Open the Gates!

The young art lovers who turned out to support GenArt at last night's big benefit decamped to Chelsea nightclub The Gates for an after-party that lasted well into the early morning hours.

GenArt, the organization that supports emerging fashion designers, musicians and visual artists, celebrated its fifteenth anniversary with a night whose mission was to raise money for the struggling organization. (A cruel irony, given that GenArt itself was founded to help struggling artists.) But times are tough and GenArt decided to hold its first benefit in more than ten years to help bring in some much-needed funds. Among the supporters in attendance were Miss USA Kristen Dalton, Real Housewife Alex McCord, Gossip Girl Laura Breckenridge and Project Runway victor Christian Siriano.

To help fill the coffers, seventy artists donated pieces that were put up for sale, at prices from $300 to $5,000. One of the earliest sellers of the evening was a large portrait of Robert DeNiro, by photographer Paul Gerben.

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Return of the Housewives

America's favorite housewives (you're not going to pretend that anyone actually prefers the ladies of Orange County or Atlanta to the gelid ladies of Manhattan, are you?) turned up at Gilt restaurant last night to fête the launch of their second season, on Bravo. In addition to stunning-looking "housewives" LuAnn de Lesseps, Jill Zarin, Bethenny Frankel, Kelly Killoren Bensimon, Ramona Singer and Alex McCord, the event pulled a glam crowd of women who appeared to relish the idea of starring in a reality show themselves and a smaller group of men apparently not ashamed to admit they are fans of the self-absorbed series. New episodes begin on Bravo on February 17.

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