Daily Front Row

2012 October 26

Sweet Dreaming at FGI's Superstar Awards

Comments | | Print

Nicola Maramotti, Viola Davis
Owen Hoffmann/PatrickMcMullan.com View Gallery

(NEW YORK) Is that Occupy Wall Street thing back on? It certainly appeared so on Thursday night, when industry superstars took over Cipriani Wall Street to celebrate the 29th annual Fashion Group International's (FGI) Night of Stars "Dream Catchers" awards. Margaret Hayes' hautely-anticipated celebration kicked off with a cocktail party, where we caught up with Bibhu Mohapatra and his gorgeous date model Mackenzie Hamilton, Simon Spurr, and an inconspicuous Mark Consuelos and Kelly Ripa who were enjoying a night out on the town. The occasion? Supporting friend Carolina Herrera, who would soon take to the stage to accept the "Superstar" award. (Consuelos later told us that he had the best seat in the house, right next to Mrs. Herrera. Ripa sat across the table next to SNL's Seth Meyers.) 

Adding a little star quality to the black-tie dinner? Nicola Maramotti, Derek Lam, Maria Giulia Maramotti, Annabel Tollman, Tory Burch, Gareth Pugh, Linda Fargo (sporting a wild new 'do, which is available for perusal in our Gallery), Prabal Gurung, Hamish Bowles, Derek Lam, Adam Glassman, Christian Cota, Brian Wolk, Claude Morais, Ariel Foxman, Nina Garcia, Nigel Barker, Jennifer Russ, Karla Martinez, and Vanessa Traina. 

Simon Doonan hosted the evening and delivered a six-minute monologue that included all of the night's honorees in a "trippy, insane" dream sequence that started with a visit to L'Wren Scott's house for a slumber party and ended with Herrera behind the wheel of a cerise-colored Hummer. Perhaps Doonan should take some advice for a more comfortable slumber from late arrival Karl Lagerfeld, who claims he doesn't ever dream because he's such a sound sleeper. Lagerfeld was there to present the fashion award to Haider Ackermann, and he explained that he was actually the second choice to do so, as Tilda Swinton had to cancel due to an "unpleasant family situation." The Kaiser kept his intro to Ackermann short and sweet, but did say, "He's one the great new designers, I don't add the word 'young' designer because that's an insult. He's just a great designer and friend." 

A stunning Viola Davis presented the Max Mara family with their honor, which was accepted by Nicola Maramotti. "We are receiving the Heritage Award," explained Maramotti. "We're awarded for something that we inherited from the past, and it could be everything, but there was one particular thing that my father-in-law left us—values. And passion for what we are doing. Heritage is what gives us a solid background, but creativity and innovation is what keeps us going."  Sarah Jessica Parker (she's certainly been busy this week!) handed Scott the Fashion Oracle award. "L'Wren and I met many, many moons ago and I was immediately smitten," said SJP. Scott's husband Mick Jagger wasn't able to make it to the ceremony, but Parker articulated his missive to the crowd. "I should probably do this in an English accent, but I won't humiliate myself by doing that," she quipped. The note read: "I'm so proud of you my darling for winning this prestigious Oracle award, and I'm so sorry that I can't be there with you as I'm playing a show in Paris. Can you please text me how to turn the oven on as I can't heat the soup? Love, Mick." 

Derek Lam and a shy Gareth Pugh also joined Ackermann in receiving the Star Honoree awards for fashion. "Derek knows what women want!" said Glenda Bailey. "If he wasn't a designer, he could be a psychic!" Other winners included a humanitarian award for Wynton Marsalis and a Sustainability honor for Tiffany & Co. The highest honor and final award went to Herrera, which was presented by her pal Renee Zellweger. "She has inspired and touched lives internationally for three decades," Zellweger told the crowd. "Like all that she creates, Carolina is effortless and chic. She is clever, ready for any dance floor, beautiful and always so much fun. To use her favorite word, the word that makes her throw her head back and laugh and clap her hands, Carolina Herrera is divine!" We concur.
EDDIE ROCHE