On June 3rd, 2009, celebrity stylist and television personality Robert Verdi joined forces with Housing Works for the filming of an upcoming episode of Robert’s reality show, which is scheduled to air in the Fall of 2009 on LOGO. “The Robert Verdi and Friends Event”, in which Robert generously donated over 30 cases of his personal clothing (about 500 pieces) to the charity, was kicked off with a celebrity packed cocktail party

at the Chelsea location of the Housing Works Thrift Shops. In addition to Robert’s personal donations, his celebrity friends, menswear designers John Bartlett and Steven Alan, hat designer Rod Keenan, home design guru Jonathan Adler, Barney’s New York emperor in residence Simon Doonan and celebrity stylists and designers Bobby Derek, Brian Boye, Collin Cowie, Patrick Doddy, Jamie Drake, Carson Kreesley and Nathan Thomas, also donated from their extensive closets and personal collections. The end result: A store filled with designer clothing and accessories to drool over.

Rod Keenan, Eddie Garou, Marisol Deluna, John Bartlett

The event raised over $12,000.00 in sales that evening, which is phenomenal for a Wednesday at a thrift shop in this bleak economy. But Housing Works isn’t just any thrift shop, it’s a savvy shopper’s paradise! At any given time, a person could walk out with an armful of designer clothing and vintage

delights. The joy is in the hunt! On this night though, the select few invitees didn’t have to hunt very hard. Racks upon racks were filled with unique designer garments and accessories. I personally walked out with a pair of Valentino black patten leather and brown suede wingtip boots!! (swoon!) The invitation to the event was a mask of Robert Verdi’s face, and is truly one of the most unique invitations I have ever seen (see picture). It was quite an enjoyable evening and Housing Works and all parties were delighted!

Invitation from the Robert Verdi Event

Although this could be viewed as just another celebrity shindig in the metropolis of New York (surely these events happen every night, right?) I was especially proud of this particular evening’s soiree. It was a combined effort on my part and Robert’s marketing director, Patrick Clayton, to bring this to Housing Works in the first place. Robert admired Housing Works’ achievements in supplying housing, medication and job training for men, women and children who are homeless and living with AIDS and HIV in New York. I, having admired Robert’s ability to be everywhere at all times and look flawless while doing so, desired to have Robert somehow lend his fame and prestige to my charity, being that I’m on the Board of Directors of the Housing Works Thrift Shops.

The beginnings of this event came out of the realm of the truly jaded. I was originally introduced to Robert Verdi and Patrick Clayton by our mutual friends John Bartlett and John Esty (of Esty Framing) earlier in the year at an event for Bailey House, another one of Gotham’s prestigious charities. I was the third wheel of the Bartlett/Esty party that evening, as they had graciously allowed me to accompany them being that my cohort Mr. Garou was under the weather. As most people will do upon introduction to each other at such events (although no one will EVER admit to this… tee hee) Patrick and I

Housing Works display window for the Robert Verdi event

nodded, assessed each other and turned our heads to feign indifference (both Patrick and I would laugh about this eventually). A week later, I ran into Patrick at a mutual friend’s bacon themed birthday party (don’t ask!), and being in a less stressful environment, we were able to chat amicably and an impromptu brunch was planned for the next day. This brunch at Elmo (and the copious number of Kir Royals on my part) was the incubator in which the idea for the event was hatched. I could not have asked for a better end result! I will forever be indebted to Robert Verdi for helping Housing Works, and to Patrick for being a true friend!

For more information on Housing Works Thrift Shops please visit Shophousingworks.com for their store locations and online shopping. To learn more about the charity and its mission please visit Housingworks.org.