DEREK WARBURTON

This past week, The Doe Fund held it’s second annual sweet: New York, which featured sweet treats and savory eats from New York City’s top restaurants, including The Doe Fund’s very own Culinary Arts Program. The Classic Car Club in SoHo and upbeat tunes spun by DJ Chelsea Leyland served as the perfect back-drop for an extraordinary evening of tasty delights! Joonbug was most definitely in culinary heaven as we sampled tender Kobe meatballs from Lavo, succulent steak from BLT Prime that literally melted in our mouth, juicy Swedish meatballs accompanied by the perfect sauce from Smorgas, alcohol-infused cupcakes, such as a piña colada creation, from the Cupcake Bartender. The positive vibe was undeniable as the sold-out event was filled with smiles and people having a good time! Glasses were raised as attendees cheered with delicious wines from Polaris and Fox Run Vineyards. Many also enjoyed a great brew from Sierra Nevada.

The Doe Fund's Second Annual sweet: New York Event is taking place this Thursday (March 7th) at the Classic Car Club in SoHo. Featuring sweet treats and savory eats from New York City's top chefs and restaurants, as well as The Doe Fund's own Culinary Arts program. It's going top be a positive, powerful, and fun night of fabulous food, cocktails, wine with music by Chelsea Leyland. Hosted by Chef Madison Cowan, Wendy Madden, celebrity fashion stylist Derek Warburton, and many more special guests! Warburton, who is well-known for supporting charities, is very excited for the event and spreading the word on how each of us can help one another to become stronger. Featured at the event is a list of amazing food and cocktail sponsors; Tao, Lavo, BLT Prime, Magnolia Bakery, Smorgas, The Dalloway, Lady M Confections, Kopali Organics, Orient Express, Fox Run Vineyards, Spud Vodka, Great Brewers, Sierra Nevada, Smuttynose, Polaris Wines - Nandu & Heritance, New York Distilling Company are among some of the wonderful treats that will be available during this charitable evening. The Doe Fund's mission is to develop and implement cost-effective, holistic programs that meet the needs of a diverse population working to break the cycles of homelessness, addiction, and criminal recidivism. All of The Doe Fund's programs and innovative business ventures ultimately strive to help homeless and formerly incarcerated individuals achieve permanent self-sufficiency. This is a worthy cause that helps so many people in the community in more ways than one. When you give, you get. It's nice to "pay it forward" and make a change in someone's life for the better. For further information, visit the Doe Fund's website.

Recently, celebrity stylist and media personality Derek Warburton hosted the "Real Fashion, Real Runway" Runway Show benefitting Bottomless Closet charity. Celebrities such as Kate Gosselin, Aviva Drescher, Jaslene Gonzalez, Ajay Rochester, Mandy Kirby, and Shontelle (who also performed her ballad "Impossible") walked alongside 21 "real" women from the charity in top designers such as Marchesa, Badgley Mischka, Nicole Miller, Lela Rose, Carlos Miele, and many more. Shontelle opened the night as she sang her smash hit "Impossible" live as the crowd sat in amazement. It was a powerful night in support of a very worthy cause.
An organization that helps women get back on their feet after they have been homeless/abused/incarcerated/laid off, etc, the women from the charity truly had a Cinderalla moment as they took to the runway on the rooftop of the Empire Hotel. Following the show, guests enjoyed a complimentary open bar courtesy of Ramona Pinot Grigio.


















































About Bottomless Closet : Bottomless Closet offers an innovative approach to workforce preparation for disadvantaged New York City women transitioning from unemployment and public assistance to work; services and programming offered through a personalized/one-on-one approach helps eradicate many of the barriers New York City women face in their search for, and retention of, employment. Women are referred through a network of partner organizations once they have a job interview scheduled; Bottomless Closet’s programming is designed to support the transition to work. Comprehensive services include the selection of high quality interview attire, 1:1 resume review and interview preparation as well as a broad workshop curriculum that promotes professional development, financial management and personal enrichment. Bottomless Closet’s goal is to enable and empower our clients so they may secure and maintain employment, overcome the challenges of poverty and ultimately reach self-sufficiency. Derek Warburton has been involved with Bottomless Closet for nearly 5 years now and has helped over 500 women. I host a monthly, two-hour workshop called "HOW TO BE DEREK FABULOUS" that helps prepare women for job interviews. With your help, we can change a woman's life by providing clothing that is interview- appropriate and can lead to a successful job. I started working with Bottomless Closet because these women and their circumstances are part of my personal real life story. I grew up with a displaced mother. We were homeless for 8 months when I was 14 years old. I lived in a tent with no electricity, water or bathroom. I dug our open sewer. But the real story was that my mother had a job the entire time. She was not abused, nor did she do drugs. She was a hard working single parent who got behind on rent. It is a slippery slope to homelessness. I wanted to do my part in caring for these women who became stigmatized due to their circumstances. Bottomless Closet helps NYC women take the steps necessary to turn their lives around. During the workshop, we spend the first hour on self-esteem building by going around the room discussing all of our challenges. This is a heart wrenching experience. You are never so shocked and moved as being in a room full of women and having one of them admit for the first time that they ran for their lives because their partner was beating them and their children. Many stories are similar to this, but we also hear about how they have gotten jobs, their children are prospering again, and, with the many questions of "what do I wear?", we move on to the makeover part of our session. The women "shop" with me in the Bottomless Closet boutique, as my team and I prepare them for interviews with wardrobe.

