Alan Rish and I have been in the same rooms together a lot. Nightclubs, parties, galas, and events defined our lives for decades. We always went to the club or bar or restaurant of the moment. We were always out. We said polite 'hellos' and introduced the people we were with to each other. We traveled in different circles, but up until very recently, different circles hung out in the same places. Alan became a publicist. He isn’t the type of publicist that you have to track down. He chooses his clients and becomes part of their lives. He uses his vast experiences, and lessons—often learned the hard way—to lead the way.

An itinerant poet, painter, and movie director, Steve Clark is nevertheless no debutante. Classically trained in art history, he also served as a senior editor under George Plimpton at The Paris Review. His 2009 directorial debut, The Last International Playboy (co-written with Thomas Moffett) starred Jason Behr and none other than Lydia Hearst. And this Friday, February 4, he's showing some of his recent paintings in New York.

The actor-musician on Tom Cruise, David Byrne, and Lydia Hearst.

Lydia Hearst is the picturesque, partially nude poster girl for the Steve Clark film The Last International Playboy (drops June 12). In the New York-based film, the model/actress/philanthropist/heiress (not to mention former BlackBook intern) plays a bombshell model who meets protagonist Jack Frost (played by Roswell's Jason Behr) during a hedonistic/self-destructive phase of life. Her topless scene in the flick has been a topic of conversation, and luckily, the media favorite had time to answer our Pop Quiz in between fielding calls.

● Kanye West would like you to know he doesn’t Twitter; he only blogs about 5% of his life ‘cause he’s private like that. [Rap-Up] ● Paulina Porizkova says she was fired from her judge post at America’s Next Top Model on her birthday. [RealityTVWorld] ● How do Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake keep the romance alive? Partying at hot New York nightspots with their parents and grandparents. [P6]

A game of musical chairs is being played by most of the major promotional entities as the summer roof season is upon us. While the highly successful 230 Fifth will still dominate this market just as the Empire State Building dominates its incredible view, some places remain unsettled or don't have a clear opening date due to a myriad of problems. Highbar is getting a quick polish, while the roof at the Stay Hotel is still under construction. Mixed reports come from Cabanas and The Park, and the highly-touted Above Allen will finally get to open its windows amidst hopes that the sound spill doesn't disturb too many hotel guests and nearby residents. Daemon O'Neil, Rose Bar's patient, sweet, and very good-looking door guru (not to be confused with Damion Luaiye), is packing his clipboard and heading over to the Bazaar Bar at the upcoming Trump Soho hotel. The economic downturn, a weak dollar, and a laundry list of safety issues make travel abroad a lot less attractive this season. I hear reports that Hamptons summer rentals are sluggish, yet the Surf Lodge in Montauk is riding high.

So, I finally met Lydia Hearst -- she was interning at BlackBook on Monday. I’m still on site at Webster Hall finishing it (something that may still take some time); the world is in turmoil when I get a "celebrity intern" messenger with a photog. I texted BlackBook and asked if I had to be nice; no one responded, so I was sort of nice.

The model and heiress fetches coffee, fetchingly

UPDATE: See the report of Lydia's day o' interning, plus photo gallery.

● Thierry Mugler will serve as "creative adviser" on Beyonce's forthcoming tour. He will oversee everything from set lighting to choreography and, of course, costumes. [British Vogue] ● The much-rumored Louis Vuitton and Madonna collaboration has debuted. The campaign was shot by Madge's longtime pal Steven Meisel, with a smoky French bistro setting. [WWD] ● Anna Wintour and Vogue will debut a documentary named The September Issue at Sundance; it will be competing for Best Documentary. [THR]