Braving the Rain for a WWD Book Launch at Bergdorf Goodman

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• The always engaging Isaac Mizrahi
• Shoshanna Gruss
• Bergdorf Goodman's always-glam Linda Fargo
• Thom Browne's rain-chic
• The Michael Kors PR girls, Savannah and Katie, dressed head to toe in Michael Kors. We thought they looked nice.
• The swank scene at Bergdorf Goodman

A little Nor'easter couldn't keep fashion's bold-face names away from the launch party for WWD: 100 Years, 100 Designers at swanky Fifth Avenue stronghold Bergdorf Goodman. Compiled by WWD editors, the beautiful coffee table tome celebrates the publication's 100th anniversary by featuring 100 iconic designers and interviews with greats like Giorgio Armani, Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel, John Galliano, Karl Lagerfeld, Alexander McQueen, Valentino and Diane Von Furstenberg.

After scanning the über-chic scene, our friend noted that "the handbags in this room are top-notch." And she was right, we saw at least three Birkins, five Chanels and countless (real) python and croc bags, even though it was pouring outside. It was also kind of amusing watching harried assistants running around the room procuring drinks and books for their bosses. One overzealous minion pushed her way through a crowd waiting at the bar screaming "She needs a drink now!"

So who did we see? At the start of the party, Vera Wang—looking really rocker-chic in all-black and leather, plus pretty tall due to sky-high platforms—quickly breezed in with her assistant, picked up a book and high-tailed it back out to another event. The flashbulbs went off like crazy when Isaac Mizrahi dropped in to schmooze the crowd. Shoshanna Gruss, looking super cute in an all-black and statement necklace, forgot to check her umbrella when she came in and was carrying it around all night. (The nice man at the entrance can put it in one of those handy umbrella baggies for you...)

There was also a ton of wheeling and dealing going on between all the well-dressed and coiffed industry execs. Speaking of, Bergdorf's always-fabulous Linda Fargo, in a beautiful Giambattista Valli puffed sleeve top and cream Cushnie et Ochs cream pencil skirt, was gracious enough to pose with the book for us.

Toward the end of the night, we caught up with Thom Browne, who had by far the best bad weather ensemble of the night. He was wearing a grey suit with cropped pants (floods!), a heather-grey cardie that showed off grosgrain piping and skinny tie and it was all accessorized with a chic full-size umbrella. In honor of the book, we asked him: If you could go on a date with any fashion icon from the past 100 years, who would it be? His answer was "Coco Chanel, of course." OK, that's sort of a gimme, why? "Because no one was cooler than she was." Very true, it's hard to argue with that.
· WWD: 100 Years, 100 Designers [Amazon]