SOCIAL SAFARI:
PARTY OF THE YEAR
GSTAAD,VALENTINO, GEORGINA CHAPMAN, BOTANICAL GARDEN, CAROLINA HERRERA, WILBUR ROSS, MADONNA & ANIMAL ASHRAM
Tears of a Clown- If parties could win an Oscar, then Madonna’s Raising Malawi bacchanal would take home top honors for 2016. It was a night of a hundred stars including Leonardo DiCaprio, Adriana Lima, A-Rod, Donna Karan, Len Blavatnik, Jeremy Scott, Natasha Poly, Alexander Gilkes, P. Diddy, Calvin Klein, Ron Burkle and David Blaine, who smirked as he swallowed a broken wineglass. They all played a role in this night of fun, performance and mischief. Donald Trump’s Bed- After The Late Late Show host James Corden introduced hilarious sets by Dave Chappelle and Chris Rock, Madonna came back and confessed, “Dating is hard. It’s weird to think the love of your life might not even be born yet,” adding, “I’m very single and haven’t had sex in a long time,” before she launched into an inspired set that ranged from her own “Holiday” to Britney Spears’ “Toxic,” as pictures of The Donald flashed behind her. The Queen of Pop revealed, “I’ve been in Donald Trump’s bed,” but professed it was “only for a magazine shoot and Trump wasn’t there.”
The Three Hundred- The evening felt like a private affair because 80 percent of the 300 people already knew each other. Tickets ranged from $5,000 (no guarantee of a seat) to $150,000 for a table, but don’t quibble: you got a single plate of French fries (to share) as the only course. Madonna closed the four-hour extravaganza saying, “They think I’m controversial, but the most controversial thing I’ve done is stick around for 34 years.”
Marchesa Takes Gstaad- Marchesa designer Georgina Chapman and Harvey Weinstein had a dinner for director Quentin Tarantino at Gstaad’s Palace Hotel, which at 104 remains the life and soul of the village. Patricia and Henry Hay’s dashing son, Julian Hay, lead the young set to the hotel’s notorious GreenGo nightclub, where all the ritzy students from Le Rosey dance until dawn.
Cheers At Doubles- Hilary Geary and Wilbur Ross got more attention than Santa Claus at Jay and Anne Hearst McInerney and George Farias’ festive party at Doubles.Ross confided they had gotten a house suitable for entertaining in Washington, where he will become secretary of commerce.
Winter Wonderland Ball- Anne Hathaway led the perfumed pack to the New York Botanical Garden’s Winter Wonderland Ball. The night showcased their Holiday Train Show winding through a sprawling landscape of iconic New York landmarks made of natural materials.
Animal Ashram- Cornelia Guest and Leesa Rowland organized a benefit for Animal Ashram, which helps homeless pets find forever families. Miss Guest served a vegan dinner with Urbani truffles for 80, paired with Dom Ruinart champagne and Whispering Angel rosé.