Judith Leiber - Handbags, Celebrities and Firemen, Oh My!

Fashionistas from all over the country came out for New York’s Fashion’s Night Out this past September 10th and one of the reasons was to take advantage of Judith Leiber’s charitable promotion “100 Handbags for $100,”the profits from which were donated to the Alzheimer’s Association Rita Hayworth Gala. Hundreds of women and men began to line up before 6 pm inside the elegant Judith Leiber boutique, 680 Madison Avenue at 61st Street, where the talk was all about, what else? - the beautiful, bejeweled handbags were going to be sold for $100 apiece, beginning at 7 pm. Eager shoppers, some of whom remembered one another from the event at last year’s First Annual Fashion’s Night Out, anxiously awaited entrance to a side section of the boutique where a pink curtain hid the wares.

While many waited for more than an hour, few were bored as the scene was ripe for people-watching.

Alexandra Lebenthal, President and CEO of Alexandra & James, Inc. and granddaughter of Louis and Sayra Lebenthal, founders of Lebenthal & Co., Inc., was on hand to sign copies of her new book, The Recessionistas, A Novel of the Once Rich and Famous. The book’s cover illustration is of, but of course, Judith Leiber handbags. You can buy the book here: http://www.amazon.com/Recessionistas-Alexandra-Lebenthal/dp/0446563676. She looked beautiful in a black sequined and mesh dress that she accessorized with a black Judith Leiber coiled snake minaudiere.

I was allowed entrance into the room where the handbags were going to be sold and had the pleasure of being given a second-chance meeting with Mary Gleason, Brand President of Judith Leiber. I sort of met her at last year’s event but must have made the worst possible impression as I held my newly-acquired Judith Leiber crystal-studded "grouse" minaudiere and babbled insanely and repetitively, “I got this for $100; I got THIS for $100.” As Ms Gleason made her way through the crowd last year, she stopped in front of me as I babbled on and on. “Look at this handbag,” I said to her, thinking she was but another happy shopper. “I got it for $100,” I said incredulously. “I know,” she said and then introduced herself. I remember hoping that the floor would open and I would fall in and disappear forever, I was so embarrassed by my, uh, exuberant exclamations. Fortunately, Ms Gleason did not remember me - well, I suppose my reaction was not THAT unusual at having scored a Leiber bag for $100 - and was most gracious. “This is the quickest way for us to raise $10,000 for charity,” she said as we waited for this year’s sale to begin.

Actress Molly Simms, who, by the way, is even more gorgeous in person, was the host for the evening’s event. Wearing a pale grey ruffled mini dress with lace insets, long blonde hair pulled back into a high ponytail and sporting a bejeweled Judith Leiber handbag, she opened the sale by saying a few words about the company and the charity. And then the controlled insanity began as the pink curtains were pulled back to reveal the handbags that were valued from $1595 to $2995.

The atmosphere was absolutely electric as women and men grabbed their handbag of choice. Total strangers engaged in conversation as they compared the beauty of one handbag to another. The event was pure fun as women and men proudly displayed their handbags to the admiring comments of the crowd.

My daughter, Emily, got there after the crowds had already formed and, after I bought my beautiful handbag, I waited with her in line. She was engaged in conversation with several young women whose excitement was palpable. Shout outs to Kristen Tranetzki, an attorney/photographer who showcases her beautiful work here and to Katy Atlaswhose blog Sugarlaws highlights her experiences from the evening. And another shout out to the photographer from Guest of a Guest who seemed to enjoy his job that night as much as the crowd enjoyed being there.

As we waited, a dj spun tunes and the drinks flowed. The people at Judith Leiber know how to throw a party! But suddenly, the air was split by the sound of an alarm. No one seemed at all perturbed or concerned and the partying continued. In a matter of minutes, however, at least five firefighters in full regalia, entered the store. The GoG photog snapped pictures as the firefighters made their way through the shop to investigate. Everyone was curious but NO ONE moved. Not one person abandoned their place in line; not one person seemed at all concerned. Hey, $100. Judith Leiber bags were at stake here. The firefighters deemed the place safe after only a few moments and the party continued. My daughter and the other women in line did get their bags and, after the last handbag was sold, many stayed to purchase copies of Alexandra Lebenthal’s book or to mingle with one another and compare wares.

I left to continue my exploration of other events at Fashion’s Night Out but I will tell you that the Judith Leiber event was the highlight of my night. Read about the rest of my evening here.

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