I have gossip for you. And it is good. I was asked to film
an interview for a new project but being busy reporting the massacre it is
during fashion week for paper magazine - by far my favorite assignment - I had to
squeeze the interview in between shows and, in order to have it easy for
everyone, i arranged to do it backstage at the tents in the w suite. Just when
I start getting comfortable and ready, a group of madmen and madwomen storm in
and take possession of the suite because... ready?... Tyra Banks messed herself
and needed to change.  Now, let’s break
this down: messing oneself should not happen if you are older that 5 or younger
than 90. if it happens and in fact you are older than 5 or younger that 90,
then it should be one, single, very unfortunate episode which will bound you to
be made fun of forever and you can’t complain about it. Now I would like to
bring to your attention that Tyra’s people carried a change of clothes for her
at NYC fashion week. Hmmmh... could it be that Tyra messed herself before? or just
that her entourage is so organized that in case tyra would ever, maybe,
possibly mess herself that one time, they have a change of clothes? I don’t
know... but all these thoughts were twirling in my mind when in horror I was
watching such an abomination, feeling so alone in the world. Meanwhile,
everyone is looking at me, to see if i was going to throw a fit because i now
have a production crew and no place to shoot. Excuse me please, the suite is
great but i think I’m gonna go, you know... Maintaining my cool, I called a
friend who owns a nightclub across the street, told him what happened and, in
complete disbelief, he opened the doors so, although a little shaken, we were back
in business and they managed to take my interview. Later that day, I went to Chris Benz show at the lotus club. Chris is the best, his work is very cool but
always with an old school vibe, and he always presents in spaces like that,
which increases to max power the potential of his already awesome work. That
night, I went to the halston party at the legendary don hill’s, which is one of
the original dives! I love dives, but the designer, investors or any huge Celebs
did not show..... but who caaaaareeeessssss!!! The food was great, mini burgers
and fries! And the cocktails excellent! And, all the bright shiny stars of
fashion week showed to light it up and return it to its former glory. It was
great. After that, I ran to One Oak to say hello and give a kiss to the beautiful Amanda Mearst, who was there to co host a party with Catherine Malandrino.
But... the best party of the night was Joie at the Rose Bar!
the best! high energy and great crowd!  Everyone
was having the best time, especially the Hellers, excellent and highly
respected lawyers by day, crazy party super heroes by night, holding court at
their power table to the amusement of Alex Von, Andy valmorbida, Brittny
Gastineau, Gustaf Demarchelier and Seb Gobi. I really need to point out that
events by Vanessa Bismark and by Paul Wilmott are taking the lead this fashion
week and rightly, because they are just great and inventive and carefully
detailed. Later that night, since I decided I did not have enough yet, so I
went to butter for Charlotte Ronson’s after party, mostly because I am friend
with her mom... I just wanted to throw this line in there because, besideS
being the truth, it just amuses me the way it sounds. and I must say I love Ann
Jones.... I joined friends at a table and we danced like maniacs.  And then I decided I STILL did not have
enough yet so I went to a very cool after hour called upstairs, and you can
find it by following the big pink neon arrow pointing to steps that go up to a
graphite covered warehouse with a kick ass bar, amazing DJ and lots of models.
And, after that, i did have enough.

...<< MORE >>

Seriously, I am amazed by my immunity to hangovers. Time goes by but
I've still got it, baby! Yeah! So I woke up and was fairly fresh-faced
for the 11 a.m. Malo show yesterday. I got there, and was greeted and was given a seat and made my way to it and... oh! Godfrey
stole my font row center seat! Godfrey is a great man and a friend but
nevertheless... my seat was pretty cool and I wanted it back. So I
gently told him that that place was assigned to me and I kinda stared
at him waiting for his response, but you know... it gets awkward!
Without missing a beat, he looks at me right back and says that he had
a bum leg and needed to sit there. I mean, now not only do I have to
take my seat back from a friend, but also from a handicapped person,
and I know you think I am an asshole, but I do have a heart! I did not
know how to respond. He did not even apologize, just stared at me, and
on top of it, I saw him dancing like a mad man the night before so...
Maybe he got injured twirling on the pavement outside of a posh club?
The dangers of social life! I just gave him my seat, because I realized
he really, really wanted it, and I ran to the PR people for help. I
told them the seat story and they looked just as puzzled as I did, but
still managed to give me another front row seat.

So I managed to sit down and got ready to enjoy the show... when i saw her: Kelly! Kelly Bensimon,
that is, sitting straight across from me, on the other side of the
massive oval catwalk. This is how it all went down: We make eye
contact. I smile. She smiles and waves. I wave back and she keeps
waving, very excitedly. Then she stands up and starts walking toward
me... so I stand up and meet her in the middle of the catwalk where we
hug and the photographers go crazy and people are staring! After
chatting for a bit, we realized nobody was looking at us anymore, so we
hugged goodbye and went back to our seats and got ready for the show.

...<< MORE >>

So... FYI: If these past couple of days you thought you saw me
strutting down the avenues like a jungle cat, polished yet effortless,
mysteriously edgy but disarmingly approachable... yes, it was me. I AM
BA-ACK!!! AND I LOVE IT!!!

I attended the Adam by Adam Lippes show over the
weekend. I have been his strong supporter since the very beginning,
partially because he is terribly talented but mostly because he and I
have been friends forever, mildly at first, and incandescently after
the week we spent in Rio de Janeiro for New Years Eve several years
ago. When we hugged goodbye at JFK after our returning flight, I knew
that a deep gratitude for surviving the vacation, a new found
appreciation for the little things in life and secrets as dark as our
perfect tans were the pillars of a very long-lasting friendship. And in
fact, here we are, years later, still sensational looking, him, at the
head of a very successful clothing line named after him, and me, just
hanging out backstage….

Anyway, the show was great, and Anna Wintour
was there, who I had never seen at Adam's so... kudos man, you keep
getting better and better and I am proud of you! After the show, I
joined Jonathan Morr, Bob Collacello and Paul Beirne, all veterans of the Rio vacation, and went for lunch at Stand,
Jonathan's new very cool burger joint, and I realized that when you are
happy and with friends, food tastes so good. Or maybe Jonathan simply
knows what he is doing and Stand is a very good restaurant.

