New York City - Manhattan Guest Questions is an archive of questions from Event Planners at recent past Benefit Galas, Public Promos, Launch Parties, Movie Premieres, Fashion Shows and New Releases by BizBash

The American Society of Shitcanned Media Elites (Assme) offered a happy hour to journalists at Lower East Side bar Fontana's Wednesday night, when the tongue-in-cheek support group for recently laid-off journalists hosted a small fund-raiser for HIV and AIDS nonprofit Housing Works. All guests needed to gain entrance was a piece of unwanted promotional swag (or a $5 donation) that Housing Works could sell off in one of its local thrift stores. We chatted up a few attendees to learn more about what they brought and their memorable swag—good and bad—from events past.

What's one of the strangest pieces of swag you've gotten in the past?
“At my old job, I got this promotion from Subway. It was Jared’s fat pants."
—Erin Clements, Elle.com MORE >>

American Society of Shitcanned Media Elites, Housing Works

02.18.09 10:15 AM

Fashion Week Attendees Approve of McDonald's Lounge, Stress Importance of Sponsorships

Barbie's display in the tent lobby
Photo: BizBash

Fashion Week is well under way, and despite the economic crisis crippling many corporations, IMG's tents at Bryant Park are packed with booths and promotions from various companies. Ranging from McDonald's first appearance to the return of car displays from Mercedes-Benz and a coat check booth by Chambord, the in-tent sponsorships serve to attract the attention of designers and fashion editors, who mostly agree that the branding is keeping the biennial event alive. Here's what they had to say when we asked for their take on all the marketing gimmicks.

"I actually love this little McCafé booth. I'm here working on a story, and I think I'm going to camp out here all week. I rarely have coffee, but I came in and the cappuccino was very good. Will it bring me to McDonald's? I don't know, maybe if I pass by one. At Fashion Week this year, you've got lots of sponsors, and it seems to get bigger and bigger every season."
—Kelly Carter, reporter, People

"I think it's great that this is happening and that this many sponsors are coming to be a part of it. Whatever it took IMG to get them here, thank God, because we need this to boost the economy and get us back on track. As for the McCafé, I don't drink coffee, but if I did, I would be in here drinking my McCoffee and not eating meals every day."
—Kelly Will, Six and the City columnist, Page Six magazine

MORE >>

Fashion Week, IMG Fashion, McDonald's, Mattel, Barbie, Mercedes-Benz, Chambord, W Hotels

09.08.08 12:51 PM

Calvin Klein's 40th Impresses With Strict Minimalism, Access to High Line

The site of Calvin Klein's anniversary party
Photo: Vincent Crossley

Last night on the far west side, Calvin Klein hosted one of Fashion Week's most-hyped events, celebrating the label's 40th anniversary. A temporary pavilion designed by architect John Pawson was built specially for the affair next to the High Line, a one-and-a-half-mile-long abandoned railway being transformed into a public park. The guests, who left the party around midnight, wore black and white clothing and hailed from the fashion, beauty, and entertainment industries. Most were completely surprised by the magnitude of the event, and some even plucked white roses to take home as a memento.

A longtime supporter of the nonprofit organization Friends of the High Line, Calvin Klein dropped $3 million for the party, a sum The Daily News reported also includes a donation to the development of the elevated oasis. We asked guests whether the birthday bash was indeed the biggest event of the season.

“When they donate millions of dollars and erect the great wall of Calvin Klein, it’s pretty amazing.”
—Molly Sims, actress and model

“The food was amazing. I loved the tuna tartare, and there was a little ginger cookie that was delicious.”
—Dani Stahl, accessories director, Nylon magazine MORE >>

Fashion Week, Calvin Klein, Friends of the High Line

08.05.08 2:43 PM

Sponsors and "Free Sh*t" Abound at Metromix.com's Lollapalooza Music Lounge

Metromix.com's Music Lounge
Photo: Red Eye Productions

FROM CHICAGO From August 1 through August 3, otherwise known as Lollapalooza weekend, Chicago's Hard Rock Hotel became "the Music Lounge Presented by Metromix.com," a crowd-and-heat respite for artists, media, industry folks, and V.I.P. ticket holders. Open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, the lounge was produced by BMF Media and located across the street from Grant Park.

Daytime activities, which took place on two levels, included everything from Guitar Hero to complimentary tattoos and gifting suites. At the temporary Eastsport Café, sponsored by the bag manufacturer, guests took advantage of free China Grill-catered lunches, Bustelo coffee drinks, and Ciroc-spiked cocktails with thematic names like the Diddy. Rock the Vote Nights, also presented by Metromix.com, overtook the Music Lounge from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. each evening, featuring performances from the likes of Samantha Ronson.

