Whispers with Gina Glickman Giordan

Buffett and Blandi’s How to Stay Sane In the Hurricane!

Several VIP guests experienced a preview of Hurricane Irene when a sprinkling of rain hit Navy Beach in Montauk, where Island Records founder Chris Blackwell hosted a bayside bash to celebrate the launch of his new Blackwell rum. Anjelica Huston, Katie Ford, Luke Janklow, Marcus Samuelsson, Aida Turturro, artists Jules de Balincourt, Piotr Uklanski, director Julian Schnabel, Sotheby’s Tobias Meyer, gallerist David Zwirner, Damian Loeb, collector Adam Lindemann, Lily Kwong, Johan Lindberg, Cynthia Rowley, Bill Powers, Dr. Richard Firshein and wife Marcia Firshein weren’t phased by the downpour and continued to sip black daiquiris, Black Storms, and Blackwell’s own signature cocktail, the Goldeneye, named after his Jamaican resort. Blackwell’s rum was a hit, even Dr. Firshein gave his approval and said, “Chris Blackwell knows how to bring out the best in everyone. He is a dear friend and serial innovator who raises the bar in everything he does.” Apparently the rum was super smooth because even the King of Margaritaville, Jimmy Buffett and wife Jane, were spotted with glass in hand. Jimmy’s idea of gearing up for Hurricane Irene was spoken like a die-hard surfer, “Good waves, I’m going surfing. I suggest everybody get to the beach and then hunker down.” [expand]

While Buffett was surfing, Oscar Blandi was saving hair all over the East End. The famous celebrity hair stylist to the stars (including Kelly Ripa, Jennifer Garner, Reese Witherspoon, Katie Holmes and Jessica Alba) and owner of Oscar Blandi Salon came to the rescue and saved thousands of Hamptonites post-Hurricane Irene. When Blandi realized several of his VIP clients were stuck without electricity and water for days, he quickly came to the Hurricane hair-care rescue via Twitter and tweeted his expert advice, which included using his very own product Pronto Dry Shampoo. Blandi also suggested that his clients just take a load off and pile on his At Home Salon Glaze. Forget Irene, the Blandi brand has been a force to be reckoned with ever since the hair genius expanded his salon team and brought over top celebrity colorist, Holly Bromberg, with her dedicated assistant, Liz, plus two of the industries finest star stylists Jasmine and Brenda Pedersen—a killer team who previously worked their magic at Elizabeth Arden Red Door Salon.

This past Labor Day weekend, RHONYC star, Lu-Ann de Lessep’s kept it real when she hosted an exclusive fundraiser Saturday evening at her estate in Bridgehampton. The Queen of Class said, “It was all Victoria’s idea.” Luann’s daughter, an aspiring artist Victoria de Lessep, convinced mom to host an Art Gallery fundraiser entitled, “Technology’s Affect on Humans” to benefit The Retreat in East Hampton. The no-frills fete curated by Samantha Busiello took place in Lu-Ann’s four-car garage and showcased several local artists including Victoria, David Krase, Gustavo Bonevardi, Darius Yekati, and Mattise Patterson. Guests were buzzing about one specific painting created by Victoria. One woman even inquired about purchasing the painting and a humble Victoria replied, “I wouldn’t know what to charge.”

Jacques Azoulay, Lu-Ann’s boyfriend, played bartender offering wine and snacks. He was the perfect co-host alongside Lu-Ann who let her natural beauty shine. The Countess kept it low-key and said, “Victoria and her friends did all the work here. They even cleaned out and painted the garage for this event.” Clearly mom did help with the guest list, which included several VIP’s, PR Guru Liz Derringer, Barbara K, Richard Kubick, Katherine Drew and Thomas and Chrissy Hughes.

Lu-Ann’s holiday weekend continued Sunday evening at Georgica Restaurant and Lounge when Publisher Paul Turcotte and Kelly Bensimon hosted an end of summer fundraiser event to benefit the Food Bank of NYC. VIP’s including fellow RHONY star, Cindy Barshop showed up to devour chef Seth Levine’s comfort food classics. “America Idol” and Rock of Ages star Constantine Maroulis performed rock and roll hits from Rock of Ages including the crowd pleaser “Don’t Stop Believing.”

Gina Glickman Giordan is a contributing Entertainment Correspondent for ABC’s “On the Red Carpet” and Executive Producer and founder of GMG Entertainment. Watch Giordan’s exclusive celebrity interviews on “In The Mixx,” on People Magazine TV, Hamptons Magazine TV, Dan’s Tube and www.InTheMixxShow.com.