The musical acts at Wednesday night’s Kitchen Gala ran from alt-rock serenades (courtesy of indie darlings the National) to full-on sonic assaults. The Kitchen being the grandpappy of experimental performance spaces, the noise music, sound art, or whatever the kids are calling it these days came with the territory. But even the avant-gardiest of the guests blushed when DJ Olive looped a speech by President Bush with flatulence noises—during dinner. “That was innovative,” Ann Dexter-Jones said afterward. As for her own brood of turntablists, well, they were working harder than ever. “Sam [Ronson] is actually recording an album with JC Chasez, you know, the guy from ‘N Sync,” she said excitedly. The gala’s after-party, although in an adjacent room, drew an entirely different (i.e., younger) crowd. “It’s 9:30 p.m., darling,” said Isaac Mizrahi as he headed for the door. “The after-party is in my bedroom with my dog Harry.” This time around, model Daisy Lowe did the deejaying honors. “I’m not a professional or anything,” shrugged the leggy 19-year-old. “This is just an excuse to play the stuff that I want to hear.”—Evelyn Crowley

Photo: NICK HUNT/PatrickMcMullan.com

There are two schools of thought when it comes to packing a suitcase. You’ve got your Louise people, the ones who make a list, check it twice, and fold everything neatly, just so. And then there are the Thelmas of the world, the ones who snatch handfuls from the closet at random, smush all their clothes into little balls, and sit on the suitcase to get it to close. And never the twain shall meet, except when it comes to Metalicus. The Australian label is launching in the United States this fall, and not a moment to soon for Thelmas and Louises alike, who will appreciate the brand’s singular two-way “Bodytight” knit both for its infinite scrunchability and the fact that it never looks wrinkled on the body. Down Underites Naomi Watts and Nicole Kidman are already fans, and come to think of it, pretty good casting for a “Thelma and Louise” remake, to boot.—Maya Singer

Photo: Courtesy of Metalicus

For a wedding that was planned more quickly than it takes most women to pick out an engagement ring—about four weeks—actress Joy Bryant’s nuptials to stuntman Dave Pope, which took place in a friend’s backyard in Amangassett, were shockingly chic. (And just in case anybody was wondering about the rush, Pope’s been booked for a significant part as both actor and stuntman in the upcoming “Prince of Persia: the Sands of Time,” with Jake Gyllenhaal, with production starting in Morocco on Tuesday and not wrapping till the fall.) The bride, who met Pope on the set of this year’s “Welcome Home, Roscoe Jenkins,” wore a specially made cream Missoni wedding gown—which will debut exclusively in a fall issue of Bazaar—and the groom wore a custom-made gray Calvin Klein suit. Guests at the 60-person affair included Karolina Kurkova, Georgina Chapman and Harvey Weinstein, Stella Schnabel, and models Leilani Bishop and Deborah Shaw. Bryant’s new father-in-law made a touching speech and fielded questions about his Washington State-based outreach program, which the bride and groom asked people to donate to in lieu of gifts. There was a break-dancing competition among the children on the dance floor, which was about as intense as the weekend festivities got (if you don’t count when Kurkova forgot to save Weinstein and agent Jason Weinberg’s seats when they hit the buffet, prompting the producer to smile and jab, “We’ll see if you’re in any of my movies, Kurkova”). “This is exactly what I wanted,” Bryant said at dinner. “My family, my good friends, and a fantastic day. But it does feel weird to say I’m married!” By the end of the night, however, after she’d shimmied into the Missoni number seen above, she got more used to the idea. At least it seemed that way when she kept chanting it from the dance floor.—Derek Blasberg

Photo: Derek Blasberg

Tonight, Frida Giannini will show Gucci’s Resort 2009 collection, followed by a dinner and party, in her hometown of Rome to celebrate the label’s refurbished boutique on the Via Condotti and the shop’s 70th anniversary in the Eternal City. Here, the designer expounds on what to do, wear, and eat, ahem, when in Rome. See Sarah Mower’s review and all the photos from Gucci’s Resort 2009 show on Style.com tomorrow morning.

When in Rome, what does a Roman do? What are your favorite haunts and things to do in your home city?

I love the fact that you can just walk around and “feel” the city and its history. My favorite places include the Gianicolo Hill—where I have always lived with my family—the Isola Tiberina, the Porta Portese and the Borghetto Flaminio street markets. And when in Rome, it’s great to have a good Roman meal. Trattoria del Cordaro is a small family-run restaurant where I often like to go and order a very typical dish—tagliolini alla gricia.

What does the fashion history of Rome mean to you? Do you remember the days of the Alta Moda when you were young?

Since I was a teenager, the real Alta Moda was already in Paris, so I don’t have any direct memories of the haute couture in Rome. If I have to think of a Roman designer, though, the most emblematic and prestigious one is the legendary Roberto Capucci.

Who are the Roman style icons?

Definitely Monica Vitti in Antonioni’s films. In “L’Eclisse,” she was magnificent and truly beautiful.

Define the essence of Roman style, for women and men.

Romans in general have an easy-going attitude, similar to me—in a way, to the Parisian nonchalance. In Rome, people “live” in the streets and their style is very much influenced by the sun and the nearby sea. In fact, Romans love to wear colors and mix different pieces.

Does that feed into your ideas for Gucci? Do you think the dolce vita still exists?

Of course it feeds into my ideas. I’m inspired by everything that surrounds me. Rome especially has given me the warmth and positive spirit when creating my collections. The dolce vita will forever exist in Rome. It’s in the air, in the people; it’s a way of being and enjoying life.

