Daily Front Row

2009 February 18

East Coast Oscars

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Victoria Beckham and Giorgio Armani
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(NEW YORK) “This feels like a nervous gallery opening to me,” smiled a jittery Roberta Armani. “I’m excited, but you just hope everything works out and everyone is happy.” For the record, it worked out. Big time: Armani’s Fifth Avenue opening was like the East Coast’s challenge to the Oscars. Considering the festivities included a half-hour ceremony and a two-hour cocktail, the turnout was spectacular. Leonardo DiCaprio, Martin Scorsese, Alicia Keys, Mira Sorvino, and John Mayer all showed. Victoria Beckham even jetted over from Europe. “This is not your average corner opening, so it’s worth it!” she excitedly assured The Daily.

Before any stars entered the architecturally exciting premises, Armani announced a $1 million donation to the NYC public school fund while Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Joe Klein, and Caroline Kennedy looked on. The designer even took the subway to the Bronx that morning to see where his donations would be going and listened to poems from kids.

“I can say this as fact,” smiled Bloomberg. “Giorgio Armani took a subway to school this morning!” Anna Wintour personally thanked Armani for the donation right before the ribbon was cut: “Thank you so much for doing this for the city!” she whispered.

When the Fifth Avenue mecca finally opened, guests like Chace Crawford, Mario Testino, Alexander Wang, Natalia Vodianova, January Jones, Chrisette Michele, Milla Jovovich, and nearly every editor in New York filled in four store levels and sampled Armani chocolates and Grey Goose cocktails (the third floor restaurant will continue to serve them post-Fash Week too). “I feel like I should have brought flowers and wine,” said actress Alison Pill.  “Now, I need a full day of shopping with Giorgio!” proclaimed Testino after navigating through the store.

And how did the host feel? “Twenty years ago, I opened a humble boutique to sell my threads back when Berdgorf was a gold standard,” said Armani. “Somehow, I’m now housed across the street!”
VALENTINE UHOVSKI