Prelaunch StyleCast

November 12, 2008

Fashion Forward

Carol Han

Monday seems to be this season's night of choice to hold events and benefits--I don't think I've been home on a Monday in the last month and a half. This week's party--the Fashion Forward benefit for the Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC)--was hosted by Tim Gunn of Project Runway fame (pictured above with Beverly Johnson and Michael Bastian). Upon entering Skylight Studios in the West Village, I immediately set my sights on--what else?--the shopping element of the event. Up for (silent) auction were such prized items as a Michael Kors fur jacket, a $5,000 shopping spree at Ports and a 9-day vacation in Greece. Apparently, a lot of other guests felt the same way I did--the event ended up raising an impressive $225,000 to benefit GMHC.

The lively cocktail reception was followed by a runway show featuring designers Charles Nolan, Tim Hamilton, Ports 1961 by Tia Cibani, John Varvatos, Michael Bastian, and Betsey Johnson.