Tuesday evening on the Upper East Side, sipping champers and shopping. A lovely way to celebrate the glorious dance career of New York City Ballet's Darci Kistler. The kick-off event for the NYCB's Annual Luncheon, Saying Goodbye to Darci, was held at the Valentino Boutique on Madison Ave. The cocktail party hosted gorgeous guests, including several NYCB dancers all dressed from head to toe in Valentino.

Ms. Kistler, known as the last of the "Balanchine ballerinas", will be retiring after 30 years years with the Company. Peter Martins, Ballet Master-in-Chief, and the Annual Luncheon 2010 Chairmen will host the NYCB Annual Luncheon on Wednesday, February 10th at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center. The luncheon will tribute Ms. Kistler's remarkable life as a dancer, Mother, and teacher.

The afternoon program will include dance selections with Ms. Kistler and students of The School of American Ballet, as well as excerpts from Anne Belle's 1989 film, Dancing for Mr. B: Six Balanchine Ballerinas.

The Luncheon will also recognize this year's Janice Levin Dancer, Kaitlyn Gilliland.

For more information or to purchase tickets for the New York City Ballet Annual Luncheon 2010, please call the Special Events Office at 212.870.5585

To view more photos from Kick-Off event, please click HERE

Talk about reinventing the wheel (or in this case, the clutch), handbag designer Lauren Merkin never ceases to amaze me. Since 2002 Merkin’s collection has a proven track record for being innovative, current, affordable, vivacious, and versatile. From her clutches to her shoulder bags, it’s apparent that each one of her pieces possess their own multifarious personality.

Lauren, along with her head designer, the talented Anna Harrington, create bags that appeal to fashionable women of any age. Every bag seems to “carry” a lighthearted and timeless aesthetic. (Not to mention that most of these BAD-ASS babies retail for about $200… Hello??? STEAL!!!)

Brooke Shields, Nicolette Sheridan, Gabrielle Union, Naomi Watts, Lisa Kudrow, and Diane Lane are just several of the Hollywood’s A- Listers who’ve been seen rocking Lauren Merkin’s bags. Celebs and fashonistas alike cannot seem to get enough of this ingenious line.

Lauren’s color palate ranges from elegant nudes to opulent oranges. Her pop colors are seductively vibrant without being vehemently obnoxious, something that many of today’s handbag designers (with the same price point as Lauren Merkin) have trouble properly executing. Laruen’s bags are generally made from leather, however, she has designed a few clutches in silk, tweed, and cork, yes CORK! (talk about eco-friendly.) 

Growing up myself with a Mother who was a high-end fashion maven, I relished watching her get dressed, then finishing off her ensemble with a bejeweled Judith Leiber or an outrageous Valentino clutch. Although economic times have changed it feels fantastic to accessorize with luxuriously affordable pieces from designers such as Lauren Merkin. Her bags are tailored to make a women look and feel rich without going for broke.

Lauren Merkin Handbags have been in publications such as Lucky, In Style, Marie Claire, and Vogue... just to name a few. Her bags retail from $200 - $600 and can be purchased directly on her website Lauren Merkin, Shop Bop, Neiman Marcus, and Bloomingdales.

Industry Background:

Lauren Merkin graduated with an MBA from Columbia. In 2002 she founded Lauren Merkin Handbags. Lauren runs her business strategically with a hands-on approach. All sales are done in house for a more personal and direct experience (and faster delivery).

Along with head designer, Anna Harrington previous owner/designer of Deadly Squire, Lauren continues to create innovative, classy, sexy, designs that are loved by all.

The City was a buzz again Thursday evening, as New Yorkers store-hopped to celebrate Fashion Night Out. For a moment, it seemed like the good old days, when shopping was a common past time, and only your significant other or parents would ridicule you in jest for being a shopaholic. Madison Avenue was light up by store fronts, as the Fall skies begin to darken earlier. For the past year, Mad Ave stores having been closing before 6pm and on Sundays. Therefore, I became giddy with the energy and life filtering in and out of stores. Ok, Champagne may have contributed to my delight!

We travelled from Gucci to Roger Vivier, Valentino- which was tranformed into the bistro Bagatelle, then to Versace where Ciara (in a gold lame fitted strapless number) made an appearance and posed for several pictures with Martini drinking fans.

Well, this was fun and all, going from store to store, sipping on drinks and sneaking in a dance or two to the featured DJ, but I couldn't help but feel a little confused. Was anyone actually shopping?

I don't believe I was alone in my thoughts. Gucci Manager, David, was also surprised at the turn out. He informed me that Gucci had purchased 250 9/11 FNO t-shirts for their 5th Avenue store and 100 for the Madison Ave. He figured that would have been more than enough, yet, the t-shirts were gone within 8 minutes! Although pleased with the crowd that wrapped along the building waiting to get in, David wished he had bought more shirts for shoppers and that other stores had done the same.

My cab driver seemed a little perplexed at the crowds as well. He couldn't understand why people would go to these stores if none of them were doing any special sales or promotions. Good point.

My good friend seemed enthusiastic at the idea of FNO, surmising, "We don't have to feel guilty for shopping anymore. It's ok! You know, we have to spend money to stimulate the economy. That's how we get out of a recession." Definitely true.

