Anika Noni Rose fêtes the "Made in Italy" campaign. Photo: Rob Loud, Getty Images

While the rest of New York City was still in a pleasant, limoncello-tinged hangover from the annual Columbus Day Parade, a second, highly fashionable Italian celebration took place on the top floor of the Hearst Tower on Wednesday night.

It was the launch of this year's "Made in Italy" campaign, promoting fashion and luxury goods from the boot peninsula.

Luminaries enjoying the view from the 44th floor of Sir Norman Foster's landmark tower included Padma Lakshmi, "Gossip Girl's" Kelly Rutherford, "Dream Girls'" Anika Noni Rose, Hearst Magazines president Cathie Black, Italian Trade Commissioner Dr. Aniello Musella and designer Derek Lam.

And the three elegant women that every girl and half the homosexuals in NYC media want to be when they grow up: Harper's Bazaar editor Glenda Bailey, Marie Claire editor Joanna Coles, and Town & Country editor Pamela Fiori, were there, too, of course.

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Well! Kelly Rutherford (could she be any slimmer in person? A size zero looks like it would flap about on her like a beach umbrella in a hurricane) admitted she speaks some Italian, but resisted my requests to teach me something saucy.

"I think my favorite Italian word is 'bongiorno,'" she told me.

Geez, Kelly -- snore!

Fortunately, Miss Anika Noni Rose was a lot more fun. Looking lovely in Carmen Marc Valvo (who's Italian-ish! Well, Spanish-Italian-American), the actress gushed about visiting Italy and -- unusually for a Hollywood lady-star -- the delicious pasta.

"I went to Rome to sing at the Vatican," she told me.

Wow! And was the Pope-dude there?

"He was," she said, beaming. "But he was very old, he didn't stay long. It was past his bedtime."

If you're feeling the urge for some authentic Italian, head over to sister site Slashfood -- their Cookbook of the Day just happens to be on making your own pasta. Buon appetito!