The who's who of fashion & nightlife stopped by the "Tragic Glamour" exhibit to take in a photolistic journey like no-other (in NYC that's definitely impressive). The epic exhibit displayed creative, colorful and life-like blown up images of Designer/Popculture icon Richie Rich & Ross Higgins; as styled by Fashion Director/Celeb Stylist Derek Warburton and shot by renowned photographer Christopher Logan.

The Pop International Gallery was packed with guests anticipating this unique evening. I literally felt as if some of the images of Richie Rich were coming to life before my fashionable eyes. The stylish crowd was clearly impressed with the evening as I heard many of them complimenting the creative and positive vibe of this special event!

DP: When did you start the T. Tandon line and tell me how it all began.

TT: I started in Spring 2008. I have always wanted to have my own line, knew I would do it, since I was young. But, the question was when. So, one day, when I got really fed up working late nights for a fashion company, I decided to quit and do all that hard work for my own line. I packed up my bags, and flew to India, where I knew some manufacturers to start sampling for my first collection. I had no particular business plan, or anything, I wanted to just do it. I started basically with no idea of what I was really doing, and how, who my target audience is, my business model, nothing! I just went right into it. And than refined it every year to what it is now.

With a bevy of fashion shows and presentations to attend, how does one designer and celebrity stylist stand-out from the proverbial fashion crowd? The famed Woolworth Mansion served as the perfect backdrop to the Kim Hicks Fall 2012 Couture Collection styled by Derek Warburton. The collection, which is both opulent and wearable at the same time was admired by socialites, celebrities, top PR mavens, major media outlets and the who's-who of Manhattan.

As I entered this stunning mansion covered with rare artwork, sculpture, dazzling chandeliers and rich tapestry, it was clear that guests were in for a fashion experience like no-other! With an estimated worth of around $90 million (yes that's ninety million, dear) the Woolworth Mansion transported guests back to a time when men were gentlemen, and women were admired for their stunning beauty and grace.

What is "fashion" here in New York City? Fashion is fueled by the celebrities, socialites, boutiques, runways, events, artists, architecture, street-style and influenced by the top stylists of the world. Derek Warburton is the definition of Global fashion. As a well-known celebrity stylist, founder of "Derek Loves Shopping" ,and a spokesperson for many major brands & companies. Derek Warburton can be found hosting the hottest soirees at the hippest city spots during New York Fashion Week; where Derek recently hosted a charity suite filled with his celebrity clients/friends such as Keri Hilson, Eve, Kat Deluna, Kelly Cutrone, Gabrielle Union, Amanda Hearst, and Isaac Mizrahi (yes, Derek's celebrity roster is quite impressive). When Molly Sims needs to look her best, Derek can be found styling the gorgeous & down-to-earth beauty in Diane Von Furstenberg. Supermodel Jessica White also is a fashionable devotee. Derek keeps company with top fashion industry professionals such as Lauren Ruotolo of Hearst Coporation, Samantha Matteoni of Charlotte Russe (Samantha is also creator of NuttButtbakery) and PR experts such as Lori Lengua and Kelly Brady-Zegers.

How does that saying go — “the more people I meet, the more I like my dog.” As you may well know, this world we live in can be an unpredictable place and for those of you who have a pet or have ever owned a pet, you know that nothing beats the loyal, unconditional love of this special kind of caring friend! I heard about an ultra-cool new pet website and wanted to share it with all of the Glam Damn It readers! At NuttButt Bakery they create small dog apparel and household items that are comfortable & stylish. Dogs give us nothing but unconditional love and happiness. The company’s mission is to pay them back in this small way!