Later that night, I met Adam at the dinner for his new collection at BO BO, a very cool-looking restaurant, and shared a fun table with Cynthia Moureto, Fabiola Beracasa and the one and only Jenne Pipino, whom I love. Next stop was, of course, the Beatrice Inn
but... I don't know, maybe I am completely jaded by Los Angeles, where
kids go to a club to party, rather than to network, so I grabbed my
posse and left in a hurry. Destination: The Cubby Hole,
the lesbian bar around the corner. Yes, I have been there before, and I
went back there because one, it is fun, and two, that is where I met Josh Hartnett so, you know... I gave it another shot. He was not there, but we still managed to have a great time and dance like fools!

And after a quick pit stop at Model Karaoke at Cipriani, I called it a night, since the next day I had to wake up at the crack of noon. ...<< MORE >>

I am writing you from my home nested on the remote mountains of Quito - Ecuador,
that is - where I have been spending some dad-and-me quality time for the past
few days. Quito is beautiful and a destination I strongly suggest to any of you
belonging to the quickly disappearing breed of tourists. On my part, I am just
recharging and recovering and reconnecting to reality after a really raunchy week and
long rampage in Miami. And here is another R-word for you: RAIN! I mean, next
time that you hear the expression it can't rain forever, please remember that in
Miami yes it can! but who cares, I went out anyway.
Everything started on my flight,when I realized that the gentleman sitting in
front of me was Jon Voight, Angelina's dad, which generated an instant
fascination on my part and I decided I should have a drink to his capacity of
producing flawless spawn. when i got to Miami, I surprisingly found many and
many friends who agreed with me and also wanted to toast to Jon Voight. So
basically, I was drunk for seven days in honor of Angelina and I really can't
think of any better reason!

Best of the week:
- dinner at Quattro, a very good Italian restaurant on Lincoln road, with my
whole Miami posse, highly entertaining people who live in the hot weather all
year round and as a consequence are completely cooked and can't really construct a
logical sentence. I love it!
- drinks at Club Deuce, a dive bar whose location I can never remember because of a
mysterious yet recurrent confusion that attacks me more or less by the end of my
first bottle of patron. it is very unfortunate because I'd like to go back, I
mean the place is great, in the best dive bar tradition, it is dirty, it smells
bad, people there are weird looking and scary and the bartenders are mean mean
bitches. most popular drink there? Jack Daniel's of course, the slut of all
whiskeys. and Budweiser. I love it!
- Club Set, which allows in only kids UNDER 21,or at least that was my
impression, when I found myself surrounded by fresh innocent faces begging,
begging, begging to have a good time. I REALLY love it!

Worst of the week:
- Halo, where the policy is: if you are in here than you are a VIP. wrong! what
the f*ck. liers! it is like saying that everyone is pretty. plus, if everyone is
a VIP than everyone is treated the same which completely defeats the purpose, I
learned that in my quantum physics class. ...yes I did! ...okay I never took
quantum physics. ...but my sister did and she told me! I hate it!
- I lost my car. literally, I lost my car. I could not remember where my car was
or where I parked it and all because my friend Jochi, who obviously never took
quantum physics either, told me that if I parked it in an outdoor lot on Lincoln
road instead of valet it would have been so much easier. no it wasn't! I spent
half hour in a taxi end of the night trying to find it. I hate it!
okay, that's it for now. Next blog... Fashion week! Can't wait to be back on
NYC, I miss you guys! see you soon. ...<< MORE >>

  And right when you  thought you got rid of me...
 Hi guys, I am back! And I have a question: why are you reading this blog if you 
think I am a douche bag? Come on, exit this page and make room for all those who 
like me, because yes, they are many and many more.
 Did I get rid of you?
 Did I now?
 Okay then, keep reading, but now the douchebag is you!!!
 Anyway...
 Let's talk about my endorsement campaign. I was asked to be the face, literally, 
of a very cool skin care company, Dr. Alessi, which is based in Los Angeles and 
whose promise is to make every client look like me. Pretty groovie, yeah? And, 
as if that was not enough, Dr. Alessi is the founder of an amazing charity 
foundation called face forward, so I am definitely proud and flattered they 
asked me and I hope I will do I good job representing them.
 Now, let's talk about my TV project. I was approached by Lifetime and asked to 
participate in an episode of their show Top This Party. Basically, the show 
follows you and your party planner's trials and tribulations during the 
organization of what tries to be the best party EVER. Since I just got the 
endorsement campaign, and my friend Brittny Gastineau wanted to throw me a party 
for that, we just jumped at it and said YEEEESSSSS! and just like that I am back 
on TV. Let me just say that after my extensive study of parties I kinda knew 
that this party was going to be... well.... but as you know I never say no to an 
party, so I cheerfully accepted the job, packed up and left for Vegas, where the 
show was going to be filmed. 
I was in Vegas for 6 days... have you ever tried anything like that? And I 
thought LAST time I went it was brutal!!! (well.... they did take me to Celine 
Dion's concert....) No, seriously, 6 days is just way to much, the air is just 
poison there... I am so glad it's over, and I am done with Vegas for at least a few weeks!
 The show was a lot of work, but it was fun to film. our party planner is named 
Breakfast, because he throws parties that go on all night and in the morning 
fixes a very good breakfast for everyone. I am serious, there really is a man 
out there who actually takes pride in his ridiculous nick name. the party was at 
prive, the club of the hotel, and it was absolutely vegas style, and special 
guests were heatherettes travor and richie rich, out of the blue in Vegas as 
well. I love them, so it was so random and so fun to see them there!
 Meanwhile... the annual porn convention was held that very week at the Venetian 
hotel... like I was ever going to miss anything like that! since I had made 
friends with some porn stars in the past, and let me just tell you that they are 
fantastic fun sexy girls who party like rock stars and look sooooo good, I was 
invited to the convention and I enjoyed my tour like a 6 years old in a candy 
shop. My favorite things were the woman with the biggest boobs in the world - 
they were enormous, and she was probably well into her fifties... a freak of 
nature like I have only seen in manhattan's time square or in the jungle of 
Ecuador - and the penis mold. yes, the penis mold. a plastic substance that you 
pour on your hard penis to get a mold out of it and a device that you stick into 
the mold to make a dildo out of it. it makes the perfect anniversary gift for 
your loved one. 
you can imagine that after surviving all this in Vegas, I really needed my 
mommy, so I am now in Miami, where it has been raining constantly but I don't 
care, I am actually quite scarred from the whole experience and was very much 
looking forward to stay in and go to the movies a lot. 
okay scratch that. 
some friends flew down from NYC and we are going out like we were in jail for 
thirty years! but that is a whole other blog entry, so until then, be nice to 
one another! and remember that I love you! 

