends and I work and play hard.” Karolina Kurkova was prepping for the opposite. “I gave birth in October, and soon I won’t be able to play that mommy card anymore,” said the supermodel. “My agents want me to slowly get back in the action. “The blonde beauty joined the likes of Anna Wintour, Heidi Klum, Ariel Foxman, Waris Ahluwalia, Hal Rubenstein, Joanna Coles, Anja Rubik, Brooke Shields, Alex de Betak, Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen, Ingrid Sischy, and Julia and Vladimir Restoin Roitfeld for a meal of beet, beef, and bellinis.

Iman perhaps had the most dramatic daytime-to-evening makeover. “My daughter had a snow day in school today,” she said. “So a few hours ago I was having snow fights on my terrace. It was all very unglamorous!”
VALENTINE UHOVSKI