The Eight-Day Week

Arden Wohl (Getty Images)

To Do Wednesday: Girls’ Night Out

With the so-called “War on Women” raging all this year, we’re left wanting to support the young ladies in our lives—while catching up with our closest social-circuit pals. Arden Wohl chairs the committee for tonight’s Girls Like Us benefit in support of Girls Educational and Mentoring Services along with fellow philanthropic types including model Karen Elson and (male) director Jesse Peretz. Hostess Jada Pinkett Smith, who knows a thing or two about raising self-confident young ladies—her daughter Willow is a brash and successful young recording artist—will keep things running smoothly as the likes of Natasha Lyonne and Stella Schnabel present readings about self-esteem. Read More

Fashion Week

An exclusive backstage photo from The Observer's Wang-insider/tipster.

Does the Sensationalism of Alexander Wang and Other Designers Overshadow Their Fashion?

American fashion design has seen an exciting new crop of talented youngsters creep onto the scene. Creatives such as Joseph Altuzarra, Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez of Proenza Schouler, Alexander Wang, Jason Wu and Prabal Gurung have received a great deal of attention—and rightfully so. The majority of this bunch thrive on fanfare—not always on the design of their clothes, but on their front-rows, frantic check-ins and backstage dramas.

The Proenza Schouler duo, after several seemingly shaky years, have quickly become darlings of the global fashion elite, continually present interesting and attractive collections. Now sitting more comfortably with financial investments from Theory Group’s Andrew Rosen and a glossy new David Adjaye-designed boutique (albeit too damn dark to see any of the merch), its safe to say they are no longer emerging.

Mr. Altuzarra’s nomadic, opulent materials and prints seem to satiate the critics. Since PR Consulting has never invited us to one of his magical shows, we’ll let him be.

Jason Wu’s nearly flawless technique and practical glamour—not to mention being a favorite of first lady Michelle Obama—means he’s fine and dandy.

Same for Thakoon Panichgul. Read More

Jack White and Karen Elson are Just Regular Suburbanites

Last night, we found red-headed supermodel Karen Elson at an intimate dinner in the West Village celebrating the virtual launch of the House of Lavande, a high-end vintage couture jewelry line that started as founder Tracy Smith‘s personal collection. Ms. Elson was co-hosting with trapeze artist Sarah Sophie Flicker. (The two also perform together at Read More