Would mother approve?

Marc Spellen

Apparently, love for emergent fashion is not a quality peculiar to Mum alone. While at the Beatrice Inn of NYC’s West Village last Thursday evening, I spotted Bee Schaffer (and her socialite entourage) dressed exclusively in 3.1 Phillip Lim - save for Sydney, the birthday girl, who opted for Lanvin. Sporting Dries and Heidi myself, I took a somewhat reclusive stance for the lion’s share of the evening, but after a couple whiskey waters I decided to make a move on the event proper. I struck up a conversation with the daughter of Queen Vogue herself, resolving to discuss only the most profound and important issues - “I love your frock, who makes it?” A rhetorical question, I must admit, but it was an inroad that led to an hour of excellent conversation, during which I amiably coerced Sydney into supplying a veritable Thames of champagne.

In my muddled mind I pictured Bee perched in the bathroom sporting a Miu Mui Fall 2008 lace jockey number with horse hood, initials “BS”, spiky A/W 2008 Christian Louboutin for Rodarte heels, and a bad addiction. If only Mother Wintour had crashed the private party before the night was over, yelling something about “no wire hangers” a la Mommy Dearest, would all have been right with the world. But (alas?), there were no episodes and Miss Schaffer was a very sweet girl. In fact, her pleasant demeanor stirred in me a peculiar distrust so profound that I was compelled to end our conversation prematurely. I suppose fashion can be… fun?

bee: embellished Phillip Lim S/S 2008 off-white frock

socialite #1: gold Phillip Lim S/S 2008 Skirt

Socialite#2: Miu Miu Fall 2008