On the first balmy—near 60 degrees—evening in the city in recent memory, Constance Jablonski, Roopal Patel, and Baja East designers John Targon and Scott Studenberg, and more came out to support Jeffrey Kalinsky, host of last night’s 11th annual Jeffrey Fashion Cares auction and runway show, at the 69th Regiment Armory. Upon entry, guests were greeted by a stark white Audi R8 sportscar (the automaker was a lead sponsor of the evening), and between bites of beef carpaccio, fish tacos, and mini-sliders, designers Dennis Basso, Prabal Gurung, and Joseph Altuzarra perused the silent auction, which included items as varied as a private lesson from Iron Chef Alex Guarnaschelli, a Rodarte sports jersey, and a selection of mid-century modern furniture.
Was there a strategy to win? “I don t have one, but my fiancé does,” said Altuzarra before his soon-to-be-husband Seth Weissman chimed in, “I’m addicted to silent auctions." CFDA CEO Steven Kolb had his eye on a trio of Sperry Top-Sider slip-ons that had been reworked by Jeffrey. “I was outbid, and I’m trying not to overplay it,” he said, “I’m attempting to play it cool.” As the evening progressed, everyone took their seats for the runway show.
Introducing the festivities was actress Anna Chlumsky of Veep dressed in a fit-and-flare, floral-print cocktail dress from Giambattista Valli, Sergio Rossi pumps and Yael Sonia jewelry. “I was feeding my kid beets before I was getting ready,” the actress confessed before turning to the business at hand. “What’s exciting is how much good work Jeffrey has done.”
Now in its twelfth year, Jeffrey Fashion Cares’s New York benefit has raised $5 million with last night’s live auction adding an additional $60,000 in just fifteen minutes. Presenting the Community Leadership Award to honoree Rob Smith was footwear guru Steve Madden who said of Smith, “He wears his heart on his sleeve—it’s his philanthropy that sets him apart from the herd.” Madden added that Smith traveled with him to the Midwest lobbying in support of President Obama and even going as far as Russia to promote awareness regarding the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community and those with HIV/AIDS. Smith, an author, lecturer, journalist, and LGBT activist, spoke briefly even chiding Madden for ruining his remarks, “Well, he already told the Russia story,” he joked. Despite the fact that the focus was on him, Smith remained ever humble, purchasing a few items before the evening ended. “I think I got the Mitchell Gold chair,” he said, “but I’m trying to be fiscally responsible!"
