Alexandra Richards signs a heart on the wall in the basement of the Whitney

In a sea of suits, you spotted them. The plunging backs of long Versace gowns, lent to famous social girls at the gala for the Whitney Museum of American Art, co-hosted by Donatella Versace and actress Penelope Cruz. I ran into neither of them, although my posse’ arrived shortly after start time of 9 pm (bloody early rush to get dressed!) But, Lindsay Lohan in a slinky Versace gold number and gold shoes practically flew down the stairway just around midnight. Still, her yellow hair shone brighter than her holiday wrapping dress. Why do pretty girls make themselves look so costume-y? (One cool looker, Alexandra Richards, above does it right…)

Some style gangs could be detected in and out of the yuppie strongholds of young collectors, you know those thick waisted guys in jackets and their dates with blown out hair. All guests were invited to draw on the walls with markers, many penning hearts and Versace graffiti. Designer Behnaz Sarafpour weaved through, wearing her own version of a tutu dress all in black. I smacked right into the terrible twins, photographer Terry Richardson with his mag bookend, Purple Mag editor Olivier Zahm. A few of us chosen ones, meandered to the after party at the Gramercy Park Rose Bar, having been given the password for the night, “Bully.” No worries though, all the nerds were safe. They just didn’t get in the door.

Purple Mag Editor in Chief, Olivier Zahm, stylist Masha Orlov, and photo Terry Richardson