By Daniel D'Addario 2/27/12 1:46pm

The Oscars

6 Photos

Jessica Chastain (Getty Images)

Here’s Who Was Best-Dressed At the Oscars

The year’s biggest night for fashion was an unusually metallic affair–with Best Actress Meryl Streep draped in gold, Best Supporting Actress Octavia Spencer in sparkly silver, Melissa Leo in a pile of sequins, and Jennifer Lopez in a significantly sparser pile of sequins. Aside from all the gold and silver, black and white seemed to rule the evening–the few well-executed bits of color, like Michelle Williams’s sweet red dress, came across beautifully. Here’s who we thought were the best dressed last night! Read More

By Brionna Jimerson 6/16/11 3:41pm

The Transom

Gwyneth Paltrow at the Bent on Learning gala. (Patrick McMullan)

Gwyneth Paltrow Gets Press-Shy at Bent On Learning Gala

Early Wednesday evening found The Observer at in a dusty backroom of Urban Zen, Donna Karan‘s newest venue, in the West Village, awaiting the arrival of celebrities, especially the ever-elusive and chronically overexposed (somehow, she’s both at once!) Gwyneth Paltrow at Bent on Learning’s gala.

The event celebrated Russell Simmons and Ms. Paltrow for their support Read More

By Dana Rubinstein 7/13/10 9:24pm

When It's Not Your Money

The Mogul, Lost and Found: Developer Shaya Boymelgreen in the City of Second Acts

The breakneck rise and fall of New York developer Shaya Boymelgreen unfolds like a Gilded Age novel of social ascendance: young man immigrates to ethnic neighborhood in big city; accidentally takes part in Crown Heights riot of historic importance; strikes up fortuitous friendship with Uzbek diamond billionaire who agrees to bankroll his projects; Read More