• 3/22 - Come and celebrate Housing Works’ new thrift shop. Watch the documentary premiere of Derek Loves Housing Works with Derek Warburton at the Hells Kitchen location. Enjoy cocktails while browsing Spring looks; 730-732 Ninth Ave; (646-963-2665); (6 p.m)

• 3/23 - Haute House PR & Marketing will host a Fall 2010 Press Preview. RSVP required.The Shoreham Hotel; 33 West 55th Street.

• 3/23 - Fashion Happy Hour at ABPR. One of the leading PR agencies in NYC, Alison Brod Public Relations, invites you for cocktails and Fall 2010 previews. RSVP required. 373 Park Avenue, NYC; (5pm)

• 3/23 - Fashion 2.0: Luxe vs. Mass, sponsored by thefind.com will compare social media and e-commerce in their March 2010 networking event. Speakers include: Rafe Totengco - Designer, CEO, Rafe NYC, Kerry Bannigan, CEO, Nolcha Aaron Mandelbaum, Big M Inc (Mandee, Annie Sez, Afaze). Dave Cook, Director of Marketing, TheFind. RSVP Required; Audrey Lounge at The W Hotel Tuscany; 120 East 39th Street; (RSVP here); (6-8pm)

• 3/23 - Macy's, Paper Magazine and Luigi Tadini will come together to launch the Ruffian for Threads and Heirs bevy. Come out and enjoy a night with the industry's rising stars. RSVP required. Ace Hotel; (7-10pm)

• 3/23 - Espirit launches their first NYC flagship store, with cocktails, hors d'eurves, giveaways and live performances. RSVP required. Esprit's New Flagship Store (7pm)
  

• 3/23 - Harper's Bazaar and The One Group will host the opening of The Collective. A night not to be missed. The Collective (7-10pm)

• 3/24 - Famed denim company, Citizens of Humanity, are coming to New York for their Fall 2010 preview. RSVP for an appointment. 95 Fifth Avenue, NYC

• 3/24 - After we bumped into Oscar De La Renta's son, Moises De La Renta, last week - we were pleased to learn Moises will be launching his Mango Collection Wednesday. Enjoy! RSVP Required. 79 Crosby Street; (3pm)

• 3/24 - Blanc De Chine will host their post-fashion week runway presentation this week, with stellar clothes in tow. 673 Fifth Avenue, NYC; (5:30pm)

• 3/24 - Franky L'Official will team up with Dr. Brian Bonanni, Medical Director of Gotham Skincare for their store grand opening, with hair and skin consultations in tow of manicures and pedicures, all complimentary. RSVP required. 1063 Madison Avenue, NYC; (6pm); ashley@lfbmediagroup.com

• 3/25 - Ann Taylor will show their Fall 2010 collection - by way of the sophistication for an older market. RSVP required. 20 W. 29th Street; (6pm)

• 3/25 - Club Monaco will celebrate its collaborations with celebrity photographer, Bert Stern at their flagship store. Network with CEO's and enjoy cocktails. RSVP required. 160 Fifth Avenue; (7pm)

• 3/25 - Saks Fifth Avenue will host a philanthopist event, Spring Into Style, with the Cancer Research Institute Young Philanthropist Council. Tickets start $50. Saks Fifth Avenue, 611 5th Avenue; (7-10pm); (Purchase tickets here)

• 3/26 - Cure Thrift Shop will host their Spring Home & Fashion Launch Party on Friday. For more information visit their blog. Cure Thrift Shop, 111 E12th Street; (5-10p)

• 3/26 - The underground fashionistas, Tribeca Retail Club, will host a Girl's Night Out Event - full of shopping from independent designers, cocktails and special services. Admission is free, but guest are encouraged to purchase $15 VIP tickets for goody bags, open bar and free services. hacala, 394 Broadway; (6–11pm). Admission: Free; VIP tickets: $15. RSVP at trc2010.eventsbot.com.

• 3/27 - Come and celebrate W Magazine’s first shopping issue, “Shop W Style”, in the meatpacking district. Select stores, in the likes of Catherine Malandrino, Theory, and Tory Burch, will host special offers & activities. In tow will be makeup applications by Shiseido expert, Renato Almeida and private style sessions from Hugo Boss. Shop W Style Lounge, The Standard, 69 Little W. 12th St; (10–6pm).