Louis Vuitton Stephen Sprouse Graffiti Launch Party

January 9, 2009 by J.T.

Graffiti Dressed, Christopher Fawcett, Takes Pics of the Audience

Louis Vuitton’s Stephen Sprouse Graffiti Launch Party was the place to be on January 9th. Fashionistas from all over descended on the SoHo boutique, from the upper echelons of the Upper East Side to the gritty streets frequented be many a fedora-wearing LES hipster. The Sprouse Party was divided into two parties: The über-exclusive SoHo Boutique fête and the more casual relaxed Dietch Museum gala. If you received the “Rose” coloured invitation, you were welcome to rub elbows with celebs like as Molly Sims and Brooke Shields at the SoHo boutique. If you were like us, you received the “Neon Green” invitation that got you access to the Deitch Museum party.

Once we arrived there was drama at the door. Turns out one of our entourage members forgot to RSVP to Louis Vuitton. Rather than go Donatella Versace crazy with fear that we were not all going to get in, one of us was able to talk to one the sweet PR girls at the entrance and resolve any discrepancies. The $20 helped too (just kidding!).

Off through the doors we all went, trotting in our casual chic wear (as was required per the invitation) : a little H&M top here, a little LV handbag there, some Louboutins shoes down below, all topped off with a vintage McQueen peacoat I snagged from a past sample sale find. My look was as street as could be but alas, not chic enough to make it to Page 6 (cue the teardrops).

Inside, it was a cornucopia of a Who’s Who in Fashion: Linda Fargo (Bergdorf and Goodman), Arlenis Sosa (Model), Agnyess Deyn (Model), Marc Jacobs and hubby Lorenzo Martone (if you have to ask, you’re on the wrong site), Pietro Beccari and Wife (CFO, LVMH), Yves Carcelle (CEO, LVMH), Patrick McDonald (Lifestyle Editor), Leigh Lezark (Socialite, Fashionista), Debbie Harry (Blondie), and many many more. In fact, there were more fashionistas, stylistas, celebistas (?) than one could count. Oh, and there was lovely artwork too! Who am I kidding: just like for fashion week, we attend less and less for the shows and more and more to be in the presence of celebs in the frontrow.

After taking a tour of the museum and 10+ glasses of champagne later, we knew it was time the StyleRumor entourage get on to the best part of the evening: the concert at the Bowery Ballroom. A mad dash to the coat check at the entrance and quick smoke outside, and we were on our way to seeing Debbie Harry belt out a couple songs in her full 50-60 year old glory. Whilst taking a quick drag outside, we noticed Phillip Blond behind the velvet ropes having a hard time getting into the Deitch. Turns out s/he’s (it?) has had enough plastic surgery done to actually make that him into a really fine she. The PR girls finally figured out the snafu and let him and his boyfriend in but by then everyone was leaving.

We jetted to find a free special Sprouse cab, hired to shuttle guests to the Bowery Ballroom. You could spot one a mile away just by looking for the Sprouse flower advertisement on the roof of the cab. With each cab filled, we spotted a semi free one down the block, waiting in front of a red light by Canal Street. We raced to the car, yanked open the doors and jumped right in all before one could say Balenciaga. As I sat in the front, I turned my head to see who the other two passengers in the car were and also to apologize to them for high jacking the extra free space.

Lo and behold, and to my amazement, I saw a familiar face in the eyes of one of the passengers sitting behind me. I queried him:

Myself: “Sorry about stealing your cab. That said, I know you from someplace, but I don’t know where.”

Mr. X: “Nope you probably don’t know me. I’m almost certain of it.”

Myself: “Nope, I do, I just can’t put my finger on it.”

Mr. X: ” Well, maybe you might see some family semblance between myself and Sprouse. You see, I’m James Sprouse, Stephen Sprouse’s cousin.”

Myself: Jaw drops. Eyes bug out. Q&A begins.

And let me add, that James Sprouse is one fine individual. Both he and his colleague hail from Wisconsin and Maine. Their demeanors were laid back, relaxed and overall extremely friendly, In fact, his kindness and eloquence was humbling whilst I asked my many pointed questions about Stephen Sprouse and how he grew to know him.

James painted a symphonic image of Sprouse’s many artistic influences whilst growing up. A key story he mentioned, which he wasn’t certain if Padilha’s book picked up, was Sprouse being influenced by James’ father, Stephen’s uncle. James’ father used to host the Sprouse cousins at their family home in Maine during the summer. It was at the time, while Stephen was still becoming the man we all grew to love and know, that James’ father used to draw pictures on the kids’ arms. Stephen readily enjoyed it, graffiting his arms with artwork, his name and anything that came to mind. It may be that that single family memory spurred the exuberant artistic creations that the art and fashion world have come to love today.

Our time conversing flowed like a smooth river on a hazy summer, despite the nasty cold weather outside the cab. When we arrived to the Bowery Ballroom, we stretched out legs and headed to the door as an ensemble. Whilst at the door, we noticed that they had already closed the entrance because too many folks were already inside. A LV PR girl came to us and directed our group to form a line behind the other revelers.

I shook my head in dismay, thinking “Geez, do you know who we’re with?”

I went back to the PR rep, poked her and said “Hi! I’m with James Sprouse, Stephen Sprouse’s cousin. Can we just go in?”

And instantaneously, like a deer staring into a pair of Mercedes Benz highbeamers, she excused herself, told us to wait and came shortly back to scoot us past the guard. As we coat checked our gear and headed into the Ballroom, we were dazzled by the amazing array of Louis Vuitton graffiti lining the entrance. After chatting up some more with Sprouse, we began to mingle with the guests on the dancefloor. Shortly after our arrival, we spotted Erin Wasson walking into the dance area, equally mesmerized by the glowing backdrop screen overlooking the stage area.

After sipping a quick Champagne + Chambord (you know how Mama likes it) we were immediately overwhelmed by the fanfare over Debbie Harry’s arrival on stage. In classic 90′s kitsch leotard & spandex gear with a Louis Vuitton Graffiti Bracelet ($1250+ USD, so save your pennies) Debbie began churning through Blondie classics such as “Call Me”, “Heart of Glass”, “One Way or Another” and more. Cute that at one point she said she could “Do this all night”. That was was said at song 4 of 5. Off-stage shortly thereafter she went and the crowd went back to its raucous self.

We cruised the upstairs and downstairs levels, dancing with other models and spotting the cute Louis Vuitton Graffiti T-shirt guys taking pics of the crowd (see below). Using a Polaroid insta-printer, folks could have their party pics digitally printed on the back of a Sprouse card. Cute!

We greeted Donna Karen, who came and left pretty late in the evening. In fact, I think Mama Karen was just there to pick up her daughter Gabrielle. She looked ravishing in her winter frock with a lovely lapis coloured scarf-throw. Towards the late evening we needed a drag but noticed that Erin Watson inaugurated the stage the new designated smoking area. We caught an awesome photo of her right before we lit up our old friend, Marlboro.

The night was getting old, and after seeing Niarchos Stavros do his Greek rendition of dirty dancing, we decided it was time to hit the hay. Unlike most of the other folks at the party, we actually have to get up at 9am to go to work. Alas, if only we had “I-go-to-work-at-5pm-because-I’m-Whitney-Port-and-I’m-in-The-City” lifestyle.

Party pics and more below. Enjoy !