Thomas Onorato - Confessions from the Velvet Ropes: The Glamorous, Grueling Life of Thomas Onorato, New Yorks Top Club Doorman

Table of Contents

First and foremost, Id like to thank Thomas Onorato for all his many, many hours of help and commitment (which, in the Italian-American tradition, involved lots of dramatic yelling and good-natured, back-and-forth insults) and all his club and music scene wisdom. Also my friend Michael Schmidt, for all the hedonistic and intellectually stimulating nights out in New York. Even when the sun comes up and were too drunk to stand, we still manage to roll out the bon mots and the fashion and rock world anecdotes . and Martin Belk (we both gave up Jgermeister for writing).

I would also like to thank Constantino Belverio (my Dad), Bruce Benderson (for all his support and valuable advice over the years), Bruce LaBruce (for being the Michael to my Donald), Camille Paglia (for all of her support, inspiration and hilarious notes and e-mails over the years), Rebecca Voight (my wonderful editor in Paris, who has always believed in my writingthank you for all the encouragement and inspiration),Kelly Cutrone (someday well get married), Mark Simpson (I still have that incriminating photo of you enjoying Ab Fab ), my fabulous editor, Becki Heller (my next book will be a collection of obscure and dated film and Broadway musical references), my agent Doug Stewart at Sterling Lord (for all his terrific advice), Michael T. (glamour incarnate), Kenny Kenny (Shiva on earth, whos proved that people can change), Derek Neen (for his great sense of humor and charm, and all the walks down East Village memory lane), Marc Benecke (a thrill to meet the Godfather of the velvet ropes), Justine D., Larry Tee, The MisShapes, T.C. Conroy, Sarah Lewitinn, Anthony Haden-Guest, Liberation, Lauren Pine, Lyle Derek, Ronnie Cutrone, Dennis Stansbury (because you are you), Vaginal Davis (always an inspiration), Laurie Pike (for getting me into this whole writing business in the first place), Diane Pernet (whos probably attending fashion week in Antarctica or the Republic of Congo right now), Rupert Goldsworthy (you broke the rules), Duncan Elliott (aka Brenda Sexual), Corey Sabourin (Fidel is always on the VIP list), Aric Chen, Patty Powers, Scot D. Ryersson and Michael Orlando (authors of the amazing Infinite Variety: The Life and Legend of the Marchesa Casati ), Damion Matthews (my fellow Vreelandite), Mina Estevez (pass the bitter melon), Yt Orlando (whos always on the right side of the ropes), Anouche Wise, Joselle Yokogawa, Aaron Rassmussen, Kevin Lee and Tomoko Kikuchi (I miss you guys!), Ken Siman, Rex Reed (for People are Crazy Here ), Jay Blotcher and the Ghost of Jackie Susann.

THOMAS ONORATO

First and foremost I would like to thank Glenn Belverio for truly making this book what it is. You are brilliantly intelligent and always witty. Who would have thought after years of calling you my mentor, I would get the honor of working with you as a collaborator. I must also thank the amazing team around us that helped make this book possible, including our editor Rebecca Heller, Doug Stewart, and Franz Gaijin. I would like to thank some near and dear friends and advisors who were kind enough to hold my hand throughout this process, including my loving mom Toni, my life coach T.C. Conroy, the amazing Kirsten Skip Major, my colleague Max Wixom, Kelly Cutrone, whose words convinced me to do this book, and the omniscient Martin Belk.

