chronicles
by
DEBBIE BANCROFT
Child’s Play New Yorkers gather under and amongst the stars for an evening devoted to the children
24 | AVENUE MAGAZINE · NOVEMBER 2011
scanned the audience for bidders: “I see a big deal tennis player and Steve Schwarzman,” Niven said, and proceeded to raise $400,000 in the auction, including four Guardian scholarships, for which the kids and the patron will get to visit Tony Gilroy’s The Bourne Legacy set now filming in Brooklyn (Gilroy’s wife Susan is a board member). Of course, fashion was a wee part of the festivities. Most importantly, Ann Taylor dressed the beautiful New Yorkers for Children girls, Fekkai groomed them and their happy faces were made up in MAC cosmetics (John Demsey looked on approvingly). Sponsor St. John dressed many of the ladies; Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos looked stunning in taupe. Marina Killery was glam in spite of her matching wrist casts. “Oh—so sorry!” Beth DeWoody told her, “Who dresses you?” “Naeem Khan!” Killery happily responded. Fashion trumps disability. Zang Toi helped Julie Macklowe adjust her combo mini/trained dress and CIRCA’s CEO, Chris Del Gatto, stayed close to his girlfriend Veronica Webb, whom he met at last year’s New
Serena Williams, Selita Ebanks and Rachel Roy
JOE SCHILDHORN/BFANYC.COM
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ew Yorkers for Children does just about everything right. It serves foster kids in New York City efficiently, wisely and almost singularly. It is run by one of the most admired children’s administrators in the country, Susan Magazine, and it tells you all that through the voices of the kids—and at arguably the best party of the season. They also cleverly pop it in before the pounds (have they heard of Paperless Post?) of fall invites drop. Fresh, happy to see each other and even still slightly sun kissed. We are ready for a party. David Stark transformed Cipriani’s already fairly stellar room into a sparkling “Launch a Star” set. Stars were on the floor too, in the form of the sleek and shimmering Serena Williams with her pal, Rachel Roy. I waited for my car outside Cipriani, five steps under Williams—I didn’t need the further diminishment. The Nicholas Scoppetta Child Welfare award winner, New York Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony was as thrilling for the gents as he was for us—a rarity. In his elegant brown pin-striped suit and purple paisley tie (the kind of style that earned him a spot on our BestDressed list), he told us that he started his foundation to benefit kids, so that they are not defined by their past. “Wow, I’m nervous,” he said. “I haven’t been nervous in a long time.” And to the kids, who are always at the core of this event: “Count on me. I’ve got your backs.” If the miracle of saving kids isn’t enough, this event is also a fertility ritual. Ivanka Trump, resplendent in her red Carolina Herrera, said “This is my first big night out since having Arabella;” just over two months, and clearly 30 pounds ago. Board member, music impresario, and a pal of Anthony, Kevin Liles was solo for the night. His wife Erika had given birth that morning, to Genevieve. Shirin von Wulffen (aka Mrs. Frédéric Fekkai) was undetectably seven months pregnant—apart from the glow. Co-Chair, Vanessa Cornell had her fourth baby just weeks before, and the new Commissioner of Children’s Services, Ronald Richter and his partner Franklin Cogliano recently welcomed baby Maya. It is indeed a celebration of kids. Beware. Jamie Niven took to the stage and only the generous and brave eyes were un-averted. He