Nigel Barker.

Hosts Nigel and Cristen Barker, Russell James and Donna Karan will be at the Fourth Annual Solving Kids’ Cancer Spring Celebration this year honoring Ms. Karan’s BFF Bonnie Young and daughter Gabby Karan De Felice. The committee includes supermodel Helena Christensen, socialite Jennifer Creel, Carolina Herrera, nightlife queen Amy Sacco and photographer Kelly Klein, to name-drop a few.

583 Park Avenue, (212) 583-7200, cocktails 6:30pm, dinner 7:30pm, individual tickets $600, tables $6,000-$25,000. 

The Four Seasons Restaurant, 99 East 52nd Street, (212) 754-9494, 6:30-9:30pm, by invitation only.

Mark Gilbertson at last year's ball.

The Museum of the City of New York’s Winter Ball is like a social mixtape mash-up of the Social Register, The Hampton’s Blue Book and Palm Beach’s Shiny Sheet. The Belgian Shoe set comes out in diamond-dripping droves for this fancy affair, which is sponsored by Carolina Herrera, an icon who has probably dressed every lady in the ballroom numerous times. There’s dinner and dancing at The Pierre with old-school New York names like Mark Gilbertson (the pied piper of the prepsters), Nicole Mellon, Calvert Moore, Allison Rockefeller and Andrew Roosevelt, among other royalty. You can book a table for $30,000 or, if you spent all your monthly mortgage moolah on J. Mendel furs, grab an “Associate” ticket for a mere $350—about the same as car service for the night.

The Pierre, 2 East 61st Street, (212) 838-8000; cocktails at 7:30pm and dinner 8:30pm, for tickets call (917) 492-3326.

Carolina Herrera

Fashion Weeks come and Fashion Weeks go—couture designers are supposed to be in Paris right now!—but Carolina Herrera has a good reason to stick around: she’s picking up an award in her honor. The indefatigable Ms. Herrera, who was given a “Style Award” by Katie Holmes at New York Fashion Week earlier this month, accepts the “Iconic Woman of Style Award” at the Icons of Style Gala, thrown by Spanish-language fashion book Vanidades. She’s joined at the event by the likes of polo star and Ralph Lauren model Nacho Figueras, socialite Yaz Hernandez and Venezuelan designer Angel Sanchez.

Mandarin Oriental, 80 Columbus Circle, 7:30pm, for tickets and information call (305) 871-6400.

New York fashion week has finally come to a close. Amen! For those less-fortunate editors and fashion authorities (or perhaps we are the lucky ones) that have not jetted off to London or Milan, we finally get a moment to recover.

In retrospect, we relished the young talents of Prabal Gurung and Jason Wu. The Observer will never forget the spectacle and grandeur of Alexander Wang—or the impeccable quality of Simon Spurr’s suiting. With such a busy social schedule and so many shows, it’s hard to remember all the garments we evaluated with a careful eye.

We’re still a smidgen bitter about a few mishaps with Oscar de la Renta and PR Consulting… but we forgive easily… Oscar might possibly have been the best women’s collection in town! Best of luck obtaining the financial means to swing the $15,000 price tag...

One thing we do recall in our hazy fatigue, is the undeniable fact that fur is back. Yes, yes it never really left! But honestly!

"It's so glamorous and luxe!" proclaimed Joan Rivers about fur, backstage at Dennis Basso.

Perhaps Ms. Rivers is in the right. Has there ever been so much mink, chinchilla, fox, raccoon, coyote, goat, rabbit, astrakhan, Mongolian lamb, ermine and sable shown in New York? Probably… but let’s peruse The Oberserver’s favorites— shall we?

Images: GETTY and Patrick McMullan.

