PARK Summer Issue 2023

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & CO-FOUNDER

Julie Sagoskin

PUBLISHER & FOUNDER

Christopher A. Pape

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR & CO-FOUNDER

R. Couri Hay

EDITORAT-LARGE

George Wayne

EDITORIAL INTERNS

Nati Tesfaye, Lauren Stanzione, & Cierra Morgan

ARTS EDITOR

Janis Gardner Cecil

EXECUTIVE EDITOR

Patricia Conole

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

Michael Gross

ART DIRECTOR

Paul Crawford

FEATURES EDITOR

Bennett Marcus

PALM BEACH EDITOR

Christine K. Schott

SPECIAL PROJECTS EDITOR

Patrick McMullan

TRAVEL EDITOR

Joe Alexander

ASSOCIATE EDITORS

Lauren Bens, & Lexi Wolf

REAL ESTATE EDITOR

Alison Kenworthy

ASSISTANT EDITORS

W.A. Muller & Ryann Reynolds

INTERIORS EDITOR

Cara Gibbs

FINANCE EDITOR

Philip W. Malakoff

COPY EDITORS

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Julie Eakin julieeakin@yahoo.com

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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL AND SOCIAL MEDIA

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Editor’s Letter

appy Summer! ‘Tis the season of uninhibited fun and letting loose. And speaking of letting loose, that’s exactly what the stars did at this year’s Met Gala which honored the late Karl Lagerfeld amidst a dazzling red—or rather, white—carpet dotted with the iconic Chanel camellia and a sea of pearls, including some that sprawled from Kim Kardashian’s custom Schiaparelli design by Daniel Roseberry. Our Editorial Director, R. Couri Hay, attended fashion’s biggest spectacle of the year to give us his own insight into the designs, the décor and the dinner.

This issue we are honored to feature the biggest names in entertainment, real estate, design and more, plus never-beforeseen photos and exclusive content for PARK readers only.

Our second installment on photographer and Academy Awardnominated filmmaker Bruce Weber is here, with more archived photos and behind-the-scenes stories as told to myself and our editorial director. We also bring you our favorite interior designers, must-try new restaurants, including Hamptons hot spot El Turco, and of course, stylish summer travel destinations.

Wherever this summer takes you, make sure to take a copy of PARK—and don’t forget to tag us on Instagram in all of your tantalizing travel spots. If you’re in the Hamptons come catch us at our VIP party at the Hamptons Fine Arts Fair.

Stay safe, and stay stylish!

Julie Sagoskin Editor-in-Chief

From the Publisher

elcome to another Summer Edition of our baby which is about to turn two. We have been so honored to share our cutting-edge and exclusive content and photography from our award-winning team and are glad that we are able to keep the excitement of print publishing alive.

From behind the sparkling scenes Met Gala coverage to more iconic Bruce Weber stories and photographs, as well as tantalizing summer travel destinations and must-know personalities, we can’t wait for you to get lost within our pages.

We are honored to once again bring you the top names in the travel, dining, entertainment and arts worlds, including a voyage through the Dolomites in Italy, and some of the hottest up-and-coming designers you need to know now such as Lula Galeano, the founder of Studio Galeano and Cara Woodhouse.

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If you find yourself out East make sure to try El Turco, brought to you by famed Turkish developer Cagri Kaven who brings his heritage to life through both the space and culinary delights. And, if you spot us out at one of our own exclusive events in the Hamptons this summer make sure to say hello and let us know what you think!

Thank you for your continued readership and support.

Christopher A. Pape Publisher & Founder

BRUCE

Bill Murray. by Bruce Weber

WEBER

PART 2

PHOTOGRAPHER, ACADEMY -AWARD-NOMINATED FILMMAKER

BY JULIE SAGOSKIN

PRODUCED

BY R. COURI HAY

Ric and Natalie by Bruce Weber

Elizabeth Taylor

by Bruce Weber

WITH MENTORS LIKE RICHARD AVEDON, LIZ TAYLOR, AND DIANE ARBUS,

it’s no surprise that the photographer and filmmaker Bruce Weber has gone on to discover and befriend some of the biggest names in the worlds of fashion, art, and film. The Academy Award-nominated filmmaker’s newest documentary, Treasure of His Youth, about the Italian photographer Paolo Di Paolo, is currently making waves at film festivals around the world. In this second installment of our series with Weber, the iconic photographer reminisces about his relationships with some of the most intriguing people of the 20th and 21st centuries—many boldfaced names, but just as many relative unknowns. This story contains highlights from some of Bruce’s most iconic summer shoots, with many images originally taken for companies like Calvin Klein and Abercrombie & Fitch.

