Shoppers Buy 33,000 Shoes at Waldorf... Andre's Next New York Venture

WELL SOLD: In the first 90 minutes alone, shoppers at FFANY Shoes on Sale’s annual benefit Wednesday night at the Waldorf bought more than 33,000 pairs of half-priced shoes, raising more than $1 million for breast cancer research and education. “I will admit to a little anxiety [about] how consumers would react tonight in the midst of this troubling environment,” said Michael George, president and chief executive officer of QVC Inc., host of the event, which raised more than $3 million overall.

The event honored Tory Burch as designer of the year and Saks Fifth Avenue as retailer of the year. Saks president and chief merchandising officer, Ron Frasch, accepted the award for the store, and presenters included Rose Marie Bravo, Katie Lee Joel, Pamela Fiori (who “was relieved this event was for FFANY not Fannie Mae”) and Reba McEntire, who is featured in the public service announcements for Shoes on Sale this year. Throughout the night, jokes comparing investing in the market to investing in shoes abounded. “Right now, I think it’s wiser to invest in shoes than in the bank, and when it comes to elevating your mood, high heels pay high dividends,” said Glenda Bailey, editor in chief of Harper’s Bazaar, which won the evening’s Journalism Excellence award.