Street Chic: Oceana Benefit

The glamour quotient was high at Monday night’s party for Oceana, hosted by Alexander and Brenda von Schweickhardt at their beautiful Upper East Side apartment. Founded in 2001, Oceana is a nonprofit international advocacy organization dedicated to protecting and restoring the world’s oceans. Sam Waterston, Denise Rich, the Hilfigers, Mick Jones and many more came to show their support.

Two models dressed as mermaids set the scene, lounging on a window ledge off the apartment’s winding staircase.

Dee Hilfiger looked stunning in a black sparkly dress and red lipstick. Tommy Hilfiger arrived in a tux, dapper as ever.

Sam Waterston was one of several celebrity guest stars.

A blue ruched dress was perfectly in keeping with the evening’s theme.

Sam Waterson and Valerie Whiting are flanked by Brenda and Alexander von Schweickhardt, the hosts of the event. Love the velvet smoking jacket on Alexander von Schweickhardt and blue velvet on Brenda von Schweickhardt. Plus the lattice pattern dress on Valerie Whiting. As for Sam Waterston, he always looks good.

Here’s another shot of Brenda von Schweickhardt, certainly one of the best dressed there. The dress is Dolce & Gabbana, the shoes are Alaia.

Alexander von Schweickhardt wore monogrammed velvet Belgian loafers. As the host, you should always take advantage of the fact that you don’t have to leave your apartment – wear something that would get destroyed elsewhere! For women, this means showing some skin with an elegant cocktail dress and  open toe shoes, since you don’t have to worry about getting caught out in the cold.

Doreen Remen wore ribbed over-the-knee knee socks layered with tights for a cool, modern look. Knee socks like these are an easy way to get an over-the-knee look.

A gray cardigan belted with an elaborate belt, paired with gray suede boots. Speaking of over-the-knee boots, there weren’t any in evidence on the Upper East Side. They’re perhaps too Pretty Woman for this crowd? Nor were there a lot of “It” bags. Instead, “luxury” has come to mean dressing yourself in high quality materials, like delicate suede, or oodles of cashmere.

A woman in a fur trimmed coat in the apartment’s entryway.

Harlan Brachter looking elegant in gray from head to toe.

Joyce and John Varvatos. Again, note that the bag is discreet – it’s her outfit itself that’s luxurious, with beautiful gray silk and light brown suede boots. And of course fashion designer John Varvatos lives up to the cool of his brand name.

A versatile, elegant black wool dress.

A shimmery cape on Sarah Langham works wonderfully for evening.

Leopard shoes.

This man in a faux fur vest and a gray bag brought a nice downtown vibe to the party.

Brenda von Schweickhardt, Mick Jones, Sarah McNitt, and Alexander von Schweickhardt. Love Mick Jones whole look – the interesting scarf, spiked hair and funky glasses are rock-n-roll but party-ready. This guy gets better looking with age.

Macy’s chairman Terry Lundgren and his wife Tina Lundgren.

Attention guys: “blazer” does not have to equal “conservative.” Look how cool this one is, with a slightly retro Mad Men feel.

Myra Scheer, Loree Rodkin, and Sam Bolton. Love the tartan plaid coat on Myra Scheer, and Loree Rodkin wears a rockin’ quilted black jacket with her bag – très Chanel.

Denise Rich wore a fabulous shimmery print dress that lit up the room.

Ally Hilfiger, artsy-elegant in a gorgeous orientalist black dress appliqued with beaded birds. Very fashion forward. With red lips. Here she descends the von Schweickhardt’s dramatic spiral staircase carpeted with a zebra print.

Sarah Langham wore a shimmery blue dress in keeping with the Oceana theme.

Jean Shafiroff went autumnal in a brown one-shoulder dress and brown suede heels.

To recap, here are some key trends we’ve seen: Gray, light brown and light gray suede footwear, boots that stop short of the knee (at least north of 57th Street), shimmer for evening, and understated bags. All in all, a beautiful event.