Last night, in Tommy Hilfiger's sprawling Fifth Avenue flagship, the brand and GQ invited guests to the second annual Men of New York bash.Last night, in Tommy Hilfiger's sprawling Fifth Avenue flagship, the brand and GQ invited guests to the second annual Men of New York bash. Four men were recognized for their contributions to the city this year: actor Josh Charles, New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz, television host Carson Daly, and chef and restaurateur John DeLucie. Naturally, each gent was outfitted head to toe in Tommy Hilfiger.

"Tommy is somebody who, when I first moved to New York, was very supportive of me at MTV," Daly said of his Total Request Live days. "I only had cargo shorts from California—I was a radio deejay—and he gave me my first suit, and it was really special."

While the Misshapes deejayed from the mezzanine, guests hobnobbed and, more important, shopped, with proceeds of their sales going to the Fresh Air Fund, an organization that enables inner-city children to enjoy free outdoor camping holidays. Unfortunately, Hilfiger himself was stuck in Miami due to a travel snafu, but his CEO of North America, Gary Sheinbaum, shed light on the evening's honorees. "These are all-American guys who are very successful in what they do, and they're all highly respected in their fields—it was natural for us."

"It's humbling for me just to be a part of [something with] these well-distinguished men, and to continue to represent New York City in a positive way," offered Cruz. Charles, too, expressed his admiration for his fellow men of New York—and one in particular. "I'm a big fan of Victor's…I got a little shy when I met him!" He, like the other honorees, has had a unique love affair with New York. "Anytime I travel, I always feel good when I come home because New York has everything."

DeLucie, who has opened up a number of restaurants over the past twenty-two years, including The Lion and The Wavery Inn, summed up his city's draw nicely. "There's something about New York, where you get this crush of people that's maddening, invigorating, and thrilling all at the same time."
POST: 2024-05-20