I SPY NY: The Casts of Gossip Girl, Project Runway, and More

I spy in NY…

Gossip Girl‘s Jessica Szohr, Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, Michelle Trachtenberg, Ed Westwick and Sebastian Stan celebrating the release of GG costume designer Eric Daman‘s new coffee table book You Know You Want It Tuesday at Henri Bendel’s (top photo), Project Runway‘s Tim Gunn, Nina Garcia, Michael Kors and season five alum Kenley Collins temporarily renaming 39th Street and Seventh Avenue “Project Runway Avenue” in celebration of the season seven premiere Wednesday morning (middle photo), American Idol season six finalist Melinda Dolittle tearing up Highline Ballroom Sunday night (bottom photo), and Suze Orman signing copies of new book With Women and Money: Owning the Power to Control Your Destiny at Barnes and Noble Union Square Thursday.

[Melinda Dolittle photo by Lisa Pickrel]

I SPY NY: Bethenny Frankel, Arctic Monkeys and More

I spy in NY…

A pregnant Real Housewife of New York Bethenny Frankel posing next to a replica of her 58-foot PETA billboard in Times Square Tuesday (top photo), Arctic Monkeys rocking Terminal Five Thursday night (middle photo), Guy Ritchie talking shop at the Apple Store: SoHo’s Meet The Filmmakers Q&A Wednesday (bottom photo), Ellen Burstyn at the premiere of The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond Thursday at City Cinemas 123, Zoe Saldana hanging at MTV Studios Wednesday, and Project Runway‘s Althea Harper partying at The Eldridge Thursday night.

I SPY NY: Phish, Lenny Kravitz and More

I spy in NY…

Night one of Phish‘s three-night stand at Madison Square Garden Wednesday (top photo), Lenny Kravitz in the studio at two in the morning Saturday (middle photo), Project Runway winner Irina Shabayeva showing off her holiday collection on Models of the Runway winner Kalyn Hemphill at Macy’s Herald Square Saturday (bottom photo), Estelle performing at Friends of the Israeli Defense Forces Gala at Metropolitan Pavillion Saturday, Bloc Party performing at Hudson Terrace Friday night, Bryan Greenberg talking to acting students at alma matter NYU Friday, Questlove spinning at 1Oak Sunday, and Broken Lizard tearing it up at Nokia Theatre Friday night.

Mazel Tov, Irina!

27-year old New York City-based fashion designer Irina Shabayeva is the winner of Project Runway‘s season six, and we couldn’t be happier!!

Shabayeva’s Bryant Park show during the PR finale Thursday completely blew us away – everything from the chic fur hoody vest to the clawed-up black pants to her constant vision of New York City.

“I really want to build a lifestyle brand where it’s not just about the clothes,” Shabayeva says, of her forthcoming line. “It [will be] about the whole image and the attitude.”

Check out her killer runway show, below.

Project Runway Meets Project Migration

We had a great time at the Project Migration and RedLight Children Wine Tasting at The Gates in New York last night. Project Migration sells clothing and fashion accessories, then donates the proceeds to single mothers and their families in Africa.

So it was exciting to not only be a part of the cause, but to see other folks supporting them too!

One supporter we caught up with was Project Runway model and Models of the Runway star Matar Cohen (even more beautiful in person)!

We chatted with Cohen – in Hebrew of course – about her upcoming projects, affiliation with Project Migration, and (what else?) Israel.

“I was supposed to be there for a month but ended up staying for three,” Cohen laughed, of her latest trip to the homeland. “[I view] New York as the place for my career, and Israel as my vacation.”

But she adds she’s been working on projects that will keep her in the city for some time, especially after her designer Gordana Gehlhausen was eliminated on Project Runway last week.

“It’s a secret for now,” she says, about her projects. “But I think I’ll be in New York awhile.”

[Photo by Julio Gaggia]

Quote of the Night

“I don’t call it plus size. I call it plus sexy.”

–Project Runway contestant Qristyl Frazier says

Iman, Korto Momolu Celebrate Sam Fine DVD Launch

Legendary makeup artist Sam Fine has dolled up some of the world’s most beautiful women: Tyra Banks, Naomi Campbell and Vanessa Williams to name a few.

So when we heard that Fine was hosting a party at the Plaza Thursday night to celebrate his new “The Basics of Beauty” DVD, hosted by supermodel Iman (top photo, with Poison Ivy), we had to check it out.

And we were quick to learn we’re not Fine’s only fan!!

Taraji Henson, Wendy Williams, Deborah Cox, RuPaul and Project Runway season five runner-up Korto Momolu (bottom photo) were just a handful of big names in the room.

Momolu chatted with us for a minute about what she’s been up to, post-PR.

“I’m designing,” said Momolu, who sported an animal-print bag with a bullhorn handle. “You know me, with my African.”

Momolu’s line is set to debut this fall, she says, and if it’s anything like her bag, we cannot wait to see more!

In the meantime, you check out her fantastic jewelry collection for sale here.

When Kenley Met Ivy

Despite a bizarre and highly-publicized tiff with her ex, we gotta say, Project Runway season five finalist Kenley Collins is actually a nice gal!

We ran into her at Mr. West in New York Friday night, where she debuted a cropped ‘do, denied throwing anything at her ex, and told us about her website, where you can purchase silk organza dresses with names like “Vanity Heiress” and “WWII Widow.”

All the best, KC!

[Photo by Whitney Tressel]

Christian Siriano Launches Maternity Line

Season four Project Runway winner Christian Siriano has created the fiercest maternity line ever.

“Fierce Mamas,” a new imprint of his Moody Mamas collection, includes dresses, lounge wear and even nursing wear for the couture-conscious pregnant woman.

The feather-adorned gowns go for about $150, and the website offers a size indicator, sorted by month of course!

Check out the full collection here.

Quote of the Day

“This should put a clear answer to the question I am most frequently asked, ‘Was Kenley really that awful, or was she just edited like that?’ When she got angry, I knew to keep my distance. Clearly, she needs therapy. I feel a little sorry for her that she can’t control her emotions and behavior, but on the other hand, absolutely nothing excuses physical violence and throwing a poor, defenseless kitty at someone who is sleeping. I feel bad for the cat, the bruised apples and Zak.”

–Project Runway winner Leanne Marshall, on contestant Kenley Collin’s recent attack on her boyfriend