Lessons From Diane Arbus

Early on, Bruce developed an affinity for casting previously unknown talent: the lifeguard he ran into on the public beach, the young woman working at the icecream stand, the ferry attendant with the perfect nose. A dentist or plumber or dogwalker was just as likely to land on the pages of a magazine or a billboard as a professional model. “David Geffen once asked me, ‘How do you even meet any of these people?’ I said, simply, ‘Well, I don’t know. I just have a big world.’ Being open

to everyone and curious about them has helped me become a better photographer. One day I’m doing a portrait of somebody, the next day photographing a dog that I heard about. The day after it’s something else altogether. My attention and focus are always changing—it’s the way I’ve always preferred to be.” In this way, Bruce played a leading role in launching the careers of Brooke Shields, Talisa Soto, Bruce Hulse, Jeff Aquilon, and innumerable others from the late 1970s onward.

Obsession for Men. 1987 by Bruce Weber

Brooke Sheilds by Bruce Weber.

“I JUST HAVE A BIG WORLD.”

Diane Arbus shared some important words of wisdom with Bruce when they first met. “She told me, ‘Don’t let your mistakes or your successes get in the way of doing your work.’ ” Bruce talks about how Arbus was both tough and fragile in equal measure, and he shared how he has based his career, and, in many ways, his life on her words of wisdom.

Richard

Avedon: A Mentor

Bruce shared how Richard Avedon—the photographer known for stark black-and-white portraits—became a mentor to him. It was Avedon who encouraged Bruce to study photography after seeing some pictures he’d taken on a summer vacation in Maine.

Years later, the tables were turned, and Bruce was asked to photograph Avedon for Vogue in New York City. He describes their sitting together like a scene from a movie. First, they encountered the gallerist Leo Castelli on the street. Avedon dropped down on his knees and started bowing to him. There was a Veterans Day Parade passing down 5th Avenue, and Avedon ran out of the crowd like a kid to take pictures, with Bruce trailing behind. When they got to Central Park, groups of tourists from Japan asked Avedon to take their photos, not realizing who was behind the camera. Though the deadline for the shoot had passed, Bruce told Anna Wintour he needed more time to go back and do more photos because he hadn’t yet captured the Avedon experience fully.

It was during this time Bruce and his mentor developed an even closer friendship, despite Avedon being plagued by a host of troubles, including his wife’s declining health. Bruce remembers how Avedon always remained empathetic. “I loved his quirks. He would call me at all hours to talk about some problem or another. I welcomed it, of course, because he was somebody I grew up with, and he was a hero of mine.”

Helmut Newton & Edward Weston

Unlike Helmut Newton, the famed surrealist who believed photographers took only one picture and then kept repeating it, Bruce has always been drawn to naturalism. “I think because the pictures my dad took were naturalistic, I was drawn to and admired those kinds of photographs. I’ve always looked at the work of Edward Weston with admiration. I don’t want to necessarily take pictures like him, but I love the naturalness of his process.” Perhaps this is why Bruce has always been drawn to photographing the human figure in its most natural state.

Sex appeal may be one of the most recognizable

Yoko Ono by Bruce Weber.

aspects of his work, but Bruce insists that he does not go into a shoot thinking of how to make something sexy. In fact, he finds the mere suggestion cringeworthy. Instead, he is motivated by a feeling.

“I’ve always been a bit awkward. When photographing a nude, I try to find something extraordinary about the person. It could be the way the light hits their hands or their back, the turn of their thigh or shoulder—something that simply provokes a feeling. I consider them as a person—where they went to school, what they want to do with their life. All these things add up to my desire to know more about the person, and that feeling, in turn, goes into the photograph.”

