V.F. Camera

UPTOWN SWIRL

Valentino and Armani were in the first wave of Italian designers to open new boutiques on Madison Avenue this fall (Prada is soon to become a neighbor), and the impossibly chic were quick to prostrate themselves before somewhat similar limestone storefronts (both designed by architect Peter Marino). No fewer than six celebratory events were thrown for Valentino, including Vanity Fair's dinner at Le Colonial, which was attended by the designer's muse, Sharon Stone.

Armani held a star-studded private dinner atop his store, and then, the next night, he hosted a party for 700 at the Armory, where Eric Clapton, the Fugees, and D'Angelo performed for slavish Armani fans such as Naomi Campbell, Winona Ryder, and Pat Riley. Guests sat in a pillow-strewn amphitheater designed by Robert Isabel 1, and were treated to a sneak preview of the Armani spring 1997 collection, officially unveiled in Milan last month.

RIZA CRUZ