In Style, November 2003

By Lisa Armstrong, Elyssa Lee, Erica Kennedy

After years of hip-hop and teen pop, rock was on a roll at the MTV Video Music Awards. And raven-haired rocker Pink got the party started the night before the show at New York’s Lot 61, where she co-hosted a bash with Missy Elliott and their favorite video director, Dave Meyers. Naturally all the guests got their freak on: Pink danced on a banquette when not canoodling with boyfriend Carey Hart, while stars like Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera came as solo acts and reveled in their single status. “I’m excited to be out having fun with my girlfriends,” Kirsten Dunst said as she did the conga through the crowd. The high point of the night came when Elliott took over the DJ booth and performed an impromptu rap of her new song “Work It.” That Missy, she works hard for the money.

There was no need for a VIP room at the blowout that Sean Combs and Maverick Records honcho Guy Oseary hosted at Cipriani 42nd Street after the MTV Awards, modestly billed as the Greatest Party of All Time. Distinctions between very and not-so-very important persons were made at the door, and even people on the A-plus list (including jeans-clad Ja Rule) were denied entry if their outfits were deemed insufficiently fly. “It’s almost impossible to get in!” said Sheryl Crow, as she marveled at the gold-painted go-go fly girls in cages suspended over the dance floor. “I’m blown away just walking in the door,” said American Idol judge Paula Abdul. “Only Puff would pay for this much hype,” said Usher. (In fact, five sponsors helped to foot the bill.) The R&B heartthrob went move for move with Justin Timberlake, just steps away from where Donatella Versace boogied with twin hunks. A dapper Combs didn’t want the fun to end–even at 4 A.M., when he invited the remaining revelers to the Greatest After-Party of All Time: “I got eggs, bacon, champagne,” he said. “Come on! I ain’t gotta go to work tomorrow.”

The inscription over the entrance to Island Def Jam’s party at the cafe at St. Bart’s Church read, “Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit,” but inside, spirits of a different sort were celebrated. Gwen Stefani and No Doubt toasted the band’s two VMA wins with a round of brightly colored cocktails, while rap music royalty–Ja Rule, LL Cool J and label co-founder Russell Simmons–held court on a tented terrace. “Foxy Brown just took my watch,” Simmons said. “I won’t get it back. See the investments I make in these artists?”

While jeans were banned at Puffy’s fete, denim was de rigueur at MTV’s after-party, sponsored by Levi’s, at Milk Studios. “This is the place for the young and the hip to celebrate tonight,” said Brittany Murphy. But the other Britney–Spears, that is–headed for Jimmy Fallon’s bash at the Tribeca Grand Hotel. She was a slave to the dance floor till nearly 3 A.M., when a “very exhausted” Fallon kicked back in a corner with friends and a well-deserved nightcap. And though rock is definitely back, we’re happy to report that no hotel rooms were trashed. The same, however, cannot be said for some of the guests.

BOX STORY:

What makes your outfit rock?

“This year, what screams ‘rock star’ to me is just being, and looking like, myself. No crazy getups, just my own clothes: a great Yves Saint Laurent jacket, Earl Jeans and Versace shoes.” –SHERYL CROW

“My Dirk Bikkemburg jacket and Armani Jeans. This is what I call rock and roll soul.” –USHER

“You’d never find me in a dress, but this Missoni was too beautiful to pass up. The funky stripes and the fringe seem very rocker to me.” –MICHELLE BRANCH

“My outfit has graffiti all over it–the names of all my previous albums.” –LL COOL J

“This pale green Versace suit–it has the whole rocker/pimp vibe going on.” –DAVID ALAN GRIER

“Just the fact that I’m wearing this Marc Jacobs suit.” –ANTHONY KIEDIS

“Personal style.” –CALVIN KLEIN