(NEW YORK) While Nicole Miller herself is a bit older, her collection turned the big 2-5 on Tuesday, drawing a late- night crowd bubbling with best wishes. Celebrating her silver anniversary (behind natural bamboo table linens, of course) were friends including Robert Kennedy Jr., Zac Posen, Sarah Wynter, Jane Krakowski, Daphne Zuniga, Dennis Basso, and Isabel Dupre, all of whom converged for a dinner at Chinatown Brasserie. In honor of the fashion milestone, the green- loving designer donated $25, 000 to Riverkeeper, an organization dedicated to the quality of the Hudson River, and an eco- aware Shalom Harlow was quick to show her support for both Miller and the charity-of-choice. “The work that they do protects all of us New Yorker’s, “ she said. “Also, one of the first campaigns that I did was with Nicole and Mario Sorrenti, and it was the first time I learned about recycled soda bottles as a material. Nicole was using them away before we were even considering alternative fabrics like that. “Fellow model Karen Duffy also waxed poetic on Miller. “My favorite piece by Nicole is the once I modeled at the Red Heart fashion show during New York Fashion Week, particularly because of what it stands for,” she recalled. Rachel Zoe was also happy to contribute to a favorite memory. “I started in the business about 13 years ago, and she was one of the first designers who I worked with. It’s kind of incredible that she’s on top of her game for this long,” she professed. “It’s not an easy business.” Another fan, Stan Herman, saw his friend as fashion institution. She’s one of the ture epicenters of Seventh Avenue,” he said. “ Her roots are there, her branches are there, and she’s turned her brand into a lifestyle.” Posen, meanwhile, a former Miller intern, enjoyed a designer moment of his own. “That woman is wearing my bad,” he said, turning around to compliment the guest. “It’s a good shape; the portfolio fits everything and is very simple. The women in my studio started wearing it from the samples and I knew I had to bring it back for next season. Patrick McMullan arrived halfway through the dinner, also attended by Patricia Velasquez, Michelle Hicks, MeredithMelling Burke, and Bettina Zilkha, but was quick to join the party. “I’m an hour-and-a-half late, but no one can leave until I get a shot! He joked to friends Tim and Helen Schifter and Andre Balazs, who brought along his daughter, Alessandra. But Miller, the design doyenne herself, couldn’t help but make a late-night toast and stick around for an even later after- party downstairs (where Cindy Crawford made an appearance). “I’m glad that the company is on a roll; its got a lot of momentum, it’s very exciting,” she said in between hellos, goodbyes, and hugs. “I’m table –hopping tonight, “ she joked as she approached yet another group of fans, whole company CEO Bud Konheim delivered a toast to celebrate the brand.

And like a true New Yorker, Miller has a 5:00 a.m wake- up call the next morning to go to Washington D.C. with Harper’s Bazaar’s Glenda Bailey to lobby against piracy and counterfeiting on behalf of the CFDA. “It’s only a sign of what a professional she is,” said Bailey on her way out, brandishing a seedling tree by way of a parting gift in honor of the nature- saving theme. ALINA DIZIK