Bill Clinton “pardons” musician Eric Clapton at Saturday’s Clinton Foundation Benefit

Sometimes the Hudson “it girl” finds herself in lofty places, like last Saturday when she was invited to the Clinton Foundation Benefit at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in Harlem, NYC.   Former US President Bill Clinton presided over a charity dinner and auction for his  foundation, which helps poor communities around the globe. We’re talking feeding people, building infrastructure, and getting medicine where it’s needed, for example, right now: Haiti. Dresses, jewels, a day in a vineyard with Bono from U2, and even a journey to Africa with the former president himself were up for bidding.

Yet, despite the relevant work of Mr. Clinton’s organization, the event proved far from serious. Mrs. Clinton, aka Hilary –the current American Secretary of State  – sat at a center table next to rocker Jon Bon Jovi, who performed along with African songstress Angelique Kidjo and Eric Clapton.

While Kidjo got the entire room dancing and hit the supper tables to boogie with U2′s `the Edge’ and Bill himself, it was Clapton who elicited “oohs and ahhs” when he played both “Hoochie Coochie Mama” and “Cocaine.” (See video clip below!) Mr. Clinton forgave him though and laughed it off, especially since the night earned millions of dollars for various causes. (Note: numbers still being tallied at blog press time.)

Jamie Burke rocks it out with his current band Delilah

Former Calvin Klein model Jamie Burke is not just a pretty face, and all the underground kids who came to hear him rock out with his current band Delilah know that well. A secret show — spread to friends of friends through word of mouth — in the basement of Milk Studios in NYC, packed in artist Lola Schnabel, Lizzie Jagger (Georgia May’s big sis), and the musicians of Turbogeist, Jimmy Jagger’s band.  Jamie and his crew ripped it out with a slew of new songs as we all chugged Budweisers in true garage fun fashion. Lizzie got on her knees in front of the band and swayed her torso from side to side and a bunch of other girls danced behind her. For Jamie, this is only the beginning, to spread the sound of Delilah. The band also played a gig at Bowery Electric on Saturday night and is the headliner for an upcoming exhibit of photography for rock camera legend Mick Rock.

See a snippet of the sound below, from last week’s basement gig:

The Mad Metal Ball brought out the eccentric bits in certain fashion and downtown stars. To celebrate the second anniversary of the Museum of Arts and Design on Columbus Circle, co-chairs Julie Ragolia, Waris Ahluwalia and others threw a big dancing cocktail.  Deejays Leo Fitzpatrick, Paul Sevigny, and Chelsea Leyland — who loved our Hudson jeans in a road test — spun tunes from the Eighties on out and the booze was free flowing.

The exhibits on the fourth and fifth floors — large scale skeletons, scarab wings and mice bones — fill the more permanent collections right now and are well worth an independent visit. The pieces made by some of the host committee were up for sale. All proceeds benefited arts programs and the museum. (See our slideshow) Waris created a copper cuff. Marc Swanson fashioned a pewter antler. Rocker Michael Stipe made the very cool metallic camera. And fashion designer Jen Kao made a metal chandelier. The wardrobes for the event were just as glittery. Ragolia, who works as a stylist and soon will be en route to China, wore a slinky Jen Kao black and metal dress. Socialite Michelle Harper donned a long Zac Posen gown and headdress. Waris wore an Yves St. Laurent jacket. And jewelry designer Nina Basharova wore a classic black dress festooned with her feather pin and gold bangles.

Check out the existing exhibits at the Museum of Arts and Design, 2 Columbus Circle, NYC.

Selena Gomez spotted in Madrid wearing the Collin Signature Skinny in Holt.

Mary Louise Parker spotted in LA wearing the Five Pocket Skinny in Cheshire.

One trend that has again popped up full force this season is leopard. Gals just can’t get enough cat, especially around Halloween time and beyond. I spotted some amazing felines around town with my favorite piece being actress Paz de la Huerta’s Dolce & Gabbana leopard boots seen here. They’d be great with a sleek pair of black jeans from Hudson for Georgia-May Jagger collection. Also spotted: jewelry maker and eccentric artist Stefania Pia in an Italian vintage leopard coat from her mother. Mamma Pia created hers with a local established seamstress in Northern Italy. Theodora Richards is still rocking her little purrrr fur, also vintage. All would look fab with every style of Hudson jeans, and a special mention to Lavin leopard pumps as toppers too! Meow!

Kate Bosworth seen in LA with the HUDSON tote.

The lovely Ben Taverniti shows off Hudson’s latest  in NYC

Hudson’s got some great things lined up for Spring! I got a sneak peek last week when VP of Communications Tony Chu and talented designer Ben Taverniti gave me a VIP tour of the collection looks. My favorites include the Hudson for Georgia-May Jagger line, that sweet Georgia helped to create. Keep your eyes peeled for sleek sexy dark denim, which includes black, zippers up the calves, cross stitching, all mid rise (as Georgia prefers and also flatters most gals). Since Ben hails from Toulouse, then Paris, and is now based in Los Angeles, he builds from various references. The short shorts in denim, military looks, hoodies so soft you could make love to them, and sky blue denim for a St. Barts type beach are all there.

But, of course it wasn’t enough to stop at the clothes. The Hudson crew hosted some top editors for a little soiree at Kenmare where the drinks flowed and the jeans stood the test of party time as well.  Check out some of the new looks, below!

Megan Fox seen in LA carrying the HUDSON tote.

Some highlights from the New Museum

Now that there’s a chilly bite in the New York air, it’s time to slip into your best pair of Hudson jeans — maybe the cool straight legs with the leather border at the waist — and head to the New Museum to catch a show that has caught the attention of news hounds world wide, “The Last Newspaper.”

At the recent opening, life-sized Obama puppet men walked around the three floors in the exhibit and carried around stacks of old newspapers. The world class artists featured — including Mike Kelley, Rirkrit Travanja, and Robert Gober — interpret the news, disassembling it and reconstructing it, to play with its influence on human consciousness. Thomas Hirschhorn makes newsprint dresses and seeing violent headlines as part of the hem placed on a mannequin really speaks to how numb we must become to headlines to stay happy and fashionable. Artist Nate Lowman’s paintings of pop topics in the news — including Lindsay Lohan (seen above) and the movie “Avatar” really caught my eye, as did Rikrit’s “The Days of Our Society Are Numbered.”

Check it out,”The Last Museum,” until January 9, 2011, 235 Bowery.