Thom Browne with Cheyenne Jackson

“It’s never been as packed as it is tonight and I’m gonna point my finger at the chairs,” exclaimed Leo Preziosi, founder of Live Out Loud, at Monday night’s scholarship gala to celebrate the organization’s four newest honorees-Luis Garay, Nelson Rodriguez, Tiffany Studer, and Raymond Martinez. While guests mingled over the Garden of Eden designed buffet station, the silent auction provided such treats as Gucci sunglasses, W hotel stays, and tickets to Broadway shoes like Wicked and Cry Baby. Special guest Cheyenne Jackson was hesitant at first to donate his time, saying, “When they contacted me I was like ‘oh, man, I have one day off’ and I’m embarrassed to admit that, but when I read their mission statement I was hooked. Anything I can do to make the transition for gay youths easier, I’m there!”

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It’s the nail polish you can’t afford to chip. Serge Lutens’ makeup and fragrance do scream luxury, but his latest product is a step above. Just in time for spring, Lutens has introduced two colors of nail polish in his ultimate hues–light and dark–but the extravagance doesn’t come cheap. Each bottle retails for $60! The first shipment is flying off the shelves at Barneys, so you’d best book it and schedule your manicures now.

Katherine Kwei’s stint working for Louis Vuitton in Hong Kong was instrumental in the development of her taste. Now a designer in her own right, she’s combined the LV aesthetic with a traditional Chinese ‘Eternity’ knot weave taught by her grandmother. We love the Edna as an antedote for all the usual It-bags.
THE DETAILS: $1250, www.katherinekwei.com

It’s time for part two of our interview with Fergie; check out more delicious bits from our favorite celebrity handbag designer.

You call yourself an “urban gypsy,” why?
I really love people who wear fashions of their own culture; they really touch me and inspire me. I’d like to call myself cultured and not just because I travel a lot and see various hotel rooms. I love driving around, seeing what people on the street are wearing, I would even ask my driver to take me to a cool, young part of town for inspiration. If I went to Africa I would come back with tons of different things, because I truly wouldn’t find those things anywhere else. I incorporate different fabrics and swatches into my wardrobe from my adventures in India. The point is, I feel comfortable wearing things from those lands after I witness them fist hand. And it’s a great conversation piece!

Do you think you’ll be traveling so much for the rest of your life or will you retire your passport?
I would love to have a balance. When I joined Black Eyed Peas several years ago, there was a lot of traveling and lots of hotels rooms. With my own schedule, I really like to have more stability. I see my family, stay at home, actually get on my desktop, and then travel. But I feel like I had to earn this balance.

Last month you’ve celebrated your birthday with Quentin Tarantino in Vegas. How was that?
Simply fabulous! It was crazy, it was fun, it was exactly what we wanted to do for many years since we’re both Aries twins with the same birthday. We had all our family and friends there and that was incredible. We always planned the big bash, but it finally came true. And it couldn’t have been more fantastic. We had a cake fight, we had strippers dance for each other, and played pranks on one other for a couple of days!

Do you ever have any time to yourself?
I love fishing when I travel. It’s something that I used to do with my father every summer, and it really holds great memories for me. And I love naughty things like burlesque shows; I recently went to the Box to see one. We went with a group of people so it would be safe. It was a bit scandalous, but loads of fun!

Miranda Kerr is a name you’ll have no choice but to remember. The stunning Victoria’s Secret angel, who just recently helped launch Dream Angels Demi bra in our city, boarded a plane to Sydney to attend the Rosemount Fashion Week in her home country, where she’s sitting front row and being occasionally photographed with rumored boyfriend Orlando Bloom. We recently caught up with the beauty before her big trip back home.

What the best thing about being a Victoria’s Secret angel?
Everything. I mean you just really feel like you’re part of something important and amazing, especially in the ranks of such supermodels like Helena Christensen and Gisele. I just feel proud and excited!

You’ve also just celebrated your birthday!
Yes, I’ve had my mother with me in New York, so we’ve had a nice little family gathering. It was really amazing. But of course, the same night I boarded the plane to come right back to Australia.

You’ve had to endure long plane rides from America since moving in 2006. What are your secrets to being sane?
It’s such along, long flight! I don’t think you’ll ever really get used to it. But I think I really have my routine. I try my best to get a lot of sleep, drink some water, and do yoga on the flight. As soon as I land, I have to do yoga as well to stabilize myself!

What the first thing you have to do when coming to Australia?
I go straight to an organic juice stand to get some juice!

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Fergie’s having an eventful spring. Not only will she make her inaugural appearance at the Costume Institute Gala, the songstress will releasing yet another sure-to-be hit single from her album Duchess. And we’re not done: Fergie will introduce her new collection of bags for Kipling. The spring line is inspired by everything beachy, the West Coast hip-hop scene, bandanas, and dominoes. The selection of totes, duffels, and weekender bags retail from $38 to $158. Chic Report chatted with her when she was in New York at the Gansevoort Hotel; check out our two-part interview with everything you’ve ever wanted to know about this charming chanteuse.

How do you approach your design process with Kipling?
I have to have meetings. I’m a very involved person in general. Things have to have meaning for me. Call me sentimental or over-analytical, but what you’re wearing says a lot about you. It’s like having peacock feathers that attract others to your personality! The first line dealt with Duchess, the theme of my album, and for my second effort I went back to designing what I know. I figured if I went through it, someone else might have as well. I’m hoping that someone can relate to that.

