DvF and Mitch: lovers once, buddies forever!

As we sloshed, caked with snow flurries, into the Mandarin Oriental for the 2012 Phoenix House Fashion award dinner last Wednesday evening, we couldn’t determine whether it was the way-too-early winter outside, the Sandy-forced relocation or the early start after an endless election season, but at first glance, things looked a bit quiet. (In retrospect, we appreciated the venue upgrade, considering it was originally slated to take place at Pier 60.)

“Well there’s Linda Fargo, at least ...” we uttered to a weary-eyed publicist as she sashayed passed us in a crisp black sheath dress, before we sauntered downstairs to cocktail hour.

Below, on the 35th floor, the considerably more lively and notable fashion crowd imbibed, heedless of the blizzard-like winds that howled without mercy on the commoners struggling to get around Columbus Circle.

With the exception of Glenda Bailey, this didn’t feel like a typical fashion event; nay, it was considerably more corporate—a bit cliquey, but not necessarily in a bad way. Dashing executives (well mostly dashing) in flamboyant tailored suits sipped scotch and red wine, while a more demure population of women squawked about recent highs and lows.

This reeked of powerful retail and media industry figures rather than overcompensated stylists and over-photographed fashion mavens.

The Observer wasn’t feeling particularly social, but we decided to meander aimlessly about the lobby, gorging ourselves with vegetable spring rolls every time they passed.

Eventually, someone had the brilliance to ring the dinner gong and get the show on the road.

“You’re stuck with me,” laughed Rose Marie Bravo, the fashion branding and commerce star, as she welcomed the Phoenix House patrons now enjoying their first plating around candlelit tables. She apologized for emcee Ali Wentworth, who was “lost somewhere in the city.”

“This past week has been a tragic one,” she continued. “Many of our friends have been left homeless or without power.” She went on to explain what Phoenix House does: it helps thousands of people struggling with substance abuse and addiction through its pioneering treatment program. For a second or two, The Observer stopped sipping. But only a second or two.

Seated before us was honoree Jim Gold, president of The Neiman Marcus Group; Tory Burch, evasive and on high alert with her pending lawsuit against ex-husband Chris Burch still ablaze; and Calvin Klein’s Francisco Costa. The weather was most likely to blame for the empty seats, and there was substantial mention of Hurricane Sandy and its affect on the Phoenix House community.

“Substance abuse is an epidemic that plagues the USA,” began Phoenix House CEO Howard Meitiner.

He was followed by a young client of Phoenix House, who spoke of his history with drug abuse, dealing and violence. It was simple, honest and very effective. He said he is now rightly on track, working toward a degree in social work.

“Drug abuse can happen to anyone’s child,” said Mr. Meithner, then diving into the politics and ethos of the drug culture in America.

“But recovery is achievable and sustainable,” he concluded, just as Ali Wentworth, our long-lost emcee, finally stampeded in.

“I’ve got a husband who said, ‘I’ve just done 36 hours of ABC election coverage! You’re gonna get into bed with me!’” she blurted to our disbelief, about her hubby, George Stephanopoulos.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, not only was the fabulous hostess late because she was having a roll in the hay, she announced it to us all! Our kind of gal. And poor George, election aside, he must have still been shell-shocked by his co-host’s odd drunken-like behavior on election night—Cheers, Diane!

“They messengered this to me,” Ms. Wentworth continued, exposing a shiny Olivier Theyskens for Theory blazer that kept her décolletage in check.

“I thought I was chic, but maybe I’m just a shoplifter!”

We decided right then and there that we all wanted to leave and go home with Ali Wentworth.

Our hostess extraordinaire thankfully kept the pace brisk as we cruised into the awards segment. Monsieur Theyskens gave a poignant and astute speech before plopping a Phoenix House award in the hands of Andrew Rosen. The CEO of Theory then delivered a heartfelt personal story of his own family’s struggle with addiction and praised the Phoenix House for its wonderful work.

Tina Brown, editor in chief of Newsweek/The Daily Beast, made an anticipated handoff to Diane von Furstenberg. We never got to pester her with our gossipy questions about her publication’s demise.