Her energy level is through the roof and her style rivals that of many tight-lipped editors: We're talking about Brisbane/Sydney native, Angela Gilltrap. Having worked as an actor, author and editor, this Aussie beauty has now eased into the role of Omni Media Director for fashionweekdaily.com and Daily Front Row (glossy media staples during fashion week). She not only tweets like a fiend, but is one of the faces behind the publications' surreptitious editorial escapes: the not-quite-a-gifting-suite Style Sessions. We cornered her for further explanation:

What do you do for the Daily Front Row? How does fashion week affect your job?

I am the Digital Strategist at The Daily Front Row. I’m here to support the edit staff so that all of our DFR fans get the most up-to-date insider information from inside the tents and beyond.

For most fashion folks, this eight-day week is a mammoth undertaking requiring super hero-like strength, endurance and patience. Not to mention oodles of lip gloss and a handbag full of Cynthia Rowley band-aids.

What’s all this commotion I hear about some clandestine luxury suite for celebs and editors? Are there other such spaces around town?

VIP suites are the new black. Editors everywhere are scheduling these mini-breaks into their packed calendar and for good reason! The fashion world works hard and deserves to play hard. This is the second season we've run The Daily's Style Sessions—the ultimate VIP lounge that combines the best in entertainment, beauty and hospitality.

Here, the fashion elite can leisurely sip on a glass of Moët Chandon while catching up with their favorite celeb; tweet away the hardships of their life while enjoying pampering Meaningful Beauty by Cindy Crawford and talk shop with other editors over a manicure by Essie.

Where else are people flocking to for merriment or escape?

Another great getaway that combines two things not always seen on the same billing—food and fashion. Goodness, a pop[-up] restaurant created by Elettra Weiderman brings fine dining to fashion. Each day a different chef showcases the best in fine dining. This season Mario Batali, Alain Allegretti, Julian Medina and Leo Forneas are on!

Have any celebs dropped into the suite? Or are slated to show up?

We always have a big celebrity presence at The Daily's Style Sessions everyone from the Bensimons to the Kardashians. Entry is by invite only so fashionistas, editors, trendsetters and those in the know will be there.

Which designers make you “have a moment?”

Bibhu Mohapatra! He is one of my favorite designers, so talented and yet so humble. And of course, Carolina Herrera is always a highlight!

The POSH affair was just that, a venn diagram of bold-face names from New York High Society and Haute Fashion crowds. The dress code for the evening was POSH and the crowd did not disappoint. Iris Apel was a resplendent bird of paradise in chartreuse silk Ralph Rucci, festooned with costume jewelry and her signature black-rimmed glasses. Carolina and Reinaldo Herrera drifted in a little later and chatted with Vanity Fair's Bob Colacello and Lady Jane Spencer-Churchill. Emilia and Pepe Fanjul were on hand to support their friend and fellow host, Pauline Pitt. Mrs. Pitt's daughters were also in attendance: Dr. Samantha Boardman Rosen and Serena Boardman Theodoracopulos. Waiters wafted around pushing through the long palm leaves that hung in front of them like stage curtains, bearing flutes of champagne and full-to-the-brim glass es of cold white wine.

Lorry Newhouse was in a floral creation by Rodarte. Her husband Michael, who runs the newspaper division of Condé Nast, looked natty in a striped purple suit. When we complimented him on his choice, with the speed of a flasher, he showed us the bordello-red lining of his jacket.

When the recipient of the POSH Fashion Visionary Award herself arrived, Vanity Fair Special Correspondent Amy Fine Collins, she was instantly swarmed by admirers. With her raven-black elfin hair and a designer's dream slim physique, Ms. Fine Collins takes very classic clothes and makes them cool. Last night was no exception, as she arrived in hot pink Carolina Herrera accessorized with dangling emerald and diamond earrings. She was accompanied by her daughter, Flora, a poised 17-year-old. "I'm wearing Alice and Olivia" she said, "except for these," she noted pointing at her rhinestone covered spike heels, "these are hers" she said pointing to her mother. (Later we looked at the label, "Manolo Blahnik," Flora said, sounding almost apologetic.)

