Street life
Hermes recently opened an enormous New York store - and had an enormous bash to celebrate. About 2,000 people were invited, more showed up, and others were left waiting outside. The soiree turned into a block party, with dancers jumping out of huge orange Hermes boxes on the Madison Avenue pavement, ballerinas pirouetting down a catwalk and confetti pouring from the skies. Guests - who included Naomi Campbell, Nadja Auermann and Azzedine Alaia - enjoyed mango Martinis and champagne. Also in attendance was Harriet Tung, looking hip in slim pants and a strappy top and wearing a divine diamond choker. Her daughter Li has just become a Dior PR, so expect some stylish parties.
In the jiving seat
Not to be outdone, the following night Louis Vuitton, putting on a classic-cars exhibition, booked Aretha Franklin for a 1,000-strong bash at the Rockefeller Centre. There was a lot of champagne (Moet, of course), fab food and even sufficient seating ... always an accomplishment at these things. Spotted jiving away among the beautiful people was actress Milla Jovovich.
Price right?
New Yorkers will buy just about anything these days, and the more expensive the better ... even a pair of ridiculously priced Fendi denim slides with unimpressive beading, on sale for US$650 (HK$5,057) at the Fendi boutique on Fifth Avenue. Compare that to $780 for a stunning pair of Fendi evening shoes - high-heeled and decorated with lots of sparkling Swarovski crystals - that looked like they were worth the money. Someone should rethink the company's pricing system.
