Great Start to Fashion Week

If some of the faces at the week's opening fashion shows looked exhausted, at least they had a great excuse: they were probably out late the previous night at the annual gala dinner to benefit amfAR, the Foundation for AIDS Research. So we'll cut them some slack if they were tired -- since it was first held in 1998, this dinner has raised over $10 million to help towards finding a cure for the disease.

The fashion industry has been a fervent supporter of amfAR since the organization's inception in 1985, and last night's glamorous event, which was held at Cipriani 42nd Street, was no exception. Attendees included designers like Calvin Klein and Kenneth Cole and models like Doutzen Kroes, Jessica Stam and Maggie Rizer. Of course, it wouldn't be a big New York benefit without some celebrities, and there were plenty there, too: from young starlets like Rose Byrne, Eliza Dushku and "Gossip Girl's" Taylor Momsen (who sat with rising jewelry star Eddie Borgo) to Liza Minnelli, who was given an amfAR Award of Courage last night. 

Another awardee at the event was Donna Karan, who was honored for spearheading projects like Seventh on Sale, a huge designer fundraising event benefiting AIDS awareness. She was presented with her amfAR award by Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour.

"I don't think there is anyone else as passionate about charitable commitments as Donna," Wintour said. "And yet, Donna will say she still needs to do more."

As Wintour listed some of Karan's charitable projects -- from initiating a holistic care program at New York's Beth Israel Hospital to founding Super Saturday, a massive fashion garage sale to benefit Ovarian Cancer research -- the passion behind the designer's far-reaching philanthropic efforts was clear. (Karan is also on Tonic's Board of Creators.)

"Donna is constantly referred to as an earth mother because that's exactly what she is," Wintour said. "She has what Calvin [Klein] calls, 'the ability to do things without fear, only optimism.'"

When Donna Karan came up to accept the honor, her message was motivational with a capital M. "We can all make a difference in this world," she said. "The only way for us is to form an alliance and work together."

That's an inspirational message on its own, but in the context of the legendarily catty and backstabbing world of fashion, it's particularly resonant. As Fashion Week begins -- and some designers are struggling to simply stay afloat -- it's important to remember the power of solidarity. (One Fashion Week example: three designers -- Mara Hoffman, Nicholas K, and Sergio Davila -- are joining sources and saving money by showing their collections in one show instead of individually.) And, as last night's chic dinner proved, working together towards a great cause can be as enjoyable (and fashionable!) as it is fulfilling.

To find out more about amfAR, go to www.amfar.org. And come back to Tonic for regular reports from Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

Photos top to bottom of Donna and Gabby Karan, Kenneth Cole and Liza Minelli, and Noemie Lenoir by Ali Goldstein.