Francisco Costa told us that he’s taking you to the Met this year…
Yes. I’m a virgin and he’s taking away my innocence. But I couldn’t be more excited. This will be a huge moment in my life because when I get any free time I basically spend it on fashion. But the dress that I’m wearing is still secret!Do you shop more when you are here in New York or on the West Coast?
Probably here, since when I’m home I do stuff like cleaning out my drawers and doing laundry. When I’m in New York, I have time for indulgences. I have spent more money here; I also eat a lot a more dinners here.

Is the paparazzi situation different during your nights out?
There are, of course, far less photographers here than on the West Coast. But I just had dinner at The Waverly, as I usually do with my friends Harry Josh and Marc Jacobs, and there was a small army outside. It’s completely different from my first visit there. So I’m wondering whether it’s a growing trend in the city or is Waverly just the restaurant of the moment?

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Not like we need an excuse to indulge in tequila, but this delectable variety is named for the late, great artist (and style icon) Frida Kahlo. Yes, chicettes, Frida Kahlo Tequila might just be the most dangerous thing to hit style circles this summer. Made of only the best pure blue agaves in the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico, this tasty beverage comes in three varieties (Blanco, Resposado and Anejo) for your sipping pleasure. After all, shooting the stuff is so…last season. Get it in New York at Premier Cru, Chelsea Wine Cellar or Park Avenue Liquor (where you might see some of your favorite Daily types picking up some Resposado).

And for all you cocktail types…

Allow us to suggest the Frida & Diego Love Potion!

1 part Frida Kahlo Tequila Blanco
1 part limoncello lemon liqueur
1 part Champagne
Mint

Add ingredients in a lowball glass with ice. Garnish with mint.

© Patrick McMullan

To kick off Coachella weekend, Charlotte Ronson threw an intimate Hollywood dinner for her closest friends and followers. Perched above the famed poolside Tropicana Bar on Wednesday night, the private Dakota Bridge of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel hosted guests like Lindsay Lohan, Samantha Ronson, Nicole Richie, Joel Madden, Robin Thicke, Paula Patton, Kate Sumner, Brett Anderson, Amanda Luttrell Garrigus, and Mark Ronson.

The leisurely candlelit dinner offered attendees a constant flow of cocktails and savory foodstuffs (think grilled salmon, wedge salad, tomato bisque, caramelized bread pudding), but Ronson abstained due to the Passover holiday. “I’m trying to be good! It’s a shame I can’t eat my favorite foods while I’m in town,” she laughed. Bad timing to host this, right?”

The designer outfitted several of the stylish attendees, including twin sister Samantha and ever-present counterpart Lohan. “I would love to open a store here, but there are so many great stores that already carry my line,” she said. “In order for it to work, you really have to be there with the customer, and it’s a lot of back and forth for me right now.” But her line continues its evolution. “I’ve even started to add black in the color palette!” Ronson quipped.

Inches away, sister Samantha was equally fashionable. Between courses, she raved about her white leather Skytop sneakers by Supra, an L.A.-based footwear line founded by skater and fellow DJ Chad Muska. “I’m obsessed with these. It’s the first sneaker line other than Nike or old-school Adidas that I’ve ever wanted to wear,” she confessed. But when asked if we could expect a line of her own, the musician knew her limits. “No way. I’ll leave that to my sister!”

© Getty Images (left) and courtesy of Darcie Vukovich (right)

The lady who made her name by frolicking in a giant martini glass got a teeny bit Cointreau-versial last night. Partnering with the famed French spirit, she introduced her new speciality cocktail: the Cointreau Teese. A coterie of celebs like Jason Lewis, Russell Simmons and Porschla Coleman, Dylan Lauren, Nacho Figueras, Andrew Buckler, Adam Lippes, Liz Goldwyn, Hope Atherton, Tara Subkoff, Catherine Malandrino, Nicole Miller, and even RuPaul–not in drag–showed up to see the sultry performer’s strip tease. After switching out of her Amanda Wakeley gown, the Teese emerged on stage swathed in a sparkling tangerine costume topped off with a one-of-a-kind, 75-pound necklace designed by Catherine D’Lish made of 350,000 Swarovski crystals. Von Teese dazzled (natch) with not only a fan dance of flaming tangerine feathers, but she playfully splashed those at the front of the stage after hopping into the glass. The finale? A toast to herself and her guests, as servers with trays upon trays of the Cointreau Teese scattered into the crowd. If you missed the performance, pick up a bottle and mix a wickedly delicious party of your own.

The Cointreau Teese

1 ½ oz. Cointreau
¾ oz. apple juice
½ oz. monin violet syrup
½ oz. fresh lemon juice

Frost ginger around the rim of the glass and garnish with a violet.

© Patrick McMullan

“I’m thanking the earth and the sun for everything that we have–so I watered my orchids today,” explained Julie Gilhart, who was a vision of spring Tuesday evening. The ever-chic Barneys fashion director wore Loomstate at the second celebration of the retailer’s partnership with the Sundance Channel for the “Tune In, Turn On, Drop Off” Earth Day celebration. Though the store has been on an eco-chic trajectory for the past year, Barneys celebrated the occasion with a bash. Loomstate’s Rogan Gregory and Scott Hahn asked partygoers to donate their old t-shirts, so they can refashion them into Barneys merchandise for the holiday season while Kate Nash, in vintage, thrilled guests with a special performance that took place late into the evening. “It’s like an artist who has no idea what his medium is,” explained Gregory of the idea. “But I snuck a look, there’s a pair of pajama bottoms in there, what am I gonna do with that?” The new “vintage” tees will be available in December, but a price point has yet to be set. Tracee Ellis Ross plans to bring her used shirts to Barneys’ Los Angeles outpost. “I don’t have my surplus here since I couldn’t bring them with me on the plane, but I will definitely drop them off,” she said. “I support anything that celebrates and reminds people to do their part!”