Designer Naeem Khan chatted to Anthony Todd with his wife Ranjana, who wore a dress of her own creation that could have come straight from the set of Pirates of the Caribbean, complete with sheer netting and shells. They mused on why the sale was called POSH, "I don't know, but it's a word we use in India a lot," said Ranjana, "we were all taught the Queen's English."

Stacey Bendet had taken POSH to a new level by carrying her own flask full of Champagne. "It's Caitlin's birthday," she said by way of an excuse, pointing to one of the girls, her fingernails painted in jail-stripe black and white. 

Guests were finally herded into the Plaza's Belle Époque-inspired dining room. The Observer sat next to the king of fur, Dennis Basso, who told us that he used to volunteer for Lighthouse and read to the blind. "I thought I'd be reading them journals, magazines and so forth. They gave me a man who was studying microbiology and I had to read these incredibly complicated scientific tracts to him. Every other word, he'd have to make me stop and explain it to me. The blind man was telling me how to read!  We soon decided that it wasn't for me and that I was much better at recording readings." 

The evening's hosts got up one by one to make speeches. Co-founder and Lifetime Visionary award winner Kim Baker Campbell made a sweetly rambling speech in her 1930's movie star tones about her "entire Baker family" and named them all, including step-children.

Bergdorf Goodman's SVP, Women's Fashion Director Linda Fargo also received a Lifestyle Visionary award and finally explained the origins of the word POSH. It came from traveling in the best cabins on the legendary Cunard Cruise Line to from England to India, those which avoided the glare of the sun: Port Out and Starboard Home.

As the clock stuck the witching hour (in this case about 10:15) guests drifted out the door, their multi-colored frocks spread out into New York's city streets like a rainbow fan. -Daisy Prince

Another front row star was the stunning Christina Hendricks. Wearing a tight-fitting blue and black dress from Carolina Herrera the Mad Men star was mobbed by reporters she tried to answer everyone's questions before she was whisked away backstage.   We couldn't get close enough to speak to her and weren't going to push our way to the front (that would have been unforgivably unladylike at Carolina Herrera) but we overheard that it was her first show. As Ms. Hendrick is by far and away our favorite pin-up for making curves popular again, we hope to see her at a great deal more.

It would be such a pleasure to live in Carolina Herrera's world. When you see her clothes which are so feminine and well-cut it must just be impossible to think bad thoughts in those beautiful materials. Her fall line was up to the ladylike standard we've come to expect from Mrs. Herrera -- with one or two stand outs. She designed a beautiful turquoise and dark gray jacquard gown which some tall star will definitely wear to this year's Oscars and a turquoise shift dress that every Condé Nast editor will fight over.

 The crowd was, as you might expect, heavy on the socialites who were all milling around before and after the show, air-kissing each other.  It was like being at cocktail party at ten in the morning without drinks. Amanda Hearst, Annie Churchill Albert, Emilia Fanjul Pfeifler and Lauren Bush were just a few of Mrs. Herrera's supporter who turned out for her big day.

 “I decided to dress up a little tonight,” Mark Randall, 20, who plays Mr. Hamilton's elder brother, said with no trace of sarcasm in his voice. He was wearing skinny black G Star jeans with two large knee tears and five-year-old, worn-out Converse sneakers. What was the deal with those pants? “Funny story,” Mr. Randall told the Transom. “I was playing late-night street badminton—hardcore badminton … in a park by my apartment in Toronto…I went all out and ended scrapping the ground, bruising my hip.”

His co-star Logan Lerman, 17,  strutted around in a gray suit, proclaiming, “I am a suit man.” Actually: “I only have this one, really, I’ll go get another one for the next one.” He told about shopping for it. “I was having a panic attack, I was in some store, there were too many frigging people here, I’m freaking out and just took the suit off the rack … it happened to fit.”

Perhaps the real Mr. Hamilton could provide his cinematic alter ego some advice about suit purchasing?  The 70-year-old actor made his way down the red carpet in a pinstriped navy suit, faded, striped dress shirt and polka-dotted tie, with a white handkerchief in his front pocket.

