John Varvatos Hosts The Gabby Awards Kickoff

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Last Thursday, John Varvatos hosted Greek America Magazine and the Greek America Foundation at his newly renovated Soho store (which re-opened earlier this month), to launch the countdown to the 2009 Gabby Awards, which honor “Greek America’s Best and Brightest Stars,” taking place on June 19th in Chicago.

More story and photos below....Guests sipped Greek wine by Boutari and appetizers made famous at chef Michael Psilakis’ two Manhattan restaurants, Anthos and Kefi; while guests like American Idol's Constantine Maroulis, ‘Sex and the City’ costume designer Patricia Field, actor Frank Dicopoulos, artist Todd DiCiurcio, and Gabby nominees John Catsimatidis and Col. Matthew Bogdano, enjoyed the appetizers, served by a dozen model-waiters clad in signature black Varvatos clothing.

“This is the greatest idea in the Greek American community in our generation,” said Psilakis. Varvatos added that “Greek Americans who aren’t actively involved with the community have a great vehicle in the Gabby Awards to celebrate the hard work and dedication of so many special individuals. This is a project I’m honored to be a part of.”

At the event, Greek America Magazine publisher Gregory Pappas welcomed the guests and invited everyone to the Windy City for the first Gabby Awards. At the end of the night guests departed with a bag of Gabby goodies—including a box of chocolates and items from the nearby Mastiha Shop, a purveyor of natural products from Greece.

John Varvatos, Michael Psilakis

Andrew Escobar, Todd and Megan DiCiurcio, Robert Fowler