...<< MORE >>

Hello my dear readers. And Merry Belated Christmas. 

Ah the holidays, the time of the year to spend with family and friends, be
merry, exchange gifts, sing Christmas carols and, of course, DRINK! I started on
Christmas Eve, at a friends' home, where the food was sooo much and sooo good,
but the drinks were even better and all us red-cladded guests got pretty wasted
but... hey, it's Christmas that's what people are supposed to do right? Leave
your worries behind? On Christmas Day, while nursing a ferocious hangover and
painfully sleep deprived, I decided to attempt to my soul's salvation and went
to Christmas mass at the Good Shepard church in Beverly Hills.  Feeling better
about myself,  I took care of my earthly needs and went to brunch at the Beverly
Hills Hotel, at the Polo Lounge, were I was surrounded by perfectly looking all
American children with blond hair, everyone was fresh and rested, a string
quartet was playing, and it was so picture perfect that I panicked and had to go
home and take a nap! But I still made it to dinner with friends, a much
anticipated one that is, because we popped open the one-kilo-jar-of-contraband
(beluga caviar, courtesy of my dear santa) and went at it like sharks!

While recovering from our performance, what better to do then go through
"Best and Worst Bodies of the Year" in this week Star magazine issue? So,
between a longoria here and a Kate moss there, we flipped a page and suddenly
realized that the world has gone mad!!!!! More or less, here you have the
headline: "Oprah LIES! Her 60lbs weight gain is for eating binges and not a
thyroid problem like she said". I mean!!! There are just some things that cannot
be done, and believe me - my list on that one is pretty short, but even I know
that you don't fuck with Oprah! People, do not abuse your freedom of speech, it
is not a free world, it is Oprah's world, Star Magazine, you are in so much
trouble! I met Oprah when I was invited to her show, an experience I will never
forget, and trust me, there is no one bigger! When I said goodbye she hugged me,
and I am still not sure weather she did it because she liked me or because she
thought I needed and hug, but whatever the case... StarMag, what are you
thinking, accusing Oprah of lying and calling her fat! 

And as if this was not enough for one night, my friend got a text message
that read that Whoopi Goldberg was at the Cock, in the Lower East Side, inhaling
what she could of  the finest Columbian powder off of the bar counter. 

Here you have it guys, let me quote Chelsey and ask you: For your whole
family not to be taken away forever, would you rather sleep with a fat Oprah or
a Whoopi on coke? 

Happy Holidays!!!!

...<< MORE >>

 

Hello PAPER Readers! Sorry for the long silence... or should I say,
you are welcome for the long silence? Here is your favorite... how do
you say it again... Oh yes, Douche Bag, with more from Los Angeles, to
which I am fast becoming addicted. Now, I don't want to kill the
healthy competition between East Coasters and West Coasters, and sure,
the fashion, parties, power and money are greater in New York, but I am
sorry, you cannot compare the lifestyle. When in New York City, people
are struggling with the incoming cold weather, meetings, sirens and
crowds, while everything is so pretty out here in LA! People are
genuinely happier and I mean... why not? Everyone is good looking! And
on my part, today I had a killer meeting about a new show concept, ate
lunch outside, and came home to sit in my jacuzzi for 45 minutes and
now I am watching TV while trying to focus. Not bad right? Work AND
play! And did I mention everyone is good looking in LA?

So let's re-cap the last few weeks’ activities...

First
of all, happy belated Halloween! This year I had two parties, two
nights in a row, but I could not resist, and dressed as that asshole
from Filthy Rich Cattle Drive both times.
With great success, I might add. Everyone complimented my gear and a
few people genuinely told me that I looked like Fabian Basabe, to whom
I politely replied thank you, because YES, I did take it as a
compliment.

The eve of Halloween I went to a friend's house in Malibu, where I
found out that if there is a lesson to be learned from the movie Mean Girls
it is this: Halloween is the time of the year when girls have an excuse
to dress like sluts. I mean... the slutty bunny, the slutty Dorothy,
the slutty indian, the slutty pirate, the slutty punk vampire... and a
girl who just decided to cut the bull and just wear underwear and a
bra. At least she didn’t pretend, you you know what I mean? After a
couple of hundreds of drinks, our generous and mightily organized host
jammed all of us guests into minivans and shipped us to the Malibu Inn,
a shaggy bar on the ocean, where I spent many many nights during my
college years, along with my Pepperdine friends and the whole cast of Baywatch... It was the ‘90s, you know?

Anyway, things haven't changed and the place was packed with college kids who

really know how to party -- they just started, are new to it, fresh

and never tired, and have absolutely no intention to stop. It was GREAT!

The next night, I started off at the Chateau Marmont,
trying to be civil, a little tired from the night before, but then I
ran into a friend of mine who invited me to a party up on the Hills.
The directions came a password and... I will never be the man to turn
down a password party! The password was not Fidelio, to my
disappointment, but the party was equally awesome, and turned out it
was held in Houdini's house, and I mean, what better place to spend
Halloween but the most magical magician's own place. (Well, no offense
Harry Potter).

And when I thought that I could take a well deserved brake... the
PAPER People hit town, with a series of fortunate events that they have
already accurately reported on this website, but let me tell you one
more time... they were great!!! My personal favorite was the “Thriller”
dance class and contest, which is a party idea only PAPER could come up
with. And another thing... Mr. Mickey, you are the best!

This past week was hardly worth mentioning at all, save for the Rock

The Vote party hosted by Christina Aguilera at Kitson.
It was fun, I walked down my very first red carpet in Los Angeles, and
had a drink outside, in a T-shirt, in November. In addition, it was all
for a great cause. And with these last words, I say goodbye, and until
next time: VOTE!!!! ...<< MORE >>

So sorry I have not written sooner but, as you already know, I have been in Los Angeles
setting up an apartment here. I haven't had much time to spare, being
busy with furniture shopping, car shopping and well... tanning.

