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Not Another Teen Movie
New York’s young and beautiful descended on the Landmark Sunshine Cinema last night for the premiere of Twelve, Joel Schumacher‘s film about the darker side of privileged Upper East Side teens. In fact, many of them are in it. The cast of Twelve, based on the best-selling novel by Nick McDonell, is teeming with twentysomething actors and kids-about-town, like Liam McMullan and Zoë Kravitz, whose names you might not expect to see on a credits crawl. They were joined at the 2(x)ist-sponsored screening by Chace Crawford and Curtis Jackson, a.k.a. 50 Cent, who both play drug dealers in the movie.
“It’s a very New York film, but I think it’s more just about kids who have access to a lot,” Kravitz said, adding that her social life at the Rudolf Steiner School was hardly the substance-fueled tragedy that Twelve depicts. “I had a lovely experience. We hung out in the park and sang Sublime songs and knitted. We would buy forties of Olde English and sit on people’s stoops, but that’s kind of as crazy as it got.”
The underage party scene in Twelve is, to put it mildly, less low-key. With Crawford in the lead—and Blake Lively, Penn Badgley, and Jessica Szohr in last night’s audience—comparisons to a certain TV show were inevitable. “Gossip Girl is more powdered, more glamorized. It’s like a big cupcake,” noted Crawford, who kept his Dolce & Gabbana suit on for the after-party at Le Bain. “This is a film about self-destruction.” Still, according to Crawford’s cast mate, Philip Ettinger, the teenage girls who’d crowded the set might not have appreciated the difference. “Joel bribed them with taking pictures with Chace, as long as they were quiet on set and didn’t text all their friends.”
—Darrell Hartman Continue reading
For the Birds
Waris Ahluwalia‘s jewelry collections are frequently avian-inspired, and last night found him co-hosting a charity event to benefit a real-life bird species. Describing his role in the Endangered Species Coalition’s Party for the Pelicans at the Wooly, the designer shrugged, “I love birds. What am I gonna do, not help?”
Co-hosts like Leelee Sobieski (with fiancé Adam Kimmel), Arden Wohl, and Tom Sachs felt similarly compelled. They and their guests turned out to dance, mingle, and most importantly, bid on auction items donated for the occasion, including surfing lessons from Sachs, a custom suit by Kimmel, and a magnificent birdie brooch from House of Waris.
Sachs, who hosted a similar event for the Coalition last year, appreciated the party atmosphere. “It’s not some big awful banquet in a hotel,” he said. “This is an interesting scene happening here.” He noted that many of the attendees were among the group that had made last year’s benefit the most successful in the Coalition’s more than 25-year history. “To be honest, with what is happening in the Gulf, people are ready to give,” Sachs explained. “We need to take advantage of that.”
Wohl, flitting past in a silvery dress and headband, offered her agreement. “This is how people are made aware and get involved—friends telling friends,” she said. “So when you leave here, go tell your friends.”
—Chris Wallace Continue reading
Cat Scratch Fever
—Matthew Schneier Continue reading
Up From Down Under
They may have been on the other side of the planet from their native land, but the Aussies gathered at the Crosby Street Hotel last night for the Australians in New York Fashion Foundation’s summer party couldn’t have looked more at ease. “We grew up with American TV, American accents, American ways. When we come to America, it isn’t a culture shock,” offered Melissa George. Still, actors and models have been more successful than designers at rising into the international spotlight from down under, which is why Julie Anne Quay and Calvin Klein’s Malcolm Carfrae formed AINYFF in the first place. Each year, the organization arranges for talented Aussie fashion prospects to come further their careers in the Big Apple.
Last year’s first-prize winner, Georgia Lazzaro, is nearing the end of her internship at Narciso Rodriguez and had dressed George for the evening in a backless jumpsuit of her own design. “Australia has a very nurturing industry. I’m not saying it’s easier to establish yourself there, but it is kind of a case of big fish in a little sea,” explained the 25-year-old designer. Francisco Costa, just back from vacation on the Greek island of Kea, was palming a strip of raffle tickets. Fashion, he admitted, isn’t necessarily something he associates with Australia. “I think kangaroos!” But that may soon change: Lazzaro moves over to Calvin Klein after fashion week. “She has a great portfolio,” Costa said. “I can’t wait.”
—Darrell Hartman Continue reading