Bob Colacello's party photographs from the 1970s-when the reporter edited Andy Warhol's Interview magazine and chronicled New York's social scene-are strangely poignant. To think that immortal Chelsea boy Calvin Klein (top) was once so debonair! Grizzled mogul Barry Diller (pictured with Diane von Furstenberg then and now) had such a seductively wicked smile. It's hard to imagine Vogue's André Leon Talley (pictured next to Studio 54's Steve Rubell and Warhol) as anything other than the imposing African cardinal he plays on the red carpet. And then one remembers that today's socialites will one day appear equally ludicrous to the generation that comes after them, evidence that they were ever young buried in Patrick McMullan's photo database.

• You would expect a Tom Ford party to be a little dangerous, but in a good way, not a nearly-lose-an-eye way: Some poor guy was at Ford's soiree in Milan when a spotlight fell on his head, sending him to the hospital for stitches. [Fashionista]

1) At the Harold Pratt House, the New Yorkers For Children Fall Gala was previewed with a Tuesday night gathering of Campion Platt, Andre Leon Talley, Jeffrey Kalinsky, Beth Rudin DeWoody, Dayssi Olarte De Kanavos, Douglas Hannant, Kate Schelter, Katie Lee Joel, Derek Blasberg, Debbie Bancroft, Joy Bryant, Daniel Benedict and Andrew Saffir, Annelise Peterson, Jamee Gregory, Fern Mallis, Jennifer Creel, Fabiola Beracasa, Oscar De La Renta, Thakoon Panichgul, Tom Florio, Zac Posen, Zani Gugelmann, Lauren Santo Domingo, Phillip Lim, Heather Mnuchin, and Peter Som. [Guest of a Guest]

• Charlie Sheen is sorry to black people for calling his ex-wife Denise Richards a "f—king n——r." He's especially sorry to "Tony Todd, an African-American, who was my best man at my first two weddings." Ha! Richards, with whom Sheen has been bitterly feuding, doesn't get an apology, and can presumably just "f—king" deal. [Us]

• Republican-leaning movie star Bruce Willis opened a yuppie-friendly wine bar in the East Village, which prompted protests from neighborhood lefties and counterprotests from the Young Republicans. Turns out? He's not a partner in the bar, he just lent his name as a favor. Because, you know, wine, action movie star Bruce Willis — the connection is obvious. Plus he totally made those wine cooler commercials in the 80s. [Observer]

• Denis Leary's wife, Ann, has for years been secretly not cool with the comedian having dining, hanging out with and getting diet and exercise makeovers from his knockout friend Elizabeth Hurley, so she sadly channeled her frustrations into a thinly-veiled "novel." Something tells me Denis, in a similar situation, would have just cussed and yelled about it for an hour or so until the situation somehow resolved itself. Not that there's anything wrong with different "communication styles." [R&M]

Next Tuesday won't be the most lucrative fundraiser of the Obama campaign, but it might be the most glam. Calvin Klein, Anna Wintour, and Andre Leon Talley are chairing a fundraising event for the campaign, An Evening with Michelle Obama. Naturally, the aspiring first lady will be the main event, not her (occasionally sartorially-challenged) husband. But Michelle seems to have already made a deep impression on the fashion set: Talley and Hamish Bowles (who shares Miche's passion for purple) took time to lavishly praise her faux pearls, Jackie O. dresses, and Azzedine Alaïa belts in the Times last weekend. The $1,000-a-head fundraiser will take place at the Sikkema Jenkins gallery on West 22nd Street. Feeling especially generous or social climby? The standard $2,300 will score you a one-on-one photo with Mrs. O, and $10,000 will get you an invite to dinner at Calvin Klein's triplex on Perry Street.

A man as influential as the size of his headpieces, André Leon Talley is editor-at-large at Vogue and former judge on America's Next Top Model.

You read Us Weekly for the articles. You can't help but be interested in what Lindsay Lohan snorted, ran her car into or slept with this week. But, you went to college, you read the new Chabons and Lethems as soon as they come out! You're not a vapid person! Good news: Celebrity is not only a major driver of the economy, it's a subject worthy of academic scrutiny. University of Southern California professor Elizabeth Currid, PhD., explains the sociology of fame and pop culture.



Like most people who've lived in New York or Los Angeles for a while, I am no longer thrilled about running into celebrities for the sake of running into them. It isn't all that interesting any more, even though it's still amusing to remark, "I ran into Scarlett Johansson and she is so much hotter in person." (She so is).

The Transom risked smelling like Tom Ford's darkest fantasies to attend the launch party for his new perfume, Tom Ford Black Orchid. Ford himself claims to have cultivated the "blackest orchid in history." Why a black orchid? "It's so elusive and mysterious and sensual," Ford said, later adding that the new fragrance "absolutely captures the essence of the black orchid." Susan Orlean, who was not in attendance, set the record straight, though: "As far as I know, there is no such thing as a black orchid, and from what I was told, it's botanically impossible." She added that orchids, as anyone who's read her book knows, have no scent. Still, she sent her best wishes: "Go for it, Tom. Keep at it, buddy!"
But that's not even our favorite quote from the item. No, that'd have to be the closer:

• A few additions to the Big List, including Rodale tonight at Django. (Will Dave Zinczenko permit beer? So many carbs!) Full, updated list is after the jump.

Vogue Editor-at-Large André Leon Talley has a book out, darling. And not just any book. A book about A.L.T. Oh, yes. Titled A.L.T. in homage to Diana Vreeland's D.V. "Concealed and mysterious...so am I," says A.L.T. "Ralph Lauren once said to me, 'I thought you had nothing inside.' But that was because I presented a veneer."
Over the top, as he wants to be [NYT]