Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, Elton John and Dionne Warwick perform ‘That’s What Friends Are For’ at the amfAR gala.

By nature, fashion shows are brief and ephemeral. Send a few text messages, glance at the run-of-show, blink a few times and it’s pretty much over.

By nature, AmfAR events are long and exhaustive. You could clean out your entire e-mail inbox during one. (The organization raises money for AIDS research.)

The reason for this comparison: Wednesday’s black-tie amfAR gala at Cipriani Wall Street served as a sort of unofficial kickoff to New York Fashion Week. The major fashion magazine editors were there as were many, many other members of the fashion community: Carine Roitfeld (whose son Vladimir, in an interesting play for momentum for his gallery show opening this week, donated a large scale painting by Retna to the live auction), Michael Kors, Donna Karan, Maggie Rizer, Karen Elson (who sang “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?”), Iman and Kenneth Cole, the charity’s current chairman.

Once again, Mr. Cole made his favorite groan-worthy joke about “how amfAR” the cause still has to go, but at least on Wednesday he admitted he’d used the quip several times before, much to the chagrin “of all the cringers.”

The evening brought out some celebrities (Harry Belafonte, Rosie O’Donnell, Richard Gere, Julianna Margulies, Patrick Wilson, Michelle Yeoh, Rose Byrne, Woody Allen and Soon-Yi Previn) who perhaps wanted to show their support for the charity’s 25 years in existence and, perhaps, also the honorees: Bill Clinton, Diane von Furstenberg and Elizabeth Taylor. Mr. Clinton was introduced by his daughter, Chelsea, who arrived with her husband, Marc Mezvinsky, as well as by Harvey Weinstein. Everyone was particularly excited by the prospect of getting a glimpse at Ms. Taylor, but, alas, she did not show.

Ms. von Furstenberg was introduced by her husband, Barry Diller, who, in advance of her appearance—her face is a little black and blue—described a recent ski accident the fashion designer had during their trip last week to Aspen. To speak publicly about Ms. von Furstenberg, Mr. Diller said, “I don’t need to consult an autobiography. I don’t need to ask around. My little earth mother wife is the sympathetic ear to anyone in trouble. Like the honors for the President and La Taylor”—yes, Mr. Diller called Elizabeth Taylor “La Taylor”—”this one’s been earned.”

When Ms. von Furstenberg went up to the podium, she gave Mr. Diller a double-cheek kiss and handed him the amfAR award. “Thank you,” she said. “Now you can take it home.”

The problem with amfAR parties is that though they are star-studded, they tend to have breaks between food courses, long live auctions, even longer speeches. But after a four-hour wait on Wednesday, there was an extremely worthwhile pot of gold at the end of the rainbow: a reunion, for the first time in 23 years of Gladys Knight, Stevie Wonder, Dionne Warwick and Elton John singing “That’s What Friends Are For.” Proceeds from the song have gone to the charity.

“Tonight, history will be made,” said Patti LaBelle.

“And they’ve agreed to do it again 25 years from tonight,” said Mr. Cole.

Ms. Warwick introduced the song. She mentioned that it stemmed from “running into Elton at a grocery store.” She added that Ms. Taylor—or La Taylor, if that’s what you call her—was in the studio with the artists the day they recorded the song and agreed to give up their share of the profits.

“I’ve been teased by Clive Davis for years, ‘You gave up the biggest record of your entire life,’” Ms. Warwick went on. “But look at all the good it’s done.”

Then the quartet sang their famous tune about smiling, shining, and “knowing you can always count on me.” Just hearing Mr. Wonder on the harmonica: well, it’s going to be hard for anything Alexander Wang sends down the runway to top that.

A few moments before going on stage, Ms. Warwick had been downing cans of Pepsi. She said she and her compatriots hadn’t really rehearsed much these last few years. “Well, we did a sound check today,” she said.

Was she nervous? She laughed at the prospect. “After 50 years? No.”

Source: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704132204576136581815276232.html

Vladimir Restoin Roitfeld, 26, is an art dealer and curator. His most recent endeavor, with his partner, Andy Valmorbida, is the recently opened exhibition of the Los Angeles-based street artist Retna at a gallery space in SoHo. Mr. Restoin Roitfeld, born and raised in Paris, is surrounded by a holy trinity of fashion-savvy women: his mother, the recently departed French Vogue editor Carine Roitfeld; his girlfriend, the L’Uomo Vogue fashion editor Giovanna Battaglia; and his sister, Julia Restoin Roitfeld, an art director and a model. CHLOE MALLE

FRIDAY, FEB. 4

Andy and I started installation on the show very early this morning. It was freezing cold outside the space so I wore gray wool pants from Alexander McQueen, my winter coat by Margiela, a long thermal T-shirt, a vintage black sweater, black scarf, black hat, black gloves and Visvim sneakers. We installed in the space for about three hours, then the three of us went to the George Condo exhibition at the New Museum. On our way to lunch, we found 20 dump-bound wooden palettes curbside on Bowery outside the Chinese hardware store, which Retna needed for the exhibition and hadn’t been able to find. The gloves came in handy.

SATURDAY, FEB. 5

I wore black Dior jeans, warm black leather boots by Hogan, a black long-sleeve thermal T-shirt, a black cashmere sweater from Marc Jacobs, a black cashmere beanie, and my black Margiela winter coat. My dad and I bought the same coat in Paris and I wear it every day.

After setting up the show all morning, we set out to Fort Greene in the afternoon, where I had a meeting with the painter José Parlá at his studio. We saw some of the works in progress for the new show, which look amazing. I got a bit over-excited and bumped into a table where there was some wet paint lying about, and it splattered all over my jeans. Just part of the job!

