PRAYING TO BUDDHA (BAR)

PRAYING TO BUDDHA (BAR)

Tuesday night was the New York Premiere for Season 3 of "Project Runway". I came to New York prepared with my "premiere outfit", which I dutifully bought at Zara consisting of creme-colored slacks and a striped off-white dress shirt, which I was either going to leave unbuttoned or wear with a tie. I was sort of going for a "St. Tropez" look. Well, needless to say, when I got up on Tuesday, I had a change of heart: I wanted SKINNY JEANS! Even though I do not have the cracked-out look of Kate Moss' former paramour, Pete Dougherty, that was sort of the look I was going for, sans the crack thank you very much!
I met up with Season 1 winner, Jay McCarroll (who is working on his Spring '07 Collection as we speak) and his friend, Season 1 designer Nora, for some pre-drinks at The Double Seven Bar on West 14th. Before we knew it, we realized we were running late, so we walked down the street in the sweltering heat of the Meatpacking District to the new Buddha Bar.
Before walking inside , we ran into another Season 1 fave, Austin Scarlett, along with Wedding Gown designer, Amsale, Austin's new boss. I did the "Red Carpet" , along with Jay, doing interviews for Access Hollywood and TV Guide Channel. I walked in , through the stunning entry hall of the Buddha Bar, immediately wanting to do a runway walk , amongst the impressive statues looking on.
Speaking of runway, as soon as I walked in, I immediately recognized one of Yves Saint Laurent's African muses. She is from Senegal and was the couturier's house model , featured in the Sundance Documentary "Avenue Marceau 75116". I even told her that I remembered the white silk charmeuese Haute Couture gown she wore in one of his last Couture shows. She was simply stunning and exotic as a Gazelle as she posed for a photo with me.
Of course, I saw my former "castmates", including Daniel Vosovic, Marla and Diana (both looking sexy and very pretty), Emmett(passing announcements to the Trunk Show we were having the day after and featuring the Tim Gunn "Gun" T-shirt)as well as winner, Chloe Dao(who was there with her sister, Sydney). I got to meet several of the new season's designers, including Keith Michael and also befriended one of the new season's models, the statuesque(6 feet tall!), Amanda. We later enjoyed a nice dinner at Pastis with David and several of my friends. The party was fun and I was able to greet many fans of the show (mostly beautiful young girls), saying "Thank You" to their compliments and kind comments. At one point I glanced over and saw Tim Gunn who was off to the side, almost getting mobbed! I did not even get to say "Hello" , because there seemed to be a line 10 people deep wanting to greet him. I do not know how he does it, never breaking into a sweat.
Right before we were getting ready to leave, I decided to grab Chloe, and some of the Season 3 Models, and we actually had a "Walk Off", in the middle of the fabulous club, with a 20 foot statue of Buddha looking on! Thank God most of the guests had left by then, otherwise, I think we would not have done it! I could not have left the Buddha Bar without leaving my "Runway" imprint. Another great moment was when Amanda(model), pulled an Elle Magazine out of her gift bag, and showed Chloe her spread for the very first time. Chloe subsequently screamed and ran to show her sister, Sydney, the wonderful photo spread with her and her model, Grace.
We ended the the night dancing at Beige and Happy Valley, where we reconnected with Keith Michael, and the beautiful Allison, who were rightly celebrating the debut of their show.
I would have stayed but as I looked around at all the 22 year old club kids, I realized that A) I felt WAY TOO OLD, and B) I had to be up "bright and early" to do the Trunk Show at EMc2 the following day.