But I did make my way to this one awards gala that I just have to
share it with you -- unpacked boxes be damned! First, let me preface it
by saying was so far beyond wretched that to tell you the whole truth
and nothing but the truth, I can't reveal the actual event. Otherwise I
will not be invited back, and I wouldn’t want to miss the chance to
pick up a few more horror stories next year. Anyway, here we go.

The first red flag was the perhaps the dress code, "Black Tie
Optional.” Amused, I decided to wear a pair of jeans and a jacket. I
figured I might be a little under-dressed, but people would forgive me.
Thank god I didn't wear a tux! Everyone there wore a rented old school
tuxedo or -- taking the "optional" to heart -- very, very wide legged
jeans with experimental, unknown sneakers and shirts that even the boys
from 'NSYNC would have ditched. The women looked like they were either
going to the prom in Arkansas or to Sunday mass.

I was hit on by: (in this order), Lil' Kim's
ugly sister, in a leopard blue dress... shirt... I don't know -- it was
torn up and she looked like she had been run over by a car. Next: a
barefoot cougar sucking on a lollipop, followed by a guy who is
producing a movie who would like me to be in it. He handed me his
business card -- which had his picture on it! (Does it double as his
driver’s license??) Making my way through the crowd, shaking my head in
disbelief and trying to keep to myself, I saw it; it
being the buffet table, an extravaganza of sushi next to pasta next to
cookies next to caramelized apples the size of a New York studio. A
selection that would make any self-respecting New York girl with body
issues (and some boys -- you know who you are) purge from ten feet
away. That did it. I packed up my posse and on the chorus of some tacky
seventies disco song and we took off for saner pastures. ...<< MORE >>

Rule #2: YOU ARE A BRAND!

Hello my dear readers. What follows is an interview with Paul
Anderson, a mega-agent who managed to launch and bring success to many
TV and radio personalities -- we are talking about godly skills here.
Unfortunately for me, I was way beyond salvation even for him, but at
least -- probably out of pity -- he granted me this interview, which I
share with you.

Paul’s job is mainly focused on helping the talents he is working
with to focus on their own skills and build what is called in the
business, a “personality brand.”

See, apparently, each one of us has certain characteristics and traits
that define us and make us more appealing to a certain audience than to
another. Once you understand who your audience is, and you are able to
win it, you establish followers. Your stakes go from commodity to
brand, you stop being a disposable face that can be replaced by the
next hot thing, and basically win the hearts of Americans and are in
the business to stay, baby!

OK, the interview is not at all extravagant, but I am completely
intimidated by him and could not bring myself to ask him any of the
hundreds of silly questions that so easily pop in my mind daily. By the
short and focused responses you might get what I mean… he is business
and he is not afraid to show it.

On my part, I am going to go back to plotting my next blog.

Fabian Basabe: How is a manager different from an agent? What do you consider yourself?

Paul Anderson: A typical manager is involved in all
aspects of a talent’s career, including long term strategic goal
setting. An agent is more focused and targets specific deals the
manager and/or talent are pursuing. The best agents are involved in all
aspects of a talent's career.

FB: Describe your typical day.

PA: There is no such thing as a typical day. That’s
one of the great things about being an agent, you never have the same
day twice.

FB: What personality traits does a great agent have?

PA: A great agent needs to be a good listener; be able
to “read the room,” and have excellent communication and follow-through
skills.

FB: What's the biggest perk of doing what you do?

PA: Meeting and working with a terrific range of personalities and characters.

FB: Biggest downside?

PA: Lots of travel that takes me away from my family.

FB: What would you tell a 21-year-old who wants to be you in 10 years?

PA: Identify your passions, educate yourself about those passions, and do everything you do with integrity.

FB: How do you convince an A-lister that you're the best manager/agent for him or her?

PA: You don’t. You don’t earn trust at this level by
being a salesman. You build relationships by openly discussing mutual
interests and work styles. Not everyone is a good fit for each other.
An A-list talent and an A-list agent should be able to figure out if
they will work well together.

FB: What advice would you offer someone new to the industry?

PA: Develop a personality branding plan, including a
set of visualized outcomes you want for yourself over the next five
years. Be specific and deliberate about how you will achieve these
visualized outcomes.



FB: How important is networking?

PA: Networking is always important in any business based on relationships. The entertainment business is chief among them.

FB: In the age of Gawker, TMZ, etc., how has your job changed?

PA: Whenever information, correct or not, is available
instantly, you need to be available and on your toes to help the client
articulate their point of view.

FB: Is there such a thing as bad publicity?

PA: Yes.

FB: Say you're Britney Spears’ manager/agent -- what would you do to rehabilitate her career?

PA: I would have her focus on getting her personal life together. Without that there is no point.

FB: Among your clients, past or present, who would you say had the fastest career jump start and why?

PA: Ryan Seacrest. He doesn’t claim to be the most
talented guy in the room but he is wickedly smart, completely focused,
and has a work ethic second to none.

FB: Are you where you want to be in business?

PA: Yes.

FB: What is next for you?

PA: I’m going to do this as long as I love it. ...<< MORE >>

Rule #1: Be original -- don't be a whore! Sleep with people because you like
them... not because you think it will help you. You will just get passed
around.

We are all familiar with stories of shady agents who want you to meet them at
their homes at night in order to make a move, or tell you, “that is how the
industry is...” NO! This is a terrible misrepresentation and a sad story
unfortunately told over and over again. This is business! You are talent and
they are agents. The agent makes money when you make money. If you are talented
you will work, period! If you are young and inexperienced and a bit naïve, you
will most likely become a pet to an agent that finds you hot... but pay
attention, this is a very expensive city and every day will cost you. Do not be
intimidated, just be aware... you are after a profession and you should be
professional. There are hundreds like you and you are not the first to use sex
as an "in.”

The industry gets a bad rap as it is... be original, actually keep your
clothes on, strengthen your skills by taking classes and getting real work
experience, be on time, and stay away from the bullshit.

I recently interviewed a talent agent at a top talent agency who prefers to
remain anonymous. Like most powerful agents, she prefers to let her work
represent her.

How is a manager different from an agent? What do you consider
yourself?
I'm an agent.

Describe your typical day.
There is no typical day for
an agent. It is truly different every single day.

What personality traits does a great agent need to have?

They must be aggressive, personable, patient, a good talker and a
good listener.