With the Ciroc cocktails flowing and the music pumping, guests seemed to be in high spirits; some even offered hugs in lieu of comments. Those who did speak up, however, had plenty to say about swag, sponsorship, and the lounge's "vibe."

"This whole experience makes me feel like a kid in a sweets shop. I'm just taking in everything with a little look here, a little taste there. My favorite part of the gifting suite? I'd say the bling [Skullcandy gave out necklaces with silver or gold skull-shaped charms.] That's what we all need: bling, bling, bling."
—Satin Singh, percussionist for Mark Ronson MORE >>

Bustelo, Ciroc, Eastsport, Metromix.com, Rock the Vote

06.03.08 2:52 PM

Fashion Biggies Dig CFDA Awards' Garden Setting, Swarovski Decor

Last night's scene in Bryant Park
Photo: Vincent Crossley

Hoping to curtail the notoriously lengthy event of years past with a fresher, faster-paced format, the Council of Fashion Designers of America held its 26th annual award gala last night in Midtown, sans cocktail hour. The event began with a shortened ceremonial presentation at the New York Public Library, followed by dinner at the Bryant Park Grill next door. The crowd of celebrities—both Hollywood stars and the famous designers who dress them—left the party cooing about sponsor Swarovski's chandeliers, the potent floral centerpieces, and a touching opening speech by CFDA president Diane von Furstenberg on the passing of Yves St. Laurent.

As the fashion fete came to a close at the park, we grilled guests like actress Jill Hennessy, IMG Fashion’s Fern Mallis, and nominated designer Marc Jacobs about this year’s departure from tradition and what they most enjoyed. Here’s what they had to say.

“The films that introduced the designers were fun, not too too long, and I was very happy because I was with my good friend Victoria [Beckham] and my partner Robert [Duffy]. We had a good time in there. Wherever they have the event I’ll go. They were lucky the weather was nice. It’s hot and I’m in a suit, but you’ve got to wear black tie to a black-tie event.”
—Marc Jacobs MORE >>

Council of Fashion Designers of America, C.F.D.A., C.F.D.A. Awards, Swarovski

06.02.08 5:29 PM

MTV Movie Awards Crowd Liked Celebrity Gaffes, Return of Wayne's World

Guests made their way from the awards show to the after-party at Universal Citywalk.
Photo: BizBash

FROM LOS ANGELES The MTV Movie Awards show did go on at the Gibson Amphitheatre at Universal Citywalk last night, despite yesterday’s blazing fire at Universal Studios. The Mike Myers-hosted event doled out golden popcorn statuettes to a bevy of entertainers including Will Smith, Johnny Depp, and Ellen Page, and featured comedy from Myers, plus musical performances by Coldplay and the Pussycat Dolls. Out in front, we asked guests what they thought of this year’s program as they exited the show and made their way to the after-party. Here’s what they had to say:

“A lot of fun; open bar. It’s a lot of young Hollywood, a lot of inter-studio politics, but it was fun. To see Coldplay and the Wayne’s World skit with Mike Myers was pretty cool.”
—Ben Lyons, movie critic, E! Entertainment Television

“The Pussycat Dolls were great. I thought in person it would go really slow, but the show kept moving pretty well. They had a guy come out during the breaks that got everyone riled up.”
—Michael Trygstad, owner, Wet International Inc. MORE >>

MTV, MTV Movie Awards, Pussycat Dolls, Coldplay

05.06.08 1:18 PM

Costume Institute Guests Like Superheroes, Hair

Last night an international crowd of fashion people and A-list Hollywood stars gathered for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute gala, pegged to the opening of the museum's “Superheroes: Fashion and Fantasy” exhibition. In addition to the 60-piece showcase of movie costumes and couture designs, the Giorgio Armani- and Condé Nast-sponsored event brought in foam superhero structures, walls of mirrors, and the cast of the Public Theater's upcoming production of Hair to entertain the 750 attendees—some in superhero-inspired attire.

At the event, often heralded as the party of the year, we quizzed departing guests, including designer Carolina Herrera and retiring Met director Philippe de Montebello, to see whether or not this year’s gala measured up to the hype. Here’s what they had to say.

