JOAN JEDELL Founder, Publisher, Editor-in-Chief
KAREN
ANN LOVE Editor-at-Large
MICHELE CAMERON
Art
Director
VANESSA WEIMAN
Copy Editor
CONTRIBUTORS
George Gurley
Norah Lawlor
Bobby Love
Laura Taylor
George Wayne
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Photo: Michael Paniccia
Gown: Victor dE Souza
Hair: Henry de la Paz
Makeup: Melissa/La Carezza
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For the past two decades the city has bent over backwards for bike enthusiasts, giving them bike “blanche” paths, bike lanes, and greenways.
Now, I’m a car person. Even Martha Stewart once said, “I thought I knew a lot of people, but Joan, you know everybody. I don’t recall attending one event where your white Mercedes has not been parked outside and we knew that was the party to be at.” For years, cyclists have been trying to get rid of us car enthusiasts. It started years ago with deceptive parking signs clearly designed and placed by sinister sadists. And then Mayor Bloomberg introduced those pesky bike lanes. I love you, Mike, and have thanked you profusely for years—except for that!
I thought the final nail in the coffin for car travel in the city was going to be hammered last month with congestion pricing! Many were going to be forced to walk or take public transportation on cigarette-smoke-infested subway cars (where’s our nonsmoking former mayor when you need him?).
between the roasting garbage and my rational fears of being punched in the face or being mowed down by a Citibike, I can’t tell you how happy I am to get a respite from all of this and head to the bucolic Hamptons with its gorgeous beaches, full moon and sunset skyscapes, farms, art galleries, restaurants, and shopping ’til you’re dropping and dripping with garb from Ralph Lauren, Blue One, Alice + Olivia, Aerin, Prada, Jennifer Miller, Brunello Cucinelli, and Luxury Fashion Group, just to mention a few. And people actually talk and make eye contact here. When I stop by the Golden Pear in Southampton for my morning coffee, I always bump into someone I know. Or when I have lunch or dinner at hot spots 75 Main, Le Bilboquet, or Sant Ambroeus, there’s always great people-watching, terrific food, and many who’s who surprises.
So what was the Congestion Relief Zone, you might ask? While it sounds like something sponsored by Robitussin or Mucinex, it’s actually all local streets and avenues below 60th Street. And why would I even want to go below 60th Street with all the great restaurants on the UES like Avra, Le Bilboquet, Bar Italia, Caravaggio, La Goulue, Il Mulino, Amaranth, and Fleming, among others.
Governor Kath didn’t say that congestion pricing is dead in the water. She didn’t admit that it was a wheelie bad idea. She merely said it was “indefinitely paused.” Well, while we’re on this “temporary break,” maybe our fine state representatives should look into forcing all bicyclists to take out the same kind of insurance as us four-wheel drivers have—just sayin’.
And the two-wheeled maniacs aren’t the only offenders who need to take out collision and bodily damage insurance. Turtle-heads (as I call them) have also taken over—those people who are glued to their smartphones, never bothering to look where they’re walking and running into you without even apologizing. I think pedestrians need side-view mirrors and turn signals to stop these phone addicts from sideswiping them! And don’t even get me started on the dog walkers, who are also too busy on their iPhones and who let the poor dozen or so dogs they’re walking extend on their leashes so you have to do some version of the limbo or Twister just to navigate the sidewalk.
Well, I do love New York. I’m a New York warrior, loyal to my city. I’ll take the good with the bad, hoping the pendulum will swing the other way. But
We have a fantastic issue for you. Philanthropist Jean Shafiroff kicks off our mid-summer issue with more tips for giving back and becoming a successful philanthropist. See if your face made our picks on the charity party pages—including the must-attend event of the season, BCRF’s Hot Pink Party. The always entertaining—and never disappointing— celebrity griller George Wayne tells us all about living in glass houses and his interrogation of the late star architect Philip Johnson. Celebrity profiler extraordinaire George Gurley gets down with the original queen of New York nightlife, the inimitable Nikki Haskell—who at 82 is now turning heads as a “grand-fluencer.” And we also have a treat from our youngest contributor, Bobby Love: Check out his Q&A with the legendary golfer John Daly, who is also Bobby’s pal.
And as always, Hampton Sheet is here to guide you through the summer months—keeping your social calendar up to date with the best of the best of the Hamptons party season and keeping you in-theknow with Norah Lawlor’s guide to restaurants and hotels.
And always remember to be camera-ready for Hampton Sheet! n
Enjoy The Sheet!
Joan Jedell Founder, Publisher, Editor-in-Chief @hamptonsheet jjedell@hamptonsheet.com
The Central Park Conservancy Women’s Committee hosted the 42nd Frederick Law Olmsted Awards Luncheon under a tent in the Conservatory Garden, raising a record $4.6 million to preserve and enhance Central Park for all New Yorkers and visitors. With presenting sponsor Harry Winston Inc., corporate sponsor JPMorgan Chase & Co., and premier sponsor St. John, this event, which supports the city’s most cherished outdoor space, welcomed 1,350 guests who donned hats and fascinators rivaling those worn for the Kentucky Derby or any British royal affair. Co-chaired by Ila Paliwal, Jennifer Saul-Rich, Barbara H. Scott, and Gillian Steel, the sold-out luncheon guests included Michael Bloomberg, Jean Shafiroff, Susan Magrino, Katherine Gage Boulud, Bonnie Comley, Grace Hightower, Margo Nederlander, Deborah Norville, Christine Schwarzman, and Jenna Segal, among others.
Every 14 seconds a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, a complex disease without a simple solution.. But it’s not just women who are affected by this insidious disease—breast cancer makes no distinction between one’s age, gender, or race. Since it was founded in 1993 by the late Evelyn H. Lauder, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation has made it its mission to prevent and cure breast cancer by advancing the world’s most promising research in order to help women and men get the treatments they need. This indefatigable organization, which will not stop until the number of deaths from breast cancer is zero, held its annual star-studded Hot Pink Party at the Glasshouse. Hosted by Elizabeth Hurley and honoring William Lauder with the Evelyn H. Lauder Spirit of Philanthropy Award, this must-attend gala was filled with guests donning pink including La La Anthony, Karlie Kloss, Paul Shaffer, and gala co-chairs Nina Garcia, Vera Wang, and Lizzie and Jonathan Tisch.
La Mer’s The New Deep Purifying Mask not only helps detoxify skin, it also leaves your skin feeling refreshed and looking refined.
$170/1.7oz., cremedelamer.com
Treat yourself to this limited-edition Chanel N°5 The Hair Mist, which subtly and delicately scents your tresses with the notes of the iconic fragrance.
$80/1.2 fl.oz., chanel.com
Get that dewy glow with Clinique’s new Moisture Surge™ 100H Auto-Replenishing Hydrator—a lightweight, oil-free cream that gives skin 100 hours of stabilizing hydration. This replenishing hydrator—with hyaluronic acid, aloe bio-ferment, and a mix of antioxidant, skin-loving vitamins— works to boost moisture immediately.
$84/4.2oz., clinique.com
Beautify, sparkle, and scent skin with Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540 Sparkling Body Oil—a shimmering 24-carat gold scented oil with a floral, amber, and woody aura inspired by the secret of Rouge à l’or (a blend of crystal and gold powder).
$215/200ml., baccarat.com
BRIGHT FUTURE
Youth’s not limited to the young with Estée Lauder’s new Revitalizing Supreme+ Youth Power Creme SPF 25 Moisturizer. This anti-aging moisturizer with SPF and antioxidants is combined with the brand’s Collagen Boosting Technology, which helps visibly lift and firm skin in three zones: cheeks, smile lines, and jawline. $140/2.5oz., esteelauder.com
Turn heads with Tom Ford Beauty's Oud Wood Parfum, which delivers to the senses a rush of iconic oud warmed by seductive vanilla, tonka bean facets, and glowing amber resins. $445/50ml., tomfordbeauty.com
KEY TO CONCEAL
Summer might be here—but so are long days and nights. They might be fun, but they’re tiring too. Don’t fret. Effortlessly conceal and correct under-eye circles and minor skin blemishes with Clé de Peau Beauté’s award-winning Concealer SPF 27—a lightweight formula that blurs imperfections with a natural, airbrushed look and protects the delicate skin around the eyes with SPF 27.
$70/5g., cledepeaubeaute.com
Over 400 guests descended upon the Plaza to celebrate the 68th annual Viennese Opera Ball. Chaired by Denise Rich and Jean Shafiroff, the “A Night Inspired by Aida” gala featured performances by top opera stars including Grammy Award winners Leah Crocetto and Lucas Meachem and acclaimed opera stars Limmie Pulliam, Christian Pursell, and Johanna Will. The event, with support from Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research, raised funds for the music therapy program at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.
BY KATIA GRAYTOK
PHILIPPE BERTHO
Apple Head, 2023, acrylic on canvas, $9,850, martinlawrence.com
Martin Lawrence Galleries
ABOUT THE ARTIST
ROBERT STANDISH
Acrylic on canvas, $19,850, martinlawrence.com
Martin Lawrence Galleries
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Los Angeles painter Robert Standish has abstracted reality for 20 years by altering his powerful and moving photorealistic paintings of daily life. Seven years ago, Standish shifted away from constructing lifelike replicas of the world and into investigating the unconscious unknown through abstraction. His move into an abstract expressionist “wet-on-wet” technique developed in tandem with his interests in cosmology, topography, and psychological theory— namely, Dr. Carl Jung’s notion and analysis of the human psyche.
$3,795, cartier.com
Première de Cartier sunglasses are made of white horn and have a smooth golden finish and gray lenses with golden flashes.
SHAHLA
Green Sapphire Shield Charm, 14 karat yellow gold, $2,310, shahlakarimi.com
Shahla Karimi’s jewelry captures the deep-seated longing human beings have to embrace and ex press their memories. The work distills beauty from the ordinary, featuring duality and a sense of nostalgia—each form inspired by art and architecture from a time past. The Green Sapphire Shield Charm, which is handmade to order with reclaimed metal, is designed to pair with Shahla’s toggle chains. It can be added to any necklace or bracelet.
Philippe Bertho is a classically trained artist. He enrolled in art school in Reims, France, in the early 1990s. There he spent considerable time studying decorative trompe l’oeil painting. Tromp l’oeil (“to fool the eye”) is a technique artists use to create the illusion of a third dimension on a flat surface. It is evident from Bertho’s artwork that he fools much more than the eye…he pulls one in by the heart and also, quite frequently, by the funny bone. Despite his ability to perfectly render reproductions of masterworks, Bertho was drawn to the world of fantasy and illusion. As his style developed, he found inspiration from renowned contem-
Lizette, $340, helenkaminski.com
LOU HANSELL LUXURY HANGERS
$300, louhansell.com
Lizette is a cool, on-trend summer bucket hat crafted from lightweight Japanese cotton linen. This easy-to-wear hat features textural patchwork detail and is finished with a breathable cotton lining, making it an everlasting wardrobe staple.
These are the Rolls Royce of garment hangers. Express your individuality: Experience the Lou Hansell Custom Collection of luxury garment hangers, handcrafted to your style in hand-wrapped Italian leather.