What's the biggest perk of doing what you do?
Watching
people succeed.

Biggest downside?
The job is never done... ironically,
that is an upside as well.

What would you tell a 21-year-old who wants to be you in 10 years?

Nothing is handed to you. Be ready to work for it. Overtime is part
of the job.

What advice would you offer someone new to the industry?

Acting is a profession that doesn't want or need you. Be prepared
for that. Wake up every morning and know you are going to be successful.

How important is networking?
Very important; in this
world, it's always who you know.

What education or training do you recommend?
Be an
assistant and a waitress.

In the age of Gawker, TMZ, etc., how has your job changed?

It hasn't. Just another distraction during the day.

...<< MORE >>

Fashion
Week is long gone, and while I was initially approached to guest blog for
the week, the fine PAPER people have asked me to continue blogging... so here
goes!

I'll start with a little about me and what I am up to this fall...

So I recently signed with a talent agency in New York, Don Buchwald
and Associates. I had to put together a reel and a press book, and
while I’ve had people to organize me in the past, at the end of the day if you
want to get something done you must ultimately do it yourself. So I began... I
went online and skimmed through articles and press mentions about me.... WOW! I
do some really stupid shit! And I thought no one was looking -- ha!

You learn a lot about yourself when you actually pay attention! Well, it is
not all bad... there are some nice features from very respectable (and fair)
writers, front-page stories, magazine covers and, well, a whole lot of fan
messages. But then there is the stuff that stays.

Yesterday I was pictured alongside Paris Hilton,
Brandon Davis and Lindsay Lohan in the
Post and compared to a "perpetually coked-out, poker playing party boy
who is mad, bad and dangerous to know" character on that new ABC show Dirty
Sexy Money. WTF! I mean, okay I get it... I have a bad rap, and that's
the stuff that sells. Do people really want to hear about me laying out on my
terrace all day or watching movies? I certainly wouldn't. But a Thanksgiving
DUI? People love to hate and for those who only know me from what they read, I
can't say I don’t understand the reaction.

I have been quoted saying ridiculous things like "if you don't have to work
why would you?" and "hot people have sex, that's what we do," and thank you, but
I do not need a reminder of all the other things I have said. Umm, it's called a
sense of humor?

But the truth is... I want to work. I got a call the other day from
Howard Stern's people, to do a pre-interview while they
consider having me on the show. The man asked me a series of ludicrous questions
about my life, relationships and my past, which I delivered in truth. Then he
asked me why would I want to be on the show, what did I have to promote... I had
no answer. But then I thought about it... ME! I have to promote me! It is not
that I do not want to work, it is that I can't get a job! People think I don't
need it or I would not take it seriously. That simply is not true! For the last
year I have been working hard to clean up my act. I paid a high profile PR man
$10,000 per month to keep me out of the press, unless it was positive. I got an
agent to market me and I have some projects in the works. But I have a windstorm
of negative press and misrepresentations that make it difficult to get things
going. Even if I call in favors or throw money at the problem.

So while I love New York, I have been and am planning to spend a lot more
time in L.A. taking media training classes, going on go-sees, and taking
meetings. I am determined to get a gig. While I have contemplated joining the
Church of Scientology and sleeping with Tom
Cruise to launch a fast track career, I have decided to pay my dues. I
think people underestimate how difficult it is to actually launch a career in
television. There are no shortcuts -- believe me, the old me would have taken
them. Now, I have buckled down and dedicating my time to people that care about
me, good people who will work with me and getting a job on air.

I will keep you posted on this journey, along with interesting characters I
meet between NY and L.A., and all the trials I am yet to experience. And, for
fun, maybe a list of dos and don’ts to guide those considering the entertainment
industry.

Oh and check out my web page www.fabianbasabe.com. I may as well come
out with it before Gawker and Jossip have their way with me! And since I am
including LA... let’s not forget our dear Perez.

Stay tuned!  -FABIAN BASABE

...<< MORE >>

...<< MORE >>

Holly Doran is one of the fashion world’s most
stylish behind-the-scenes entities. This proud new mother is seen
everywhere by those in the know enough to recognize her -- whether at
the Metropolitan Museum of Art where she is one of the lead organizers of the world renowned Costume Institute Gala, or in the front rows of the shows deciding what Vogue will decide is "now” next. Recently, Doran developed Posh Squeaks,
a high-end online baby boutique. I am honored that Holly could take the
time to speak to me during her busiest week of the year!!

Fabian Basabe: OK, Holly, in five sentences or less... tell me everything. And then I have more questions!

Holly Doran: So Posh Squeaks is an online baby
boutique featuring luxury items for newborns and new moms. I came up
with the idea when I was pregnant with Finley and couldn’t find a
website that carried classic, high-end, quality baby clothes.
Frustrated, I decided to open a place of my own. I reached out to
fellow fashion moms like Plum Sykes, Marina Rust, Emilia Fanjul, and Meredith Melling
to see what brands they loved. What was their most coveted gift and
what gifts they find completely useless? With their feedback, a lot of
research and months of editing the line, I put together a well-chosen
collection of little luxuries, essentials and gifts to make babies and
new moms DROOL. "



FB: Fashion Week
is for big boys and girls... is there a secret underground mini runway
where the nannies bring the little ones to play dress-up while mommies
are making their rounds at the shows?

HD: There definitely is!! Appleseeds
in Chelsea is the place to see and be seen for the under six set. This
members-only indoor playground is like a SoHo House for little ones and
memberships are going fast. They have a 2,500 square foot playground
and classes, including yoga, cooking, art, music and even science!!
Every few hours they do a “toy sweep” and sterilize everything in
sight, so if you are a germaphobe mom (like me), you can rest easy.
Annual membership is available through Posh Squeaks and is absolutely
the MOST thoughtful gift for a downtown mom.

FB: you work/live in the devil's lair...what have
you learned that you would like to pass on to the younger generation
about fashion?

HD: This sounds very very cliché, but... BE
YOURSELF. It is so easy to get caught up in all the baloney when you
are new on the scene. Those who do just look silly. Stay focused. Stay
real. Stay true to yourself and you will find respect and success.

FB: Who are your favorite baby clothing designers?

