As investment banks collapse, insurance firms file for bankruptcy, and jobs continue to be lost, it seems that New York socialites deserve some of the blame for jinxing the stock market.

On March 7, Arden Wohl, Derek Blasberg, Amanda Hearst, Claire Bernard and nightclub owner Simon Hammerstein rang the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange--seemingly also ringing in the period of financial ruin that directly followed the ceremony, reports Cityfile, which even retrieved graphical proof.

We suppose that's what we deserve for allowing the party people of our city to handle such historically important tasks. But all of this also got us thinking.  read more »

Irina Aleksander is sad to report that the parents of charmingly kooky socialite Arden Wohl have separated, and dad Larry has been spotted around town with a woman who is not his wife Denise.

Ms. Aleksander also stopped by Barneys on Monday evening for a book party celebrating Graydon Carter's new tome, Vanity Fair: The Portraits, A Century of Iconic Images, where she asked champagne-sipping guests like Barry Diller, Richard Meier, and Fran Lebowitz how the latest financial news would affect the city.

George Gurley headed to the Soho Grand to hang out with the stars of the new film Ghost Town, where he found James Lipton gruff, and Greg Kinnear and Ann Dexter-Jones characteristically sunny. She loves orchids! And her kids!

And Spencer Morgan speaks to one of the partners of beleaguered downtown club The Box, whose liquor license is up for review. In this city, hell hath no fury like a neighbor who can't sleep!

As far as Fashion Week parties go, Thursday night's Interview magazine relaunch party at the yet-to-be finished Standard Hotel in the meatpacking district will be hard to top. The Standard is still a construction zone—exposed wire, plywood laid down for walkways, DJs in hard hats—and the effect was very much early '90s East Berlin, except for all the New York darlings wandering around, thrilled at the prospect of a new party venue.

Arden Wohl was there. Donna Karan was there. Gossip Girl’s Taylor Momsen made an appearance, as did model Jessica Stam, author Tama Janowitz, real estate developer Janna Bullock, socialite Stella Schnabel, and actresses Mary-Kate Olsen and Lauren Hutton.  read more »

Lindsay Lohan turned down an offer of $700,000 to do an eight-page spread in Playboy's 55th anniversary issue. [P6]

Comedian and host Russell Brand isn't giving details on Britney Spears's plans for opening the 25th MTV VIdeo Music Awards, saying only that she will not be "serving canapés or doing a bizarre haircut on herself." [US Weekly] Ms. Spears's mother Lynne is being less discreet—her tell-all book, Through the Storm: A Real Story of Fame and Family in a Tabloid World," is coming out next week and salacious details have already been leaked. " [NYDN]

The reality show starring social people Devorah Rose, Teddy John, Kristian Laliberte, Annabel Vartanian, Brianna Swanson, Kerry Cassidy, and Timo Weiland will be called Social Heights and is being described as "Like The Hills but in Manhattan .  read more »

Despite selling off Imitation of Christ last year, the label she founded with Matthew Damhave, actress and fashion designer Tara Subkoff continues to be a presence during fashion week. (Even when she's not making topless models push vacuum cleaners across the floor.)

On Thursday, September 4, Ms. Subkoff will screen her third short film, Fame Fatale at Norwood, which she made for Bebe. The film stars Danity Kane's Aubrey O'Day and socialite Lydia Hearst. (In the film, Ms. Hearst is wearing Ms. Subkoff's collection for Bebe.)

Ms. Hearst will co-host the screening and Arden Wohl is expected to attend. Of Ms. Hearst, Ms.  read more »

The Jonas Brothers failed to impress Ali Lohan with their East Hampton invasion.

We attempted to measure Kirsten Dunst’s hipster street-cred.

Howard Street’s Opening Ceremony celebrated Beijing’s opening ceremony for 72 hours.

Gwyneth Paltrow, Devorah Rose, Arden Wohl and others showed up for a benefit at Steven Klein’s Bridgehampton estate.

We discussed publishing and finance with the attendees of Vibe’s fifteenth birthday party.  read more »

On Saturday, July 5, as reported by the New York Post five days later, boho socialite Arden Wohl was arrested by local police for writing “Ralphy Lipshits” in red lipstick on the side of the Polo Ralph Lauren store at 31 Main Street in East Hampton and—in full Independence Day spirit—stealing hand-held models of the Stars and Stripes on display inside the store.

“Someone at the store called and complained that the subject wrote graffiti on the side of the building and stole small American flags from the store,” Detective Sgt. Margaret Dunn of the East Hampton Village Police told the Transom.

The officer noted that Ms.  read more »

Ashley Dupré—when will we be done with her?—has made a very awkward social move, presenting herself at the Waverly Inn. It seemed to work! [P6]

Gossip Girl's Ed Westwick is reportedly in talks to design a clothing line! Expect to see many many shorts...[Fashionista]

Christie Brinkley and Peter Cook may soon reach a settlement, which means the crazy and mostly uninteresting details of their sordid marriage will presumably stop leaking to the press. [NY Daily News]  read more »

Denise Wohl, mother of headband-wearing alterna-socialite Arden, has started a new comic book company, Intrinsic Comics, hiring James Shooter, the former editor in chief of Marvel Comics, where she used to work as a letterer, to help realize her vision.  read more »

We caught up with New York fashion designer Marc Bouwer last night at the Humane Society’s third annual “Cool vs. Cruel” awards ceremony, which attracted an eclectic mix of critter-lovers to Lotus Space on West 26th Street.

If Mr. Bouwer were offered an animal-reincarnation card in the hereafter, he’d like to come back as a cat. “I think cats have got it made, because they can take care of themselves. They’re very clean, and they’re sort of self-sufficient. They’re sleek, and they always seem to have fun and find playfulness in just about anything,” Mr. Bouwer purred in a pair of Chuck Taylors, graphite-colored skinny jeans and a puffy black coat.

Animals have apparently long been important to the South African-born designer, who has collected a coterie of adoring Hollywood stars who flaunt his vegan duds. Angelina Jolie, Whitney Houston, Jennifer Lopez, Beyoncé, Heidi Klum, Paris Hilton and Shania Twain have all donned Mr. Bouwer’s aqueous, form-fitting gowns, which are mostly fashioned from high-quality jersey, cashmere, silk crepe and velvet.  read more »