“Yeah, it is old school—so am I!” he said, adding: “I’m wearing a suit that’s about 25-years-old—it’s almost her age." He pointed to his young, German female escort. 

 Ms. Zellweger finally appeared, batting away questions of her rumored coupling with Hangover star Bradley Cooper, in a black one-shouldered cocktail dress by Carolina Herrera, her fallback designer, worn with a jeweled belt and pink, pointed pumps.“Those came out of my closet and thank God I ordered them and kept them in the box because what else is going to match?” she said of her shoes. Sporting a large diamond ring on her index finger, Ms. Zellweger turned to her handlers, baffled. “Oh, it’s uh, it’s uh, hang on, I’ll tell you just now—Winston, no. It’s not Harry Winston. Hang on, just one second. Hey, Nancy,” she said, running down a list of jewelry designers with her cohorts only to settle on the response: “Clearly, I’m borrowing it.”

Indeed, as Cipriani 42nd Street filled with ornate gowns and the buzz of Spanish chitchat on Wednesday, May 20, Governor David Paterson, whose 55th birthday happened to fall on the same day, arrived with his wife, Michelle Paterson.

"I asked Michelle for a suggestion as to what we should do for my birthday and she said whatever we do, we have to come to the reception for El Museo del Barrio," Mr. Paterson told the Daily Transom. "So I said, 'O.K., that sounds like a good idea!'"

The governor said he happened to represent the museum during his last four years in the State Senate. "I think I stopped at the gala my first year, when I was reapportioned into East Harlem in 2003. So it's actually my second time here, but they seem to recognize me quicker this time."

Will the governor be doing some dancing?

"It's possible," he replied. "But we actually have another event to go to afterwards so we may not be around for the dancing."

At last year's gala, the women were asked to wear tiaras, white gowns and elbow-length gloves to fit the quinceañera theme—a Latin version of the sweet sixteen, but more formal. This year, attention was drawn to portraits of Latino New Yorkers like Carolina Herrera, Narciso Rodriguez and John Leguizamo that the gala's co-chair, illustrator Ruben Toledo, completed with the help of the children at the museum. Also on sale were cigar boxes, again illustrated by Mr. Toledo.

Gala chair Yaz Hernandez said she would purchase a box for her husband, Citibank exec Valentin Hernandez. Ms. Hernandez, wearing a mermaid-cut white Angel Sanchez dress with black detailing, said she does not smoke cigars, but enjoys the smell.

"I love it. Love the smell," she gushed in her lovely Spanish accent. "I grew up with it. I find it sexy and fabulous and so delicious and so mun-ly! I love it."

Mr. Toledo and wife Isabel Toledo arrived arm in arm, he in a snug suit and black tie, she in a beautifully-tailored floral dress. Despite designing the cigar boxes, Mr. Toledo said he does not actually smoke cigars.

"I don't even smoke cigarettes. I'm a bore," he said. "I don't smoke and I don't drink."

And all this time we thought that pencil-thin mustache was a sign of mischief!

"Nah, I'm a devil, but not in a typical way," he replied. In fact, Mr. Toledo said we might catch some of his devilish ways on the dance floor later. "All Latinos dance, you have to dance! See, for Spanish people—and I'm generalizing here—body language is like an intelligence, you gotta know how to use your body."

In the background, the mariachi band began to sing "Happy Birthday," or rather the Spanish version, "Feliz Cumpleaños," to Governor Paterson. The governor did not dance but seemed to enjoy the sentiment. And after Ms. Hernandez presented him with a large white cake that read "El Museo Saluda al Gov. Paterson" in red frosting, it was time for the governor to move on to his next birthday engagement.

"Happy Birthday!" exclaimed Mr. Toledo. "You must meet my wife. Oh, do you really have to go now?"

"Yes, we really must go," replied the governor.