The pleasure dome of William Dafoe at Tina Brown's Talk magazine on Liberty Island.

Marla Maples and beau Michael Mailer move in for the kill on Norman on crutches.

Liz Calirborne's head menswear designer Paul LaFontaine is flanked by supermodels Ryan Locke and Mark Fisher.

Mark Jacobs (right) greets Kal Ruttenstein and SoBe prodigy Esteban Cortazar after Marc's Spring 2000 men's show.

Two fashion shows and a funeral, plus still more talk about Talk.

In the aftermath of the epic departure of JFK Jr., Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, and Lauren Bessette, G.W. went riffling through the Pet Shop Boys catalog, as he is always wont, to find the appropriate requiem to sum the mood, to numb the sudden pain, and decide what this was all supposed to mean. In moments of triumph or tragedy, G.W. always refers to the music of Neil Tennant, the mastermind behind the underrated British pop duo the Pet Shop Boys. Tennant is, in this arbiter's personal, humble estimation, the most relevant pop music lyricist of the 20th century.

Comfort after the death of John-John came to G-Dub in the form of the song "Being Boring" from the Pet Shop Boys' 1990 CD Behavior:

For we were never being boring
We have too much time to find for ourselves
And were we never boring
We were never holding back
Worried that time would come to an end
We were always hoping that
Looking back
You could always rely on a friend
And we were never being boring
We were never being boredÉ

And if that doesn't sum up the Sagittarian John Kennedy Jr. to a hilt, then no song recorded does or ever will. Ironically enough, "Being Boring" is the only Pet Shop Boys video that was directed by Bruce Weber. He, of course, was responsible for the queenious homage to Carolyn Bessette Kennedy in the September 1999 issue of Vanity Fair.

And since we've segued into the publishing world, one might as well add that there is nothing boring at all in the business of the glossy magazine. Take it from G.W., documenting celebrity culture could not be more exciting and competitive than it is today. "So whaddya think of Talk?" were some of the first words from VF editor Graydon Carter's mouth when G.W. took a recent trek to 4X2 (the fashionista's term for 4 Times Square, the new headquarters of Condé Nast). G.W. told G.C. that he thought it was a very admirable start on the part of Tina Brown, and how much he loved the layout, the meta-modern use of fashion editorial throughout the book, and the Eva Tremila feel of the new mag. G.W. went on to state that the Liberty Island launch party was overrated (and the fried chicken served was way too salty). The Yves St. Laurent party – the last soiree held at the Statue of Liberty – was far more fun and glamorous than this effort. G.W. might as well add here that the most memorable moment of the much talked-about Talk magazine bash was clocking the legendary but aged warrior Norman Mailer being aided by his ever-fabulous wife, Norris, and not one but two walking sticks. "It's the damned arthritis!" the brilliant curmudgeon complained, as he bantered with the Rev. Al Sharpton. Hearing just that snippet of conversation was the greatest moment – that, and the sight of the antic bald head of the actor Willem Dafoe. For with all that, one knew that, deep down, Mr. Mailer was quite grateful – grateful that he had at least achieved the age where he must deal with arthritis.

And don't even ponder whether Mr. Carter is worried about Talk magazine – just quash that notion, honey! He is as calm and relaxed as he was that day in his new office at 4 Times Square, postured behind his mammoth desk in a pair of khaki shorts and a beige linen shirt.

Kate Betts putting her imprimatur on Harper's Bazaar is also an incredible moment in the world of high fashion. Stay tuned for scenes from the run-ins of Vogue editrix Anna Wintour and Bazaar's Betts at the French prêt-a-porter in Paris. This is the stuff that fashion drama majors live forÉ

One pivotal moment for this ink-stained wretch during the Spring 2000 New York men's collections week was the aftermath of the Marc Jacobs presentation. As the designer met with the press to provide some much-needed explanation for the rather dull and very ordinary parade of clothes he presented, Kalman Ruttenstein, the long-revered retail czar of Bloomingdale's, was waiting in the wings with a double kiss and an introduction to the new young SoBe designer Esteban Cortazar. "From one enfant terrible to another," Kalman said. "Although I don't know if we can any longer call Marc an enfant terrible." The young Marc Jacobs wannabe gazed at his idol with complete reverence as the smooth operator let loose the spiel about his collection. He's certainly come a long way, that Marc Jacobs, since G.W. interviewed him in the very early '90s, right after the designer had shocked the fashion world by taking over the House of Perry Ellis. Did you have a lifelong desire to design clothes? G.W. asked Jacobs at the time, to which he replied, "Yeah, I would say since I was about 13 or 14. I was always customizing clothes. I always liked clothes, and from when I was about 14, I decided that I wanted to be involved in fashion."

Of the New York men's shows, G.W.'s favorite was the sweet, sexy presentation from the sportswear label Marc Buchanan for Pelle Pelle. The Havana/Copacabana vibe just felt right. And the fashionistas have been quite impressed with the aggressive new Liz Claiborne conglomerate. Liz Claiborne is suddenly becoming chic! For the first time in the company's history, they staged a men's fashion show, and it was a winner in its own subtle, understated way. In many ways it was a benchmark moment for the house. It certainly was for Australian èmigrè Paul LaFontaine, who now heads the menswear division of Liz and who was a case of nerves backstage before the presentation of his premiere collection on American soil. Needless to say, there was nothing postmodern or earth-shattering for the new Liz Claiborne man. But he is all about the chic utilitarian, at the perfect price point, which is always relevant. And I will be in touch.