FENDI's Fountains of Fashion Flow with Philanthropy

Well, you’ve gotta give credit where credit is due, and once again, Crystals at CityCenter has pulled-off another spectacular store opening.  This time, it was that of the new FENDI boutique, complete with a scale replica of Rome’s famed Trevi Fountain (complete with running water and coins).

The opening party was hosted by Lovee Arum, Kate Bennett, Victoria Otter and me on behalf of the Steering Committee for the annual Keep Memory Alive gala (that should be happening, right about now, if I understand how this time-zone thing works seeing as I’m currently on the other side of the International Date Line).

When most Americans think of FENDI, they think of the brown-on-brown signature leather goods with the double-F insignia, but the company (for which Karl Lagerfeld has been designing for more than 40 years) is also one of the world’s leading makers of fine accessories, as well as luxury furs.

Some of the more notable items I saw at the shop were examples of the company’s new Peek-a-Boo handbag, FENDI’s answer to the Hermès Kelly, it comes in a variety of skins, including a limited edition “Las Vegas” version that is numbered and features the Trevi Fountain embroidered on ivory calfskin for $4,200, and also a stunning version in olive crocodile that rings-in at a $32,000; as well as an adorable camouflage onesie for an infant, and a very special blanket made from mink and 14kt gold thread for $10,000. 

Now, I know I’m gonna get flack from a few of my friends, but I’m tired of apologizing for my love for fur.  There, I said it. Call me Cruella de Shulman if you must, but Russian sable, ranch mink, lynx, chinchilla, fox – I love ‘em all.  Also, at the AVN Awards in Las Vegas, one year, a floor-length raccoon coat was responsible for my being mistaken as a major porno producer.  Now, that was a hoot!  But I digress…  The point is, if you’re in the market for some of the world’s most well-made and fashion-forward furs, get yourself into FENDI, pronto!

The opening party was a soignée soiree featuring a guestlist that included Stacy Van Praagh, the new President of FENDI, USA, a foursome of Frenchmen who had everyone scratching their heads (but who were rather adorable, so nobody was particularly cared how they got there), Camille and Larry Ruvo, Michael Severino, Anna and David Robins, Wendy Plaster, Sharon and Norm Jenkins, Corey Jenkins, Trina Pascal, Ro Rodgers, Marcelle Frey, MaryAnne Pascal, Heather duBoef, Dena duBoef, Carrie Henderson (whose Best Models provided the hunky eye-candy serving the champers and nibbley things), Light Group’s Jake Saady, Meital Bronstein, Benedetta Pignatelli and my long-lost buddy Ryan Berit, Stephanie Wilson, Ellen Schaner, and too many more to name, herein.

The highlight of the evening (in addition to the lovely fur jacket donated to KMA’s luxury auction and the 10% of the evening’s proceeds that were donated to KMA) was a performance by rockjazz pianist Elew.  I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, and actually was prepared for something like Yanni meets Kenny G with a keyboard – but boy, was I wrong!  The guy rocked the joint!  Playing on a baby-grand (standing, mind you), with his eyes rollingback into his head, Elew played raucous yet melodic versions of “Mr Brightside” by The Killers, “Clocks” by Coldplay, and “Sweet Home, Alabama” by Lynard Skynyrd.  It was an impressive performance. 

Of course, by this time, I was quite hungry, so I made my way to dinner at Brasserie Puck (after a quick stop into deGrisogono) where, not surprisingly, the dining room and bar were filled to capacity with attendees from the FENDI affair.  All told, people were entertained, did some shopping, raised money for a very worthwhile organization, and had some fun.  What more can you want on a weeknight?  Actually – I know what I want…  Will someone buy me that mink and 14kt gold blanket?  Not for me, mind you – but Sammy would just love it!