This is your new forever and for-everything bag, with ample storage, classic colors, and a stunning overall design. Let it carry you (and your necessities) from school drop-off to lunch and to dinner with hubby. We also recommend
CHRIS DONOVAN
Endeavor in Aquamarine, $625, chrisdonovanfootwear.com
Chris Donovan’s women’s luxury fashion shoe brand celebrates creativity and individuality. The brand’s unique designs blur the line between fashion and art, resulting in both fashionable shoes and works of art.
Katia Graytok is an awardwinning designer who has worked in New York, the Hamptons, and Palm Beach for decades. In 2016 she founded Kaleidoscope Luxury PR & Communications, a boutique agency specializing in representing artists, art galleries, home furnishings, and luxury textile and fashion companies.
Luxury Real Estate Market Specialist
New York to Montauk
Trudy Schlachter is an award-winning Douglas Elliman real estate agent with 20 years of experience and hundreds of millions of dollars in sales.
Tell us about yourself and your multiple successful careers. As an awardwinning Douglas Elliman real estate agent with 20 years of experience and hundreds of millions of dollars in sales, I have always strived to achieve my goals through determination and commitment. I was creative director of my own advertising agency and an internationally recognized awardwinning photographer. I hold a degree in interior design and a master’s degree in speech pathology.
Has it been difficult to reinvent yourself? Having confidence in myself and my ability to succeed started at an early age. I have never been afraid to fail and think outside the box. I truly fell in love with the world of photography and then began my portrait and beauty/fashion career. I shot over 55 album covers and I wrote and photographed six books about art and fashion.
All my past experiences helped me succeed when I transitioned into real estate. It is not difficult to reinvent yourself if you follow your heart and pursue your dreams.
What is your passion? My passion is helping others. Life has so much more meaning when we reach out and help people in need. Having a passion brings a sense of purpose and makes a positive impact on the world. As the co-president of the Women’s Division of Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Hospital, I feel I am making difference funding research through philanthropy and following my interests.
I have also served on the boards of many schools and charities including Rudolf Steiner School, Lenox School, the Cultural Center of Southampton, the Accessories Council, and the Fashion Roundtable.
What is most important in your life? Love, family, friendship, health, and finding harmony and balance in all aspects of life. My husband, three sons, three daughters-in-law, and three grandchildren light up my life. I am truly blessed!
As a fifth-generation horsewoman, Bridget Marks was riding literally before she was born, foxhunting with the Meadow Brook Hounds Pony Club in Oyster Bay Cove, Long Island, in her ninth month of gestation in her socialite mother Molly Bennett Marks’s belly. It was overheard that observers were wondering who was kicking higher or harder: Mrs. Marks’s horse Zhivago or baby Bridget in the womb.
Fast-forward to Bridget today, who carries on the family tradition of “horses first, children and husband second, and everyone else get in line.”
What effect, if any, did COVID have on the horse-riding community?
The COVID period caused a shortage of horses because breeding programs and horse shows where young horses are trained shut down worldwide, resulting in far fewer quality show-ready animals to choose from. It takes such a long time to find an appropriate new mount that it’s harder to find a horse than a husband! With a horse you can’t fake it till you make it. [laughs] You can either ride it well or end up eating a dirt sandwich after getting dumped. You are known for your expertise in finding amazing horses, mostly for yourself and your beautiful twin daughters, Amber Lynn and Scarlett Lee.
Many friends also seek out my advice. Last year I rode a good friend’s daughter’s horse to Reserve Champion at the Hampton Classic, where I also sponsor a yearly perpetual trophy in memory of my daughter Scarlett Lee’s beautiful hunter Alamo, who passed away unexpectedly in 2014.
What should be avoided when buying a horse?
Horses with ingrained bad habits should be avoided. You are probably not going to change them, just like leopards don't change their spots, and that goes for men as well for that matter. [giggles] Any horsewoman worth her salt knows how to use a riding crop. Behavioral issues such as balking or stopping at a fence should be met with swift and definite punishment without, of course, overdoing it.
What have you learned from your search for choosing the right horses?
I liken choosing potential horses to hunting for rare gems or antiques—it’s always a needle in a haystack! There are those rare diamonds in the rough or random great horses just sitting on the back burner in someone’s barn. You have to be quick on the draw, so to speak, as the good ones, like good men, get snapped up quickly!
Cosmetic dermatologic surgeon Dr. Howard Sobel is the go-to cosmetic dermatologist in New York City and the Hamptons. His toolbox includes the best fillers, neurotoxins, lasers, and noninvasive treatments, and most recently treatments that counteract some of the negative effects of the popular weight-loss drug Ozempic. Has Ozempic changed your practice?
Most definitely. Statistics have shown that one in eight American adults have used weight-loss medications. Sudden weight loss can cause skin to lose elasticity, resulting in loose skin and wrinkles of the face and some body areas. What treatments can you recommend for the effects of facial weight loss?
Sculptra is a great bio-stimulator that gradually stimulates collagen production to help maintain the skin’s shape and structure. Our Vivace (microneedling/radiofrequency) treatment is also an excellent way to stimulate collagen production. Our Helix laser provides a more intense CO2 laser resurfacing, combined with a CoolPeel to reduce fine lines and wrinkles with no additional downtime. And my Ellevate treatment is a minimally invasive suture solution that can refine the lower face and jawline.
What about weight loss in the stomach and butt?
Excess fat is stored differently around the middle and bottom sections. Losing a lot of weight quickly can create irregular pockets of fat. The Emsculpt Neo laser delivers heat and magnetic energy to even out irregular fat and build muscle so you can achieve a smooth shape in the abdomen, love handles, and butt while losing weight. Add the Emtone thermal monopolar radiofrequency and mechanical energy to increase collagen and elastin and reduce the appearance of cellulite associated with the “Ozempic butt.”
Can you permanently improve irregular fat loss when you achieve your goal weight? Yes. The gold standard for permanent irregular fat reduction is liposuction using the “tumescente” technique. This micro liposuction method of sculpting requires only local sedation to even out areas where fat still remains after weight loss.
Eugenia Foxworth is known in Harlem as an entrepreneur/philanthropist and one of the first clients of designer Marc Bouwer.
What have you been doing these past 12 months? I have been traveling from continent to continent attending global real estate conferences, board meetings, and seminars. Some of the places that I’ve attended events have been Cannes, Monaco, Indonesia, Toronto, Miami, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and Taiwan.
How is business in the various countries? With all of the new construction throughout Europe and the Middle East one would not believe that real estate is at a low.
The residents could not wait for the construction to end in Monaco after so many years. Though it has limited space, the Casino Park in Monaco is quite elegant and is surrounded by new high-rises and the usual highend stores. At last the Boulevard de la Croisette construction in Cannes has been completed. The real estate industry in Toronto is booming. They are building so many new places that we were told that there are 28 actively used cranes in Toronto and 280 cranes throughout Canada. Saudi Arabia, known for oil, is now tapping into the entertainment industry and real estate. They are building a vertical sports building that will have every sport represented and are intent on having entertainment to rival that of Dubai, like Beyoncé’s performance in the desert. There’s limited space for walking in Dubai and they are building walking areas. Indonesia is also building a new capital.
Aside from work-related things, what have you been doing personally? Enjoying every day as though it is my last. Shopping, finding new and exciting designers—some of whom graduated from FIT—attending cultural events and exploring so many new restaurants that have opened in Manhattan. I received a few recognitions, one of which is the Medal of Honor from FIABCI for my dedication to the organization. Also, this year Foxworth Realty received an A+ from the Better Business Bureau. n
The Hamptons is not just a playground for the chic and famous. It is first and foremost a philosophy of life, an exercise in style—in one phrase, a distinctive lifestyle—topped with a uniquely American attribute: the ultimate freedom from any dictate.
For our top picks, we keep this goal foremost in our mind: to surprise you with lesser-known luxurious objects that will enlighten your summer.
BY THIERRY CHAUNU
For years this Neuchâtel-based high horology brand has been offering the largest tourbillon in the world—to this day it is still uncontested. This year a ladies’ version is available. The mechanical hand-wound watch features a central flying tourbillon, a cage that rotates every two minutes, 381 components, 33 jewels, four barrels in parallel, a 54-hour power reserve, and it’s water resistant to 99 feet. For the ladies who, well, love to swirl and dance and celebrate life all day and all night long. $195,000, kerbedanz.com
Triple-row brilliant white diamond cascading necklace, handcrafted from 18 karat white gold. Price on request. charleskrypell.com
This dynamic, 100 percent Parisian jewelry brand makes the most exquisite bespoke rings, co-created by you. The pieces are entirely designed and hand made by them in Paris, from the melting of the gold to the hand-setting of the gems. You can visit their workshops at 11 Bis Rue du Conservatoire, 9th ar rondissement, and you can discuss your choices with owners Alexis and Nicolas on a Zoom call (rest assured, they speak perfect English and are among the most talented jewelry designers in the French capital). Starting at $2,000; shown above: $12,500, 404placevendome.com
What do King Charles, the pope, Sean Penn, and President Macron have in common? Like you, they all had to wait two years for their bespoke walking stick to be handcrafted (the sticks, made of medlar tree wood, are stored to dry for 14 years). This is the ultimate walking companion. In Basque country they call it a “makhila,” and each one is unique, made to measure, and personalized according to the morphology of its owner. It consists of a chiseled loquat stem, a knob in horn or different metals, ferrules, braiding, a wrist strap, and a metal tip. You can choose your pommel in silver, horn, or brass. But no one else but you can choose your own motto, which will be translated in Basque and hand engraved. Oh, and if you encounter a bear in a Montauk
dune, no worries—the makhila has a built-in dagger. Starting at about 1,000 euros, makhila.com/en/workshop
These dazzling earrings will make you a star in any stellar destination. The earrings are made of 18 karat white gold with white diamonds, emeralds, blue, yellow, pink, fuchsia, and orange sapphires, and amethysts, all from planet Earth by Italian
We love it when the classic “tutti frutti” concept is entirely reinvented, and this collection, complete with rings, necklaces, and even evening watches, is an absolute masterpiece. $32,800, sicisjewels.com/enus/collections/crazy-moon
Maison Alcée offers the most puzzling puzzle gift that can possibly exist: a neatly presented luxurious wood box, 233 components, all the tools needed, and an assembly instruction book will teach you how to become a watchmaker and create your very own desk clock. Time to completion (if you scrupulously follow the step-by-step instructions): 10 hours. The end result is a desk clock that will grace, well, your desk. We’ve just seen finished pieces at the horology show in Geneva, and we’ve been impressed by the sophistication and beauty of the timekeeper. A perfect original gift for all chairmen and CEOs, or anyone else who is overstressed. Maison Alcée received the prestigious Audacity Prize from the Grand Prix de l’Horlogerie de Genève. $6,500, maison-alcee.com/en
It’s summer. What better than tasting a chilled rosé? Yes, but wait. You’re not going to use just any wine opener, are you?
Here is the ultimate: sculpted in bronze with the imprint of your own hand—both a sculpture and a practical heirloom. Maison Forest & Audiard specializes in bespoke “extraordinary objects” such as chef’s knives, champagne sabers, even fountain pens. It is well worth the three-month wait to leave your imprint to posterity. Ouvre-vin sculpted by Maison Forest & Audiard, starting at $15,000, forestaudiard.com
Thierry Chaunu is the former VP of marketing at Cartier, former CEO at Chopard, and former president and COO at Leviev Diamonds. His keen eye for extraordinary watches, jewelry, and gems is legendary.
