Cover Feature: Jean Shafiroff

select number of notable figures in the world are using their skills and resources to guide us down the path of hope this year. One such distinguished individual is Jean Shafiroff.

Well-known in the American social circuit as a groundbreaking philanthropist, Jean has used her good fortune to better humankind. Her vast credits of charitable work include serving on the boards of the American Humane, Southampton Hospital Association, New York City Mission Society, French Heritage Society, Couture Council of The Museum at FIT, Global Strays, and Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation Honorary Board. Although Catholic, Jean served as a board member of the Jewish Board for 28 years and is now an Honorary Trustee. Jean is an Ambassador for the American Humane Society and their National Spokesperson for the Feeding the Hungry COVID-19 program. She is the Ambassador of the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation. Jean is a New York Women’s Foundation Board Alumna who remains highly active with the Foundation and women’s issues.

Jean’s level of dedication makes her a once-in-a-generation humanitarian. Often, the philanthropist is asked for what is viewed as a simple favor by various charitable organizations, and it becomes an all-encompassing passion project. As a result of her dedication, Jean has been honored by many charities, including Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, New York City Mission Society, Southampton Animal Shelter, Surgeons of Hope, Al Sharpton’s National Action Network, the Ellen Hermanson Foundation, Youth Counselling League, the Jewish Board, Pet Philanthropy Circle, Animal Zone International, and the Hadassah.

Thought-provoking ideas on philanthropy’s business have created a position for Jean Shafiroff as the leading authority on the art of giving. Sought-after guidance as a volunteer advisor has driven Jean to become a popular television host, writer, and the author of the book, Successful Philanthropy: How to Make a Life By What You Give. Jean Shafiroff’s creative endeavors are conveyed as the host and producer of the television program Successful Philanthropy. Her show has established a radiating inspiration for viewers. Jean conducts riveting interviews with world leaders, international philanthropists, top leaders of charities, politicians, and celebrities alike. The show airs six times weekly through LTV studios in East Hampton, NY, as well as in New York City on Manhattan Neighborhood Network, Spectrum Channels, Verizon/FiOS Channels, and RCN Channel. The success of the show has led to it also opening in additional markets in 2021. The show can also be viewed on Jean Shafiroff’s Successful Philanthropy YouTube channel.

With these significant accomplishments, it is easy to see why the bestowed title of First Lady of Philanthropy is incredibly merited. Jean’s generosity and extensive work as a volunteer fundraiser and leader in the philanthropic world is rooted in a life-long mission.

©Michael Paniccia, Jacket Courreges

From humble beginnings, Jean was influenced by her music teacher father, as equally as the nuns at her Catholic school, to begin a life of good work. Encouraged to help others from her youth, a compelling motivation pushed Jean to do more for the world.

As a young woman, Jean was accepted at the competitive Columbia

University’s College of Physicians and Surgeons to study physical therapy. Then the Long Island native proceeded to work as a physical therapist at St. Luke’s Hospital in New York. Successively, Jean decided to resume her studies and attended the Graduate School of Business at Columbia University. During this time, the TV host earned an MBA and then applied her innate business skills to start a fruitful finance career on Wall Street.

“I have had a good life, and with that comes a responsibility to give back,” says Jean. “Beyond the giving, though, comes hard work, advocacy, organizing, leading, and gathering support for a given cause.”

With an understanding that not everyone can do what she has personally accomplished, Jean has pushed her philanthropy mission. Now the humanitarian is expanding her passion from New York City and the Hamptons to Palm Beach and Southern Florida. But Jean’s philanthropy is global as she serves on many international charity boards.

Jean wants to encourage every individual to make a difference. Among the many causes championed are women’s rights, the underserved, health care, and animal welfare. For Jean, there is a very hands-on approach to volunteering, as she works hard to motivate and educate others to get involved in the philanthropic process.

Whether Jean is talking about this effort on her television program or other media platforms, it is a progressive movement that creates change for the better. After all, if one person can be encouraged, it is sometimes all that it takes to create a mighty chain reaction: From a small seed blooms a beautiful flower full of colorful motivation.