There are many people who contributed to this book or helped me become this person, and I am grateful to you all. I will do my best to thank all of you, but if I forget anyone, please know that I value all your love and support over the years. Firstly, I must thank Squeezebox creator Michael Schmidt, who gave me my start in this business and taught me the ins and outs of club land, and that the real power is located behind the scenes. Many thank yous must also go to Patrick Briggs, Mr. Tim, Lauren Pine, Misstress Formika, Miss Guy, Sherry Vine, Ronnie, Don Hill, Lisa, Justin Bond, Michael Cavadias, The Motherfuckers man-lady Michael T., lady woman Justine D., Johnny T., and Georgie Seville, The MisShapes Geordon, Leigh, and Greg, Dino Minelli, Sarah Lewitinn, Tricia Romano,Sia Michel, Bruce Tantum, Trenton Straube, Gregory T. Angelo, Les Simpson, Roger, Mauricio and everyone at MAO PR, my it girl Autumn Binion, Abby Ehmann, Brian Damage, Whitey, Paul Devitt, Chris and everyone at Coral Room, Kenny Kenny, Derek Neen, Marc Benecke, Larry Tee, Conrad Ventur, Spencer Product, Joey, Zoe, Emilia and everyone at Nadine Johnson, Mickey Boardman, Drew Elliott, Richie Rich, Traver Rains, Aimee Philips, Macky Dugan and everyone at Heatherette, Tommy Saleh, Mandy Brooks and everyone at Tribeca Grand, Spiky Phil Meynell, David Pianka, Josh Houtkin, Cowboy Dave, Josh Menendez and Club Revolver, George, Mike, Christine, Tim, Nacona and everyone at B-Rude, Angela Shore, Brian Philips, Michael Goodstein, Jerry Kolber and Brian Suarez, Nicky and everyone at Crobar, Tom, Alejandro and everyone at GBH, Michael Matula and Mudhoney, Theodora Sopko, Zach Eichman, Dylan Pass, Jet, James Vincent and Pretty Pretty, Christopher Crawford and Angela Deane, Alex Resto, Luisa Lam, Derrick Maddox, Lyle Derek, the lady Jessica Matlin, Faran Krentcil, the fearless Joseph Janus, Patricia Kennedy, Tom Renaud, Bob Gruen. Eddie Newton, Alexander Thompson, Sean Dack, Tina and Arlene of Fifi Bear, Merlin Bronques, Scott Meriam, Jimmy James, Damien and The Explosion, Melissa Burns, George McAvoy, Richard Tremblay, Craig Robinson, Sean Wicker, Andrew Caldwell, Maro Hagopian Caleb McLoud, Peter at Dior Homme, everyone at Marc by Marc Jacobs, A La Disposition, Sophia Lamar, Zaldy, Zoe Bruns, Joseph McElroy, Anja Brinich, Adrienne Belk, theImaginary Socialite, Tanya Pacht, Michael Akers, Peppermint Gummybear, Theo Kogan, Ron M, Miranda Moondust, Haley Hottpink and The Duchess of RAZZLE DAZZLE herself, Duch. My lovely, unique and original friends William Murphy, Edward Bottger, Hope Miller, Jesse Murray, Jessica Honikman, Chezza Zoeller, Tim McLusky, Demetre D., Virginia Farley, Rita Costa, Andrea Lawn, Jessica Smith.

Due to timing, limitations, and different constraints, certain door people that I learned from and that inspired me are not featured in this book extensively, including my good friend Connie Girl Flemming, the legendary Kitty Boots, Darrell Elmore, Mike Ford, and Gilbert Stafford.

I would not be who I am and have my lust for life without the influence and teachings of some of my longtime idols, including David Bowie, Siouxsie Sioux, Kate Bush, Diana Vreeland, Andy Warhol, Edie Sedgwick, Candy Darling, Richard Martin, Stephen Sprouse, Vivienne Westwood, The Clash, Tom Wolfe, Mark Simpson, Bruce LaBruce, Disco 2000, and Visionaire. Lastly, I must give my due to all the children of the night, the it girls, rock and roll boys, DJs, gays, glamazons, queens, trannies, freaks, fashionistas, and legends that go out and make all these parties so amazing. You all inspire me and I would have never started doing this job eight years ago if it were not for every one of you. Dont stop now kiddies, were just getting started!

THOMAS ONORATO is a doorman and public relations consultant who lives in New York City. His public relations clients range from nightlife to lifestyle, and he has produced numerous fashion shows during New York Fashion Week.

PHOTO by Torkil Gudnason
GROOMING by William Murphy
HAIR by Johnny Gaita