Finally, after a grim few months of store closings and vacant windows, Newbury Street is finally getting some action. Joining designers Ted Baker and Jonathan Adler, who set up shop on the strip in the past few weeks, British apparel brand Ben Sherman celebrated its fifth U.S. locale (154 Newbury St., Euro-menswear boutique Sean’s former space) last night with the just kind of blowout the city’s fashion scenesters have been craving. The guest list was tight—and full of beautiful people, natch. The rose petal-flecked vodka cocktails went down easy.  And the music was just right, with DJ Mom Jeans a.k.a. Danny Masterson (who many might recognize as Steven from That ’70s Show) spinning. (View the party photos, with host Ben Mezrich.) (more…)

An extension of the things we’re obsessed with this month:

Ballet-inspired classes: Like the rest of the celeb-following world, we’ve been intrigued by trainer-to-the-stars Tracey Anderson’s dance/Pilates hybrid workouts ever since client Gwyneth started showing off her legs on red carpets everywhere. As we wait for Anderson to open a Boston studio, we’ve signed up to try Life in Synergy’s Ballet Booty and Boston Sports Club’s NYC Ballet Workout Movement. We’ll keep you posted…

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We’re a proud college town. Howard Stern once roamed Boston University. Harvard had a few good alums; Conan, Natalie Portman, and a few other very important folks. Even John Mayer called Berklee his hangout for a time.

There’s many more, of course, like Emerson alum and makeup maven, Bobbi Brown. She’s done-up the dolls of the runway for Oscar de la Renta and Caroline Herrera for years.

And lucky for us, she’s back in town. Brown is launching a new program in makeup artistry this spring at Emerson College, which will kick off with some basic workshops that anyone can sign up for. That means you and me. (more…)

The auditions for the 2009-2010 season Patriots cheerleading squad were held on Saturday at the Dana-Farber Field House At Gillette Stadium. Thanks to some prodding from her sister, Boston magazine online designer Casey McNamara decided to try out even though she had never cheered before in her life.

“My sister literally knocked on my door with coffee in hand that morning,” Casey says. “I knew she was serious, so I quickly got myself glamorized.”

Here’s what Casey’s experience was like.

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Last night, Bostonista went to Symphony Hall for the first time. We really went to see a fashion show. But we stayed for the Mozart. And, my, was listening to classical music relaxing. Like getting a massage. All of the unwinding. And none of the undressing.

Bostonista learned many things at the Symphony. Never clap in the middle of a score. A substantially younger audience painfully realized this after they were the only ones to put their hands together in a very silent hall. Awkward.

After a spectacular performance by conductor James Levine and the orchestra, we again retreated to the reception area, where we watched a runway show featuring 11 gowns designed by area fashion proteges.

View a slide show featuring all of the gowns here.

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Last night was the opening night for the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s Project Mozart program. At the pre-concert reception, professional models donned dresses created by 11 local fashion design students, which were inspired by the composer’s music. Audience members got to vote for their favorites (read more about the event here).

Lasell College junior Christian DePietro sewed together a champagne and pink gown complete with an 17th Century-inspired “false rump” and mermaid bottom, which was upheld by a modern take on the corset with the accent of a fan. The dress was accessorized with a shepherdess hat, which he also mended himself from straw.

See a slide show featuring seven sketches of the students’ designs.

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We like classical music, but it’s tough to sit still and just listen. We need to be doing something creative while strings resound in the background. Like blogging. Or painting. Or people-watching. So it was with great excitement that we found out that the Boston Symphony Orchestra will be meshing Mozart with the runway next week for Project Mozart.

On February 12, 17, and 19 from 6:30-8 p.m. at Symphony Hall, eleven fashion design students from several area schools will showcase handmade evening wear inspired by the music of Mozart. Pre-concert receptions will take place on all three days with models wearing the designs and flitting about the room so guests can judge which dress is their favorite. (more…)

We love a good reason to break in our new Louboutins (which we nabbed on sale, no lie). And what better place than at the Hello Stiletto “Recessionista Shoe Party” with ladies who can truly appreciate a great pair of heels?

The shoe-loving social networking club gathered recently at the Capital Grille in Burlington, where members donned their favorite footwear for a fashion show on the hot pink carpet. Members were asked to show off the best deal they ever got on a pair. Daring designer steals and trendy $20 finds walked the runway, including board member Debbie Mellor’s lace-up Manolos.

See the slide show. (more…)

Yes, Monday night was mighty cold, but that didn’t keep the Boston Home crowd from celebrating the second annual Best of Boston Home issue at the Beehive with us.

Down in the brick-lined cellar decked out with chandeliers, point-lights, and sparkly things, we enjoyed running into Debi Greenberg, owner of Louis Boston, and her husband Mark, a professional race car driver, who told us about his latest venture. It’s a twisted version of the golfing community—instead of building houses and condos around the links, though, he’s going to build big, beautiful vacation houses around a race track. For cars. Better check with the missus before putting down that deposit.

Go here for a slideshow featuring the party-goers

Meanwhile, we were pleased as Svedka punch to see the ever-elegant architect David Hacin of Hacin + Associates, who took the opportunity to talk neighborhood shop with Lekker owner Natalie Carpenter. Neither thought their portraits in our issue looked like them, but got a good laugh nonetheless. (more…)

Been dying to rock Rihanna’s pixie cut? Well, chop, chop. Now’s the time to surrender to the scissors—and for a great cause.

Marc Harris‘ Financial District salon is hosting a Locks of Love cut-a-thon on Monday, Jan. 12, from Noon-6 p.m., and they’ll be offering free haircuts to customers who wish to donate 10 inches or more of their mane to the organization.

Locks of Love is a non-profit that gives hairpieces to children who’ve lost their hair to chemotherapy or suffer from long term medical hair loss. All you have to do to help is make an appointment at the salon for Monday, and Marc Harris stylists will give you a complimentary crop that suits your style and face shape. They’ll even take care of the rest by preparing and shipping off your tresses to the foundation. (more…)