Daily Front Row

2009 August 6

West Side Stories

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Lyor Cohen, Tory Burch, and Estelle
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(NEW YORK) “Are there any creative people in the house tonight?” inquired Kanye West during his Casio G Shock performance at Cipriani Wall Street. “Cause I want you to know that there’s nobody in the world who can do your job better than you can!” Last night, no one was arguing with West’s point when it came down to the performer’s own job. He took over the financial district space with full confidence and previewed a mini-version of a set from his upcoming tour with Lady Gaga that commences in October. With a Casio on his arm and on-again girl Amber Rose just few feet away, West danced, improvised, and sang his way through an impressive hour-long set that put a spotlight on his strong last album and his fetish for awesome lighting.

And it wouldn’t be a Kanye concert without his diverse group of supporters, all situated at the VIP balcony upstairs, naturally. Tory Burch came with her family, Sky Nellor danced with friends, Nina Garcia stopped by after work, and Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump tagged each other along. Estelle admitted that this was one of her more relaxed West experiences. “I’ve been to countless Kanye shows, but he usually drags me on stage,” she laughed. “Here, I don’t have to sweat and it’s really just cheering for my industry big brother from the good seats tonight. That, and text-messaging my family in London. They are five hours ahead of us so sometimes I just kind of have to put them to sleep!”

Rock of Ages star Constantine Maroulis had a night off too. “They give us Wednesdays nights off now on Broadway,” he shared. “I don’t know how I would take it if I’d miss Kanye.” Alan Cumming was just elated with his new accessory, a pink G-shock that matched his pastel outfit.  “I couldn't ask for a better time piece,” the actor said. “I’m just craving everything pink right now!”

Joe Zee had prime view of the scene on stage as well, though we wanted to know about his experience at the Sex and the City casting. “It was supposed be a quiet thing I did for work,” he smiled. “But then a photographer from WWD recognized me in a long line. Still, I had an option – European type or a soccer player. And we know which one I always wanted to be!”
VALENTINE UHOVSKI