JEAN SHAFIROFF THE FIRST LADY OF PHILANTHROPY

Interview by QP STAFF WRITER

Jean Shafiroff is a philanthropist, humanitarian, TV host, writer and the author of the book, Successful Philanthropy: How to Make a Life By What You Give. Jean is often referred to as “the first lady of philanthropy” by the international press because of her generosity and extensive work as a volunteer fundraiser and leader in the philanthropic world. She serves on the boards of eight charitable organizations and each year, she chairs upwards of eight different charity galas. Among the many causes she champions are those involved in women’s rights, rights of underserved populations, health care, and animal welfare.

TALENT: JEAN SHAFIROFF @jeanshafiroff

PHOTOGRAPHER: MICHAEL PANICCIA @michael_paniccia

Jean it’s wonderful to connect. You’re from and based in the East Coast, however your amazing work with the numerous charities that you sit on the boards of are regularly documented in the media globally. We’re going to focus on fashion to begin with, from our understanding you have one of the largest personal collections of gowns in New York City. Designers including Oscar de la Renta, Victor de Souza, and Caroline Herrera to name but a few. Can you give us a full lineup of the fashion houses you have purchased from and have you met any of the designers personally?

Fashion is a great passion of mine. I have collected many different gowns over the last 20 years. My gown collection is something I cherish, and it consists of about 200 or more gowns that I plan to donate to a museum one day. It has been a great joy to collect them and wear them. The collection continues to grow. It consists of both couture and ready-to-wear pieces from Oscar de la Renta , Carolina Herrera , Mary McFaddan , Malan Breton , Victor de Souza , B Michael, Zang Toi , Monique

Llhuillier and a few pieces from Alexander McQueen , Alice and Olivia and Valentino . I have met all of these designers except for Monuque Lhuillier , and then Alexander McQueen who, sadly, is no longer alive. In a number of cases, I have worked directly with a few of these designers on couture gowns. Of course, working directly with a designer is a great treat and honor.

Buying a gown is a true investment in many senses of the word. Not only are you supporting the arts but the craftsmanship as well, we’re sure you have many fans within the fashion community. Out of all the gowns you own, which is the most memorable to you and can you walk us down memory lane on the day that you purchased it and when you wore it?

There are so many gowns that are special to me. Dressing in a big gown and then accessorizing it with a beautiful hairdo, nice make-up, a beautiful bag, and jewelry is a little like living a true fantasy. Most recently I wore a massive gold couture gown designed by Malan Breton to the 2022 French Heritage Society gala in New York where I was honored. Malan and I decided to pair the gown with gold lace operalength gloves. Malan Breton accompanied me to this gala which made the event extra special. I felt like a queen in his gown. Since I love the French Heritage Society and love France, this was an especially meaningful night and the gown added so much to the occasion. Then there is a beautiful, beaded Oscar de la Renta ball gown that I purchased on the day of the Metropolitan Opera Gala a few years ago. I walked into the boutique on Madison Avenue at 2 PM on the Monday afternoon of the event and caught a glimpse of the gown. I quickly tried it on and purchased it on the spot. By 5:30 PM that evening I was dressed and ready to attend a spectacular gala. Nicki Minaj owns the same gown. This summer the same gown went up for auction in New York. It was advertised as owned by Nicki Minaj and Jean Shafiroff - with photos of both of us in the gown. The gown is a real work of art - I will keep it and continue to wear it when I can. One day it will be part of the collection that I will donate to a museum. Then there was a red chiffon Oscar de la Renta gown that I brought down to Palm Beach for the Preservation Society Gala. When I arrived in Palm Beach, I learned that the gala was a Black and White Ball - meaning we were supposed to wear black or white. I had no choice but to wear the red gown as I had nothing else with me. I was the only person who was not dressed in black and white! Somehow I managed but I will not forget that experience. That red gown I wore will now be on exhibit at the Historical Society of Palm Beach County's Fashion Exhibit to open in November 2023. Many of my readyto-wear gowns such as the one just described are quite rare because only a few pieces like it were ever produced by the designer.