The French Heritage Society hosted its annual Gala Dinner Dance at a private club in New York City. FHS Chairman Elizabeth Stribling, surrounded by 200 friends and supporters, opened the evening by honoring award-winning architect Gil Schafer III Why is Gil being honored by French Heritage Society? He's not French. He doesn't even have an office in France. The answer is, just as French Heritage Society does, he celebrates the past to inspire today. Gil makes houses that look old. In fact, you would never know, there's not a clue that they're not 200 years old, but they've got lots of modern amenities in them and everything looks superb. In the mix of attendees included executive director Jennifer Herlein, CeCe Black, Jean Shafiroff, Bonnie Comley and Stewart Lane, Geoffrey Bradfield, Vanessa Noel, among other.
DIRECT OCEANFRONT CONTEMPORARY COMPOUND
An elegant villa on a large parcel of land in the heart of the estate section.
Spacious main house with first floor master bedroom with second floor guest suites.
Separate pool pavilion and guest house on this approximately 1.5 acre estate parcel. Property may be divided.
$48,850,000
OUTSTANDING WATERFRONT RESIDENCE
A very special modern family residence situated on a large private dune.
Wonderful primary master suite with large sitting room and private gym.
Six guest suites plus staff apartment for your family and friends.
Private location with lovely pool area and several ocean vistas from major rooms.
$96,000,000
GRAND MEDITERRANEAN MANSION
A lovely beautifully designed four-bedroom house offered in pristine condition, finished with exceptional taste which is evident throughout the property.
Directly on the inlet with spectacular views of Peanut Island,Singer Island and crystal blue water… everywhere.
Lushly landscaped with private pool area and many wonderful features not to be missed.
Call us to schedule an appointment to view this amazing new offering.
$28,500,000
BY LAURA TAYLOR
As a philanthropic leader, TV host, and the author of the book Successful Philanthropy: How to Make a Life By What You Give, Jean Shafiroff is defined by the power of giving back. Often referred to as the First Lady of Philanthropy by international and national press, the indefatigable leader in philanthropy has dedicated her life to many worthy causes. Shafiroff is a visionary who focuses on leading the world to a future where far less suffering exists. The deeper meaning of her existence is to do things with positive intent.
Shafiroff, who was raised on Long Island, was instilled from an early age with the importance of helping those in need. Her music teacher father and stay-at-home mother had the family doing volunteer work at the schools and church they attended. Parents and teachers were excellent role models who ingrained in her life-changing values.
After graduating from Columbia University with a BS in physical therapy and then an MBA in finance from the Graduate School of Business at Columbia University, Shafiroff pursued a career on Wall Street. When she was married and had children, she volunteered at her daughters’ schools and served on different charity boards. Today Shafiroff serves on seven boards and chairs between eight and 10 large fundraising galas each year. In addition, she hosts and underwrites numerous large cocktail parties in her homes and elsewhere for many different charitable organizations.
Shafiroff spends countless hours each day working to promote various causes. She also leads and motivates others to get involved. Her days are often spent in front of the computer and on calls to promote organizations and boost representation for them. She is a national leader in philanthropy. Her main areas of focus are women’s rights, underserved populations, healthcare, and animal welfare. She is also focused on furthering LGBTQ equality, cancer awareness, and many other causes. Shafiroff is involved in motivating the next generation and aims to instill in them hope as they follow her on their own pathway to successful philanthropy.
Shafiroff’s charitable work includes serving on the boards of the Southampton Hospital Association, New York Women’s Foundation, Mission Society of NYC, Casita Maria, Couture Council (Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology), French Heritage Society, Global Strays, and Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation honorary board. A Catholic, Jean served on the board of the Jewish Board for 28 years and is now an honorary trustee. During the pandemic she served as national spokesperson for the American Humane and was instrumental in helping this nonprofit raise over $1,000,000 for 1,000,000 homeless animals in shelters across the United States.
In September 2022 Shafiroff was officially proclaimed the “First Lady of Philanthropy of New
York” by New York State Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright, who represents New York’s 76th District, in Manhattan. Then in November 2022, the 117th U.S. Congress recognized Shafiroff for her work in philanthropy. This recognition was given by U.S. Representative Carolyn Maloney, who at the time represented the 14th Congressional District in New York.
Shafiroff has been honored dozens of times by charities, including Urban Resource Institute, American Humane, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, New York City Mission Society, French Heritage Society, Southampton Animal Shelter, Surgeons of Hope, Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation, Operation Warrior Shield, Viennese Opera Ball, Al Sharpton’s National Action Network, the Ellen Hermanson Foundation, Dominican Women’s Development Center, Fashion for Development, NYS Assemblywoman Rebecca Seawright’s Women’s Leadership Awards, She Exist Magazine, Pet Philanthropy Circle, Animal Zone International, Health
Advocates for Older People, Southampton African American Museum, Women's eNews, Youth Counseling League, the NYC International Film Festival Foundation, the Jewish Board, and Hadassah. Dan’s Papers has named her “Philanthropist of the Year” at its Power Women of the East End award ceremony.
Shafiroff has been featured on the cover of numerous magazines. She has also written about philanthropy for many publications and has spoken about it on many TV shows and podcasts. Her TV show, Successful Philanthropy, which airs six times each week in the Hamptons and can be viewed on YouTube, gives celebrities, politicians, executive directors of charities, and fellow philanthropists an opportunity to speak about their lives and philanthropic work. Jean has a large social media platform and uses it to promote positivity, philanthropy, and her love of fashion. Her Instagram account @JeanShafiroff has over 1.2 million followers.
You are known for your philanthropy—a leader in philanthropy, both in the Hamptons and worldwide. What drives you?
My upbringing, education, life experiences, and travels have taught me that life is not created equal. I have been blessed with a good life, not perfect but a fortunate one. Therefore, I believe that I have an obligation to give back. We are not put on this earth just to consume, work, and have a good time. We have to do something to help humanity.
You have been termed the first lady of philanthropy by local and international press. How do you feel about this?
I am truly honored and humbled to be spoken about in this way. It only makes me do more to be of help to society.
You serve on many boards, chair many charity galas each year, and host and underwrite many large cocktail parties in your homes each year. How do you do it all?
My passion for philanthropy fuels this work. I admit that I am a hard worker. But I love the volunteer work I do as a philanthropist. I am fortunate to be able to do it and expect to do it all my life. What charity events are you chairing and hosting this summer?
Although I am a board member of several international and national charities, I believe that it is important to focus on local nonprofits while I’m in the Hamptons. In early June, I hosted and underwrote a large 100-person cocktail party in my NYC home for the Southampton Animal Shelter. On July 5, I will host and underwrite a big kick-off party for the Stony Brook Southampton Hospital in my Southampton home. On July 6, I will chair the Southampton History Museum’s Halsey House Gala. Then on July 13, I will serve as the chairperson of the Ellen Hermanson gala in support of breast health. It will take place at the Bridgehampton Bath and Tennis Club. On July 25, I will co-chair the Southampton African American Museum gala. Then on August 3, I will serve as a vice chair of the Stony Brook Southampton Hospital Gala. On August 10, I will be the honorary chair of the Holiday House Design gala, which supports the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. This is what I have planned so far. If you had one thing to support in the Hamptons, what would it be and why?
This is a difficult question to answer because there are many excellent charities. However, I believe the Stony Brook Southampton Hospital is perhaps the most important group to support because it services the entire community. We saw during the peak of the COVID years just how much we needed the hospital and how incredibly important a good hospital is to a community. I am honored to serve on the board of the Southampton Hospital Foundation. As a longterm donor, three-time former chair of its Summer Party, honoree, and volunteer fundraiser, I truly believe in its importance.
Speaking of the Hamptons, what is it that draws you here? My family has been here since 1996. We love almost everything about the Hamptons—the beaches, the restaurants, the people, and the beautiful towns. We are blessed to have a strong police department and many wonderful people who volunteer their time. I do not think that there is anywhere else in the world that equals a summer in the Hamptons. Your daughters are very involved with philanthropy as well. How so?
Our oldest daughter, who has an MS in social work from NYU, spends most of her time in Kenya where she does extensive volunteer work with disabled children. We are extremely proud of her. Our youngest daughter is the cofounder and president of Global Strays, an international animal welfare charity that does incredibly good work with low expenses. We are very proud of her too. My husband supports all of our philanthropic efforts and also serves on a few charity boards.
You are considered a fashion icon. What does fashion mean to you?
Style and fashion are passions of mine. I love the creativity and expression that it allows. Since 2010, I have served on the board of the Couture Council of the Museum at FIT.
Tell me about your book, Successful Philanthropy: How to Make a Life By What You Give.
The main message of my book is that anyone can become a philanthropist. If you do not have large amounts of money to donate to a cause, you can become a philanthropist by giving your time and knowledge. However, I do believe that those that have financial resources have an obligation to give. The purpose of writing my book was to motivate others and then to serve as a guide for philanthropic work. I am currently completing another book that should be helpful to readers.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to follow in your footsteps?
Start slowly. Do not try to do everything at once. Get involved in a cause that you truly believe in. Make sure you are working with a charity that manages its finances well. Learn all you can about philanthropy. Do your work honestly and for the right reasons, those reasons being that you want to be of help to society and that you truly want to serve those in need. Finally, open up your heart and be generous. n
To learn more about Jean Shafiroff, go to JeanShafiroff.com and follow Shafiroff on social media: Instagram: @JeanShafiroff @jeanshafiroffatwork Facebook: @JeanShafiroff Twitter: @JeanShafiroff
The Women's Division of Albert Einstein College of Medicine held its 70th Spirit of Achievement Awards Luncheon. held at the Rainbow Room, with its most successful event to date, raising over $750,000 for comprehensive health care through cutting-edge research that changes the course of human health. The luncheon was co chaired by Andrea Stark and Carol Roaman, has raised more than $100 million to date, and recognizes notable achievements in the arts, philanthropy, and medicine. Honored at this year’s event were Albert Einstein College of Medicine Trustee Carol B. Einiger, who was awarded Leadership Award; Betsy C. Herold, M.D., who received the inaugural Ruth L. Gottesman Award for Scientific Advancement; and Trailblazer Award recipient, artist Deborah Kass. Also in attendance were co-presidents Judy Schlachter and Terri Goldberg
BY THE HAMPTON SHEET DREAM TEAM
• GEORGE WAYNE (A.K.A. GW): Author of Anyone Who’s Anyone, publisher of R.O.M.E., and former celebrity griller for Vanity Fair’s G.W. Q&A
The Dream: My recurring dream has always been that I can fly. I always dream that for some reason, and then the other day I was watching the HBO documentary on Mr. Chow and he said the same thing—that he always has dreams where he flies like a bird—and that made me feel better.
The Interpretation: Freud would’ve had a field day with this dream—but we’re not going there. Actually, maybe we will. Dr. Sigmund Freud believed that dreams reveal one’s inner wishes—he called dreams the “royal road” to the unconscious. He contended that during the state of dreaming, the ego’s defenses are down, letting repressed or buried desires shine through.
