Floras’ Amid Flurries
By Melissa Bent for Starworks
(New mommy, Jessica Alba, Elle, March 2009)
Groundhog Day came and went, snow fell, and temperatures remained generally to be colder than a witch’s tit. Yet spring seemed to have sprung at the Diane von Furstenberg shop in the now sparkling Meatpacking district this past Wednesday.
The delicious lunch was held in celebration of Elle’s Spring issue with Jessica Alba on the cover. The food was heavenly. Lots of tasty couscous salads, tagines, perfectly dressed bib lettuce, teas and waters, and of course a touch of red wine.
I sat with Mariko Munro from 303 Gallery who is featured as a stylish and modern working woman in the magazine. She was with Inka Essenhigh who worked on the Downtown For Democracy fair with me and many others in 2004. How far we have come in 5 years!
(Inka & Melissa)
We ate with Amanda Brooks who is a creative director at DVF and always a friendly face with good stories at fashion shows and fetes alike. Chiara and Waris appeared a little late but ready for photos and chat. Chiara was debuting her film that evening at Film Forum and looked rested and glowing in a blue DVF number. Waris’ grey suit matched the couch we were perched on.
(Chiara Clemente & Waris)
All in all my favorite look was Diana Ross, who was as appropriately dressed for the chill as I was. She was in all black sweater with leggings and a marvelous thick belt at the waist, tall furry black suede boots, and billowing hair.
As people filmed a new program called “The City” which is real but not real, or sort of real, I chatted with Anne Slowey who looked fetching in a green YSL number. My sister Eliza had quipped when Ann’s Fashionista premiered that “One is a true New Yorker when your old job becomes a reality TV show.” (Anne was Eliza’s first boss when she moved to NYC 4 years ago). We lamented the economy, sample sales, and how neither of us made it to Miami Basel this year.
We filtered out with the others, complete with copies of Elle, and an Obama tote designed by DVF into the shiny but frigid afternoon. Many months will pass before the crocuses bloom.
–Melissa
p.s. Note from me and Mirabelle Marden: After 7 years, Rivington Arms is closing its doors. We’d like to thank all the artists we’ve worked with for making the gallery unique and exciting. Our office will remain open through February and the Rivington Arms website will be archived by the end of the month, including artists’ contact information. Please visit our website RivingtonArms.com to read the New York Times review of our final show, Uri Aran’s Geraniums. All the best in 2009!
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