By Walter Greene

Politics and fashion sure make strange bedfellows, but in the New York fashion capital where the fashion industry churns out millions of dollars, and New York Fashion Week as a major money maker, bringing millions into the city, the powers that be in the industry are mostly Obama supporters. A major fundraiser for the Obama campaign is Vogue Magazine’s powerful Editor-in-Chief ANNA WINTOUR. She’s hosted several fundraisers at her Greenwich Village townhouse, reportedly raising some $500,000.00, as well as co-hosted a fund-raiser at the New York City home of actress Sarah Jessica Parker.

RUNWAY TO WIN

Last season, the Theory Store in Manhattan ’s meatpacking district, was the venue for another major Obama fundraiser where Anna Wintour invited 23 New York designers to create T-shirts, tote bags and other accessories to support an event titled “Runway To Win” as part of President Obama’s re-election campaign. Some 500 shoppers paid $250.00 each for the privilege of “throwing down drinks and credit cards” according to Women’s Wear Daily. Anna noted: ”The runway is no longer just a runway, it’s a force for change in politics.” One up and coming designer, bogged own with bags of goodies from fellow fashion designers glowed: “When Anna Wintour calls, who would disobey?”

FASHION’S TOP SUPPORTERS

Actress SCARLETT JOHANASSON, who served as the evening’s co-host, wore a dress by British fashion designer STELLA Mc CARTNEY, daughter of SIR PAUL Mc CARTNEY of The Beatles. RUSSELL SIMMONS designed and created the Obama Polo shirts worn by the waiters. Among the other designers and fashionestas in attendance were: IMAN, DIANE VON FURSTENBERG, AERIN LAUDER, ALEXANDER WANG, TRACY REESE, TORY BURCH, OLIVER THEYSKENS, LAZARA HERNANDEZ of PROENZA SCHOULER, HAMISH BOWLES, PRABAL GURUNG, JOAN SMALLS and KARLIE KLOSS.

CAPTIONS:

Iman

Russell Simmons

Anna Wintour

Joan Smalls