“It was fabulous. The costumes that they showed were extraordinary. The event producers absolutely tied in the superheroes exhibit with the decor, striking the right balance with the venue. Glorious Food served a pasta dish with a sort of nest with caviar, so it looked like a spider web. My husband had a great time.”
—Edith de Montebello, financial aid director, Trinity School, with Metropolitan Museum of Art director Phillipe de Montebello

“There was a wonderful theme to work with, the superheroes, and also the setting for the Met can’t be beat. The space they kind of left alone, but they did have these gigantic foam statues of superheroes. They made it look intergalactic. There was dramatic green and blue lighting. They really made a great effort. The event raised over $7 million.”
—Amy Fine Collins, special correspondent, Vanity Fair MORE >>

Metropolitan Museum of Art, Costume Institute Gala, Armani, Condé Nast

04.04.08 6:24 PM

Kanye and Murakami Placemats Are Big Hits at Brooklyn Ball

The Murakami-designed placemat
Photo: BizBash

Last night, hundreds hiked to the Brooklyn Museum for the institution’s annual ball, an event that got a big boost this year from Louis Vuitton, which sponsored the affair and built a pop-up store in one of the galleries. Celebrating the Takashi Murakami exhibition, which opens tomorrow—and honoring Atlantic Yards developer Bruce Ratner—the gala drew museum patrons, art enthusiasts, members of the media, and even some uninvited locals who voiced their opinions on Ratner with an angry protest. In 2003, the Tokyo-born artist collaborated with the French design house to create cartoon-and-monogram-patterned handbags; a new print, the "monogramouflage" pattern, is the latest product to emerge from the partnership.

The colorful, art-filled event ran past 11 p.m., entertaining attendees with a performance by an energetic Kanye West and an auction of LV products and Murakami artwork. Outside the guest entrance in the museum parking lot, among valet cars and shuttle buses waiting to chauffeur guests home, we asked attendees for their take on the evening. Many raved about West and the Murakami-designed placemats (a big hit at the Museum of Contemporary Art's Murakami gala in Los Angeles, too), and Vogue’s Anna Wintour stopped for a moment to gush about the “fabulous” auction. Here's what else we heard. MORE >>

Brooklyn Museum, Takashi Murakami, Bruce Ratner, Louis Vuitton, Vogue, Kanye West

02.25.08 2:43 PM

New Yorkers Like Casual Vibe at New York's Oscar Party

New York magazine's Oscar viewing
Photo: BizBash

While the festivities in Los Angeles got most of the attention last night, New York had its own (considerably more low-key) Oscar viewing parties. After Entertainment Weekly called off its party at Elaine's last week, shortly after Vanity Fair's cancellation, New York magazine’s gathering at the Spotted Pig jumped to the top of the (relatively short) totem pole.

New York’s communications manager, Lauren Starke, planned the casual bash, the magazine's third Oscar party. Roughly 150 guests crammed into two floors of the West Village gastropub, where they munched on roasted pig and other hors d'oeuvres, and shouted enthusiastically as the awards were announced. As the cocktails (like the "There Will Be Blood-y Mary," named after the Best Picture nominee) flowed, we asked guests what they thought of the show, the writers strike, and how well New York parties stack up against those on the West Coast. Here's what they had to say.

“Vanity Fair is probably kicking themselves right now for canceling their party. The show is going great, and this party got a great turnout. I do have some complaints about the pig they’re serving [gesturing to the waiters holding trays of whole roasted pigs]. It looks like my chihuahua!”
—Kate Shelter, creative director, stylist, and owner, Kate Shelter LLC MORE >>

New York Magazine, Oscars, Award Season

02.07.08 3:56 PM

Gucci's Unicef Benefit Low on Branding, High on Ubuntu

Host—and auction draw—Madonna
Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

Last night a tent sheltered a crowd of A-list celebrities and musicians, donors, and distinguished speakers on the north lawn of the United Nations for the most hyped of this season's Fashion Week parties. Hosted by Gucci and Madonna, the event was billed as "A Night to Benefit Raising Malawi and Unicef," with performances by Alicia Keys, Timbaland, and Rihanna. Gucci, a Unicef corporate partner since 2004, was brought on board by Madonna to sponsor the evening, which was conveniently timed with the Friday opening of Gucci's new flagship store on Fifth Avenue. Some 650 attended for the seated dinner and auction, while even more showed up for the after-party.

The event sparked some controversy before it even took place, with reports from The New York Sun, Fox News, and other media sources raising concerns over the retailer's promotional ties to a fund-raiser on diplomatic soil as well as the role of Michael Berg, the founder of Madonna's charity, who is also co-director of the Kabbalah Centre. Yet Madonna, Gucci creative director Frida Giannini, and U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon (who did not attend the event) assured critics that all proceeds would be split between Raising Malawi and Unicef. With tables priced between $25,000 and $100,000, $3.7 million had already been raised prior to the party.

With this in mind, we went to find out what the guests thought about the fete. Near a heavily guarded exit, we polled guests—including Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi and actor Dylan McDermott—en route to their cars. Here’s what they had to say. MORE >>

Fashion Week, Gucci, Unicef, Madonna

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