Given your love of fashion do you ever see yourself sharing your personal collection with the rest of the world and if so, how many gowns do you own? We’re sure there are numerous people who would love to see what you have acquired.

Yes, absolutely! Many of my gowns are on my Instagram account - @JeanShafiroff I will soon write a coffee table book about the gown collection. The entire gown collection will be donated to a museum one day so that others can enjoy them as I do. There is a story behind just about every gown. It has been an exciting adventure to buy and collect them. Regarding the number in the collection, I would say it numbers about 200 or so. They were all collected over several years. Sadly, a few have been lost. I am not sure how, but they are missing.

This leads us nicely into your philanthropic work, you joined the Couture Council which supports the museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology in 2010. Given your long contribution to the organization, what major changes have you seen outside of the trends within fashion and how much of a part do you think technology will play in the industry? It must be fascinating to learn from the rising talent emerging from FIT.

I am truly honored to serve on the Couture Council of the Museum at FIT. I have served on this board since 2010. The Fashion Institute of Technology is an incredible higher education learning institute that focuses on art, business, design, mass communication, and technology connected to the fashion industry. Right now, I believe that the development of sustainable fashion is very important. This year we honored Gabriela Hearst at our September 6, 2023 Museum at FIT luncheon. We honored her specifically because of her early involvement in the development of sustainable fashion which is so important for our planet. Many fashion designers have now embraced sustainable fashion in their work which makes me very pleased. The fashion industry has also embraced the importance of having safe and secure working conditions for fashion workers across the globe. Finally, the massive shift away from using fur in fashion is also an important shift. I hope that feathers will also disappear from fashion. I am a lover of animals and an animal activist. The thought of so many animals being killed to make a fur or feather outfit makes me very sad. I stopped wearing fur and feathers about 10 years ago and I am glad I did this. I am very happy to see that most celebrities and members of royalty have done the same. Please correct us if we are wrong but, from our understanding, you sit on the board of 8 charities and are an honorary board member for some of them. Commitments vary from fundraising, hosting events, contributions in time, kind and financial as well as board meetings. What does a typical day in the life of Jean Shafiroff look like from when you wake up to when you manage to have some downtime in the evening?

I must admit I am a hard worker. Serving on 8 charity boards entails a great deal of work. I also host a TV show all about philanthropy called Successful Philanthropy where I interview politicians, celebrities, business titans and CEOs of charities. In addition, I am working on a second book soon to be published. My social media platform also takes quite a bit of work. It sounds crazy but I often get up in the middle of the night to work. I love to go out in the evenings to various charity events where a cause is supported and where there are many new people to meet. Of course, during fashion week I love to go to the shows that I am invited to. And then there are the many parties that I enjoy. Fashion and philanthropy are both extremely important to me. You reside in Manhattan in what truly looks like an iconic apartment on Park Avenue however, you also have a spectacular property in the Hamptons of which you have hosted several fundraisers and parties. Which abode do you prefer putting events on at, do you get a similar crowd attending and how do you unwind post events?

I have given far more parties at my Park Avenue co-op than at my home in the Hamptons. The group of people attending is usually quite different, however, there is some overlap. I happen to love people and so entertaining is something I truly enjoy. I enjoy entertaining in both places, but the New York City entertainment is a little easier. The security detail is also easier. After I host a party, I like to relax a little and finish my work. In the history of fundraising, which of the events was your most successful and why was that?

I loved chairing the galas for the Southampton Hospital. People love to give financially to their Hospital. The millions and millions of dollars we raised was money needed to provide good health care for all. I love the idea of raising money for health care for all! I have always enjoyed chairing the Viennese Opera Ball which is always very glamorous and exciting and galas for the NY Women's Foundation. Success really depends on the cause. The events that I have chaired (there are dozens and dozens) are all for great causes. If an event raises needed funding, creates visibility and then brings in new people, I consider it a success! Of course, fashion and glamour can all play a role - but most important is the cause and then the funds and visibility raised for that cause. We recently read your book “Successful Philanthropy: How to Make a Life by What You Give”, firstly congratulations on getting this out there as that’s no easy task. The word philanthropy can conjure ideas of making financial donations. Your book teaches us that this simply is not true and that we can indeed be philanthropic by giving our time amongst other non-material things to causes that are close to our hearts. What philanthropic effort have you made which was the most memorable and closest to your heart?