Flying is one of the more frequently reported dreams—almost as common as a dream about falling into a pit or showing up to your final exams in your birthday suit. Even 19th-century poet William Blake illustrated a similar dream to accompany his poem “O, How I Dreamt of Things Impossible.”
But even if dreaming of being able to fly might be commonplace, the frequency of these flying dreams and the interpretation of them isn’t. Just like each person is different, so is each dream—especially when it comes to GW.
Have you been facing any limitations in life? Obstacles, if you will? These dreams often symbolize rising above one’s everyday barriers and overcoming them. People who experience flying dreams, generally viewed as a positive dream, are go-getters. They are people who know what they want, even if everyone claims it’s impossible, and go for it despite all the naysayers.
Another question is whether GW—like Greek mythology’s Daedalus, who soared in the sky with a contraption he made of feathers and wax—had wings in his dream. It might not sound relevant, but the presence, or lack, of wings in the dream is important. Wingless dreams often represent channeling one’s inner strength to achieve goals. Winged dreams—like angel wings—often have a spiritual connotation, representing transformation and an elevated consciousness.
No matter what, enjoy these winged, or wingless, dreams, and remember the warning heeded to Daedalus’s son, Icarus:Stay away from the sun and wear SPF. n
Not Your Average Family Memoir… Griffin Dunne’s The Friday Afternoon Club: A Family Memoir is anything but a traditional collection of memories of squabbles over turkey dinners and family photos. After all, his father was the late Vanity Fair scribe Dominick Dunne and his aunt was the legendary writer Joan Didion. From tales including being saved from drowning by the original 007 Sean Connery to living in New York City with his childhood best friend Carrie Fisher—who was then starring in a little flick called Star Wars—this page-turning book will undoubtedly compete with (and perhaps even win over) your fantastic Hamptons party plans. (Penguin Random House)
Eye of the Beholder Renowned filmmaker and photographer Anna Marie Gabriel’s EyeD: Portraits by Anna Gabriel features her close-up portraits of the eyes of celebrities, including Tom Petty, David Byrne, Susan Sarandon, Iggy Pop, Robert Plant, Lou Reed, Paul Simon, Debbie Harry, Annie Lennox, Mick Fleetwood, Sting, Johnny Depp, and more. With a preface written by award-winning musician Peter Gabriel, this photographic collection is not only a testament to the power of the human eye, it is also a must-have for any collection. (Acc Art Books)
The late veteran journalist and pop-culture historian Stephen M. Silverman (1951–2023) treats readers to a backstage look at the life of Pulitzer- and Tony-award-winning composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim. Filled with first-person tributes and rarely seen images, Sondheim: His Life, His Shows, His Legacy gives insiders a witty and multidimensional perspective on the Broadway legend who ruled American musical theater for more than 60 years. (Black Dog & Leventhal)
In When Women Ran Fifth Avenue, award-winning journalist (New York Times) and author (The Plaza) Julie Satow tells the real-life stories of Hortense Odlum (Bonwit Teller), Dorothy Shaver (Lord & Taylor), and Geraldine Stutz (Henri Bendel)—female department-store visionaries who took great risks and endured plenty of drama, decadence, and fun and also forged new paths for women who followed in their footsteps in the retail world. (Doubleday)
Man of Action Actor, motorcycle enthusiast, and comic book
writer Keanu Reeves—the man who brought you Bill & Ted feel-good humor and nonstop The Matrix and John Wick–style action—has now partnered with Hugo Award-winning “weird fiction” author China Miéville to deliver readers The Book of Elsewhere. Inspired by Reeve’s 2021 BRZRKR comic books, this mind-blowing epic is all about Berzerker or “B”—a half-mortal/half-god immortal warrior—and his quest to experience his own death. (Penguin Random House)
BY GEORGE GURLEY
Nikki Haskell grew up in Chicago and Beverly Hills. Her father was in the millinery business and her mother was very glamorous. Nikki, admittedly a very spoiled girl, was a champion horseback rider, which gave her a strong sense of self and made her fearless. She wore custom-made riding suits, tuxedos with white wing collars, and high silk hats.
She got into nightlife at age 6, when her parents took her to see Carmen Miranda, followed by Jimmy Durante, Martin and Lewis, Shecky Greene, and Red Buttons. When Nikki was 13 everything changed. Her father was in a very bad automobile accident and the family went from being super rich to not rich at all. No more horses. They moved to California to be near successful friends in the construction business. Nikki’s father was going to be a partner, but he died of a heart attack the day she started eighth grade. Her mother got a job as a buyer for a furrier. Nikki’s motto was, “Take good days and bad days and treat them the same.”
At Beverly Hills High she was a cheerleader, best friends with Barry Diller, and voted Biggest Flirt. Because some mean girls called her “Silver Tits” and “Cooper Cart,” she changed her last name from Goldbus to Greer. At 19 she married Jack Haskell, a successful real estate agent. She got her license, worked for Jack, then divorced him 11 months into the marriage.
Nikki asked a girlfriend to ask her father (movie producer Pandro S. Berman) for stock tips, then used her settlement money to buy shares of Sears, Occidental Petroleum, and a bunch of others. Everything doubled in two weeks. She bet big on a company called Lear Jet and made a killing.
After her ex-husband professed his love, they remarried, moved to New York, and rented a furnished Park Avenue apartment. One day in 1968 he suggested she get a job rather than go to lunch at 21 every day. Nikki decided to be a stockbroker and was the only woman in a class of 1,800 at the New York Institute of Finance.
In the middle of a second divorce, she moved into a sublet on 34th Street and Second Avenue while earning $75 a week as a trainee. But soon she was making big commissions at Drexel Burnham and worked there for 10 years while going out every night.
For her next act she became a party promoter, hosting events at hot nightclubs like Le Club, Xenon, the Underground, Magique, and Studio 54. Then in 1979 she created a groundbreaking television show, The Nikki Haskell Show, which aired four times a week on public access. (Sixty episodes are now available on the Freevee network.)
In a front-page profile, The Wall Street Journal called her “the Cable Baby of the ’80s.” Saturday Night Live did a sketch about her. Nikki was allowed to film inside Studio 54 and went around the world interviewing movie stars, rock stars, dignitaries, dictators, artists, fashion designers, comedians, and drag queens, including Andy Warhol, Liza Minnelli, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Steve Rubell, Charlton Heston, Tony Bennett, Imelda Marcos, Augusto Pinochet, Kirk Douglas, Diana Ross, and Arnold Schwarzenegger, among many others. An interview with Muammar Gaddafi fell through.
“ Sex at any age is great but it gets better, at least for me, because I always have a young hot boyfriend around.
”
This past February Nikki came to New York to appear on a panel at the 92nd Street Y that was cancelled when two people involved caught COVID. Unfazed, Nikki continued to go about her business: up at 5:30 a.m., phone calls to business partners, her lawyer, and friends in town. A dress fitting for a magazine shoot. An appointment with Dennis Basso to remake a fur. Dinners at Delmonico’s, Elio’s, Sette Mezzo, and the Polo Lounge. Lunches at Beach Café, 8½, and Nello (sadly now closed), where she met to chat with Joan Jedell and me.
The 82-year-old bombshell walked into Nello wearing a fur coat over a hoodie sweatshirt and much bling from her ears to her boots. Her hair was perfect.
Over the next three hours she was happy to look back on her life, recounting many highs and a couple of lows, as she discussed what she’s up to now (a lot).
George Gurley: What was this 92nd Street Y talk all about?
Nikki Haskell: It was called “Sex After 60.” Cosmopolitan magazine ran an article a couple months ago and they quoted me saying, “Sex at any age is great but it gets better, at least for me [now in her 80s], because I always have a young hot boyfriend around. And a romance is fun at any age.” That was my quote and that’s how they came up with this panel. It was postponed. I was looking forward to it. But I have
a unique temperament. I never say, why didn’t this happen? I just accept it. Did you prepare much for the event?
I never prepare for anything. I’m always prepared. I’m knowledgeable on the subject. I mean, when we did The Nikki Haskell Show, I shot over 3,000 interviews, and I never had a script for one. A lot of the time I didn’t even know who I was interviewing. If you have a lot of prepared questions, then you don’t listen to the answers. If you have to ask questions on the spot, then you have to listen to what they’re saying. What’s the best sex you ever had? Joan asked me to ask you.
I always had a lot of fun, friendly lovers. I wasn’t very promiscuous. I was always saving it for my knight in shining armor—who I’m still waiting for. One time Clive Davis said to me, “You should write a book about all the famous people you slept with.” So I said, “It’s more like a pamphlet than a big book.” Well, you can fit a lot of names onto one page. I didn’t really sleep around, but I had a lot of boyfriends. Tony Bennett was my boyfriend. I went out with Charles Aznavour the singer, Fran Tarkenton the quarterback, and Robert Forster the actor. I had a little affair with Jeremy Irons in the Philippines. I should have slept with more people. I don’t know what I was saving it for.
What about sex after 60—or 80? Has it changed? It’s great! I have a lot of young boyfriends. After my ex-husband, who was 13 years older than me, everybody I dated was younger and somehow they kept getting younger. I have my standards: If they don’t remember who the Beatles are, I don’t have an affair with them.
The funniest thing happened a couple months ago. This gorgeous guy kept coming onto my Instagram. He said, “Can I take you to lunch?’ He was about six-four, six-five. I said, “Great!” and he met me at the Soho House. When he walked in, I thought to myself, He’s about 21, 22. He said, “I'm 17.” I said, “I can’t be seen with you.” So every time we went out after that, because we became really good friends, his father came with us. Now he’s gonna turn into a big star. His name is Sam Evans. He was gorgeous, not like some nerd. And he said, “I find you fascinating.” When you go out with older people, it’s been there, done that. When you’re going out with somebody younger, they’re seeing life through my eyes and they’re loving it.
What else are you up to now?
A lot. Last year I did my first NFT [non-fungible token], and I’m still doing my paintings, my watercolors. When I travel I take my paints with me. What happened was I was with Ivana [Trump] and we were on a yacht in St. Tropez, and I said, “You know what, I just can’t take another picture. I’ve taken five million pictures.”
You have become an Instagram and TikTok sensation. Tell me about that.
They call me a grand-fluencer. I now have over 500,000 followers. I’m getting many offers and good products to represent. This takes up a lot of time but I have a team that I work with who create all my videos. They’re all sort of self-help, reaffirming messages about courage, positivity, wisdom, how to deal with your life, your friends, your enemies, and more. You must have fans of all ages. What have they taught you?
It’s interesting, no matter how old you are or what you’ve been through, the trials and tribulations are always there. I think that a lot more people today are insecure than they were when I was younger. Times are tough.
I look at the world today and one would think that the young women and men would have it a lot
Music-industry legend, Rock and Roll of Fame inductee, and five-time Grammy Award winner Clive Davis was honored with a spectacular concert tribute by the iconic New York Pops at Carnegie Hall. It was the organization's star-studded 41st Birthday Gala. Music Director and Conductor Steven Reineke led the New York Pops, together with Babyface, Busta Rhymes, Deborah Cox, Fantasia Barrino Taylor, Melissa Manchester, Barry Manilow, John Mellencamp, Ray Parker Jr., Carlos Santana, Rob Thomas, and Dionne Warwick. Additional artists included Art Garfunkel, Art Garfunkel Jr., Valerie Simpson, Ruben Studdard, Adrienne Warren, Diane Warren, and Avery Wilson, who all contributed to an incredible performance of The Soundtrack of Our Lives: A Tribute to the Legendary Clive Davis.
more together than we did during our youth, and I find that it’s just the opposite—that girls really don’t know what’s going on. And whether they're living in a big city and have a big job or they have no job and they're living in a small town, nobody knows more than anyone else.
