Daily Front Row

2012 September 9

C'est Le CR!

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Vladimir Restoin Roitfeld, Carine Roitfeld, and Andre Balazs
Billy Farrell Agency View Gallery

(NEW YORK) Of course, Carine pulled out all the stops last night for her CR Fashion Book, launch party. Taking over the Frick? Bien sur! A fleet of Mercedes Benz with her initials engraved on the door? Check. Every single international style maker you can think of? They came in droves. And the party that ensued was every bit as glamorous as the editrix herself. A red carpet was rolled out onto the sidewalk on 70th Street, ensuring party-goers didn't scuff a single heel. Though it was still drizzling around 9 p.m., a line of handsome young men escorted ladies and gentlemen from car to shelter with umbrellas. Once inside, nary a PR rep for check-in could be found. In other words, you were either invited to the party or not. The marble facade was bathed in a purple-ish blue glow which lit up the entire rotunda with a sexy hue (how very Carine). 

Margherita Missoni and new husband Eugenio Amos arrived relatively early, and sipped Veuve by the bar. Another pair of newlyweds Vanessa Traina and Max Snow were close by, hanging for a sec before trotting off with Alexander Wang (were you late to your own party, darling? Then, Kate Upton floated by, tossing off an "Oh, I'm just here to have a good time tonight." The debut issue of CR was on full display, with male models to flip the pages if one's hands were full with champers. New mommy Julia Reston-Roitfeld looked ravishing, and brother Vladmir was handsome with girlfriend Giovanna Battaglia in tow, who chatted with Genevieve Jones by the fountain. On a trip to the powder room, your Daily caught a glimpse of a statuesque Karlie Kloss practically towering over Karen Elson in the foyer, no doubt discussing modelish things. Ps Karen, we need details on your hair because Derek Blasberg divulged that you didn't crop by choice! As for Blasberg's suggested alternative title for CR? "Chic revolution." We can get behind that. 

Speaking of models, a bevy of gorgeous girls who showed up (and showed off!). Constance Jablonski, in a rather stunning Cushnie et Ochs white gown, Doutzen Kroes, Izabel Goulart, and Bar Rafaeli all turned out to support Carine. As for the latter, Rafaeli's top curiosity regarding Roitfeld? "What she wears at home, when she comes back from work: Whether she comes back and puts on sweatpants or if it's Herve Leger!" The most beautiful couple in the room could arguably have been Jessica Hart and boyfriend Stavros Niarchos. As the night went on, the music revved up and people floated into the adjacent Rotunda room for a live piano performance. (P.S. There was full-on "shush"-ing as rowdier guests disturbed the peace?!) Carine's response: full-on rapture! Then there was a Bruce Weber cameo, looking quite dapper in a suit. Don't fret, though: his signature blue bandana was still in place! After the live music ended, the real dance party commenced. The Clarins sisters took over the dance floor as the DJ spun Avicii and a sprinkling of eighties classics. Evidence of the serious dancing? The pile of sky high heels that accumulated in the middle of the floor. Safe to assume the Frick's floor was pretty clean, right? As the party wound down, the chauffered limos and cars arrived to whisk the flawlessly beautiful people off to after parties and MePa boîtes. Until our next night at the museum, hopefully much sooner than the Met Ball, oui?
ELIZABETH LANDERS