Last Night's Parties: Fashion Elite Come Out For CDFA Noms, Elton John Rocks The Garden

Anna Wintour and every fashion designer that matters hit CDFA nominations, Cinema Society screened "Cracks," Leon Russell joined Elton John on stage, ladies shopped for candy bags and Candy Bags, journos and theater types went gonzo and much more. Find out what happened last night.

Swarovski Hosts the Announcements of the 2011 CFDA Fashion Awards Nominees & Honorees

Where: Diane Von Furstenberg Studio

Who Was There: Anna Wintour, Ashley Olsen, Diane von Furstenberg, Mary-Kate Olsen, Alexander Wang, Johan Lindeberg, Steven Kolb, Carolina Herrera, Rebecca Minkoff, Uri Minkoff, Reed Krakoff, Stefano Tonchi, Richard Chai, Vera Wang, Hal Rubenstein, Joseph Altuzarra, Eddie Borgo, Jason Wu

Other Details: The fashion elite hit Diane Von Furstenberg's last night for the CDFA noms. Lady Gaga will be honored with the Fashion Icon Award. Celine’s Pheobe Philo will receive the International Award, The Telegraph’s Hilary Alexander will take the Eugenia Sheppard Award, InStyle’s Hal Rubenstein will be honored with the Founder's Award, and Marc Jacobs will receive the 2011 Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award. The gala and awards will be June 6 at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center.  [Via]

THE CINEMA SOCIETY & MONTBLANC host screening and after party for "CRACKS"

Where: Tribeca Grand, Soho Grand Hotel

Who Was There: Eva Green, Jordan Scott, Rose Byrne, Gabourey Sidibe, Nicole Miller, Amy Sacco, Stavros Niarchos, Jessica Hart, Rachel Roy, Christopher McDonald, Andrew Saffir

Other Details: Guests hit Tribeca Grand for a screening of "Cracks," a story about boarding school girls and the female teacher, played by Eva Green, who sexually molests and does some other creepy stuff to one of them. There is also a bunch of bullying. It's the kind of flick that people want to have a drink after, so plenty head to the Soho Grand after to imbibe in Purity Vodka martinis. Gabourey Sidibe sat on a couch talking with a few friends, Christopher McDonald took a seat in the back and set to texting, and Eva Green lapped up the congratulations. [Via]

Gala preview of the AIPAD PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW at THE PARK AVENUE ARMORY [More photos HERE]

Where: Park Avenue Armory

Who Was There: Anthony Haden-Guest, Catherine Edleman, Stephen Bulger, Elliott Erwitt, Bryce Wolkowitz, W.M. Hunt, Nicole Straus

Other Details: Special guests got a sneak peek at work from more than 70 of the world's leading fine art photography galleries. Photo, video, new media, the whole gang was there. @susanmaytell Tweeted: "Inspiring!! Spent hours at AIPAD and only managed to see about 20% of the photography." Be sure to take a look at more photos HERE.

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Elton John @ MSG

Where: Madison Square Garden

Other Details: "Madison Square Garden is my favorite place to play," John told the audience. "It's the home of so many memories in my career, and not one bad one." He played all the classics. As he finished up a ten minute rendition of "Piano Man," a second piano was rolled out and Leon Russell joined him on stage followed by Greg Allman for "Gone To Shiloh."  [Via]

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The New York Premiere of THE MUSIC NEVER STOPPED

Where: 92nd St. Y

Who Was There: Cara Seymour, Jim Kohlberg, Connie Tomaino, Mickey Hart

Other Details: Jim Kohlberg's movie, titled after a Grateful Dead song, is about a family coping with tragedy. Grateful Dead icon Mickey Hart showed up for the screening, post-screening reception and Q&A session.

Reading of Hunter S. Thompson

Where: Symphony Space

Other Details: Scott Shepherd (star of this season’s “Gatz”) and Anthony Rapp (“Rent”) each read a chapter from the beginning of the book while Michael Imperioli of “The Sopranos” read one from the end. Chuck Klosterman was in the house and told NBC Niteside:

“When people want to write like him, they end up ripping off his voice, or the structure of his writing, or maybe just his attitude or his sense of humor," Klosterman said. "But to really be like him, you need to live like him, and no person can — like, there’s no person alive who can actually live the way he did.” [Via]

Chiu-Ti Jansen Launches CHINA HAPPENINGS Column with New York Observer Magazine: Celebration Party

Where: 60 Riverside Blvd

Who Was There: Dylan Lauren, Chiu-Ti Jansen, Ivanka Trump, Jared Kushner, Elizabeth Spiers, Warren Weitman

Other Details: The Observer crew turned out to fete a new column called China Happenings by Chiu-Ti Jansen which will focus on the lifestyle and cultural industries of contemporary China. Ivanka Trump looked dazzling and very pregnant.

Vogue and Furla [More photos HERE]

Where: Furla

Other Details: Vogue held a bash for Furla's new Candy Bag at Dylan's Candy Bar with host Jessica Stam. Guests came out to shop and indulge their sweet tooth. Be sure to take a look at more pics HERE.

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The King Collective ONE Year Anniversary [More photos HERE]

Where: Juliet

Other Details: The King Collective, a fashion PR and services company for emerging designers, celebrated its one year anniversary at Juliet last night bringing out the fashionable crowd decked out in their finest. Take a look at more photos HERE.

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FORBES Party For EMPIRE STATE OF MIND, (How JAY-Z went from street corner to corner office} Book by Zack O'Malley Greenburg

Where: Forbes Gallery

Who Was There: Richard Mauro, Zack O'Malley Greenburg, Sara Bass, Michael Schultzes, Suzanne O'Malley, Bethany Turner, John Bruner

Other Details: Forbes held a fancy party for Zack O'Malley's new book on "how Jay-Z went from Street corner to corner office." Unfortunately the rapper did not make appearance, but no one seemed to mind.

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Hillary Kerr And Katherine Power Celebrate Their Book Release WHAT TO WEAR, WHERE

Where: II Buco Restaurant

Who Was There: Eva Chen, Joanna Hillman, Erika Bearman, Katherine Power, Sara Riff, Susan Cernak, Joyann King

Other Details: Who, What, Wear founders Hillary Kerr and Katherine Power head to Il Buco to celebrate the release of their second book/fashion guide/tongue twister, entitled What to Wear, Where.