Sharon Socol

Last week, the Transom took the elevator to one of the most fashionable floors in town--the ninth floor of Barneys New York--for a celebration of photographer Sharon Socol’s new book, Plus One: An Outsider's Photographic Journey into the World of Fashion. And it was nothing so much as an insider's affair.

There was a towering geek-chic Jenna Lyons with girlfriend Courtney Crangi, photographer Gilles Bensimon, and designers galore including Isabel and Ruben Toledo, Richard Chai, Tommy Hilfiger, Yigal Azrouel, and Rag & Bone’s David Neville and Marcus Wainwright, among others.

Pretty fancy line-up of insiders, considering Ms. Socol's theme. Then again, Ms. Socol was never a true outsider herself. She gained access to high-profile industry events and fashion shows as the "plus one" to her husband, Howard Socol, the former CEO of Barneys New York, using her camera to document and navigate the fashion world.

Hosts for the fete were friends of Ms. Socol--Diane von Furstenberg (a no-show), Narciso Rodriguez and Simon Doonan--all of whom are featured in the book of black-and-white photos and happen to be the holy trinity of wrap dresses, minimalist sportswear and window dressage.

After powwowing with Mr. Rodriguez and Paper Magazine’s Mickey Boardman, Mr. Doonan waxed philosophical with the Transom on the importance of being an outsider.

“It's good to be a bit of an outlier. It's not good to be always in, because then you get your objectivity, you keep your objectivity. It's good to be in and it's good to be out," he said.

And how might a young person infiltrate the wondrous world of fashion, we wondered?

“I think young people have become too driven and too demented too young,” said Mr. Doonan. “When I was in my twenties, I was having fun, travelling and being stupid, and being useless. Everyone's too uptight. So my big advice to young people is: chillax.”

Chill as hell, we sauntered over to a nearby tête-à-tête, where we asked Mr. Rodriguez if he ever felt like an outsider. The sweet and soft-spoken designer seemed shocked at our implicit suggestion that the fashion industry could ever resemble Heathers-esque competition. "I think it's very open for all people, who come here and study fashion,” said Mr. Rodriguez. "I was never locked out."

Just before leaving, we tracked down Thakoon Panichgul, a modern it-kid, as a companion tugged him toward the elevators. Mr. Panichgul said, “I always hung out with, like, people who are not inside. Even in college I was like, I always wanted to be on the fringe of things. I never wanted to be in the fix of everything."

So what did the Transom learn from fashion's cool kids? That out is in and the industry is one big happy family?

Hmm. Dubious. Although the Transom did deduce one truth: if you want to crack into the fashion world, the least you can do is dress like you belong--and if that fails, marry a luxury department store head.

But oh what a treat was The Observer in for this year!

Rebecca Romijin wins for classiest act. Her delicate and smiley stroll in a flowery Marchesa gown was dignified, yet warm. The mother of Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps walked, and stopped to smooch her golden son watching from the audience. Debbie Phelps received plenty of applause, as many noted her having championed nutritional and health initiatives on a local level. Aisha Tyler’s spin on the dance floor proved that the woman doesn’t age (of course her stunning Badgley Mischka has to take some credit). Glamour editor-in-chief Cindi Leive was cooperative, but a bit sheepish… then again she did sport a killer Jason Wu scarlet number down the runway.

But what fun is class? To balance out our spectrum, we had Millionaire Matchmaker Patti Stranger, who a few pounds lighter, working her magic in Marc Bower. And where to begin with La La Anthony? The editor beside the Observer cocked her head and muttered, “That’s what you get when you put 10lbs of shit in a 5lb bag!” (Perhaps La La's Rachel Roy was a bit too body-hugging, but what’s wrong when a girl’s got curves? She looked foxy… We still love you La La!)

Two catwalkers took the "Fall Collection" season name a little too literally: Rose McGowen thought she had it all in her Donna Karan Collection, until she nearly took out an entire section of the front row after getting caught in her hems. And Christie Brinkley unleashed her inner diva as she strutted onto the catwalk, before she tripped over her billowy Pamella Rolland full-length and nearly ate shit! (In her defense, she never really was a runway model…)

They say to save the best for last and songstress, Gloria Estefan, who closed the collection in a tasteful Narciso Rodriguez (up-do and all), certainly WOW-ed; but Chaka Khan in a rouge, leopard print Chris March dress! Need we say more? Epic!

Narciso Rodriguez, who co-hosted the bash, is a self-professed "big fan" of Ms. Steinkamp's work; he's a bit of a collector, as it turns out. "I love Pat Steir's work, and I have some Thomas Ruff that I really love. I have a few of his pieces," he said. And how does Narciso Rodriguez strategize getting through Fashion Week? "I try to keep focused, keep cool, drink lots of water," he said. Just like basic training!

