Daily Front Row

2010 August 27

Courtside with Cole Haan

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Maria Sharapova in Suno
CHANCE YEH /PatrickMcMullan.com View Gallery

(NEW YORK) “I’ve just been practicing all day, kind of the same old routine!” sighed Maria Sharapova last night during the launch of her Fall 2010 collection with Cole Haan at The New Museum’s rooftop Sky Room. She smiled and added, “So it feels great to be here tonight celebrating!” Guests perused Sharapova’s latest Cole Haan creations and bid on prints signed by Todd Selby, photographer of the company’s ad campaign. 100% of the proceeds benefit Common Cents, and Sharapova was still riding the high from dominating the court during Wednesday night’s charity event at Pier 54. Selby pointed to one of his illustrations, “I made a cupcake because Maria loves them, and then I did a taxi and pigeon, because I’m a real New York City character. She’s a cupcake, I’m a pigeon” Selby laughed.

Partygoers kicked back with beers, soaked in the summer night view outside and indulged in a buffet of sweet treats from an expansive candy bar, packed with jars teeming with bubble gum, peppermints, Swedish Fish, Twizzlers and Snickers bars. The crowd was decidedly artsy, and one reveler asked the elevator attendant if the museum was still open, hoping to pop into the exhibits post-party. The attendant noted he had a few minutes left, and the guest smiled, “Right on, right on.”

Sharapova lit up when fellow athlete Sasha Vujacic arrived to support the tennis pro. A tall beauty dressed in a vibrant Suno frock, Vujacic had no problem spotting her. “I usually stay away from prints because I’m so tall and I don’t want to be too loud! But I put this on and I absolutely loved it,”  Sharapova explained. In the presence of such athleticism Selby was quick to admit that he’s not a star on the courts. “I don’t play any sports at all. Shocking, right?” But what if the photographer could snap his fingers and be a star at any game? “I'd choose basketball or tennis, of course. But hey, that’s just not gonna happen!”
ELIZABETH LANDERS & EMILY POPP