MANHATTAN — It was one for the boys.
The amfAR Inspiration Awards, held last night at the New York Public Library on 42nd Street, was a celebration featuring men, appealing to men and celebrating men. In fact, Rose McGowan even joked to her co-host Cheyenne Jackson that she was “wearing a jockstrap by Tom Ford” under her dress to fit in.
The tone of the evening was set early as guests were greeted by male models in trousers with polo shirts literally painted on, complete with the Hugo Boss logo (one of the sponsors, of course).
A marching band and the Philadelphia Eagles’ cheerleaders, dressed in black and white (the dress code was “Black tie/athletic”), ushered guests like Deborah Harry and Simon Doonan into a men’s fashion show. Opening with more male models than we care to count wearing American flag-patterned Speedos, the show went on to include a vast collection of wearable and really out-there outfits. And the finale? A parade of gussied-up guys, led by the highly decorated Olympic diver Greg Louganis, wearing black-on-black, with stars-and-stripes loafers.
Marc Jacobs International’s Robert Duffy and pop star Fergie were each honored with Piaget Awards of Inspiration in recognition of their contributions to the fight against AIDS.
And as if walking away with an award from Piaget wasn’t enough, Fergie outbid McGowan to win a Marc Jacobs fashion show package that includes front row seats, a photo opp and a leather runway bag for the low, low price of $29,000. We bet McGowan will be able to wrangle an invite anyway.
Other party people enjoying the night, which included a performance from the Scissor Sisters, included Marc Jacobs and separated-at-birth twin Harry Louis both in black tuxes, Hilary Swank and amFAR chairman Kenneth Cole, who was taking pictures of people’s footwear and tweeting them out.
Photos courtesy of PatrickMcMullan.com.