Upstairs, designer Narciso Rodriguez, taking refuge in an air bubble near the front of the room, said he couldn’t remember when he’d first visited the place, long popular with the fashion crowd. “I don’t know, it was a haze,” he said. “I was talking to somebody and I said, ‘You know, everything that was fun that happened in New York happened at Indochine at one point or another.’”

Recently, Mr. Rodriguez hosted another party, for the book Indochine: Stories, Shaken and Stirred (Rizzoli) at Bergdorf Goodman. The city has changed, but Indochine has not, he said. “We just grew up.”

Jean-Marc Houmard, the most visible of the restaurant’s three owners, bought and reopened Indochine immediately after Brian McNally—restaurateur and brother-of-Keith who escaped the city for a simpler life in Saigon—closed it in 1992. Mr. Houmard had been the maitre’d. He said he first visited the restaurant as a customer at age 25, after graduating from law school in Geneva and taking a law firm job in New York. “I saw Bianca, I saw Halston, I saw Jerry Hall; it was like being in a movie,” he said.

In his tenure as owner, neither the food nor the faded-wicker décor has been updated. So what’s different? “People don’t go out quite as late now,” said Mr. Houmard, who has negotiated another 15 years on Indochine’s lease, which is not yet up. “I remember we were still seating at 12:30 or 1 early on, but now after 11 or 11:30, it’s kind of the end of seating. The after-hours culture is not what it used to be.”

Slender and reserved, Mr. Houmard claims not to follow fashion. He attributes Indochine’s enduring popularity with models to its non-greasy food and flatteringly low lighting.

Onetime regulars like Calvin Klein weren’t at the party, but actors Naomi Watts and Liev Schreiber, Willem Dafoe—who is currently in a production across the street at the Public Theater—stylist Pat Field, and socialites Yvonne Force Villareal and Genevieve Jones made appearances. Designer Anna Sui commandeered a booth with model Carolyn Murphy. Model Julia Restoin-Roitfeld stood behind the hostess’ station. “I come here all the time, so I feel like I should be on the other side,” she said. “I’ve had my three last birthdays here, my brothers’ three last birthdays, all the big events … It’s quite a magical place, you know?”

Narciso Rodriguez told us about Michelle Obama's controversial Election Night dress at the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Awards. 

We caught up with the MisShapes at Christian Siriano's birthday party at Citrine. 

At the re-dedication of the Bridge Formerly Known as Triborough, we discovered that Nancy Pelosi isn't one for frivolous questions (but Martha Stewart is!). 

We faced the new media reality and took advantage of the complimentary burgers at Tina Brown's Daily Beast launch party in the Meatpacking District. 

We also learned about Out magazine's recession-proof readership and searched in vain for James Franco at the annual "Out 100" celebration. (We found him a few days later at a screening of Milk.)

The young designers of Proenza Schouler approached Mr. Rodriguez. "Did you see Michelle Obama in his dress?" cried Lazaro Hernandez. "Really major!"

"They have a fabulous new bag line," deflected Mr. Rodriguez. Mr. Hernandez asked if Mr. Rodriguez was designing the inaugural gown. "It would be nice to think so," he said modestly. Mr. Hernandez said it may be hard to get Ms. Obama in Proenza Schouler, because "she's probably going to be wearing Narciso every day!"

The actress Juliette Lewis was sipping a cocktail in a silver sequined Phillip Lim jumpsuit. "Omigod cue the music, I love this song, MGMT, it's this band... Anyway, I am finishing a record, a solo record, so it'll just be me. Oh, you probably don't know," she said. "I've been doing music for the last five years. You have to check it out on the internet!" (Her band is called Juliette and the Licks, and its former members include Hole's Patty Schemel and the Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl).

"I'm about to start another movie that Mark Ruffalo's directing, he's one of my favorite actors," she continued. "It's going to be yummy and independent, and James Franco is in it. I didn't act for like three years because I was just touring the world [with the band]."

Ms. Lewis had arrived at this fashionable gathering via Mr. Lim, a new friend. "He invited me, I'm his guest, and I'm wearing his clothes. It's a new love affair, between him and me," she said. Mr. Lim was not up for an award, so they were supporting his friend, whose name had escaped her. She swatted at Mr. Lim, standing nearby in a suit and red boutonniere. "Who's your friend we're rooting for?" (Richard Chai, he said). "Richard Chai!" she said. Mr. Lim indicated they should circle the room.

Nearby, Coyote Ugly actress Piper Perabo was overheard grilling her date, designer Peter Som: "There is an important question I need to ask. Are you single?" she said.

"Yes," said Mr. Som.

"I am too," said Ms. Perabo, somewhat discontentedly.

Eventually the crowd moved towards dinner: Vogue editor Anna Wintour, CFDA president Diane Von Furstenberg, Harvey Weinstein and designer wife Georgina Chapman, actress Rose Byrne, tennis player Maria Sharapova, Gossip Girl's Blake Lively and Penn Badgley, Calvin Klein designer Francisco Costa, designer couple Damon Dash and Rachel Roy (stepping out in the midst of tabloid flutter about their alleged bankruptcy) and André Leon Talley in an oversized black pea coat which said: "THE NEW AMERICAN DREAM" in gold on the back.

