FashionEtc.com April 25th, 2024

"Please come in, great to see you!," said Princess Yasmin Aga Khan at the cocktail party she was hosting in honor of the 2011 Alzheimer's Gala. Khan, looking stunning in a black sequined Naeem Khan top, and Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry, has worked tirelessly for decades to try to find a cure for Alzheimer's and end the suffering of both patients and their families alike. Khan watched her mother, Rita Hayworth, struggle for years with this devastating disease.

"Tonight's kick off cocktail, underwritten by Van Cleef & Arpels, helps to bring public awareness for the 5 million devastated by Alzheimer's disease. Hollywood Glamour is our Gala theme on Oct 25th at the Waldorf. I am thrilled that Anne and Jay McInerney are chairing, and that we are honoring Somers Farkas and HSN's Mindy Grossman," said Khan.

"Look at that gorgeous necklace," said Patty Smyth McEnroe, as we both went crazy over a VC&A diamond pave Alhambra chain, which would have looked particularly good with her vintage green dress. Actually, it would have looked particularly good on anything or anyone, anywhere.

"I'm going to be singing at this year's gala," said Smyth McEnroe, exciting news for all those planning to attend. I speak from personal experience—I've seen her in concert. She will blow your mind.

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The food at mobile brand HTC’s product launch party on Tuesday, whipped up by chefs from top New York restaurants Philippe, Aldea and Frankies Spuntino was delicious, and the crowd munching away was pretty yummy as well, with Charlize Theron, Leighton Meester, Hugh Dancy, Rashida Jones and Elizabeth Olsen among them.

While these folks are all talented, many admitted to being somewhat challenged when it comes to cooking. “Eggs is what I do,” said Penn Badgley of his culinary skills.

“I’m a horrible cook, but I’m really good at compensating in other areas,” Richie Rich told FashionEtc. “I cook pasta, but I’m not even Italian,” he added. “But I watch the Food Network, so I’m trying to learn.”

Book of Mormon’s Nikki M. James laughed when we asked. “I can’t cook at all. I live in New York City – I don’t have a kitchen!” the Tony winner said. “I don’t have shoes in my oven, but I certainly have never turned it on. “

However, James turns on her mobile devices too often. “I literally carry big bags so that I don’t have to be without my iPad. Which is a bad habit, I think I’m getting, like, scoliosis,” she said. “So I’m fully addicted.”

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Kathy Hilton is indefatigable. The beautiful mother of four, currently based in LA, has been a successful entrepreneur, a TV star, and a dedicated philanthropist for most of her life. Her latest venture, The Kathy Hilton Collection, is a collection of ready to wear cocktail dresses that express Kathy's personal style: elegant, sophisticated, and sexy. Kathy collaborated with Mon Cheri and its CEO Stephen Lang to design and market the brand.

What better way to celebrate this new venture than to invite fashion personalities, close friends, and buyers to take a look at the collection, at the legendary Le Cirque?

"Ooh, look at that gorgeous aqua dress," said Cornelia Guest as she rifled through the rack.

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There is nothing more heartbreaking and yet inspiring than hearing teenagers in foster care speak about how they have overcome abuse, neglect, and bad behavior to excel against all odds. Thankfully, organizations like New Yorkers For Children exist to improve the lives of youth in foster care by providing scholarships, networking, tutoring programs and job opportunities to kids who are willing to work hard and create a better future for themselves.

NYFC held their Fall Gala on September 20th at Cipriani 42nd Street, and when these kids who succeeded against all odds told their stories, there was hardly a dry eye in the house. Serena Williams, Ivanka Trump and Rachel Roy were also in attendance.

"Tonight is an important night for Youth in Foster Care," said NYFC board member Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos, stunning in an olive green halter sheath with metallic bead straps by St. John, the evening's sponsor. "They are the forgotten youth in our country, but NYFC is here to make sure that we remember to reach out to these kids right here in our city. I've seen many of our youth grow up and go to college and stay in college rather than drop out. Every day we change a life and make a real difference."

The dress code was black tie, and guests didn't disappoint, from Marcia Mishaan, in a long black and crystal Naeem Khan, to Shafi Roepers in navy and metallic J. Mendel, to Shirin von Wulffen, in a long black St. John that expertly hid her baby bump.

I asked gala co-chair Ashley McDermott, in a beaded turquoise and chocolate brown Naeem Khan, why NYFC is important to her. "As the mother of four teenagers, I cannot imagine them trying to navigate their futures without parental support. As a human being, I feel blessed to be able to help these foster children successfully build their own futures."

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