The GQ Years

Early in his career, Bruce was tapped by Harry Coulianos and Donald Sterzin to photograph for GQ. Sterzin was GQ’s art director at the time and became Bruce’s good friend—their work together helped redefine the vision of male sexuality in mainstream American culture. This partnership could never have been forged were it not for Bruce’s own exacting standards. After one of his first shoots for GQ, Bruce stunned everyone by asking that his name be taken off the story, as he wasn’t pleased with the lighting and the model selection. “I was just starting out. They looked at me like I was crazy, but I was really tough about it, and they honored my wishes. I think that made an impression.”

His career at GQ defined a new men’s aesthetic—one that was not only sexy but chic. “You have to understand, in those early days most men weren’t even photographed, let alone in

“WHAT COULD BE SEXY TO ME IN A PICTURE MAY NOT BE FOR YOU.”

magazines or in a bathing suit, for that matter. I was doing a GQ sports issue in California, and the first place we went was Pepperdine University, where I knew the water polo coach. I photographed his son, who was captain of the team, in a gold suit, as well as Jeff Aquilon, another player on the team. To me, these photographs weren’t so much about their sexuality—I just thought they were both really special. People assume that if you appreciate guys that way, you have to be gay. I never saw it that way. I always felt that if I liked a person, I wasn’t going to be shy about showing it.”

Another example of Bruce finding a special subject was his discovery of Peter Johnson, a young athlete attending wrestling camp at the University of Iowa. Bruce wound up photographing him for countless designers and magazines over a four-year period. He even released a book on Johnson and made a movie of their time together, called Chop Suey. Though Bruce explains he wasn’t sexually attracted to him, he really loved Peter as a friend and what he stood for.

According to Bruce, the joy of being a photographer is having a romantic sensibility—be it in words, music, or the physicality of things—that allows him to go anywhere in his imagination. Bruce expresses gratitude for being able to experiment while growing up, to develop an awareness of his emotional life, and to put that at the center of his process.

Paul Newman

One standout character in Bruce’s photographic life was Paul Newman, who he says always reminded him of his father. Bruce first met Paul at a racetrack in Florida, on assignment to

Tom Hintnaus for Calvin Klein by Bruce Weber.

Kate Moss by Bruce Weber.

“YOU’VE GOT TO PROVE YOURSELF EVERY DAY AS A PHOTOGRAPHER.”

shoot a cover for Esquire. Hungover, ill-tempered, and wearing dark sunglasses, Newman did not match Bruce’s mental image in looks or attitude, although he was still determined to capture that perfect picture, however challenging.

For the beginning of the shoot, Paul’s face was constantly buried in a newspaper. Bruce asked him how they were ever going to get the photo if he wouldn’t show his face. Paul’s response took him by surprise. “He took his glasses off and said, ‘I’m so tired of people talking about my blue eyes.’ I said, ‘Well, I never mentioned your blue eyes.’ We started riffing on each other a little bit, and it was kind of antagonistic. I wanted to like him so much. Then we started walking over to the racetrack together, and if we hadn’t walked so fast, me and my assistant, we would have lost him.”

The chess game continued for a bit. Bruce was instructed not to take photos of him in his car—yet Newman still posed with strangers asking for pictures. “I decided that I couldn’t listen to him anymore. I wasn’t going to be a nice guy. Photographers are always being forced to have good manners. But I stayed with him. I wanted people to appreciate the man I knew was there.”

Bruce finally found his moment. Watching Newman play with a Band-Aid that was wrapped around one of his fingers while looking out into the distance, Bruce lay down on the ground and knew he had it. “I got a really nice picture of him that ran on the cover, but I had to work hard for that one.”

According to Bruce, experiences like these, and shooting some of the biggest campaigns in the fashion world, aren’t his most prized accomplishment. Rather, it was having the opportunity and means to care for his parents when they were sick. He and his wife, Nan, moved down to Palm Beach to stay with them during that time, and it was a time he cherishes to this day. Regardless of whatever awards or accolades he has received, Bruce enjoys just being Bruce. “People ask me now, ‘What is it like to do this?’ And I say, ‘Every day is a new day. And every day you’ve got to prove yourself as a photographer.’ P ”

bruceweber.com

Michael Phelps by Bruce Weber.

