Thursday, November 19, 2009, socials, celebs, and young philanthropists showed up for Once Upon a Time in Manhattan to benefit the Ronald McDonald House of New York City.

The night hosted by Fox 5's Dari Alexander featured with a live performance by Bradford. Although the event was held at the B&T nightclub Marquee, it was a delightful success which included red carpet shenanigans, guest speakers, food catered by Cipriani, cocktails by Diageo Spirits, and music by celebrity DJ Catherine Oulette (a.k.a. "SynCity").

Ronald McDonald House of New York, Inc. provides a temporary “home-away-from-home” for pediatric cancer patients and their families. The House is a supportive and caring environment which encourages and nurtures the development of child-to-child and parent-to-parent support systems. Ronald McDonald House of New York, Inc. is the largest facility of its type in the world.

The whole club was filled with friends catching up and introducing each other to new friends, thus expanding this staple social do good feel good circle of NYC. As guests chatted and sipped on an abundance of bevs, they checked out the amazing silent auction which featured items courtesy of the Autograph Store, Winspire Travel, Judith Ripka and Steiner Sports.

As if the night couldn't get any better, each guest walked away with a VIP gift bags from a host of luxurious brands. 'Tis the season...

*All photos by Keith Lew

Thursday evening, I attended the Cipriani Wall Street Fashion Series featuring designer Duncan Quinn. Alex Merkin, who relayed the designer’s regrets for not being able to present the collection personally, introduced the menswear collection. Mr. Quinn is currently in Miami in preparation for the opening of his forthcoming Limited Editions pop-up shop in Miami's design district… featuring its own indoor croquet pitch.

The London-born, New York based designer and “recovering lawyer” found inspiration for his featured designs in film and classic works of art; including all things Alfred Hitchcock, The Thomas Crown Affair, James Bond, Eastern Promises and the Mona Lisa.

I found the color palette for the line to be both regal and playful, with heavy plums, burgundy and charcoal tempered by lavender and rose accents in ties, handkerchiefs and dress shirts. There is an intellectual sharpness and meticulous attention to detail in the cufflinks, leather duffels, and umbrellas.

After the show, I caught up with Mr. Merkin, donning Duncan Quinn garb head to toe. The Director of the upcoming film Across the Hall, indulged my questions about the December 4th New York release. He told me that the film, featuring Danny Pino, Brittany Murphy and Mike Vogel, is a thriller about a standoff between a young man, his fiancée and his best friend, who occupy hotel rooms across the hall from one another. I gathered it’s a little dark and scandalous, a delicious combination.

Later into the night, I had a lively chat over drinks with Simon van Kempen and stylist Derek Warburton, who lamented over Editor Britten Heft’s absence. It seems they just missed each other at an earlier charity event. Designer Peyman Umay joined us for a spell, offering style expertise and exchanging opinions of the evening’s presentation.

I left Cipriani picturing how dapper and tailored my man would look in a “bespoke Duncan Quinn suit” while defending clients in the courtroom and for all our upcoming Holiday festivities… I think Christmas may have to come early this year.