“Diane is a vision broker,” Ms. Brown professed.

Once DvF accept her award, she dove into a tale of how she first met Phoenix House Founder Mitchell S. Rosenthal. Apparently Ms. von Furstenberg had mistaken the addiction innovator for ’80s star Chris Sarandon, whom she mistakenly referred to as Chris Rock. “He was hot,” she said.

“Then I got to know more about Mitch Rosenthal. I’ll spare you the details ...”

The romantic jaunts of the fashion queen brought the crowd great delight.

“This young, smashing man who looked like Chris Sarandon—created this place where shame was not an issue,” Ms. von Furstenberg gushed.

“I really want to make sure that we all raise our glass to this special man!”

At that flawless declaration, we lifted our glass, emptied it, and dashed downtown, to partake in rowdier action at Le Baron—alas, without Ali Wentworth.

Teen blogger Tavi wrote a screenplay about mutants that has been made into a short film by filmmaker Alia Raza, starring Julia Restoin-Roitfeld, the daughter of French Vogue editor Carine. Got that? [Racked] 

The New York Times asks Olivier Theyskens what would happen if Chanel came calling: "This is the question that I hear for 10 years." [On the Runway]

Behold, Snooki's Halloween costume: "A fringed bustier dress covered in green, pickle-shaped sequins and a light-up scepter in the shape of a pickle." [WWD]

After 79 years, the 21 Club has abandoned its necktie requirement for men. Jackets, however, must stay on for now. [NY Times] 

Valentino Garavani is "categorically denying" that he maintains any designing input into the Valentino label, from which he is retired. [Vogue UK] 

Eleven Minutes, a documentary about Project Runway season one winner Jay McCarroll, will be released February 20. People's Revolution head Kelly Cutrone reportedly appears in it. [Fashionista]

The Target Corporation will lay off over 600 people at its Minneapolis and St. Paul headquarters. [WWD] 

Jerry Hall will appear in Chanel ads next season, playing the older woman to a younger man in photos shot by the house's creative director Karl Lagerfeld. [Vogue UK] 

Anna Wintour is reportedly heading to the Dominican Republic for the holidays with Oscar and Annette de la Renta. [FWD]  

Responding to reports that Olivier Theyskens may be out as the designer for Nina Ricci, president of Ricci parent company Puig Fashion, Mario Grauso, said that Mr. Theyskens will remain at the house at least through the expiration of his current contract in October. [WWD] 

Despite somewhat troubling times in the fashion industry, Giorgio Armani plans to open a new 43,000-square foot store, built out like a giant glass cube, on Fifth Avenue in February. [Vogue UK]  

Cathy Horyn broke the story over the weekend in the Times that the strapless Theyskens-designed Nina Ricci gown worn by Sarah Jessica Parker to the premiere of Sex and the City—which Ms. Parker believed to never have been publicly worn before—was in fact worn by socialite Lauren Santo Domingo to the Met Costume Institute ball on May 5.

And it gets worse! Theyskens, who assured Ms. Parker during the fitting that the dress had never been worn anywhere but magazine shoots, arrived at the ball with Ms. Santo Domingo.

The actress told Ms. Horyn,

And regarding being misled by Mr. Theyskens, the actress said, “He didn’t say, ‘Well, actually I just escorted Lauren down the red carpet at the Met. I just wish it had been handled differently and they had been straight about it.”

Mario Grauso, the president of the fashion division at Puig, responded by saying, “I’m upset that she’s upset.” Followed by a shaky explanation that he didn't feel he had to mention the fact that Ms. Santo Domingo wore the dress less than a month prior because she is just a socialite, who worked at Vogue.

“Is Lauren a celebrity?” Grauso asked. “It depends on how you look at it.” He continued to say that he and Mr. Theyskens thought of her as just a friend, and then asked, “Does everybody look at Style.com?” The fashion website has a photo documenting the gown's first public appearance.

Since then, a commenter on the Times' site has also unearthed a photo of Lindsay Lohan wearing the dress for a Harper's Bazaar photo shoot.