Met Gala The

THE PARTY OF THE YEAR

BY R.COURI HAY

PHOTOS BY PATRICK M c MULLAN

“A PROLIFIC BODY OF WORK UNPARALLELED IN THE HISTORY OF FASHION.”

Andrew Bolton

DUA LIPA, ROGER FEDERER, Penélope Cruz, Michaela Coel, and Anna Wintour co-chaired this year’s chic Met Gala dubbed “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty.” This year, the ticket prices were raised from 35k to 50k— inflation has even hit the fashion world in 2023. I’ve been to every Met Gala since 1972, either as a guest, when tickets were 500 dollars apiece, or as a columnist, and this year did not disappoint. On the first Monday in May, couture clad A-Listers flock to the Metropolitan Museum of Art to celebrate fashion and raise the necessary funds to maintain the museum’s extraordinary Costume Institute.

Each year, the sparkling benefit rakes in more money. Last year they raised over $17.4 million. The “Party of the Year” just keeps getting better, and this year proved more elegant than eccentric, which I’m sure “The Kaiser” would have approved. The designer was a central fixture in the fashion world with his work for Chanel, Fendi, Chloe, Balmain, Patou and his own eponymous brand. Lagerfeld, a lover of felines and fashion, was an outspoken foe of sweatpants and once said, “Sweatpants are a sign of defeat. You lost control of your life, so you bought some sweatpants.” His legend is cemented with this thoughtful and inspiring exhibition, which features over 150 garments spanning from the 1950s to his final collection in 2019. In 2013, he proclaimed, “I’ve always known that I was made to live this way, that I would be this sort of legend.” The show runs through July 16th metmuseum.org

The White Carpet

Pearls, tweed, camellias, and cats were the holy quintuplet of this year’s gala. The museum’s steps were covered in a white carpet with red-and-blue swirling lines referencing the exhibits’ theme. The steps were lined with wine racks of empty plastic bottles, and the main entrance featured an enormous column made up of thousands of them. The roof of the entrance tent was draped with white silk and festooned with crystal chandeliers. Among the actors, musicians, and socialites who stood out on the carpet were Jared Leto dressed as Lagerfeld’s beloved cat, Choupette, Doja Cat donning a prosthetic nose and lip to mimic the feline look, and a racy Lil Nas X covered in nothing but silver glitter, crystals, and a thong and wearing sky-high platforms.

Metropolitan Museum of Art ‘s Costume Institute

WAS BOTH LAGERFELD’S PRIMARY MODE OF CREATIVE EXPRESSION AND COMMUNICATION.”

We can’t forget to mention a pregnant Rihanna, who arrived two hours late, in a cocoon of white camellias and a twenty-foot train. She was worth the wait!

The Exhibition

The exhibition is presented as a conceptual essay about Lagerfeld’s work and is based on William Hogarth’s book The Analysis of Beauty. Hogarth describes theories of art and aesthetics centered on the form of lines within its pages. The exhibition is anchored by two through lines, the serpentine line and the straight line, that represent conceptual expressions of Lagerfeld’s sketches. The serpentine signifying Lagerfeld’s historicist, romantic, and decorative impulses, while the straight indicates his modernist, classicist, and minimalist tendencies.

These two lines are then divided into nine pairs of “sublines” to represent the dualities in his designs: feminine and masculine, romantic and military, rococo and classical, historical and futuristic, ornamental and structural, canonical and countercultural, artisanal and mechanical, floral and geometric, and figurative and abstract. To bridge the dualities together, there are, as the curators explained, “explosions,” or important garments which signify the convergence of the lines. His own sketches will be shown next to a majority of the pieces, underscoring his creative process and collaborative relationships with his premières d’atelier— the seamstresses responsible for translating

Lagerfeld’s drawings into three-dimensional garments. These sketches serve as the introduction to the exhibition with illuminative videos showing Karl making the drawings in real time. Sketching was both Lagerfeld’s primary mode of creative expression and his primary mode of communication.

Closing the show is the satirical line, which comprises two parts. The first includes garments that communicate Lagerfeld’s razor-sharp wit expressed through ironic, playful, and whimsical embroideries. The second features ensembles that mirror the late designer’s self-image through various representations of his immediately recognizable black-and-white “uniform.”