I have volunteered my time and knowledge, raised funds, made introductions, promoted philanthropy and also made generous financial contributions. I would say that for me philanthropy is multifaceted and that I have been involved in numerous different aspects of it. My philanthropic work has been most rewarding. I feel most fortunate to be able to do it. There have been many aspects that have been most rewarding. But when you see the change in a child whose life was made better because of the work of a charity you are involved with - well, it touches the heart in a most fulfilling way! I serve on the board of 2 charities that work to directly change the lives of children: Mission Society of NYC and Casita Maria. As a Catholic, I served on the board of the Jewish Board for 28 years. The work of this charity is fantastic. It is the largest mental health charity in the state of New York, serving 50,000 people of whom 60% are not Jewish. Honestly, I love all the boards I serve on - they are all very special to me. They have been chosen because of the great work they do. You are referred to as ‘The First Lady of Philanthropy’ by the media, how do you feel about this, and do you feel a pressure to live up to it?

This title only makes me want to do more to help the philanthropic world. It is a great blessing to be in a position to give. I expect to do my philanthropic work for the rest of my life.

The pandemic changed everyone’s world, true to form you continued with all your efforts supporting the underserved. You also launched a TV show interviewing connections of yours. Many of these ventures, except for the TV show, are funded and organized by you and we presume a team. What do you find is the biggest challenge in managing everything and do you have any special practices to keep you centered that you can share with our readers?

The key is to work hard and stay focused. Also good work ethics are vitally important. Be kind, honest, and stay away from gossip. Do not be afraid to try new things.

Even though you are based in the East Coast, we know that you love to travel. When was the last time you came to California and when you were here were there any restaurants, shops, or hotels that you really enjoyed? We’re also known for our food, we’d love to hear what the best meal you had and where it was from.

Sadly, I have not been to California since before the pandemic. I love California and the vitality of the people in the state. Of course, I love Los Angeles with all the great shops, restaurants, and hotels. My favorite restaurants in LA are Craigs, Matteos, The Ivy and Giorgios. Regarding hotels, The Fours Seasons and The Beverly Hills Hotel are both wonderful - but there are many more great ones. The film industry is truly exciting and makes the city fun, hip and extremely special. Then you have all the geniuses of the tech world. California has so much to offer. I love it and could live there in a heartbeat. I can't wait to get back to your beautiful state!

Lastly but by no means least, if you were hosting guests in either New York or the Hamptons, are there any places local to you that you always take people to?

Yes, in New York I love taking friends to Casa Cipriani, an exciting new club, and then to all the other great restaurants. I am also a member of Doubles, a private exclusive club. People love to go to clubs. Fashion Week is always a real treat to visitors. Of course the museums, Broadway shows and all that Lincoln Center has to offer are always a treat to visitors. Then the many big galas at Lincoln Center and elsewhere. New York has fantastic shopping, great hotels, art exhibits, and restaurants. Then there are many galas and parties continually. New York City truly is a great city.

In the Hamptons, I love Le Bilboquet, Sant Ambroeus, Nick and Toni's, and The Palm. The Hamptons have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world -- and parties going on day and night! Both New York City and the Hamptons have so much to offer. Almost every place in the world has a lot to offer. As someone who loves to travel, I suggest that people explore their own hometowns first. Then when you have the chance to travel go to Los Angeles, New York, Paris, London, Rome, Dubai, Tokyo, Nairobi, Cape Town, Shanghai, and everywhere else you can!

Follow Jean Shafiroff on Social Media:

Instagram: @JeanShafiroff and @JeanShafiroffatwork

Facebook: @JeanShafiroff, Style & Philanthropy and @JeanShafiroff

X (Twitter): @JeanShafiroff