Parties: Ambassador Dita Von Teese Makes a Cointreau Splash on a New York Runway

Elegant burlesque star and modern fashion icon Dita Von Teese hosted a Cointreau-drenched evening at New York’s Royalton Hotel on November 15, and we were there.

"I am the international brand ambassador for Cointreau and we have done a few special bars like this," Von Teese told us as she paused for an interview on the red-carpeted runway, before heading inside to introduce her new "My Cointreau Travel Essentials" luxury travel bar. "Last year we did a bar inside a jewelry box. This year I have been traveling so much and so into vintage suitcases that it inspired this new design, based on a chic retro hatbox."

The travel she refers to encompasses her performances around the U.S., as well as across Europe, Asia and Latin America. As reflected in the classic hatbox, her globally renowned style is largely based on bringing back the glamour and sophistication of the Hollywood stars of the 1940s, with a few modern twists. Always dazzling with haute couture costumes, her performances are featured centerpieces at the top fashion events in the world for such designers as Marc Jacobs, Christian Louboutin, Louis Vuitton, Chopard and Cartier.

The "My Cointreau Travel Essentials" gift set launched by Dita Von Teese at New York's Royalton Hotel.

When we asked her if she has plans to bring out a more masculine travel accessory, Dita replied, "I’m making things that I like for myself, so they naturally have a feminine touch. But I think this year's is a little more unisex than last year’s, which was very feminine."

While nibbling the prosciutto wrapped figs, spicy crab salad piled atop dainty cups of yogurt and other tasty hors d’oeuvres, partygoers leafed through copies of the book "Drinks by Dita." The sexy burlesque star explained, "The book includes my signature Cointreau Teese and MargaDita. The rest are some of my favorite cocktails that feature Cointreau. Some are specially designed for me by other mixologists and some are classics like the Cosmopolitan and the Sidecar." The MargaDita and Sidecar were the featured free drinks of the evening, flowing over a bar crowded with her friends Dee Dee Luxe, Murray Hill, Ilona Smithkin and a gang of Manhattan’s young, beautiful and fashionable.

The sophisticated $399 "My Cointreau Travel Essentials" bar can be purchased at Morgans Hotel Group locations, which include the Royalton in New York and the Mondrian hotels in L.A. and South Beach Miami. Astor Wines in New York is also carrying the hatbox bar. It can also be purchased as part of an overnight package starting at $680 that includes the cocktail book and a stay at one of the Morgans hotels, via the website at www.morganshotelgroup.com/en-us/email-special-offers/dita-Von-teese.

For more on the fabulous Dita Von Teese, check out www.dita.net.