You look great and very healthy. I have no gray hair. I have all my own teeth. I have perfect vision and perfect hearing. I never wear glasses. I don’t take anything, only blood pressure medicine, and that’s about it. What sign are you?
Taurus. On my 80th birthday the Beverly Hills Hotel gave me a party that Los Angeles magazine covered. Then the next night [real estate agent/TV star] Josh Flagg gave me a seated dinner for 100 people, a “Nikki beach party.” They had all these dishes flown in from France, with dancing girls and feathers, and then the next night my friend Eugenio Lopez [fruit juice heir and art collector] gave me a Studio 54 party. How much time did you spend at Studio 54?
Every night. When people used to ask where I Iived, I’d say, “I live at Studio 54 but I keep an apartment in the East 60s.” The best times I ever had there were when I had my television show, because I got to go everywhere and do everything and really live out my life. I was the first person to put fashion on television. Nobody ever saw clubs until I put them on the air. Nobody saw anything. And then they knocked off my show with Entertainment Tonight and Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, which was a third person’s view. My show was my view.
Are you ever bored?
Never. I hate staying home. Staying home to me is like a punishment. I have more good days than bad days. So how do you bounce back from bad days?
You can’t miss a beat; you just have to move forward, no matter what it is. Things aren’t going be as good as you expect them to be, and things aren’t gonna be as bad. So you have to find that happy medium. I find that so many people dwell in the past. Yes, I loved Studio 54 and I had a lot of great times there, but I moved on and now I’m having a great time doing what I’m doing, going where I’m going. You hang out with Clive Davis a lot. What’s that like? Clive [who just turned 92] is great; there’s nobody better than Clive. I was with him for two weeks in Florida. And I went to his Grammys party. So of course he had a party before the party, two parties and dinner every night. Though Clive, as fabulous as he is, is sometimes difficult and he teases me a lot. How does he tease you?
He just does. He’ll say, “You’ve got to be strong, honey. You want to play with the big boys, you’ve got to stand up and be able to take a punch.” But he’s always fun. And you know something? I’m a big girl. If I couldn’t take it, I wouldn’t be around. The best part is we have fun together. I also like Clive because he likes to stay out till two in the morning. We’re on the same time schedule. He likes to go out every night. I like to go out every night. We usually like to go to the same places and do the same things. And last summer we went to the Ischia Film Festival in Italy. That was fabulous. Ischia is so beautiful. It’s about an hour away from Capri, but it’s prettier than Capri. Clive travels in the summertime, and he travels with his friends, and hopefully I’m included.
Nikki asked for a little more broth and steered the conversation back to her social media stardom. So is age just a number?
So many women and men are, like, petrified when they’re turning 30 or 40: “Oh my God, look at this, I’m gonna be 50.” I don’t know why it never bothered me. All I looked forward to was another great party. I don’t really think about age at all.
“I’ve become this major Instagram star. They call me a grand-fluencer.
”
It’s very important for me to be current and to be on the pulse of what’s going on around the world, not just politically but socially, morally, financially. And I like to see where the trends go. I’ve always been a trendsetter and a trendspotter.
What’s the biggest misconception about you?
The trick is to make things that are difficult look easy, so everybody thinks I just sort of breeze through life without any challenges. It’s a full-time job being me, you can’t even imagine. I can’t even imagine. It’s very complicated. There are so many moving parts and so many different personalities. I think people think I just sort of fly around and go to parties every night, which I do. But I work. I’m a hard worker. I’m always creating different things. I wrote a book, I do my artwork, and I try to stay on top of everything that’s going on.
What’s your daily schedule like?
I was up at five-thirty this morning. I checked the weather. Then I worked out with my invention, the Star Cruncher. Twenty minutes is the maximum for me and it’s easy because I can lie down on my bed and do it. I talked to everybody, found out what was going on, who was sick and who was well. Do you know who Nelly Moudine is? Nelly is this beautiful woman who runs the Polo Bar. Very social. She’s very close to Clive. She came out for Clive’s party. I’m going to her birthday party tonight. I may go with Max Tucci. Max owns the new Delmonico’s. Fabulous. He’s a very close friend of mine. So I’ll probably go with him and that doesn’t start till 10 o’clock. Do you take naps?
I invented disco naps. I go to bed at 1:30 in the morning, I’m up at five, and I take an hour or two nap and I’m ready to go. So I’m up, like, 23 hours a day. In great detail, what you are wearing?
A Ralph Lauren jacket. I’m very big into camouflage.
This is a copy of a Kenny Lane pin. This is actually my wedding band; it’s 57 years old. I like it. This is a hoodie sweatshirt I’m wearing under my fur coat. This is a diamond earring from Tiffany’s and I lost the other one. This is a Nikki heart [pin] and I never take this off.
Do you think fur is back?
I think fur is making a comeback. Well, in California it’s against the law. You can smoke grass, but you can’t buy a fur. I went to this party and I was wearing this suit that had a big fox collar on it. Ben Affleck’s brother, Casey Affleck, was sitting next to me and he looked at me and said, “I’m a vegan.” I said, “Look at it this way. This fox would have been running around in the forest and he would have been either eaten or run over. Now he’s sitting here with Robert De Niro, you, and”— who else was there?—“Mick Jagger. Don’t you think he’s having more fun?” He was not happy. Dessert arrived. Tiramisu, crème brulée, cheesecake, cappucinos, macchiatos.
Don’t some people just stop [going out] because they think they’re of a certain age?
Everybody can do whatever they want. Do I give a shit what they do? The problem is most women my age have been married and divorced and now they’re alone. Their children are all grown and they’ve never had a life of their own. They always led their life with their families.
Are you ever lonely?
Never. Even when I’m alone, I always have a million things to do.
Remember when women wouldn’t go anywhere by themselves?
The first place I ever went by myself was Studio 54. Prior to that I never went out without a date. I don’t go out with a bunch of girls. You’d never see me at a table with 10 women having dinner. One time I had a date and he would take me home, let’s say at 1:30 a.m. from Studio 54, and I would say, “Don’t bother to get out of the cab.” And I’d go around the corner, get another cab, and go back to Studio.
What’s the wildest thing you witnessed there?
I have to tell you something: I’m not interested in anybody getting a BJ or doing drugs. I was only interested in dancing. I couldn’t care less. People would say, “Come on, wanna come down to the basement? So-and-so is down there.” I don’t like going into the basement of anything. So people would go down there and I would go on to the dance floor and dance with 30 guys and have a good time.
Didn’t you once go there with Donald Trump?
Yes. I took Donald and Ivana there the first night it opened. They had just come back from their honeymoon and I had gotten my little plastic box invitation from Studio 54 that had black confetti in it and we went to Elaine’s for dinner and I kept saying, “We’ve got to go to Studio 54,” so I talked them into it. So we went there and it was so early that it wasn’t even open. We knocked and knocked on the door and finally a guy opened the door and we went in. There was no music, nothing. Donald said, “I thought you told me this was going to be such a hot party.” It was only, like, 10:30. Nobody goes out at 10:30. So we hung out there, they dropped the first record, and after about an hour and a half, nobody else came in. Donald said, “Let’s get out of here.” So when we pushed open the doors there were thousands of people wrapped around the block. They couldn’t get in because everybody was pushed up against the door. That’s how it became a hit.
Would you say you’re a drama queen?
No, not at all. I’m not a drama queen, I’m just a queen.
Do gay men love you?
Yes. I’m the queen of the queens. n
BY NORAH LAWLOR
WEST HAMPTON
→DINING
FAUNA
Rooted Hospitality, which is the owner of Rumba and Cowfish in Hampton Bays, took over Chef Starr Boggs’ former high-end restaurant in Westhampton after he passed. Now known as Fauna, the new American menu includes appetizers like roasted red pepper gnudi and entrees like basil-seared halibut with bacon lardons.
EAST QUOGUE
→DINING DOCKERS
Widely considered one of the premier spots on the East End, this marinabased restaurant has an eclectic mix of fresh seafood, steaks, and lobster. Dockers has a vacation feel with its casual, relaxing, and friendly environment where you can enjoy cool breezes and fresh air.
HAMPTON BAYS
→DINING
RESTAURANT AT CANOE PLACE
Ülfet Ralph, a Relais & Châteaux chef who previously ran the kitchen at Magee Homestead in Wyoming, will bring a Mediterranean menu to Canoe Place Inn.
CENTRO TRATTORIA & BAR
Enjoy a Hampton Bays staple, Centro Trattoria & Bar owned by Salvatore Biundo, which boasts a prime outdoor dining location from which to see and be seen. Savor the cuts of steak added to the menu. “Sunday with Sinatra and Friends” with live singer Tony Della is one of the favorites.
→HOTEL THE INN SPOT
The team that transformed the old East Hampton Point into the chic EHP Resort & Marina and opened up waterfront spot Sí Sí will unveil its latest property. It is located minutes from Ponquogue Beach and features bungalows with views of Shinnecock Bay.
→DINING
75 MAIN
This Southampton staple is known as much for its summer season entrees
as it is for enthralling people-watching. Owner Zach Erdem rejuvenated his eatery by combining the classic style of the Hamptons with the enticing elements of New York City nightlife. 75 Main’s menu is expertly crafted by awardwinning Executive Chef Mark Militello.
CLAUDE’S
Claude’s, located at the Southampton Inn, has been recently remodeled and showcases a new menu with servings such as roasted half Long Island duck and North Atlantic salmon. Claude’s will be open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Enjoying lunch outdoors by the pool or at their patio is a great way to catch up with friends and family and make the most of the summer.
DOPO ARGENTO
The restaurant looks to continue their success after a strong opening last year. Dopo Argento serves modern Mediterranean cuisine with strong Italian accents, including traditional dishes like branzino and veal Bolognese, as well as innovative daily specials created by Chef Fabio Gutierrez.
Owned by Ian Duke and David Hilty, Southampton Social Club sets the standard for a season of dining, drinks, and socializing. Enjoy the supper-club vibe with an all-new dinner and drinks menu in the lounge from Executive Chef Scott Kampf.
EL VERANO
El Verano is an upscale Mexican restaurant owned by Chef Julian Medina and partner Meghan Manzi. Inspired by the summer houses in Mexico, which are considered escape destinations for residents of Mexico City, the menu showcases crudos and platos fuertes such as pollo a las brasas and branzino a las brasas.
IL PELLICANO AND BIJOUX
Manhattan’s Il Pellicano and Bijoux takes over the space of Blu Mar in Southampton. Il Pellicano and Bijoux is a restaurant and nightclub. The
Founded by restaurateur Keith Davis, the Golden Pear has been a Southampton staple on Main Street for decades. It offers exceptional breakfasts, lunches, and catering, not to mention a great space for meeting up with friends and excellent people-watching. Everyone loves the homemade products from the bakery and fresh roasted coffee.
