Happy Birthday Everybody

Firstview

DKNY

Last season it was Ralph Lauren and Valentino who were celebrating big anniversaries. The success of those parties has provided inspiration for designers this season. Donna Karan celebrated 20 years of Donna Karan yesterday with a show filled with sporty looks including high-heeled sneakers and anorak dresses. Donna came out at the end of the show in a white jumpsuit. Jumpsuits seem to be an early trend for spring. I'm not convinced.

Chris Moore / Catwalking / Getty

Diane Von Furstenberg

More convincing was Diane Von Furstenberg's romantic show of 1970s-inspired looks, including a white three-piece “Bianca” pantsuit. “It's me when I was young,” Diane told me at a dinner at her West 14th street compound. Indeed, if anyone can lay claim to that era DVF can. I liked the long pleated dresses and the flowery tunics. There is something refreshingly authentic about Diane's clothes because you can see her wearing them at every stage of her career.

Patrick McMullan

Later in the evening Calvin Klein (the company, not the person) celebrated 40 years in business with a huge bash at the Highline. Architect John Pawson had constructed a giant, minimalist box that housed an endless stairway up to the actual Highline where partygoers mingled among a surrealist kind of rose garden that stretched all the way to 11th Avenue. Back downstairs there was a light installation by the artist James Turrell. “How much do you think this cost?” One guest was overheard asking another as they picked their way through the dense crowd on the Highline. “Nine jillion dollars.”

Sounds about right.