Charlize Theron introduced the evening's keynote speaker, Dior designer John Galliano.

"You should get that," she said, when someone's cell phone rang during her speech.

She explained that Mr. Galliano was born in Gibraltar, son of a homemaker and a plumber-"not Joe the Plumber."

Mr. Galliano himself wore a black top hat covered in daisies and a black vest over black bejeweled pants. He was shaking from nervousness as he recounted, via TelePrompter, his rise in the fashion industry. "My first collection was called ‘Afghanistan repudiates Western ideals,'" he said, to laughter. "Prophetic."

Mr. Galliano and Ms. Theron announced the evening's winner, 24-year-old Alexander Wang, who would take home $200,000. The ebullient, black-clad designer mounted the stage and kissed both the presenters. "I can't believe I just kissed John Galliano!" he swooned into the microphone. Ms. Theron tapped him on the shoulder. "Oh! And Charlize Theron! To think that five years ago I was reading about this event in a magazine in my dorm room."

Narciso Rodriguez and Liz Clairborne Inc. have confirmed that they are ending their 18-month partnership. [Vogue UK] 

Marco Zanini, the designer who most recently helped revive Halston, will reportedly design a new collection for Rochas. [FWD]  

Actress Mischa Barton on Victoria Beckham's style: "Posh doesn't strike me as particularly stylish. I don't think she's a good example of British style at all. I don't dress for anybody else, and I think the reason people like my style is that I do my own thing." [Sun UK via The Cut]  

This year's Los Angeles Fashion Week, which kicks off on Sunday, will be the last to be produced by IMG and from now on will be handled solely by Smashbox studios. [Vogue UK]

Bergdorf Goodman has added a Gucci accessories section to its main floor that will carry 15 one-of-a-kind exclusive bags that are not offered at the Gucci store just down the street. [WWD] 

Following her show at London Fashion Week last week, Alice Temperley has given birth to a baby boy. [Vogue UK]

Discount fashions from stores like H&M, Topshop, and Zara are going out of style. [IHT] 

Kate Moss has reportedly called off her engagement to Jamie Hince, the guitarist of The Kills. [DailyMail] 

Narciso Rodriguez and Liz Clairborne Inc., the company that owns the designer’s label, might part ways. [Vogue UK]

Despite gloom in the financial sector, designers at London Fashion Week are showing bright colors and mini skirts. [Vogue UK] 

Now, with New York Fashion Week approaching, Ms. Wintour has roped in Sarah Jessica Parker to help with a second fund-raiser on Sept. 9 at Charles Nolan's West 27th Street studio, according to British Vogue.

In the spirit of Fashion Week, the fund-raiser will include a mini-fashion show, with designs donated by Diane von Furstenberg, Marc Jacobs, Zac Posen, Proenza Schouler, and Narciso Rodriguez making their way down the runway.

This election year isn't the first time that Ms. Wintour has backed a Democratic candidate.

In 2004, according to Women's Wear Daily (subscription required), Ms. Wintour donated $2,000 to the John Kerry campaign. This was the same year that other fashion figures like Michael Kors, Cynthia Rowley, Kenneth Cole, Marc Bouwer and Ms. von Furstenberg also publicly backed the candidate.

This is also the final disappointment for Hillary Clinton, who in January backed out of a Vogue cover in fear of appearing too alluring, thereby angering Ms. Wintour.

In her February editor's letter, Ms. Wintour wrote, "Imagine my amazement, then, when I learned that Hillary Clinton, our only female president hopeful, had decided to steer clear of our pages at this point in her campaign for fear of looking too feminine. The notion that a contemporary woman must look mannish in order to be taken seriously as a seeker of power is frankly dismaying."

It seems the Obamas have no such reservations about having the glitzy fashion world behind them.

Despite causing a stir with her case of fashionably saggy jeans, Katie Holmes will not be designing her own line of clothing according to her publicist. [Vogue UK]

Narciso Rodriguez will be honored with a Special Achievement in Fashion Award at this year’s American Latino Media Arts Awards, which take place Saturday in Pasadena, California. Jessica Alba will present the designer with the award. [WWD]

Liv Tyler, Hugh Dancy, and Georgina Chapman will appear in Gap's fall campaign that was shot in black and white and features the first full collection by head designer Patrick Robinson. [Vogue UK]

Celebrity stylist Ilaria Urbinati is set to open an upscale boutique called Confederacy in Los Angeles, with actor and childhood friend, Danny Masterson. [FWD]

Chicago designer and longtime friend to Michelle Obama, Mario Pinto, is yet another contender in designing Mrs. Obama's inaugural ball look should her husband be victorious in November. [NY Times]