When you finally get away for summer, where will you go? And what are you packing?

This summer I will run to Sabaudia, on the seaside, just south of Rome. I’ll be packing light, of course: bathing suits, straw hats, light flowy dresses, sandals, sunscreen, and a good book.

—Sarah MowerPhoto: Venturelli/WireImage.com

With one year left in her twenties, Ferebee Bishop Taube decided the best place to celebrate her birthday would be the Great Jones Cafe (which one guest labeled the “best place for comfort food when you’re experiencing the world’s worst hangover”). Joining her last night were friends Olivia Chantecaille, Maggie Betts, Barbara Bush, and Eleanor Ylvisaker, as well as a couple of the designers (Alexander Wang and Elise Øverland) the PR maven works with. A highlight was the attendance of the handsome husbands of Taube’s fancy girlfriends, most of whom claim late meetings or last-minute projects when she invites them to what they tend to refer to as “those retail parties” (read: store parties and fashion events). Perhaps they had the right idea, as it did get a little sticky when the same-sex-oriented (the male sex, that is) fashion types tried their best pickup lines on the better halves: “Shall we go to the john, John?” and “I’ll swim in your brook, Brooke.” All was forgiven when the ribs came out, however—we even spotted some girls who look like they haven’t had so much as an M&M this entire week chowing down on the pork products.—Derek Blasberg

Photo: Derek Blasberg

Backstage after the Fendi show, there was a crush around Karl Lagerfeld, but we managed to nab Amanda Harlech (the maestro’s touchstone) sneaking out for a cigarette. We chatted about the time she spends in Rome for the label. “When it’s time to go to Fendi HQ, we stay at the Hotel Hassler (6 Piazza Trinità dei Monti). For Karl, the view from the room is paramount, so we choose the hotel accordingly,” Harlech revealed. “When I’m not working, I love searching for the most antiquated shops I can find. To the discerning eye, these can be treasure troves, full of fantastic jewels sold in haste by some impoverished principessa. And even in the stuffiest and most traditional haberdashers you can find stockings made in the finest delicate cashmere.”—Jasmine Serrurier

Laetitia Crahay, the artistic director of the French millinery brand Maison Michel, is trying to explain the inspiration for the transparent head covering with brocade edging that was the brand’s highly coveted, must-have accessory last season. “You know what I mean—the plastic cover that French women use when they run in the rain from a hairdresser?” she asks. The item that looks set to be MM’s Spring ‘08 hit is a sixties-inspired floral headband that already has a cult following (Kylie Minogue, Naomi Campbell, Natalia Vodiaova, and Kate Bosworth all have one). “It’s girlie-sexy, you know?” says Crahay, whose creative duties extend beyond working for the house founded in 1936 by Auguste Michel. She also designs accessories and costume jewelry for Chanel, which purchased the smaller house in 1997 to ensure the preservation of authentic techniques and old-school craftsmanship, both of which are evident in Maison Michel’s berets, bowlers, and bejeweled veils. Bets are on for which of the Fall collection’s 23 designs will be most popular when they make their debut in Paris this week. But we’ve got money on whatever Irina Lazareanu gravitated toward this weekend during the shoot for the ad campaign. Maison Michel is available in the U.S. at Fred Segal. For more information, see www.michel-paris.com.—Linlee Allen

Photo: Courtesy of Maison Michel

An average day in the life of Jessica Stam is usually scheduled with military precision. But every once in a while, the fashion and casting gods will look down on a supermodel and say, “Take the morning off and go shopping.” And that was yesterday morning. After she had breakfast at her hotel, Stam’s driver delivered her to three stores before her Dries Van Noten, Alexander McQueen, and Stella McCartney fittings and Jean Paul Gaultier show. (At least that was the schedule when we left her.) The first, Isabel Marant, provided a scarf and “the best T-shirts in the world”; the second, Petit Bateau, provided “more of the best T-shirts in the world,” as well as a present for a friend’s newborn. (We’ll tell you who if you promise not to spoil the surprise: Nicole Richie). Lastly, Stam descended into the Dior Homme dungeon for a new pair of jeans. “This doesn’t happen every season,” she assured us as she ran into an organic food shop for some soy milk. “But when it does, it’s heaven.” For another top model’s crazy day, check in later this week when we spend a day with Coco Rocha.—Derek Blasberg

Photo: Derek Blasberg

Angelenos were treated to a dose of witty intellect yesterday courtesy of a Q&A session with Ruben and Isabel Toledo. “At age 14, she was already looking like a divorced 30-year-old,” boasted Ruben when quizzed about his initial meeting with his future wife. “Today, she’s more like a mix between Morticia Adams and Frida Kahlo.” The Toledos, who’ve been married for 24 years, were in L.A. as subjects of a multimedia presentation called “Inside the Designer’s Studio” at the Pacific Design Center. “Ruben is black and white, whereas I am color,” was Isabel’s response. As guests such as Liz Goldwyn and Juan Carlos Obando listened, the Toledos shared other observations. Some of our favorites:

“If I wasn’t a designer I’d be a private eye, because I love solving problems” (Isabel).

“Style is soul; it’s part of your DNA” (Ruben).

“A mass garment that makes a lot of people feel comfortably powerful” (Isabel, when asked to define the term “classic”).

And: “That’s easy. It came from New York Times photographer Bill Cunningham. He said, ‘Always keep your enthusiasm.’ And he was right!” (Isabel, when asked for the best advice they had ever received).—Linlee Allen

Photo: Linlee Allen