And the Chic Goes On

New Yorkers for Children is a cause both meaningful and chic (the best combo) and they’ve been that way for years—which is not easy. They do two big-city galas, a fall kick start that always seems to be the day after Labor Day, and a spring fling at the Mandarin Oriental.

I’ve covered both in this forum before. The September party has Anna Wintour and Oscar de la Renta every time I’ve been, (One year I held the microphone for Melissa Etheridge!) Also, of course, there’s the mayor and serious speeches about education and underprivileged students. Good speeches.

The spring event, which took place on Wednesday, is slightly younger and swingier. I think the first time I wrote about it was also the first time I wrote about the Mandarin and its vicissitudes.

After bullying my way in (I’m on the invite list, but it’s one of those events that sells out  before the invites mail, which was confirmed for me twice), I went out of my way to get my address updated and bid on the Baccarat vase—even getting a sensible auction volunteer to go a hundred higher.So as a freebie press person, I arrived right on time and rode in the elevator with designer and sponsor Elie Tahari, his well-known new press guy Scott Currie (formerly of Susan Magrino Agency), their fancy-dress celebrity Virginia Madsen, and model/actress/newly engaged cool gal Joy Bryant, wearing Missoni (the presenting sponsor whose perfume was in the gift bag, I’m told). I would have stopped the elevator and done all my reporting in the mirrored box, but I was meeting Jessica, a BizBash photographer and photo editor, so I tried to act cool.

The event was not a hell of a lot different than the last time I was there. Drinks and silent auction in the rotunda and dinner in the crescent-shaped 36th floor ballroom.

Let’s shift gears now to discuss the Mandarin Oriental. I love it and resent it. It’s a chain, you know, albeit a platinum one, and they have some of the best real estate in the world. When they bought Hyde Park Hotel in London, I wanted to sniff, but I arrived there as a party host for hair guy John Barrett and was very impressed. Of course, I stayed at the Connaught, but still.

In New York, you’re right up there in the sky with Trump, Time Warner, and the view of New Jersey. (I hope Jessica picks a photo that shows the CNN logo.) I love it, but I’m surprised (and pleased) they haven’t tinted the windows.

These Mandarin Oriental folks have got the service thing down. I tested them. Would they get my friends from Christian Dior two wines so I didn’t have to wait in line? They would. Would they find me a pencil? They tried. (I actually had one I fingered from Jean Georges, where I went to check that the asparagus/morel béarnaise was still up to snuff. It’s a dining room staple since they launched, but not on the bar menu. If you’re nice, they’ll plate it up for you in the café. Anyway, it is definitely up to snuff. It’s a sweet wine jaune that gives the cream a bite. Still, to have drinks at the same bar with Les Moonves, whose seat was taken by Sandy Weil after he left, is always fun.)

But the food at New Yorkers for Children seemed, from sight, a tad ordinary. One committee member said to me, “They offered more creative things, but you know, there’s a committee and all.” Having indulged at Jean Georges I didn’t taste a thing; maybe it was marvelous.

David Stark did the design, which was limited to the tables and hanging lanterns as best I could see. The tables were long and lavish with white ceramic and glass vases filled with flower arrangements of varied sizes and shapes. Vividly colored with hot pinks, reds, and yellows—it was all very impressive. I looked for David for a quote, but still, after all these years, I must admit I’m not a very good reporter. Hopefully the photos can tell the story.

The silent auction fascinated me, as they always do. This one had a whole station of bags. Can I misquote Simon Doonan from The New York Observer here? He’s right. The bags get bigger and clumsier and uglier every year. However, I met the new president of Christian Dior U.S., Pamela Baxter, who had a black embroidered clutch with a diamond-like big ring handle, which I loved. Despite my requests, she would not sell it to me (although she says they are in stores now; it’s called the Babe Clutch). Apparently she had keys or something in it. It was small and hand made looking with only one area of bling.

Tory Burch, wisely, displayed her goods in the more random area and the bidding was brisk. I like and admire Tory, but am I the only one who thinks her two big serifed T’s look like a logo for Trump? Listen, one of my most stylish friends left a pair of flats with a gathered back (clever, why didn’t Ferragamo ever think of that?) at my dinner party just this Saturday, so I must bow to success.

I’m on a deadline, so I must keep it brief (if anyone is still reading, lunch on me at Morandi?) but I have to nod to the very efficient staff. Cameron from HL Group checked me in. Someone from Garwood Events (I've never been good with names) answered my dumbest questions, and another staffer promised to keep me in the game for the Baccarat vase (I lost, despite her best efforts). Oh, the DJ was a hot chick who looked like Molly Sims (turns out her name was Sky Nellor)—a great attraction although I couldn’t name a tune she spun.

P.S. Honorary Chair Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos was there—she has worked on this charity for years. I didn’t get to say hello but I saw her smiling, talking, and, you know, working.