At least people were out and about again, and in good spirits. Maybe Bloomberg should declare FNO at tax-free night...

PHOTOS: Click HERE

"That's what it is about. Tonight is about the children." Timothy Bayly, Northeast Senior Regional Director stated, while pointing to the dissolving video images on the large format screen. These could not have been better opening words to an unforgettable event.

The 3rd annual Design Cares, presented by Saks Fifth Avenue, was held at the Armory Thursday evening, April 30th, 2009. The fashion and style industries came together to give back by utilizing their experiences and supporting St. Jude Research Hospital.

36 designers, including: John Galliano, Vera Wang, Alberta Ferretti, Nicole Miller, Neil Bieff, J. Mendel, Christian Cota, Reem Acra, Jonvaldi Couture, Diane von Furstenberg, Maggie Norris Couture, Versace, Edwin D'Angelo, Domenico Vacca, Catherine Malandrino, Angel Sanchez, Gucci, Matthew Williamson, Marc Jacobs Collection, Luca Luca, Yigal Azrouel, Carolina Herrera, Zuhair Murad, Michael Kors, Chado Ralph Rucci, Valentino, Badgley Mischka, Adrienne Landau, B Michael, Carlos Alberto, David Meister, J. Gerard, Narcisco Rodriguez, and Karl Largerfeld, donated their time and evening gowns to present an unforgettable runway show. All gowns were available for auction and including extraordinary designs by Micah and Courtney, two children of St. Jude, interpreted for the runway by Christian Siriano and Tian Justman respectively.

Hosts: Phillip Bloch, Chanel Iman, and Veronica Webb led the glorious evening by introducing co-chairs Dawn Gallagher and Reynaldo Davis Carter, as guests enjoyed tastings from 25 different restaurants, and perused the silent auction items.

I thought it would be a great idea to get the inside scoop on how this all comes to fruition. I turned to Kerry Bannigan, CEO Nolcha and Backstage Director for Design Cares 2009.

SBS: Nolcha is an all inclusive fashion business, what is your main objective?

KB: To provide business opportunities – sales, marketing and networking – to the emerging fashion designer and retailer.

SBS: How/why did you get involved in Design Cares?

KB: Arthur (Mandel, ESQ/President Nolcha) and I are active committee members and with our current job roles we naturally feel into the Design Cares Runway Show initiative.

SBS: Why St. Jude, what does it mean to you?

KB: St. Jude stands for so much more than research. Due to the research it has allowed so many members a successful and continuous survival rate that it is awe inspiring. Seeing Vivian (a patient) walk down the runway without her crutches at the runway show made it all worth while. Her confidence, her enthusiasm and most of all her belief was incredible. In addition working with reputable brands such as, MAC and Warren Tricomi, plus designers such as Versace, Valentino and Lagerfeld, made the connection for fashion giving back even stronger.

SBS: Yes. Incredible, really. What was the process like being the Backstage Sponsor/Director and have you done anything like that before?

KB: Due to running Nolcha Fashion Week, every season we are very equipped to fully produce runway shows. As active committee members, this is what Nolcha provided to St Jude Design Cares.

SBS: What does it mean to you and Nolcha to be a part of such a fab event?

KB: It is not about the event that is fabulous to Nolcha, although unfortunately for some it is a wonderful way to boost your resume, it is about the fundraising, the childrens hopes and dreams plus working with an amazing team that dedicate their lives to theses children on a daily basis.

SBS: Absolutely. For me, the fact that a group of individuals came together for those hopes and dreams and those of the future, is truly amazing. What did you personally take away from the evening?

KB: As I stated before, it was the patients on the runway that made my night. Vivian has the dream to be a co-host for red carpet stars and FOX! made that happen. It made me feel alive and step outside of the superficial fashion bubble we tend to live in.

SBS: What was your favorite part and, not to be superficial, yet I must ask- your favorite dress?

KB: I am being biased, but I loved the runway show. The gowns were gorgeous. My favorite was Karl Lagerfeld, with his dress closing the show.

SBS: I loved that one too. Those lines were so striking. What's next for Nolcha?

KB: Stay tuned as we prepare for Nolcha Fashion Week: NYC. Runway and Accessory opportunities available at info@nolchafashionweek.com Plus many private shopping parties coming at Nolcha Retail Space retail@nolcha.com.

This remarkable extravaganza showcased dreams, contributions, gratitude, beauty, elegance, inspiration, the power of donation, and all the possibilities that can be achieved when individuals come together for the greater good.

100% of every auction purchase benefits St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and could not have been done without the attendees, supporters, donors, and the Fashion Show producers: Reynaldo Davis Carter, Dawn Gallagher, Brad Parsons- of Yes Productions, launchmedia:group, and Nolcha.

For more photos: click here

*photo 1 by Aracelis Batista courtesy of Nolcha:Gown by Carlos Alberto

*photo 2 by Aracelis Batista courtesy of Nolcha: Veronica Webb, Phillip Bloch, and Chanel Iman

*photo 3 by Aracelis Batista courtesy of Nolcha: Courtney, Vivian Laws, and Tian Justman

*photo 4 by Aracelis Batista courtesy of Nolcha: Kerry Bannigan- CEO Nolcha