Surreality Show

When I arrived at the United Nations for the Gucci/Madonna fundraiser for Malawi and Unicef last night, arms linked with Susie from Style Bubble, we paused to watch Gwyneth Paltrow come down the red carpet, followed by Rachel Zoe (Kelly Ripa, I think, waited on the sidelines to go after Rachel. Blondes, blondes, blondes!) Gwyneth looked great in a short pink number. Susie commented that it brought to mind her memorable Oscar dress, when she won for Shakespeare in Love. Rachel went down the line looking cute, younger than she seems in photos, and one jokey photographer kept shouting, “Gwyneth!” Rachel cracked an indulgent smile. Then they were on to the next thin blonde down the line.

We walked into the cocktail area where it was a total Surreality Show. Each cluster of people I passed had a celebrity in it. Okay, I’ve been around celebrities for fashion shows, but not so many, and not so Hollywood. And to see them all relaxed, drinking, having a good time in such proximity, and with so few of us normal people around. S-U-R-R-E-A-L. Cynthia Nixon, Rosie O’Donnell, Rebecca Gayheart, Dylan McDermott, Orlando Bloom, Amy Adams, Camilla Belle—that was just on the way to get my first drink. Oh, and then there was that part where Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore sidled right up next to Susie and I at the bar. Demi looked like Morticia Adams, in hair and dress, and she was all smiles.

The sharing-air-with-Ashton-and-Demi-moment would only be surpassed by my later standing, oh, an arm’s length from Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes. On the treadmill that day, I’d watched some CNN clip on Scientology. He was laughing with squinted eyes on the clip, and then right there in front of me, the same thing.

There’s a whole painful story about why I didn’t have my camera for the first half of the night, the part before the seated dinner began, the only part where it was really easy to take celebrity pictures. I was told at the last minute in the hotel lobby by a Gucci PR and by some guests that cameras were not permitted. Orders from Madonna. Why I listened to this, I’m not sure, maybe because I’ve never had special orders from Madonna? It seemed very official and I figured it would be confiscated at entry and just a pointless thing to bring.

Then, of course, Susie and I start seeing cameras being whipped out at cocktail hour, and with mounting horror we realize that everyone, everyone (who is not a celebrity) has a camera. And us, US WHO HAVE THE BEST EXCUSE IN THE WORLD TO MAKE PEOPLE UNCOMFORTABLE: “Um, can I get a picture with you for my blog?” The bloggers had left their cameras at the hotel. Our wings were effectively clipped.

Except Betsy from Fashion is Spinach, who left in a different car than us and didn’t get the no camera memo. We’ll try not to hate her too much. (In fact, we will love her because you can go to her blog and see the excellent coverage which she just posted.)

I wish that I could be rock and roll and just say that I lived in the moment, or like certain friends of mine who I know wouldn’t even bother to take a picture with a celebrity, but my heart still seizes up when I think of how Tom and Katie were posing with a layperson right next to us. It would have been so, so easy, to just tap Katie on her tan shoulder...

Water water everywhere and not a memory card to document.

That all changed when Susie’s boyfriend, Steve, the world’s best boyfriend, brought our cameras over to the event, and I ran outside just before Madonna’s speech and got them, gave him a hug, and came back in, going right back through the United Nations security people. It is only thanks to Steve that I have this photo with Rihanna. Say ella, ella, ella to my new Facebook picture.

Of course, only my little dinky memory card was in there, not the big expensive one I’d purchased yesterday, so I couldn’t take much video. And of course later in the evening I accidentally deleted my video of Madonna’s speech. Oh, and just now, as I am drafting this post, I read on her blog that Susie left her camera in the cab on the way home. Thanks Universe, we got the memo!

Madonna claimed to be nervous making her opening speech; she did seem to loosen up as the night went on, at one point even adjusting her panties on stage. Did anyone else catch that? Cause over in the far left hand corner, the French press DEFINITELY saw that.

She spoke slowly and with passion (the British accent is now gone). It was actually moving. There was a kid from Malawi who spoke to us as well. There was an auction package that involved spending some time with Madonna that went for $600,000. I couldn’t see who was bidding, but I heard Anna Wintour was involved at one point. Chris Rock and a man from Christie’s led the auction. I grabbed the wrist of Marie Christiane Marek from Paris Mode TV at one point. It was exciting.