A cuisine hot spot with a well-known local reputation, Tutto il Giorno hosts alfresco dining in their beautiful garden patio in Southampton. Open for lunch and dinner, they serve contemporary Italian dishes from Naples and decadent craft cocktails.
front of the venue will feature Il Pellicano, an authentic Italian restaurant with a heavily seafood-focused menu. The back of the venue will introduce a new take on New York City’s Bijoux, a luxurious bar and lounge serving craft cocktails and offering bottle service.
SANT AMBROEUS
This elegant European-style café has a beautiful ambiance both inside and outside. The outdoor space offers a vine-covered patio where guests can choose from an array of authentic specialties such as the signature vitello tonnato, carpaccio di manzo, and branzino alla griglia.
MAIN PROSPECT
Where else can you bring the family any day of the week and find a place where the children can play while parents can have dinner and watch stand-up comedy or listen to live music? The restaurant also offers the exclusive Nolan’s Room upstairs. They also will have a beach concierge service this summer.
T-BAR
Led by Derek Axelrod along with Keith Valenti, the team from T-Bar Steak and Lounge offers guests outstanding cuisine in a casual yet elegant space, and the outdoor terrace and garden make it the quintessential location for evening cocktails on those warm summer nights. The restaurant boasts an extensive wine list and wide selection of cognac, bourbon, and single-malt Scotch.
Situated at the former Red Bar location in Southampton, Enchanté Bistro will be offering classic French brasserie cuisine. Led by Heath Freeman and the team at EHP Hospitality, Enchanté is a new addition to their portfolio where devotees of Pastis in New York City would feel at home.
Celebrating its fifth year, this casual dining destination from owner Ian Duke, with award-winning Executive Chef Scott Kampf, is open year-round. Union Burger Bar continues to offer a variety of specialty gourmet burgers, fresh hand-cut fries, milkshakes, and desserts and an elaborate craft beer and small-batch bourbon selection. The outdoor sushi bar offers a selection of the finest Asian dishes.
This historic bed and breakfast’s name comes from the original house, which is known to have existed on this spot since 1708. The refined B&B offers polished country-style rooms with modern touches. Stays include a divine daily breakfast and afternoon tea to be enjoyed in the formal living room or outdoor garden.
Celebrating its 26th anniversary under the leadership of Dede Gotthelf, the Southampton Inn continues to delight. This classically charming hotel has 90 guest rooms. The grounds consist of several acres of manicured lawns and gardens with amenities that everyone can enjoy, including a 50-foot heated outdoor pool, an all-weather tennis court, croquet, volleyball, a game room for all ages, and one of the East End’s favorite eateries, Claude's Restaurant, which showcases new interior design along with a new menu.
GEORGE WAYNE UNFILTERED
Photo by Nadia Sayej
ized the look way before he did. “But mine were commissioned at Cartier,” he had to let me know.
You might be sitting in the city or the Shamptons right now— planning the rest of your summer adventures. Maybe try something off the beaten path and head up to New Canaan, Connecticut, to get a glimpse of the first manifestation of modern architecture—what GW calls ”one of the most majestic and moving sites in the tri-state area.”
BY GEORGE WAYNE
Located in tony New Canaan, Connecticut, the now 75-year old Glass House is the incredible, tiny vacation home of America’s original “starchitect,” Philip Cortelyou Johnson. GW took a tour of the premises that was just as Johnson left it—with vintage Mies van der Rohe furniture strewn about.
GW had goosebumps when the Glass House docent revealed the simple queen-size cot where the celebrated American architect drew his last breath on January 25, 2005.
The sight transported GW right back to an unforgettable day in August of 1998. The place? The iconic Seagram Building at 375 Park Avenue. The time? Lunchtime. GW had been invited by one of the most controversial architects of his generation to dine amongst the power brokers and corporate raiders. I remember that legendary lunch with Philip Johnson as if it were yesterday. It was a sweltering August day. Johnson—as elegant and garrulous as ever—had donned a pink pinstriped bespoke suit. He greeted GW at his office in the building that he designed years earlier with his equally iconic BF—Ludwig Mies van der Rohe. GW couldn’t help but marvel at this petite, dapper man who was larger than
life in more ways than one. Johnson gave GW a whirlwind tour of his office before we shuttled down the stainless steel and bronze elevator to the legendary dining room of the Four Seasons to power lunch amongst the titans of industry, who were scurrying back and forth between the Pool Room and the Grill Room.
After being seated almost instantly at Johnson’s favorite table, GW realized that the man sitting across from him—the architect who defined modern and post-modern architecture in 20th-century America—was already in the 75th year of a stellar career.
Over our first course, GW blurted, “GW regards this audience with the extraordinary Philip Johnson as a historic moment, but I need to ask—is Viagra the miracle drug that many claim it to be?”
The famous starchitect’s eyes lit up between his signature thick black acetate circular frames, and he said without missing a beat, “I don’t know. At my age—92—you don’t ask questions like that.”
He took the typical GW off-the-rails barb—right off the bat—with a grain of salt. Brilliant! He went on to reveal that his trademark spectacles were his homage to Le Corbusier, who popular-
We even talked about Jackie Kennedy Onassis. “I didn’t know her well. That was a media creation. I would occasionally see her at parties, and she and I once made an appearance to save Grand Central Station, but we weren’t budsy-wudsy.”
Philip Johnson was also a flawed human being, as we all are. The New Yorker once called him “The Man Who Made Architecture Amoral,” a subtle dig at the fact that there was a time in his early youth when he was a quasi-fascist. But he did go on to design synagogues.
awe with its austere majesty, the Glass House features an oblong open floor the size of a vast studio apartment, built with glass and steel.
And as I transported myself back in time to the present day, I couldn’t help but think, as I gasped at the sublime spectacle of the Glass House, overlooking two huge oak trees with an awe-inspiring vista—that even on Johnson’s final breath, he was afforded the most mesmerizing visual last look. Forever revered in these parts is Philip Johnson. #gwsays
There is no chicer weekend road trip than to drive to 199 Elm Street in New Canaan and spend the day discovering Philip Cortelyou Johnson’s iconic Glass House.
Built between 1949 and 1995 by the renowned architect, the Glass House is now a site of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
The pastoral 49-acre landscape, which is comprised of 14 structures housing a permanent collection of 20th-century paintings and sculptures, is crowned with the tiny lodestar Glass House sitting on the top of a hill. Surrounded by towering oaks and a bespoke landscape, which continues to
Visiting the Glass House is a scintillating and once-in-a-lifetime experience for any cerebral mind. Forever considered the first manifestation of modern architecture, Johnson originally purchased the five-acre parcel on which he built this classic retreat in 1949. Set on a promontory in order to, as he once said, “highlight the events on the landscape,” the elaborate terrain is indeed a fascinating window into Johnson’s guile, with the design of the grounds existing in tandem with the architecture. The grounds, the architect once said, were inspired by 18th-century English gardens, as well as by the landscape of the Chateau Vaux-le-Vicomte.
Sometime before the end of October, head up to Connecticut to check out the Glass House—but don't forget to reserve a tour at the glasshouse .org. And while you’re there, check out the newly restored “the Brick House” on the property, which was just reopened to the public for the first time in 16 years.
Follow George Wayne on Instagram @georgiewhirlofficial n
SAG HARBOR
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SAG HARBOR TAVERN
Water views are outstanding at owner Billy Durney’s place. His famous eight-ounce burger is available, along with hanger steak and seafood options, at this 60-seat joint with outside tables.
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KISSAKI
Originally a downtown Manhattan hub, Kissaki’s premium-quality sushi experience quickly grew in popularity, prompting the opening of an additional location in Water Mill. The menu honors Japanese tradition and highlights include their signature premium omakase boxes, specialty rolls, and more by Executive Chef Mark Garcia.
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DOPO IL PONTE
Maurizio Marfoglia is the chef and restaurateur behind the chic Dopo La Spiaggia in Sag Harbor and East Hampton, as well as Dopo Argento in Southampton. He has now taken over the space formerly occupied by World Pie on Bridgehampton’s Main Street. Dopo Il Ponte will be more casual and reasonably priced. Thin-crust and New York-style pizzas are made in a wood-burning oven and pastas and other main courses round out the menu.
PIERRE’S
Pierre Weber has always stuck to his vision here and the result has produced a casual-chic French dining experience. Pierre’s serves bistro classics and local seafood seven days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
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TOPPING ROSE HOUSE
This iconic hotel at the end of Main Street offers dining at the on-property Jean-Georges restaurant. Enjoy amazing meals in pure luxury. The hotel features 22 elegantly appointed guest rooms and a heated outdoor pool. You may want to check out the menu and check in for the night for the ultimate vacation.
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OLD STOVE PUB
Owner Joseph DeCristofaro’s steakhouse focuses on using only the best and freshest ingredients available, delivered daily. The menu is a tribute to some of the original dishes at the Old Stove Pub and new original cuisine. Highlights include starters of roasted beet salad, steamed mussels, onion soup, and the house Caesar salad.
luxurious 17th-century Englishinspired building with relaxing and comfortable amenities all year round. Also check out the opulent onsite spa and fresh, lavish homemade breakfasts.
THE MAIDSTONE
The hotel features a whimsical take on Hamptons aesthetics. This is reflected in the shared spaces throughout the property including the pink sunroom, the art bar, and the classic lounge. The hotel has 19 individually designed rooms and cottages that each bring joyful days to guests.
LE BILBOQUET
Dine alongside gleaming white yachts at this chic restaurant. It’s a spot that you will never grow tired of for excellent cuisine, atmosphere, and much glam people-watching!
TUTTO IL GIORNO
A cuisine mecca with a well-known local reputation, Tutto il Giorno hosts alfresco dining in Sag Harbor close to the pier. Open for lunch and dinner, they serve contemporary Italian dishes from Naples and offer craft cocktails.
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BARON’S COVE
This is Baron Cove's 65th year. Famously, it was one of the regular haunts on the East End for a number of literary lions; Truman Capote and Kurt Vonnegut, among others, used to frequent the Cove. It was John Steinbeck’s favorite watering hole and if you visit the bar, they can still make his favorite drink, the Jack Rose.
EAST HAMPTON
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LDV AT THE MAIDSTONE
La Dolce Vita is an Italian concept, similar to John Meadow’s Scarpetta Beach at Gurney’s. Chef Jorge Espinoza and Meadow showcase coastal offerings, including spaghetti alla Nerano with fried zucchini and provolone and squid ink linguine with crabmeat.
SUNSET HARBOR
From its waterfront perch on Three Mile Harbor, witness one of the best sunset views in the area. The menu includes shrimp scampi with fresh crab, and local fish is used in sushi.
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THE BAKER HOUSE 1650
This celebrated East Hampton property is owned and operated by entrepreneur Antonella Bertello. Find here a
the North Fork at Orient Point. The restaurant offers a raw bar with seating alongside the theater of the team at work preparing the oysters, clams, and seafood in front of diners. Outside the deck has those hard-to-score tables by the waterfront where you can take in the sun, the sea, and those magnums of rosé wine.
