MERRY MUSCLE

Santa came to town this past Friday in the form of luxury gym owner David Barton and his 10th Annual Toy Drive. Since Barton’s gyms already evoke nightclubs, with their over-the-top décor and moody lighting, the Astor Place location made the perfect venue for the event.

I brought an unwrapped toy in exchange for entrance inside, which felt like a circus-meets-dance party with people dressed in all states of crazy. Not only was it an excuse for the well-toned gym goers to indulge in free vodka soda, the toy drive benefits St. Vincent’s Medical Center, Mount Sinai Hospital Pediatric HIV Program.

Barton co-hosted the event with friends and fashion heavyweights Marc Jacobs, Calvin Klein, Steven Klein and Narciso Rodriguez as well as promoter (and Barton’s wife) Susanne Bartsch; this year they collected around 15,000 toys for children.

Photo Credit: Seth Browarnik, worldredeye.com