At my table was Jennifer Eymere, designer and daughter of Jalouse President Marie Josee Susskind. Jennifer got the vote from the fashion bloggers (well, Susie and I), for best dressed person at the event. (Not pictured: she wore black patent leather Chanel booties, the toes open.)

She was very funny, Jennifer, beating her auction glow sticks on the table saying, “Maman, I want the package to play soccer with David Beckham.” “No,” said her mom in a dry tone. Their dynamic is great. We talked a bit about the Jalouse 10 years short film, where Marisa Berenson plays her mother. Alexandra Golovanoff from La Blonde et Moi was at my table, at the far end, looking regal like she belongs in Hollywood. We were in the farthest corner of the room, just next to the emergency exit (that had to have been strategic, the French table next to the exit), and so I found myself alone a few times with Marie Christiane who doesn’t smoke either. Also, Philip Utz from Numero and Kappauf, Editor from Citizen K, two characters, were just next to me. Good company.

Philip from Numero and Lavinia Mancinelli from Gucci look at his celeb pictures.

Rihanna and Timbaland performed, and then Alicia Keyes, who was beautiful and amazing.

Gwen and Gwyn.

Oh, how about a little Kate Hudson on her way out? Why not?

Julia, writer for Le Monde’s fashion supplement.

Cristina Malgara from Gucci. I’m here because of her.

Then all the celebs left and we danced. From left: Susie from Style Bubble, Daniel from Indie Fashion, Betsy from Fashion is Spinach, and Samantha from Gucci.

Oh, but there was one celeb I got a shot with in the final hour: Frida Giannini, the designer of Gucci. That was cool.

God, what a night.

Susie and I in the hotel lobby, back when we were fancy celeb charity auction virgins.

Fashion credits! My dress is Vanessa Bruno, the heart shaped purse is vintage Yves Saint Laurent from Reciproque in Paris (great, right?), vintage earrings from Metamorphosis in Paris. Susie writes about what she wore on her site. Finally, Jo-Anna and Johnny from Ford who did my hair and makeup (Gucci hired hair and makeup! I know, I know), you made me feel great. Thank you.

Comments

[Daniel Saynt]

Love the pict of us dancing. What the hell am I doing? Great meeting you and hope to see you tonight.

[stacy]

Was this part of your Gucci Trip or a totally different invite? Either way, it looks like a good time.

[caroline]

i'll reiterate what i've been saying over at fashion is spinach:

wow. really. just wow.

that is an awesome opportunity!

[Girl and the City]

You look great! Just read the party review on WWD sounds so fab! Everyone looked really amazing although I have to admit that I wasn't such a huge fan of Gwyneth's pink number.

xox Girl and the City (in Paris)

http://girlandthecity.wordpress.com

[misshoax]

you looked fantastic! i can't imagine how exciting all this must be...

[Town & Runway]

Sound so FABULOUS!!! You deserve it honey.

http://townandrunway.blogspot.com

[Johnny]

Hey there Jessica Rabbit. Looks like you had a great time thanks for the shout you. It was so nice to meet you. Wish i went to the actual event:)
peace
Johnny Lavoy

[maitresse]

la mode la mode la mode!

you look beautiful! great hair, great dress. che bella!

[Poulette]

When did Gwen Stefani start looking like Bette Midler?!
Your report is so much fun to read that I can't even hate you for this! And the, hair, THE HAIR - simply fabuleux!

[Claire]

Oh that looks so fun! You all look completely fabulous and gorgeous...x

[Winnie]

Wow! You still managed to get some amazing photos, You all looked so fabulous and looked like you had a lot of fun! Must have been so surreal standing around with all these celebs...wow

[Aimee]

LOVE the dancefloor pics!

[sarah nicole]

the gwen and gwyn snap is proof that digital cameras make everyone look bad, even superblondes.

except kate hudson. how fucking cute is kate hudson?

this is all such a vicarious dream.

[delphine]

oh how fabulous...lucky you!
and you just fit in..:)
delphine

[Neil]

You looked totally glamorous! I think you might be getting a whole lot more male readers now. And I loved that you listed the fashion credits, like in a magazine. You should make that into a tradition on this blog, even mentioning what you are currently wearing as you work from home -- "jeans from Levi's, flip-flops from Target..."

[fashionjaw]

wow this is amazing dear!! and you look fabulous!!
luv ur photo with Rihanna

[Molly]

This sounded like such a fun trip!
Lucky you meeting Rihanna.

[enc]

That's a really nice post. I'm glad I finally came over for a visit!