SHELTER ISLAND
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SUNSET BEACH
AMAGANSETT
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IL BUCO AL MARE
In this casual setting in the heart of the village you’ll find a simple, relaxed menu presenting the best local seafood and produce. Inspired by their sister restaurant Bottega il Buco in Ibiza, Spain, the restaurant offers cuisine in a warm and beautiful space. Chef Justin Smillie’s menu features ancient grain focaccias, imported tinned fish from the Iberian Peninsula and Italy, and seasonal local fare from a wood-burning oven.
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THE ROUNDTREE
Conveniently situated on Main Street in the charming town of Amagansett, the Roundtree is walking distance to boutiques, galleries, restaurants, farm stands, and historic landmarks. Set on two acres of beautifully landscaped property surrounded by historic Amagansett farmlands, the tranquil locale of this hotel makes it a peaceful getaway this summer.
MONTAUK
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OCEAN CLUB MONTAUK
The old Montauk Yacht Club is now open under Proper Hospitality. This 200-seat restaurant has three rooms and will open at the end of June. Chef Jarad McCarroll runs the place with two chef counters as well as a chef’s table. Menu offerings include fluke tartare and wood-fired beef.
LA FIN KITCHEN & LOUNGE
Perhaps nothing is more picturesque in the Hamptons than a meal with a stunning view. La Fin offers the ultimate farm-to-table experience in a setting inspired by the seaside that captures Montauk’s unspoiled oceanfront beauty. Guests here enjoy chef and co-owner James Tchinnis's creations. Sit on the dock and indulge in a menu that highlights mussels and fries, salad Nicoise, and lobster lettuce wraps.
DURYEA’S LOBSTER DECK
Duryea’s provides a dose of the South of France both in Montauk and on
Sunset Beach is a seaside hideaway nestled on the sands of Shelter Island Sound that is both a hotel and one of the region’s most breathtaking settings for a meal. The restaurant offers the perfect intimate escape with a menu that celebrates the healthy and delicious summertime food of the Italian Riviera and southern France. Signature dishes include whole grilled branzino, steamed mussels, and oysters from favorite local farms.
THE TAVERN
Noah Schwartz, a North Fork dining pioneer, will oversee the food and beverage program at the newly renovated Chequit on Shelter Island. In this room with a large center bar, wraparound porch, and antique billiard table, Schwartz’s celebrated filet mignon sliders and pulled duck barbecue will share a menu with homemade pastas, raw bar items such as sea scallop crudo, and seasonal specials.
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THE PRIDWIN
First opened in the late 1920s, the Pridwin Hotel on Shelter Island offers a more relaxed, one-step-removed vacation with the hustle and social bustle of the Hamptons summer close at hand. The eight-acre property has just emerged from a two-year renovation with a new spa and dining at the Terrace restaurant.
Located on Shelter Island is an inviting seaside getaway with a relaxing atmosphere, gracious country accommodations with 13 charming and comfortable suites, quality dining, and warm hospitality. Joe Smith’s American menu features fresh local produce, game, and seafood, as well as harvests from the inn’s garden. Guests can enjoy the beachfront while watching the sunset.
Stacey Soloviev, whose family owns Peconic Bay Vineyards on the North Fork, led the renovation of this Shelter Island landmark, which is set to reopen in late June. The porch, which overlooks the water, has been expanded to include terraces with fire pits, hanging chairs, and sofas; rooms have also been updated with Frette linens and other high-end amenities. n
“Through
The story I’m about to tell about John Patrick Daly (or as I call him, JD) is part fairy tale, part fable, part legend— and 100 percent true.
Unlike most fairy tales, this one didn’t begin long, long ago when JD was born in California in 1966. Instead, it started in August 1991—just one day before the PGA Championship, one of the four majors in golf.
At the time, 25-year-old Daly—who attended the University of Arkansas on a golf scholarship—was a rookie on the PGA Tour and the ninth alternate golfer on the waitlist to play in the 1991 PGA Championship. Daly’s chances of playing the tournament were pretty slim. But then a series of extremely fortunate events happened. One by one, PGA Tour golfers fell off the waitlist—some were injured, others didn’t feel like their mental game was there—and two of them (including Nick Price) withdrew from the tournament because their wives were about to give birth.
The day before the tournament, JD skyrocketed to fourth alternate on the waitlist. So he did what any other golfer needing a big break would do— he jumped into his car and drove 483 miles from his home in Memphis to Carmel, Indiana, just in case he’d get his chance to play in the PGA Championship. When he finally checked into his hotel room at 2:30 a.m. on the day of the first round of the PGA Championship, he got a life-changing message from the tournament director: “You have Nick Price’s tee time.”
Over the next four days, John Daly lived the dream of every kid practicing on a driving range. Not only did he get the chance to play in the major tournament, but with his extremely long drives and aggressive playing style, he won the 1991 PGA Championship—something Jim Nantz called “one of the great Cinderella stories in the history of golf.”
BY BOBBY LOVE
I’d never heard of John Daly until June 2021. Someone at the driving range told me that I had a “long backswing” and “hit the driver far for a 10-year old” (I’m 13 now). The golfer told me that my swing reminded him of JD. I only discovered golf during the pandemic. At the time, I had no idea how huge a compliment that comparison was. When I got home, I researched old John Daly videos—some of the most incredible clips I’d ever seen! Just a few months after that, I met him in person. Some people say that you should never meet your heroes—but the people who say that probably don’t have John Daly as their hero.
But the fairy tale didn’t end there— since then, Daly was named the 1991 PGA Tour Rookie of the Year and 2004 PGA Tour Comeback Player of the Year, and he has won 19 professional golf tournaments, including his second major, the 1995 Open Championship, and the 2021 PNC Championship, which he won with his son, John Daly II—a University of Arkansas student who recently made his Korn Ferry debut.
ported national and local charities—including the charitable John Daly Golf Invitational started 33 years ago by his late mother, Lou. During the pandemic, JD also cofounded—with retired combat-wounded Army veteran Major Ed Pulido—the John Daly Major Ed Heart of a Lion Foundation, a Section 501(c)(3) charity that provides mental, physical, and wellness support to veterans, first responders, and children.
But even with his incredible talent, it’s what JD does off the golf course— with no publicity—that’s even more impressive. That’s where the fable part of this story begins. John Daly has the heart of a lion—he’s brave (have you seen the gutsy shots he always makes on the golf course?), he’s kind, and he’s generous with his friends and his fans. At the 1991 PGA Championship, a spectator was killed by lightning during a rain delay. After Daly won, he took $30,000 of his $230,000 prize money to set up a scholarship for the man’s two daughters. There are even more stories about JD’s generosity and big heart, but you’ll probably never hear them—if you know him, you know that he does things without bragging.
Daly once said, “One of the biggest reasons why we’re put here is not just to help ourselves but to help other people.” He doesn’t just speak those words—he lives by them. For decades, he’s sup-
But it’s not just fables and fairy tales—there’s also the many legends about John Daly told by professional golfers, friends, family, and fans—no matter where you go, someone almost always has a true and positive story about him. For me, that tale is from three years ago, during the Pro-Am of the PNC Championship. JD’s foursome couldn’t tee off at the 14th hole due to slow play. Instead of getting frustrated with the pace, he just laughed, picked up his iPhone, and ordered Coca Cola for the golfers and the spectators following them because “Vij”—JD’s nickname for his friend, professional golfer Vijay Singh—was “taking too much time!”
In person, JD is even more superhero-like than he appears on TV—some even say he looks like a rock star. Actually, he technically is one. Not only are music superstars Kid Rock, Jake Owen, Zac Brown,
Darius Rucker, the late Toby “Big Dog Daddy” Keith, and Willie Nelson JD’s friends, but he also plays music with them! In 2007, the world was briefly treated to Daly performing a toe-tapping version of “Go Long or Go Home” in a 30-second golf ball commercial that was banned by CBS Sports and pulled by the company (it’s still available on YouTube). JD also performs in concerts—like his 2023 standing-room-only surprise one at the Ritz Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes. JD's even released six studio albums, including this year's John Daly the Master Tapes.
Hollywood’s noticed him, too. It’s rumored that Happy Gilmore—the long-hitting golfer with a heart of gold from the 1996 movie of the same name—was based on JD. Of course, Adam Sandler’s denied those rumors, claiming that the hockey-playing golfer was based on a childhood friend. No matter whom Happy was based on, Sandler recently confirmed to the Dan Patrick Show that he wants Daly to star in the much-anticipated Happy Gilmore film sequel. But it’s not just movies—Village Roadshow is developing a limited TV series about JD’s life—with Kevin James (Paul Blart: Mall Cop, King of Queens) starring as the legendary golfer.
Since 1991, JD’s also designed golf courses and run many successful businesses. But despite all his professional success, at the end of the day, he’s just a smart, generous, enormously talented, and great man who loves his country, his fans, his friends, and most importantly, his family, including his extremely beautiful longtime fiancée, Anna Cladakis, and his four incredibly talented children: Shynah, a professional photographer; businesswoman Sierra Lynn; Charitsa, a University of South Florida student; and John Daly ll, an incredible golfer for the NCAA Division I University of Arkansas Razorbacks.
I had the honor of catching up with John Daly, who’s not only a golf legend, but he’s also my friend!
Bobby Love: Tiger Woods said that he wouldn’t practice as much if he had half the talent that you have. Most talented people usually don’t realize how amazing they are. When you were growing up, did you know that you were great?
John Daly: No, I didn’t, because I wasn’t rich enough to play junior tournaments. But when I got recruited by a lot of colleges, I realized I might have something. So I went to the University of Arkansas and loved it. Who made you believe in yourself? Me.
You’re known for your trademark “GRIP IT & RIP IT.” When did you come up with this great golf advice?
Grip it and rip it! I said it in 1987 and I owned it in the late ’90s. Thirty-three years after your incredible win at the PGA Championship, you always draw a huge crowd at tournaments. You're known for never being fake and for always telling it like it is—making you every sportscaster's and TV host's dream guest. And people still dress up as you— that's the ultimate tribute.
It’s just great, Bobby. I love all of it. I love my fans—many of the people outside the ropes have become my friends. Dream guest? [laughs] I love staying grounded. I have no skeletons in my closet. This is who I am—and I just lay it all out there.
And kids all over the world dressing up as me for Halloween—it makes me feel so good!
The PGA Championship grants past champions, like you, an exemption for life. So you can play that tournament for as long as you want. The Open Championship, which you also won, grants an exemption to past champions only until age 60—actually, golfers who win the Open Championship starting this year will only have an exemption until they’re 55. What do you think about restrictions based on age?
I believe you can play golf, and can start playing golf, at any age. I also believe in no restrictions.
Do you think you can win the Open Championship one more time before you turn 60? I think you could.
I’ll try my best to win another Open. It’s such a great major.
You’ve been helping people and organizations throughout the years with no publicity. Why don’t you want people to know how much you do behind the scenes?
I don’t like to do media when I do charity. That’s not what I’m about. I do charity to help—not to get recognized for it.
I celebrated 33 years of my Boys and Girls tourney in my hometown of Dardanelle [John Daly Golf Invitational for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Arkansas River Valley] and I did work for the Make-A-Wish Foundation in Memphis for 14 years as well.
And in 2020, I cofounded the John Daly Major Ed Heart of a Lion Foundation. I’ve heard you sing in person many times. Your performances of “Knockin' on Heaven’s Door” and “Whiskey and Water,” featuring Willie Nelson, are just amazing—you’re like a rock star. You’re already on the PGA Tour Champions, but will you ever go on a different kind of tour—for your music?