The words she speaks, and the actions accomplished provide meaningful guidance across the world. We are all in this together. We will all come to light from these dark days when humanitarians like her lead the way.

©Michael Paniccia, Dress Oscar de la Renta

Visit Jean at jeanshafiroff.com. Follow her on Instagram @JeanShafiroff; Twitter @JeanShafiroff; Facebook @JeanShafiroff. •

STYLE LIFE & STYLE

SPRING FORWARD EDITION

By Griffin Miller

t’s springtime, baby, the season associated with optimism, and I’m going to get me some. After a year’s worth of misery, it’s time to get down with fresh air and socializing -- in person! Flights of al fresco fancy kick off with the arrival of Daylight Savings Time on March 14th and pick-up speed with St. Paddy’s (3/17) and the official arrival of spring (3/20) before launching into Passover (3/27), Easter (4/4), and Earth Day (4/22). No surprise then that my latest bespoke selections veer towards “out and about.” See you there! HIGH & MIGHTY WELL-CONNECTED

ASTRAL SELECTION MOVEABLE FEASTS

Since their debut in 1923, high top sneakers have been the optimal athletic shoe, boasting both ankle support and a cool profile. Today, sneakerhead faves run a multiple-style gamut, and once I found Cat Footwear’s unisex CODE Hi Hex high tops, I was a convert. From their leather uppers and minimalist gestalt to their quality and comfort, they checked all the boxes. And while they come in Black and Star White, I say go for colorful with Cat Yellow for brilliant spring! Info: catfootwear.com. Does your MacBook have a USB Type C hub? (The newest models all do.) Then life just reached Techno manageable status via Kingston Digital, Inc.’s Nucleum, a must-have 7-in-1 hub that houses not only USB-C and A ports, but also HDMI and SD/ microSD card slots—all usable simultaneously. I know, awesome. A mere 5” long and under 2” wide, the hub is just about as versatile as it gets. I suggest checking out the website for the full picture. Info: kingston.com.

Gemstones, crystals, and aromatherapy are key aspects of Moxie Malas’ inspiration infused jewelry. These lovely bracelets reflect the wearer; through Moxie Monthly subscriptions, they are eyeopening. I was drawn to their Zodiac Collection, with Aries being the sign that overlaps March and April. Each can be used as a diffuser by adding essential oil to its lava stones. Rock stars, for sure! Info: moxiemalas.com. With Earth Day on the horizon and plastic accumulation outpacing recycling, we not only need to clean up our act, but we also can. Overwhelmed? Start compact, with ECOlunchboxes’ modular Three-in-One Classic nesting bento set. Sleek, stainless, and ideal for anyone heading back to school/office/picnic-land or, like me, my desk at home. A lidded snack-size box pulls out, expanding the top tier’s capacity. I give it two forks (or chopsticks) up! Info: ecolunchboxes.com.

Over the last few years, actor/director/producer and talk show host Drew Barrymore has parlayed her innate charisma into product lines for home and beauty under the FLOWER by Drew umbrella. But for me, it’s her FLOWER Eyewear Blue Light Glasses that stand out thanks to my steady diet of laptop and cellphone use. Their yellow tint and layers of anti-blue light coating work in tandem as vision preservers, while the frame selections are fiercely on-trend. Info: flowerbydrew.com/flowereyewear For a while now, I’ve been wanting to test drive Bombas socks and seeing their Women’s Wild Wear Calf Socks in the confetti of safari patterns; I was more than primed to go all-in feet first. I am happy to report that each pair’s design whimsy is well-matched by comfy in terms of style. Additionally, their materials—a combination of 63 percent cotton, 30 percent polyester, 6 percent rubber, and 1 percent spandex—add up to a lightweight softness that I highly recommend! Info: bombas.com.