Max Hollein, Marina Kellen French Director of The Met, said: “Karl Lagerfeld was one of the most captivating, prolific, and recognizable forces in fashion and culture, known as much for his extraordinary designs and tireless creative output as for his legendary persona.”

Andrew Bolton, Wendy Yu Curator in Charge, The Costume Institute, said: “The exhibition explores Lagerfeld’s complex working methodology, tracing the evolution of his fashions from the two-dimensional to the three-dimensional. The fluid lines of his sketches found expression in recurring themes in his fashions, uniting his designs for Chanel, Chloé, Fendi, his eponymous label, Karl Lagerfeld, and Patou, creating a diverse and prolific body of work unparalleled in the history of fashion.”

The Décor

The Met Gala’s brilliant event planner, Raúl Àvila, created a modern and innovative installation. Architect Tadao Ando designed the exhibit. “It’s a nod to Karl’s love of everything cutting edge,” said Vogue ’s contributing editor Eaddy Kiernan, who helped plan the event.

The eco-friendly emphasis is an important detail. “Given today’s climate, we wanted to highlight the importance of giving our everyday items more than one life cycle,” Àvila explained. “We wanted to find a way to create a sustainable design that would implement the bottles into a breathtaking installation unlike anything we’ve done before.” The water bottles also flanked the staircase leading up to the gallery, reflecting the surrounding lights to make the entire design feel immersive.

The Dinner

The dinner was inspired by the wedding reception that Lagerfeld hosted for Paloma Picasso in 1978. The goal was to make it feel like a dinner at his home, and by all accounts, they succeeded. The lavish meal included chilled spring pea soup with baby vegetables, lemon crème fraiche, and truffle snow, followed by Ora King salmon with asparagus, pickled strawberries, and radish. The meal was served on vintage China with bouquets of pink flowers on the table. For drinks, there was a fine wine selection and a whimsical addition: cans of Diet Coke, one of Karl’s favorite drinks.

“SKETCHING

KARL LAGERFELD THROUGH THE YEARS AT THE MET GALA

1992 with Victoire De Castellane

2008 with Blake Lively

2005 with Ashley Olsen

2006 with Mariah Carey

2011 with Rachel Bilson

2017 with Lily-Rose Depp

2007 with Uma Thurman

1997 with Elton John

2008 with Sarah Jessica Parker

2008 with Diane Kruger

2008 with Anna Wintour

2005 with Yoko Ono

1995 with Claudia Schiffer

2004 with Tommy Hilfiger

2007 with Lindsay Lohan

THE MET GALA What the said Stars

Anne Hathaway, Jared Leto, and Salma Hayek

Anne Hathaway in Versace:

“It’s meant to be a marriage between Donatella Versace and Karl Lagerfeld.”

Jared Leto: “I can imagine Karl looking down with a smile on his face. Seeing Choupette in all his glory.”

Salma Hayek: in Gucci

Dua Lipa

“It’s a 1992 full bride dress by Karl. It’s been on my mood board forever.”

Wearing: Chanel

PRODUCED BY R.COURI HAY

PHOTOS BY PATRICK M c MULLAN

ASAP Rocky and Rihanna

Rihanna:

Cardi B

“I spent so much money on Chanel. I might as well be here.”

Wearing: Chenpeng Studio

Penelope Cruz

“I am probably one of the biggest fans of Chanel and Karl in this world. I know a lot about every single collection he did.”

Wearing: Chanel

Nicole Kidman

Wearing: Valentino

Lil Nas X

in Dior

“We just did this in the car. It took 20 minutes.”

“I remember his laugh when he first sketched the dress and handed me the sketch. He always made me laugh. He designed a number of dresses for me, but I think this is the most spectacular.”

Wearing: Chanel

“I never thought he’d be showing me pictures of his cat. On his phone!”

Ashley Graham

“It’s the invitation of all invitations to get, and then you’re there celebrating, having fun and letting your hair down in an amazing gown.”

Wearing: Harris Reed

Emily Ratajkowski

“Maybe tonight I’ll meet my husband.”

Wearing: Tory Burch

Kendall Jenner and Gigi Hadid

Kendall Jenner in Marc Jacobs: “I started working with him when I was really young and really new, and he embraced me. “

Gigi Hadid in Givenchy: “ Every second with him was an honor, joy, and inspiration.”

