Hamptonites Toast Gigi Grazer’s “The After Wife”

The rain ceased on Friday evening just in time for Christopher Burch to open his Southampton home to guests like Russell Simmons, Rosanna Scotto, actress Michael Michele, Gigi Stone and Kate Betts to toast the release of Gigi Grazer‘s latest book, “The After Wife.”

Grazer’s fifth novel – a companion piece of sorts to her hit “The Starter Wife” – tells the story of a 40-ish widow and her eccentric friends as she attempts to reassert control of her life in the often surreal L.A. landscape.  As in many of her other books, the city of Los Angeles is essentially its own character.

But on Friday, Southampton was the playground, and guests at the intimate soirée admired the beautiful grounds (some stately old trees on the property) whilst sipping Grey Goose cocktails and sampling hors d’oeuvres like veggie spring rolls and shrimp cocktail.  Those in the mood for something a bit more otherworldly treated themselves to psychic readings by the celebrity-beloved AstroTwins.  For the rest of the crowd, talk quickly turned to the end of the summer, and, inevitably for this chic group, fashion week. Monika Chiang, gearing up for her presentation at Lincoln Center’s The Box, was taking it all in stride.  Sporting a white jumpsuit of her own design, she is most inspired, she said, by “contrasts: contrasting textures, masculine and feminine.” She and Burch did double duty this weekend, hosting a “pink” themed bash the following night.

Others were truly savoring the last gasps of summer. Sessa Von Richthofen and Richard Johnson, who spent the season out East, were heading back to L.A. on Sunday, as their daughter is starting Kindergarten this week.  ”I know, it’s the middle of August, and it’s the first time the Brentwood public schools are doing this,” Sessa explained to AVENUEinsider. “I wish we could spend a few more weeks out here.” And for the rest of us…the countdown begins.