Shmoozing, Shopping, and Supping with Cavalli

On Friday evening, guests were invited to celebrate the opening of the new Roberto Cavalli boutique at Crystals at CityCenter.  Led around by the company’s deceptively baby-faced Director of Public Relations, Cristiano Mancini, Signore Cavalli (puffing on an e-cig that was very Year 2010) was introduced to guests including Audra Hendley and Bobby Baldwin, Benedetta Pignatelli, Elaine Newton, Lovee Arum, Cheryl Irwin, Alexx Brown, Wendy Plaster, Ellen Schaner, and VEGAS Magazine Editor, Kate Bennett (who got some private face-time with the designer on a settee in an alcove set-off by velvet ropes).

The store is quite massive (it would make for a fabulous nightclub), with a glittering granite catwalk bisecting the space.  Upon this, for Friday night’s affair, were a number of mannequins dressed in signature Cavalli “looks” going back many seasons, that had been brought-in from the company’s Archives.  Models lay on fainting couches, posed and painted, while others circulated among the guests.

I guess I’m in the minority, but I’ve never felt it necessary to wear a designer’s clothes when going to meet that designer – but hey, what do I know, anyway?  Of course, I might just be bitter that the only thing that fit me in the store was a cute pair of shoes that can best be described as a really posh pair of Vans made from turquoise velvet with the Cavalli logo embroidered upon them.  But, as my mother is so fond of pointing-out to me, purchasing occasion-shoes is fine, so long as you have the occasion to wear them.  So, I took a pass (although they were awfully snazzy, and they were 60% off…).

Of course, there was also this fantastic metallic python clutch with an enormous jewel-encrusted spider on the flap, but I’m running long on clutches, these days.

After the in-store affair, a few of us were invited to join Signore Cavalli for a celebratory dinner at Twist by Pierre Gagnaire, the 3-star Michelin chef’s first US restaurant, where our group was joined by Jason Strauss.

Located on the 23rd floor of the swanky Mandarin Oriental (also in CityCenter), the restaurant is quite lovely (designed by Adam Tihany, dontcha know…) as is the food.

The high-point of the meal (aside from the fun we had discussing a wide assortment of unrepeatable topics) were these amazing mashed potatoes.  I kid you not!  Everyone at our table decided to forgo desert in favor of these potatoes that had been whipped and pureed into a lather, and now had the consistency of chocolate mousse.  Also, you could taste the butter and cream.  Damn, those were some mighty fine spuds!

Roberto Cavalli Boutique at Crystals at CityCenter

As is eventually the case in every evening, it was time to bid our adieus, so Elaine, Benedetta and I said “Farewell” to Roberto, Cristiano and the rest of the guests, and made our way downstairs (we’d car-pooled, together).  Due to some good planning on my part, we had originally used the valet at Aria for the event at Crystals, then claimed the car and drove over to the valet at Mandarin Oriental, to preclude having to walk after a long evening (the ladies were in heels, after all…).  You’ve gotta hand it to Mandarin Oriental – they’ve got the service thing down pat!  By the third time I was there, it was “Welcome back, Mr. Shulman!” and “So nice to see you again, Mr. Shulman.  Will you be joining us for dinner, or just cocktails, tonight?”  Now that’s service with a smile (and certainly deserving of a significantly larger toke!).

Anyhow, welcome back to Fabulous Las Vegas, Signore Cavalli; and may your new boutique be a source of happiness and prosperity to you and your company.  Ciao!