HD: Baby CZ, Caramel Baby of London, Marie Chantal,
Bella Bliss, Amber Hagen Cashmere, and Gordonsbury Layette. Pixie Lily
makes the MOST beautiful pima cotton layette, which every new baby
deserves. We just picked up a line of new diaper bags by Not Rational
which have been flying off the shelves. This is the “it” bag in
Hollywood and is coming to New York for fall.

FB: What is a baby fashion no-no?

HD:Baby jeans and novelty onesies.

FB: What celebrity couple has the cutest baby in your opinion? And how would you dress him/her?

HD: This is hard because there are SO many cuties!
Coco Arquette, the Beckham boys, the Sheen girls, Reese’s kids...
delicious! Suri is the most well-dressed and Kingston has the best
style. If I had to pick, I guess it would be the Jolie-Pitt children. I
would love to wrap them up in some soft cashmere for a change. They
always seem dressed to hit a Pearl Jam concert.

FB: Who should have their baby taken away by child
services for their ridiculous fashion, or because their mommy has lost
her mind?

HD: Hah! Lynne Spears -- where is this woman?!
Lynne, go to California, get your daughter and get her home. Clearly
this girl needs a hug from mom (then detox, then rehab, then a
makeover, then some parenting classes...).

FB: How do you handle your personal life, motherhood, your new online business and being a Vogue girl... and still find time to participate in this interview?

HD My husband always says… “If you want something done, give it to a busy person. Well... I’m a very busy girl.”

FB: Yes you are! And a whole lot of fun! ...<< MORE >>

So I landed at JFK early from the red eye, went home for a power nap, had a late lunch at Cipriani's (the one in Grand Central Station) and headed over to the New York Yacht Club for Chris Benz's fashion presentation.

Now, as I have tried to convey in this blog, Fashion Week is a lot
of fun, but then, amidst the multitude of events, you stumble into the
one that is really very cool! The Yacht Club is, in my opinion, one of
the best building in NYC, and Chris's presentation was in its best
room... you know, the one with the miniature boats and the wooden walls
and the mosaic glass mirrors on the ceiling? That one. Now, pack it up
with slick socials, cool fashion people and gorgeous models, add a
soundtrack straight from the 1920s, stud it with girls wearing Benz's
colorful and elegant creations and top it off with Chris, the cherry on
top, in a panama hat and a bow tie. It was fun and original and true to
Chris' inspiration -- a modern take on a bygone era.

The next stop was the Vogue event at the rooftop of the Gramercy Park Hotel
where we were greeted by an army of models and cute PR girls, whisked
into the elevators and immersed in the perfectly crowded roof top
space. I said hello to Holly Doran, Meredith Melling Burke, Zani Gugelman, some of my favorite party photographers and some new faces. Many were hyped to head over to Marc Jacobs, John Varvatos and Marc Bouwer,
but we decided to have a quieter evening, despite the chug-a-lot
competition of Mosquito, a lethal drink of vodka, passion fruit, mint,
sugar and a not-really-identified liquor.

OK, I said quieter not quiet. After Vogue, we headed to dinner at the ever fabulous home of Ann Dexter-Jones.
Evenings at her home are always like Christmas -- you see friends that
you love, you meet people that become friends that you love, the house
is welcoming and Ann... well Ann is just Ann: the best. We spent some
time with Greg Calejo, Scott Currie, Vannessa von Bismarck, Mike and Marcy Warren, and many other cool New Yorkers. It was the perfect way to recover from the ever-traumatizing experience of last weekend in L.A. I am pulling the plug now, and going to sleep. Tomorrow I am heading to Princess Pants... I mean Stacey Bendet's for the Alice+Olivia presentation. See you there!  - FABIAN BASABE

...<< MORE >>

Let me start off by saying, what the f*$k! I am called away from
Fashion Week, take a flight that was delayed three hours, sequestered
from civilization, held up in a Marriot in Burbank while my friends are
flying to Vegas for the VMAs literally across the street (yes my hotel was in front of an airport) and for what????

So let me begin. After reading over a ginourmous stack of paper -- my contract -- clearing it with my agent at Don Buchwald,
disturbing my attorney and family friend on a weekend to sign off, I
accept an invitation to be a contestant on a game show called Do You Trust Me on CBS hosted by Tucker Carlson.
I sat patiently all day at the cement pond they called a pool waiting
for my call time today, did a long phone interview and basically was a
good sport and did not complain about anything.

I was finally given a call time
and a driver picked me up to drive me to Studio City. I was greeted and
asked to wait in a tiny room overlooking a dumpster with stained sofas
and no flat screen TV! Hours later I was sent to hair and makeup,
briefed, did a wardrobe check and put back in my room to learn they
went over budget and time and were being kicked off set at 10 p.m...
Yes I was still there at 10 p.m.!!!

A producer had the audacity to offer 500 dollars for my time!

OK, I am done venting... but I guess this is show biz! Something I
have to get used to once I move to LA. Basically, it’s a lot of hurry
up and wait! And sometimes with no result! Oh well, at least it is
sunny!

Check in this week for more Fashion Week coverage, because I am coming home!  -FABIAN BASABE
...<< MORE >>

Greetings from the Valley!

So I was put up at a hotel in Burbank! People in
the Valley are just different -- take for example the genius who
designed the layout of this hotel and put the pool on the wrong side of
the building, so basically I sat on a plastic lounge chair and looked
at a wall with zero sun! This lasted about thirty seconds! LA is all
about the fresh burn... so I made a decision that I could not suffer
anymore and headed to the Beverly Hills Hotel and met Dori Cooperman for lunch with some friends and sat by the poolside in a civilized setting.

I mean honestly, who goes to LA and stays in Burbank!?

Back to Fashion Week... a great
event that I hope you all were aware of was the DHL sponsored rooftop
party at in Bryant Park hosted by Zac Posen to benefit TeachersCount,
a national non-profit that supports the teaching profession. The
centerpiece of the exclusive global partnership is the "Tote for
Teachers" campaign.

I think we can all agree that good teachers are invaluable to our
society and should get way more recognition, respect and funding. If
you can find the time, go online to www.toteforteachers.org and buy a bag, 100% of the proceeds will go to TeachersCount.