No, I’ll never be a rock star. I love music. It’s a great hobby, but I probably won’t tour. I do love to sing with my good friend Jocko [Deal]. He knows all my songs and he makes it easy for me. He helps me so much.
“ I don’t like to do media when I do charity. That’s not what I’m about. I do charity to help—not to get recognized for it.
”
Speaking of rock stars, you travel like one in a luxury RV.
I love it for travel—to get to golf tournaments. I love home-cooked food— on my bus, I get to cook my own meals and sleep in my own bed.
You should be a politician or something like that.
Politician? Not for me. [laughs] Or have your own TV show. They just announced that Kevin James is going to play me in a limited TV series, and it might be a couple years out, but I’m excited to do it. Who’s in your dream golf pairing—anyone alive or dead?
Angelina Jolie, Drew Barrymore, Halle Berry, and you, son.
The first thing you ever said to me was:
“Work on your short game.” With your exciting playing style and long drives, you’ve been a game-changer for golf! What’s your best advice for the next generation of golfers?
Learn to hit three-quarter shots. Players today hit it so far, but not many of them hit three-quarter shots, especially in the wind.
This question’s for my game. If you had the choice between hitting the longest and straightest drives every time or making every putt, what would you choose? Both. [laughs] Much love, Bobby.
For more information about the John Daly Major Ed Heart of a Lion Foundation, go to jdme1991.org. Bobby Love is 13 years old. He wants everyone to love golf as much as he does. n
Dr. Robert L. Bard is a boardcertified diagnostic imaging specialist and a ranking member of the American Arthritis Foundation. He also specializes in non-invasive treatments of musculoskeletal issues. His NYC practice is recognized for:
• offering state-of-the-art pulsed bioenergy regenerative solutions
• the use of the latest sonographic monitoring of chronic disorders
• an expansive network of orthopedic specialists
For a consultation or to schedule an appointment, call BARD DIAGNOSTICS at: 212.355.7017 or visit: www.barddiagnostics.com
BY NORAH LAWLOR
CLAIRE FLORENCE X FIERCE GRACE COLLABORATION EXHIBITION
Daily, July 1 – 31 • 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. East Hampton
Artist Claire Florence will be displaying her collaboration with Fierce Grace at her East Hampton studio. Claire is at the cutting edge of developing AI-based art expressed physically using precious metals and inspired by the true inner spirit animals of the human soul. Claire depicts the energy of balancing ying and yang amidst chaos. claireflorence.com
SAMUEL WAXMAN CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION
Saturday, July 6 • 6:30 p.m.
900 Lumber Lane, Bridgehampton
The Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation will hold their annual Hamptons Happening event at the estate of Kenneth and Maria Fishel in Bridgehampton. The event features tastings, live music, and a thrilling auction. This year’s honorees include Arthur Backal, Fern Mallis, Cheri Kaufman, Stephen Kliegerman, and Chef Francois Payard. waxmancancer.org
EAST HAMPTON EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT
Thursday, July 11 • 11 a.m. Maidstone Club, East Hampton
The highly anticipated fourth annual Lecture & Luncheon, which benefits the East Hampton Emergency Department, returns. This year features a talk with iconic makeup artist, best-selling author, and founder of Jones Road Beauty Bobbi Brown, presented by the Southampton Hospital Foundation. BookHampton owner Carolyn Brody will moderate the conversation.
bit.ly/EHEDLuncheon2024
THE ELLEN HERMANSON FOUNDATION SUMMER GALA
Saturday, July 13 • 6:30 p.m.
Bridgehampton Tennis and Surf Club, Bridgehampton
The Ellen Hermanson Foundation Summer Gala will be held at the Bridgehampton Tennis and Surf Club. This year’s chair is philanthropist and author Jean Shafiroff and the honorees include Dr. Fred Weinbaum and Rebecca Seawright. ellenhermanson.org
PARRISH ART MUSEUM MIDSUMMER DINNER
Saturday, July 13 • 6 p.m.
Parrish Art Museum
Join the Parrish Art Museum for their Midsummer Dinner, which is a highly anticipated benefit event. All funds raised support the Parrish’s education initiatives, exhibitions, and public programs that energize the creative legacy of Long Island’s East End and beyond. Honorees this year include philanthropists Susan Pear Meisel and Louis Meisel, along with artists KAWS, Shirin Neshat, and Sean Scully. parrishart.org
SOUTH FORK NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM GALA
Saturday, July 13 • 5:30 p.m.
Bridgehampton
The South Fork Natural History Museum and Nature Center (SOFO) in Bridgehampton will hold its 35th Annual Summer Gala. This year’s gala ambassador will be Liev Schreiber. Live music will be provided by Alfredo Merat and a special tasting menu will be showcased at the benefit party. sofo.org
SCHOOL’S OUT BENEFIT
Saturday, July 20 • 5 p.m.
Private residence, Water Mill
The event will benefit the HetrickMartin Institute, which is the nation’s oldest LGBTQIA+ youth organization serving queer and trans youth, primarily of color, between the ages of 13 and 24. Dishes from Duryea’s, STK Steakhouse, and Almond restaurants will be served alongside a performance of synchronized swimmers. hmischoolsout.com
SOUTHAMPTON ANIMAL SHELTER FOUNDATION 15TH UNCONDITIONAL LOVE GALA
Saturday, July 20 • 6 p.m.
Under the Tents at Wickapogue, Southampton
The Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation will host their annual Unconditional Love Gala. The SASF relies on the generosity of donors and volunteers to care for homeless animals in the local community with the goal of placing them in loving “forever homes.”
Led by Anthony Sabia and Kathleen Rice, this year’s honoree is Cathy Bissell, founder of the Bissell Pet Foundation. southamptonanimalshelter.com
SOUTHAMPTON AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM ANNUAL GALA
Saturday, July 27 • 6 p.m.
Southampton
The Southampton African American Museum started in 2005 with the aim of promoting an understanding and appreciation of African American culture. The gala will be co-chaired by philanthropist Jean Shafiroff and SAAM’s Aisha Christian. saamuseum.org
THE WATERMILL CENTER ANNUAL BENEFIT
Saturday, July 27 • 6 p.m.
Water Mill
The Watermill Center’s Annual Summer Benefit celebrates art and experimentation in support of the organization’s year-round programming—its artist residency, education, and public programs. Featuring dynamic works by a roster of groundbreaking international artists. watermillcenter.org
Southampton Arts Center, 25 Jobs Lane, Southampton
The Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center, Inc., is a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to the rehabilitation of wild animals impacted by the encroachment of humans on their habitat. The Get Wild! Benefit is the charity’s signature summer event led by new Executive Director Kathleen Mulcahy. For more information, please visit wildliferescuecenter.org.
SOUTHAMPTON HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
Saturday, August 3 • 6 p.m.
Under the Tent on Wickapogue Road, Southampton
The Southampton Hospital Foundation will present the highly anticipated 66th Annual Summer Party to benefit Stony Brook Southampton Hospital. A highlight of the Hamptons summer season, the party is a festive evening of cocktails, dinner, and dancing. For tickets and more information, please visit ://bit.ly/SBSHSummerParty2024.
NORTHWELL HEALTH SUMMER HAMPTONS EVENING (SHE)
Saturday, August 3 • 6 p.m.
Private Residence, Water Mill Northwell Health Summer Hamptons Evening returns this summer. Northwell Health is at the forefront of much-needed change in women’s healthcare, focusing on women’s unique needs at every stage of life. Funds raised at SHE will benefit the Katz Institute for Women’s Health, led by the only network of experts devoted to all aspects of women’s health. The evening celebration will include dinner under the tent and an impactful program with emcee Rosanna Scotto, followed by a special musical performance. SHE is presented by Victoria Moran-Furman, Iris and Saul Katz, Eric Moran, and Lawrence Scott Events. For tickets and more information, visit https://bit.ly/4aBtEUg
RAND LUXURY HAMPTONS CONCOURS
Saturday, August 10 • 11 a.m.
Private Residence, Bridgehampton
Bradford Rand and his team at RAND Luxury will be hosting their Annual Hamptons Concours event, which will bring together classic and contemporary cars with a special emphasis on the Ferrari and the Porsche Marques, in Bridgehampton. The event will benefit the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation. randluxury.com
EAST HAMPTON LIBRARY AUTHORS NIGHT
Saturday, August 10
Herrick Park, East Hampton
one of the most successful celebrations of books and authors in America, and one of the largest library-author events of its kind in the country. authorsnight.org
SILVERSTEIN DREAM FOUNDATION ANNUAL HAMPTONS GARDEN GALA
Saturday, August 10 • 6 p.m.
Home of co-hosts Patricia and Roger Silverstein, Water Mill
The Silverstein Dream Foundation’s annual Hamptons Garden Gala is held in support of the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation. Patricia is a life and business coach, founder of Coaching X Humanity, and the founder of the Silverstein Dream Foundation together with her husband, Roger Silverstein. The event will feature a cocktail reception, dinner, auctions, and entertainment. silversteindreamfoundation.com
FOOTPRINT OF LIFE GALA
Saturday, August 15 • 6 p.m.
Private Residence, Bridgehampton
Hosted by Amy Green and her husband, Gary, the Footprint of Life Gala will take place at their residence in Bridgehampton. The family-run Green Vision Foundation has curated a night to bring together like-minded organizations to collectively support and bring much-needed awareness to sustainability and conservation. The soiree will benefit the charity partners’ work to preserve and protect the natural world, promote community upliftment, and most importantly, support conservation programs across Africa. thegreenvision.org/footprint-of-life-of-gala
THERE IS HOPE OVER THE SKIES IN HAITI BENEFIT
Saturday, August 17 • 6 p.m.
Private Residence, Bridgehampton
Hosted by Kenneth and Maria Fishel in Bridgehampton on behalf of Haiti Air Ambulance, the event supports the organization's life-saving mission. Opening remarks by founder Pat Dolan will then be followed by guest speakers Mitch Albom and Eric Cioe-Pena, M.D., M.P.H. haitiairambulance.org
PROSTATE CANCER FOUNDATION (PCF) ANNUAL HAMPTONS GALA
Saturday, August 24 • 6 p.m. Water Mill
This gala is the social centerpiece of Michael Milken’s PCF Pro-Am Tennis Tournament, which is being held over the weekend at private estates in the Hamptons. pcf.org
THE HAMPTON CLASSIC
August 25 – September 1
Bridgehampton
EVELYN ALEXANDER WILDLIFE RESCUE CENTER ANNUAL GET WILD! BENEFIT
Friday, August 2 • 5:30 p.m.
East Hampton Library Authors Night is the event for the literary minded and will present its 20th Annual Authors Night fundraiser with writers including Lauren Graham, Steve Madden, and Paulina Porizkova. Authors Night features 100 authors across all genres. The “Premier Literary Event of the Hamptons” has grown over its history to become
The Hampton Classic Horse Show, culminating in a Grand Prix event, is considered one of the larger show-jumping contests in the United States. It is held over the Labor Day weekend in Bridgehampton, is one of the biggest social bashes in the Hamptons scene, and signals the grand finale of the summer season. hamptonclassic.com