SUNDAY, FEB. 6

I woke up at 6 a.m. today and went directly to the gallery to get a heads-up on what had to be done before the rest of the team got there. Then, I jetted uptown at 11 a.m. for the shoot for this article. I wore my black Dior by Hedi Slimane jeans. They are my favorites. I started buying them when I was 20. They’re the best fit for me. I also wore my brown boots by Tom Ford, which were a birthday gift from my girlfriend; a black Armani jacket; and an American Apparel long-sleeve T-shirt. Any city I travel to, I always get some more American Apparel shirts, as I wear them almost every day.

MONDAY, FEB. 7

Andy and I spent the whole day, from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., at the gallery with Retna and his team. I sported my usual work uniform: Dior jeans, brown Hogan boots (I think they are the ones designed by Dennis Hopper, limited edition — they are really biker boots), black long-sleeve American Apparel T-shirt, black cashmere sweater, black Margiela coat with a black Chrome Hearts beanie.

TUESDAY, FEB. 8

I got in my black Dior jeans, brown biker boots, thermal long-sleeve T-shirt, black cashmere sweater, black cashmere scarf, Chrome Hearts beanie and winter coat — and I was still freezing. I stopped at the dry-cleaner and dropped off my two suits to be cleaned for the amfAR benefit and the exhibition opening. There was soooo much wind in the street, I could barely move forward. I met up with Andy at the space. Everything was really taking shape and everyone was in a good mood.

Around 6 p.m., I headed back home. I got into my RVCA gear and had an hourlong kickboxing session. Afterward, I went to dinner with my parents, sister and a few close friends. I switched into a black Armani jacket and white T-shirt.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 9

I woke up sick today, with a fever and sinus infection. I got into my usual gear but added some gloves and a big pashmina scarf that I bought in India a couple of years ago. You can wrap it up around your face.

I went to the space with Andy as we had so much work to finish and clients coming down. All was going really well, but I had to see a doctor. So I went back uptown and saw one at my parents’ hotel. They told me I needed a couple of days of bed rest. Not good timing. I still made it to the amfAR benefit at Cipriani Wall Street. I wore a black Armani tuxedo. The best one I have.

THURSDAY, FEB. 10

I stayed home all day today — in bed, sick with fever. For the opening and after-party of the exhibition I wore my Armani black jacket, black shirt, Hermès scarf, some black jeans and black vintage boots. I took vitamin C all day and probiotics before heading out.

SOURCE: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/20/fashion/20WHATIWORE.html

“RETNA: The Hallelujah World Tour” Afterparty
Location: Indochine, NYC
Photo Credit: Neil Rasmus/BFAnyc.com

See all photos: http://www.billyfarrellagency.com/home/event/688

RETNA – at the opening of his first ever NYC solo show – last night – THURS FEB 10, 2011 – in a pop-up downtown west side New York City space – presented by ANDREW VALMORBIDA and VLADIMIR RESTOIN ROITFELD – and, yes they did BLOW everyone away – it was that great !!
it was beyond great – it was: MAGIC.

The magic started from the get-go – with a long black tunnel – entrance. it felt like a museum show already – yep. the production, the design, lighting, and concept of the show, the venue itself large with high ceilings – was that great. but this time around VLADIMIR and ANDY – had the most important element down too – the work. the work was superlative, cutting edge and well, damn well – historic.
and this is just a pop-up, dudes. better get over here this weekend – it comes down Monday Feb 21, 2011.
something about art – rhymes with fashion week !!

SOURCE: http://www.artloversnewyork.com/zine/the-bomb/2011/02/11/retna-takes-new-york-by-storm/

Andy Valmorbida, PM Tenore, Vladimir Restoin Roitfeld and PC Valmorbida.

Vladimir Restoin Roitfeld and Mary-Kate Olsen Photo By: Steve Eichner

The New York premiere of Los Angeles-based graffiti artist RETNA’s show, “The Hallelujah World Tour,” presented by Andy Valmorbida and Vladimir Restoin Roitfeld, packed in partygoers almost to the rafters of a gigantic space on Washington Street in the West Village Thursday night, as the fashion week party-hopping began in earnest. The artist’s large-scale monotone works lined the walls, and recently used brushes and paint cans divided the cavernous room in two. Still, no one was really looking at the art.

“God, I want to be a Roitfeld,” one partygoer sighed, while watching Vladimir and Julia Restoin Roitfeld pose with their mother, former French Vogue editor, Carine.

“Is it only the first day?” Kyleigh Kuhn asked. “Oh, fashion week begins.”

David Lauren made a brief appearance at the show, departing just as Irina Lazareanu sauntered in. Olivier Zahm snapped a photograph of Richard Phillips and Amanda Hearst. Pro surfer Danny Fuller snuck a cigarette near Eddie Borgo, Brian Atwood and Brian Grazer, while a very pregnant Stacey Bendet-Eisner posed with Cory Kennedy for friend Mark “the Cobrasnake” Hunter. Later, Stavros Niarchos and PC Valmorbida led the charge to the private after party at Indochine. A horde of model-esque females followed suit.

At the party, Carine Roitfeld took a moment to dispel rumors of a reunion with Tom Ford.

“I want to do something new,” she said with a laugh.

Nearby, daughter Julia, with beau Robert Konjic in tow, shimmied into their own booth and danced in their seats to the music. As the night entered the wee hours, Mary-Kate Olsen appeared and slid into Vladimir’s booth, cuddling between Niarchos and Valmorbida. Byrdie Bell arrived as the party wound down, just before Alexandra Richards snuck behind the DJ booth to sit with boyfriend Nick Cohen, who promptly spun the Rolling Stones’ “Start Me Up.”

Source: http://www.wwd.com/eyescoop/retna-kicks-off-fashion-week-3469051