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A Book Party Bonanza for Patrick McMullan

Patrick McMullan and Blaine Trump with a copy of his new photography book, Glamour Girls.

The pages of Hampton Style, not to mention many other publications, have been filled with images taken by Patrick McMullan, who has captured perhaps the widest array of powerful and provocative characters with his society photographs over the past 30 years. His newest book, Glamour Girls, features 1,000 photographs of women who sometimes radiate it, but very often were bequeathed glamour through Patrick's lens. He includes everyone from Dina Merrill to women who only need a first name: Aretha, Charlize, Sophia, Scarlett, Oprah, Beyoncé; and the semi-mortal ones, like Tinsley, Dayssi, Fabiola, and Muffie.

Most of the women who parade through the book's pages turned out to toast their favorite photographer at a cocktail party hosted by Maybelline at the Whitney Museum on September 27. Upon entering, select ladies were presented with a pink and green Swarovski-crystal-encrusted mascara case. It was like being chosen for the school volleyball team. I was overlooked back in my P.E. days, but I was selected this time. Phew! We then got to hold up the cases and-surprise, surpirise!-get photographed with them. Patrick was swamped with friends in search of an autograph, and he happily accommodated. When it felt like the Whitney was about to burst, a small group peeled off to Bergdorf Goodman's chic seventh floor, where Gilles Mendel provided Patrick and his glam gals with a little supper.

And there was Patrick's world, in close-up. Blaine Trump, looking better than ever in a clingy Michael Kors dress, made shopping plans with André J., the cross-dressing muse, in a Marilyn Monroe wig and his sculpted beard. Jennifer Creel and Erin Lazard were being filmed for some unidentified movie, while Martha Stewart murmured approval of a picture of herself with Raquel Welch. All the while, Patrick's No. 1 glamour girl, his mom, Connie, gazed on with pride.

"A girl who makes the effort. One who goes to the bus stop, not in just a kerchief, but in an Hermes scarf," said Patrick, of his idea of glamour.

And how do his girls describe the Patrick magic? I asked a few of his favorite subjects.

Valesca Guerrand-Hermes: "I'm always happy to see Patrick's smiling face. He makes you feel glamorous even when you're not wearing make-up. Absolutely love him!"

Alexandra Kotur: "Patrick McMullan has a way of always being at the right event, at the right moment. Wherever the glamour girls are, you can be sure Patrick is there, taking their photograph. He doesn't miss a beat, and he doesn't miss a good party." Blaine Trump: "I think Patrick is a glass of the best Champagne. He's always high-octane and brings so much to the party." Hilary Geary Ross: "Patrick is not only a brilliant photographer and author, but a delight to be with! He is a prince among men, handsome, always upbeat, and forever charming."

Eva Lorenzotti: "Patrick is true glamour: passionate, inspired, and elegant."

Bettina Zilkha: "Why do all the glamour girls look so glamorous in this book? Simply put, besides being supremely talented, Patrick has a big heart, and he will never submit an unflattering photograph. So if you're feeling particularly unglamorous, and Patrick snaps your picture, don't worry. He has either magically made you look your best, or he has, magically, made that photo disappear."

Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos: "Patrick knows what to say to make you comfortable when he's shooting. He makes you feel like you are the most glamorous person in the room."

Beth de Woody: "If someone is not a glamour girl, Patrick will make her one."

Tiffany Dubin: "There is a line from my favorite short story by Louis Bromfield that talks about 'everybody who was anybody.' That reminds me of Patrick's work and the spell he casts. Nothing about the characters Patrick photographs-us-nor the society in which we travel, is particularly enthralling, but the way Patrick draws us in and makes us want to follow him, and join his adventure is unique, and gives us all a sense of joy."

Marcia Mishaan: "Patrick's inner beauty brings out the glamour in all of us girls."

Muffie Potter Aston: "Glamour is more than just the clothes, the hair, and the jewels. It's also in the attitude. One can't be glam without feeling glam. And when Patrick spots you for his flash, he himself has an aura that reflects that glamour, so it's easy to light up and sparkle for him."

And that is Patrick. To me, a calm port in a cocktail storm, a generous friend who uses pictures as excuses to introduce people, for jobs, for friendship, for love. He's as happy taking a picture of my kids for a Christmas card as he is snapping Gisele on the runway. All his glamour girls wish him well.