While I was still recovering from the previous night, It was good to see Annie Churchill, Maggie Betts and Allison Aston... always gracious and eager to support a cause.  - FABIAN BASABE

...<< MORE >>

Dear readers... I owe you a write up on the DHL-sponsored Zac Posen event which had a great turnout and benefits a great cause, Teacher's Count... bear with me as I am currently at the Admirals Club at
JFK waiting to board a flight to L.A. Oh yeah... I forgot to mention...
I am competing to win a million dollars on a game show this weekend! In
the spirit of the generous charitable efforts this Fashion Week, I hope
I win so I can put it to good use helping people. Will keep you posted!
Wish me luck!

[one hour later]

I am still in the Admiral's Club as my flight was cancelled due to a
mechanical problem... which I just learned is code for "we had too many
empty seats and need to combine flights." I am so mad!!!! Like CBS
couldn't send a plane for me!!!!

Anyway, I am hanging with Diana Ross in the lounge
who is also on my flight so that's pretty cool! I almost did not
recognize her but she looks amazing! And so nice... she is talking to
everyone.... we have at least two more hours, so why not!

Okay I won't keep you just because I am bored out of my mind!!!  - FABIAN BASABE

...<< MORE >>

...<< MORE >>

I don't wear dresses...I wear pants!  And I don't wear girls pants, but if I did they would be Alice+Olivia!  Alice+Olivia designer Stacey Bendet is a dear friend of mine... and one of the first designers I ever modeled for -- granted I had to take my shirt off and get molested on the runway by two hot models at Jet East back in the day!  She has come a long way and her stuff is everywhere and all the fun and sexy ones are wearing her pants.  Thankfully, we know people who can fit in them!  I thought I'd ask her a few questions... for those of you who have not had the pleasure, meet my friend Stacy. (Her show is next week and I will definitely be there!)


Stacey Bendet: Pants.



FB: What excites you most about Fashion Week?

SB: New clothes. I promise my answers will get better.



FB: What is your inspiration this season?
SB: Wonderland, my show is “Alice + Olivia in wonderland,” a sort of mod take on Wonderland; escapism with an ethereal twist.



FB: What are you doing differently this year and how do you expect it to impact the viewers and fans?

SB: The show this year is a presentation, we are only
showing a small selection of the actual line and it is staged more like
a theatrical performance than a show.


FB: Are there any specific models you like to hire year after year?

SB: I love Margaret at Marilyn -- her personality
shines through in every shot. I also love Caroline d’Amore… She isn’t
full time modeling anymore but she has great style.


FB: Are there any new faces in your show?

SB: Yes, the beautiful Sadie Kargman, daughter of Jill Kargman. She is three.

FB: Are you expecting any specific guests this year at your show?

SB: Oh yes, my little niece Madden. She’s one month
old and this will be her first trip to New York. Fabian Basabe is
coming. He’s gorgeous. I hope he wears one of my men’s cashmere hoodies.

FB: Describe what you expect the backstage environment to be before your show.

SB: Fun. I always like it to be fun. The
show/performance should have a lighthearted energy to it. I hate when
people get all stressed, like the show is the end of the world… It’s
fashion, it’s whimsical and I like the girls to feel good.

FB: If you were not wearing your own designs, who would you wear?

SB: My boyfriend’s Adidas sweatpants. Or maybe a great, gold lame, ‘70s one-piece.

FB: If you were to dress a super hero, who would it be and how would you dress him or her?

SB: Well, I thought I was Wonder Woman for a year or
so; I loved those boots and red leotards and wrist bands. But I dunno…
could be fun to put Superman in my green layered silk poof dress.


FB: Would you rather be a superhero or villain? And what would your name be?

SB: Superhero; princess pants


FB: If you woke up from sleepwalking and found
yourself naked in the middle of Times Square, what one item of clothing
or accessory would you wish you had?

SB:My green lizard skin platform shoes

FB: Who is your celebrity crush?

SB: Moby, he’s one of my best friends and I think he’s
brilliant. I don’t really have celebrity crushes or crushes on people I
don’t know, because I usually have crushes on people who inspire me…
Moby is a modern day intellectual. He constantly impresses and inspires
me…

FB: What are your plans after Fashion Week?

SB: I have to go to Paris for the fabric shows and
then I am going to visit my boyfriend Eric in New Mexico where he is
making a movie called Hamlet 2 with Steve Coogan.

FB: Would you dress Britney Spears?

SB: Totally


FB: Which designer has the best backstage catering?

SB: Uhhhhhhhhhhhh, no idea.


FB: What song is currently playing on your iPod?

SB: “So Rich So Pretty” by Mickey Avalon

FB: If your collection this season had a theme song, it would be...

SB: “White Rabbit” by Jefferson Airplane

FB: What would the title of your autobiography be?

SB: Princess Pants!


FB: Who would play you in the movie of your life?

SB: Someone who can do a handstand and touch their feet to their nose while wearing a pair of striped bell bottoms.

FB: People always tell me I look like (fill in the blank with a famous person).

SB: Audrey Hepburn when I wear my hair in a big bun on top of my head with my little ‘60s party dresses.


FB: What is the most common compliment people give you?

SB: Great pants.


FB: What would you most like to accomplish this year?

SB: Opening my Malibu store.

FB: How would you describe your signature look?

SB: Random

FB: Who would you like to challenge to a walk off?

SB: Donna Karan supposedly does a lot of yoga, so maybe a handstand walk off.


FB: What is the first thing you notice when you meet someone?

SB: Their eyes

FB: Describe your most embarrassing hair style.

SB: OMG, totally 7th grade bangs -- the curl-under
with hairspray. I think I have successfully hidden or destroyed all
evidence though.


FB: What would you name your yacht?

SB: I would never have a yacht.


FB: What do you need more of right now?

SB: Underwear. I just moved apartments and I can’t find the box that all of my underwear are in.

FB: What irritates you most in a social situation?

SB: The people who Google you.

FB: What is ...<< MORE >>

ADAM, formerly known as ADAMPLUSEVE, was founded by Adam Lippes, who needs no introduction in the fashion world, having been the youngest person to hold a creative director title at a leading international design house (Oscar de la Renta). Adam is better known these days as creative director genius and the CEO of ADAM.

Okay, let me say ADAM one more time. LOL.

At the beginning of his solo career, Adam's talent had been channeled only into very, very cool underwear. Made with high-end cotton and featuring possibly the best cut around, his undies still hold a special place in my heart.