NEATLY PRESSED

In a world where product titles don’t necessarily tell it like it is, I fell for the straightforward BruTrek French Presses. It is created for those who like our coffee freshly brewed in bucolic— even rugged—open-air surroundings, BruTrek’s caffeine dispensers come in two sizes: 32 and 48 fluid ounces. As for the product, think posh café-style anywhere, allowing me to up my coffee consumption in the most innovative and handsome of ways! Info: planetarydesign.com. Après vaccine: One of the things I love most is working from anywhere other than home. In the spring, that translates to Central Park, the Lincoln Center fountain, and other assorted halcyon out-of-door spots. And I’m ready to splurge on a laptop case that eclipses my ho-hum tote. Enter Fabrik918’s Unisex Laptop Bags, luxe to the max: Turkish leather, deftly crafted, with clean unisex lines, gorgeous hardware, and interior accouterments that are altogether flawless. Info: fabrik918.com. Snacking is a) idiosyncratic and b) at the mercy of one’s taste buds and allergies, and a place that addresses all the above is a significant find. Pop On The Block is family-owned, making it a Mom & Popcorn business (cue rim shot). Their 50+ gourmet flavors—from Buffalo Wing and Cinnamon Whiskey to Cotton Candy and Pumpkin Pie—are nonGMO, kosher, gluten-free, plus there are vegan options. Indulge away! Info: popontheblock.com. •

CROSSOVER APPEAL CORN-UTOPIA

STYLE LIFE & STYLE: BEAUTY & HEALTH

By Griffin Miller

inter winds and indoor living have not been kind to our faces, bodies, sleep habits and stamina. Hopefully, the following will nourish us back to looking and feeling our best. Make that spring best!

SOUND INVESTMENT O TO GO FINGER PALETTES

TOTAL IMMERSION

Even though CBD products have been around a while, they’re just now being embraced for their versatility. With its luxuriant line of Bath Bombs and Soap, CBD Living has taught me that healing can be beautiful. Enriched with Broad Spectrum Nano CBD, both products share a scents menu. Among them unique combos, Amber Bergamot and Coconut Lime formulated to retain skin nutrients and moisture, bombs and soap are nothing short of transformative! Info: cbdliving.com. While our noses and mouths are safely double-masked, our eyes are taking up the facial expression slack, twinkling or tearing up, lashes flirt-fluttering, brows rising or furrowing. But if thinning brows and eyelashes are a current bête noir (like mine are), I recommend scooping up Factorfive’s Eye/Lash Cream. After a month, I am pleased to report both brows and lashes are rallying nicely. The triple-threat cream also refreshed and improved my entire eye area. A true 10! Info: factorfiveskin.com.

LASHING OUT

With New York living spaces being magnets for sleep issues—street cacophony, neighbors, night owl cohabitants—it’s no wonder our shuteye teeters on wonky. March being Sleep Awareness Month, I’ll share my solution: Sound+Sleep MINI, a compact, battery-powered sound machine that adjusts volume automatically to block ambient noise. Myriad audio programs, ranging from white noise to realistic, natural sounds, have turned my sleep hours into a virtual dream. Info:

soundofsleep.com.

It’s a well-known fact that gasping for breath is traumatic: ask any athlete, rock climber, or hardcore hiker. And it’s no picnic for couch potatoes with respiratory problems either. At 95 percent pure oxygen, Boost Oxygen in a portable can tackles everything from lousy air quality and hangovers to high altitudes and stamina. Available in “Natural,” you can up the impact with aromatherapy versions that help with things like muscle pain, headaches and focus. Info: boostoxygen.com. Shedding winter dreary for spring’s explosion of color ranks among the season’s most tantalizing delights. Off with gloves and boots, on to mani/ pedis! Naturally, this means stocking and upgrading our nail polish stash. In honor of Earth Day, I’m going eco-friendly, odorfree, non-toxic, water-based, crueltyfree, and vegan with SOPHi. Durable to the max, thanks to the brand’s Prime + Shine + Seal System, the color line is nothing short of très SOPHisticated! Info: sophinailpolish.com. •