FashionEtc.com November 28th, 2023

For 12 years in a row, the Winter Wonderland Ball at the New York Botanical Garden has been a magical kickoff to the holiday season. Impeccably turned out Manhattanites find their way to the magnificent Conservatory in the Bronx, where the Holiday Train Show still inspires amazement as it winds through a landscape that features replicas of well-known New York landmarks.

The evening benefits the Garden's Children's Education programs, with classes and workshops for kids of all ages, particularly underserved children in the Bronx.

The WWB has a reputation for being a particularly fun evening. "It's not like going to the Plaza, where you can walk out at any time and take a taxi," said one guest. "It's a commitment to get here, so people are prepared to stay, have fun, and dance until the end."

This year was particularly balmy, although freezing temperatures and blizzards have never deterred guests from attending in the past. The original dress code was white and silver. This year, St. John underwrote the evening, and the dress code was white and black.

"I wear white because the theme is Winter Wonderland," said co-chair Nina Garcia, stunning in a long white crystal-studded Ferragamo. "Every year that I come here, all the women make an effort to wear white, and it looks so beautiful."

"A lot of us have been coming here for 12 years. It's glorious, festive, holiday-like. Everyone has a great time and just cuts loose on the dance floor. Many people still honor the original white and silver theme," said co-chair Alexandra Lind Rose, wearing St. John.

Valentino Garavani is one of the most influential designers of our time. His clothes have been coveted for decades by royalty, movie stars, and beautiful movers and shakers.

If you don't believe me, see for yourself: The Valentino Garavani Virtual Museum, is a free downloadable application that takes you through years of designs, events, advertising campaigns, and anything else you want to know about the man, his clothes, and his fabulous life. It's an extraordinary 3-D ride, well worth seeing.

When Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti throw a party, they pull out all the stops, and the celebration in honor of the Virtual Museum was no exception. Held in the Frank Gehry designed IAC building, the creme de la creme of fashion, entertainment, art and society came to pay homage, nibble on an Italian buffet by Sant Ambroeus, dance, and lounge on the white leather sofas.

The excitement surrounding the Elizabeth Taylor auction at Christie's continues. Bulgari hosted a lunch in honor of Save Venice to celebrate the Bulgari jewelry being sold in the auction.

Taylor had amassed quite the Bulgari collection, many of the pieces during the filming of Cleopatra in Rome.

"Elizabeth Taylor was a fashion icon, an actress, someone who loved jewelry and life," said Marco Tatarella, head of sales at Bulgari's Fifth Avenue store in New York City, as he introduced a fascinating slide show about the Taylor/Bulgari relationship, including rare photos of Gianni Bulgari showing jewelry to Taylor in the "money room"—the private salon at the back of the store in Rome reserved for exclusive clients.

Taylor owned the entire Grand Duchess Vladimir Suite (some of which is pictured above), an exquisite collection of Colombian emeralds and diamonds. Her fourth husband, Eddie Fisher, bought her the earrings and tiara. Her fifth husband, Richard Burton, completed the set with a brooch, a ring, a necklace and a bracelet.

It was a Sunday night in December in New York, and Harvey Weinstein was wearing a suit. What could possibly have compelled him to do that?

The Cinema Society screening of Madonna's new movie, W.E., at MoMA, and wise words from his wife.

"I was wearing a Giants T-shirt, and the English voice told me this would be a fashion crowd, so she laid out this suit," joked Weinstein, referring to his wife, Marchesa designer Georgina Chapman, as he introduced Madonna's latest directorial project.

The film examines the legendary love between American divorcee Wallis Simpson (Andrea Riseborough) and the king who gave up the British throne to marry her, subsequently living out their lives in exile as the Duke and Duchess of Windsor. Woven into the story is the modern day tale of Wally (Abbie Cornish), an unhappily married young woman obsessed with the Duchess and her story.

"It was a story that always intrigued me, a story about true love and sacrifice," said Madonna, looking stupendous in a black leather jacket, black sequined top and black pants, all by Roberto Cavalli, complete with Van Cleef & Arpels white gold and diamond earrings.

The Duchess has great style; if Madonna could have owned any of her accessories, which would it have been?

"The cross bracelet," she told FashionEtc without hesitation. The bracelet is prominently featured in the film; each inscribed cross was made of precious stones, and each represented a significant event in the couple's courtship.