No but seriously, it is amazing stuff. And now he has reached out to a very cool and chic ready to wear line for both men and women using great fabrics such as high-end cottons and cashmere and applying them to even greater cuts that are very wearable and will make you look hip! There may or may not be a secret after-party where the Patrón shots will be abundant and... well, I will let you know... the fashion presentation is at 5 p.m. -- see you there!

-FABIAN BASABE
...<< MORE >>

Welcome to the evening before Fashion Week
officially begins. However, you would think that it was in full swing
if you had been with me last night. This evening's activities combined
one of the grand, established names of baubles and one of newest most
talented fashion house. Let us begin with a pair of names that we all
know: Van Cleef & Arpels.

I arrived at what was appropriately called “Une Journée à Paris” at the Hammerstein Ballroom
to throngs of people outside desperate to get inside for a peek at
VC&A's latest creations. After navigating my way past the press on
the red carpet I entered into what could only be described as hysteria.
Aside from the crowds there were statuesque models modeling selected
pieces (occasionally with poodles who were sporting their own jewels)
on the runway, which was followed by a show straight out of La Cage aux Folles, except that these really were women. And stunning ones at that!!

I ran into several of New York's more delightful and fabulous young damsels including Tinsley Mortimer and her sister Dabney and the elegant newlywed Minnie Gaghan (née Mortimer),
among others. After several other brief hellos I decided to briefly
abandon hope of making it up the elaborate stairs to the upper levels
and had a quick drink at the bar. Once I had reinvigorated myself, I
braved it up the back stairs to the top where I reconnected with the
previously mentioned group as well as one of my favorite New York
couples: Dennis and Corralie Charriol Paul as well as the always radiant CeCe Cord.

I left the VC&A party just before the fire marshal shut down the door and headed over to Trovata's fashion presentation, which luckily was running late. I arrived just in time to find the ever classic and gorgeous Lauren Bush who has been very busy with her non-profit foundation, FEED, which she founded and is the director of.

Here is its mission statement: (http://www.feedprojects.org)

The FEED project was started by Lauren Bush, Honorary Spokesperson, to
benefit the United Nations World Food Programme. The proceeds from FEED
products go to feed hungry children in school around the world through
WFP's school feeding program. WFP fed 21.7 million children in over 74
countries in 2005. Yet around 400 million kids in the world still go to
bed hungry every night. Hunger and malnutrition kill more people than
AIDS, malaria, and TB combined. In fact, every five seconds a child
dies because he or she is hungry. The FEED project will raise awareness
about child hunger as well as give an education, a full belly, and a
brighter future to one hungry kid at a time!

so take a moment from your hectic schedules and get involved!  -FABIAN BASABE

...<< MORE >>

Okay, so today was an easy day for me... I woke up late and had a few calls to make to L.A. for something exciting that I will share with you later this week and did a pre-interview for a talk show. If I’m chosen to appear on this talk show, I will surely prepare as I always do, and then for some reason, I will most likely forget what I had originally prepared, and say the most inappropriate things. More on this later... I promise!

So tonight I am planning to make two stops, the first being a very civilized affair at the Hammerstein Ballroom for “Une Journée à Paris,” where I am sure to see a lot of friends. The second is Trovata's fall fashion presentation that has a Brazilian theme complete with a caiporera show and cachaça concoctions at none other than the sinful Tunnel.... which we all remember from our younger years of disreputable behavior and blackout nights. I have been to Brazil, Rio in fact, and I can tell you... the only reason people go is for sun and sex! I obviously went to Rio to check out the sights and to find religion, but I thought I'd give you the full picture anyway...

Hopefully the evening will be successful for all those out and about and lucky to be included... I will keep you posted soon! -FABIAN BASABE ...<< MORE >>

"Welcome to Fashion Week, boys and girls. We hope you had a restful Labor Day weekend, cause it's going to get crazy up in this piece. To capture the madness, insanity and general mayhem that goes down from now through Sept. 12, we here at PAPERMAG are trying something different this season: We've enlisted a trio of Fashion Week pros (whom you may have heard of) to blog for us throughout the week; to give you an inside look at the ins, outs, sashays and shantes of Fashion Week, the juiciness that really goes on under those tents.

Allow us to introduce you to our first guest blogger, the one-and-only Fabian Basabe. You may know him as an emerging television personality (Filthy Rich: Cattle Drive, anyone? ) or recognize him from the pages of glossy magazines, where he both writes and is written about. So, without further ado, Fabian?" -PAPERMAG



So, summer is finally over and I only spent three weeks of it in New York. And as much as I enjoyed my time elsewhere and abroad, I have to say that I’m glad to finally be home.

As my dear friend, Bobby Zarem put it, “I Love New York.” I miss the city when I’m away and never really understood those people who say or feel that they have to get out. I need all 24 hours of it… the noise of construction… the crazy cab drivers honking their horns and yelling inaudible obscenities from out their windows. I need Madison Avenue, and the homeless that have better addresses than most Americans… the familiar faces at any time of day… the crazy, secret parties late at night that you can never remember how to find your way back to… I need to know that if I want mozzarella sticks or a Maine lobster at 4 a.m., I can have it in hand in 10 minutes or less. I need a city that can deliver… the simplicity, complexity, the lust and seduction, the arrogance and insecurity, and all the rest of it…

So, Fashion Week begins today -- that seven-day stretch beneath the tents in Bryant Park, where designers flaunt their latest fashions, models run naked behind the stage, and champagne and celebrities are equally abundant. Seasoned fashionistas are gearing up. Many household names return to claim their coveted front-row seats, while the newbies decide who they’ll latch onto this fall for a few freebies and a photo-op. And some others, my God, have no business being here.

The parties… the pictures… I assure you, what happens during Fashion Week does not stay at Fashion Week. From behind their dark glasses -- everyone is watching. And if they aren’t, well, that’s where I come in.

By no means am I actually involved in the fashion industry. I am a guest… a personality… a friend of fashion, if you will. I have many relationships with genius talents and pretty faces, and will introduce them to you one by one throughout the week.

I will be interviewing friends, posting pictures and capturing the moments that represent the best of New York Fashion Week as I see it -- An outside perspective, with insider access.

So stay tuned, let me know what you are up to. And for God’s sake – don’t wear something stupid. -FABIAN BASABE ...<< MORE >>