Tommy Hilfiger and Alicia Keys at the designer's Fifth Avenue flagship opening. Photo: Jamie McCarthy, Getty Images for Tommy Hilfiger
I had to cover the opening of Tommy Hilfiger's new Fifth Avenue flagship. To keep myself going, I downed a Venti Americano from Starbucks and several LU chocolate biscuits that I had swiped from the Tents and hopped on the uptown R train.
Upon arriving, I pushed past a huge group of curious tourists/passersby -- coming through people! -- that were crowding the storefront.The crush was caused by a gaggle of Manhattan socialites posing on the red carpet in their loaned out Tommy H. attire.
Once inside, here's what I scoped out:
- The walls were decorated with a variety of interesting clutter: Record labels cut into butterfly shapes, delicate china plates, cowboy collectibles (bows, arrows and ornate headdresses), colorful motorcycle helmets, and (my personal favorite) fake teeth that would chatter when you touched them
- When Mr. Hilfiger walked in, the sea of glamorous New Yorkers parted - except for me who was unintentionally standing directly in his way. After an awkward smile and hello exchange, I shuffled to the side. Nearby someone shattered a glass and I was thankful that it t wasn't me this time. (I am certainly clumsy enough that it could have been!)
- Smothered by a pack of cameramen, a girl in a cream-colored minidress and an amazing pair of turquoise booties appeared. "Who is that?" I wondered aloud. "Um, that's Tommy's daughter [Ally]," chuckled a tall man in a dark suit behind me. "Lucky guess dude," I thought as I stuffed my face with a crab cake. (It was so good, I followed the cute waiter to grab another..two.)
- A half dozen crab cakes and mini lobster sandwiches later, I was heading out the door happily full when I noticed a petite woman clad in an expensive tweed skirt suit. The iconic bob could not be mistaken. Anna Wintour brushed past me with a whoosh. (Thank god I managed to get out of the way this time!)
I don't know if it was the two flutes of Champagne that I had quaffed or the fact that I hadn't slept in a week, but when I finally left, I felt like I was on a cloud. It was only my second real fashion party of the week (I previously boogied at Charlotte Ronson's fete on Friday) and the new store was so swanky!
Now I know what those "Sex and the City" girls must feel like!
Read our review of Tommy's Spring 2010 show here and then check out the other celebs who attended New York Fashion Week.