Julia Garner, Halle Bailey, and Daisy Edgar Jones

Daisy Edgar Jones: “Seeing what everyone else is wearing is always the best bit.”

Wearing:

Naomi

Campbell

“I met him when I was 16-years-old and worked with him until he died.”

Wearing: Chanel

Jordan Roth

“This piece and I felt like we were destined for each other—like we were meant to dance together… The nicest thing anybody can ever say to me at the Met is, ‘You understood the assignment.’”

Wearing: Schiaparelli

Julia Garner: Zac Posen Daisy Edgar Jones and Halle Bailey: Gucci

Wearing: Ralph

Michaela Coel

“130,000 crystals, 26,000 mixed stones and over 3,800 hours of work went in to make this dress.”

Wearing: Schiaparelli

Anna Wintour and Bill Nighy

Anna Wintour: “I’ve joked that Karl was a one-man superbrand, as distinctive as the Chanel suit he imbued with a second life. To me, however, he was something more. Through decades of adventures and misadventures, he was a true and loyal friend.”

Wearing: Chanel

Marc Jacobs and Paris Hilton

Marc Jacobs: “Karl was the true fashion designer. There were no limits. It was about unbridled creativity.”

Paris Hilton in Marc Jocobs

Jennifer Lopez

“If you think of five people in fashion, he’s one of them.”

Lauren

Margot Robbie

“This dress was worn by Cindy Crawford in 1993… I was the last Chanel ambassador that he picked.”

Wearing: Chanel

Madelyn Cline, Stella McCartney and Aubrey Plaza

Stella McCartney: “We’re a girl group.”

Wearing: Stella McCartney

Lea Michele

“I told my son I was at a wedding tonight for my friends Anna and Karl.”

Wearing: Michael Kors

Wearing: Karl Lagerfeld

Wearing: Schiaparelli

Jeremy Scott and Devon Aoki

Devin Aoki: “I think Jeremy really went back down memory lane to our time with Karl.”

Wearing: Jeremy Scott

Michael Kors

“I think Karl loved romantic, but also something a little nasty.”

Cara Delavigne

Kim Kardashian

“I wanted pearls. The iconic Chanel pearls is what I always thought of. I just wanted to be dripping in pearls.”

of the

Talk Town

MUST HAVE LIPS OF THE SUMMER

PHOTO : MARK ELZEY @ LAIRDANDGOODCOMPAGNY

MAKEUP AND HAIR : PASCALE POMA @ CELESTINE

STYLING : DY’AMOND BREEDLOVE

MODELS : AVA SOPHIA AND AMELIA @JAG

PRODUCTION@ BIG ALICE PRODUCTIONS NY

RETOUCHER : MD SABI @ STUDIOSABI

All Hair : using L’Oreal Professional USA

On skin : Odièle Rose serum,

foundation: Tom Ford , Traceless soft Matte in Sable

Eyes : Dior five couleurs couture eyeshadow palette in 279 Denim

Lips : Clarins , water Lip Stain

02 in orange water

Hat : Esendhel @esenshel

Earrings: Agmes @agmesnyc

Odièle Rose serum, foundation: Tom Ford , Traceless soft Matte in Sable

Eyes : Charlotte Tilbury Talk Instant Eyeshadow Palette

Mascara : L’Oreal Telescopic in black

Lips : MAC in Candy Yum Yum

Hat : Esendhel @esenshel

Look# 1: on Ava Sophia

Look #2 on Ava Sophia

Look#3 on Amelia

On the skin

Odièle Rose serum, foundation: Clarins

Everlasting Youth Fluid # 103N

Eye Shadow : Glossier Monochromes Essential eyeshadow trio in Mesa

Eyeliner : Bobbi Brown Long-wear gel eyeliner

Mascara: L’Oreal

Telescopic in black

Lips: Urban Decay: Unbreakable Power Red

Earring: Agmes @ agmesnyc

On the skin

Odièle Rose serum, foundation: Clarins Everlasting Youth Fluid # 103N

Blush: Nars

Tempted

Eye shadow: Dior five couleurs couture eyeshadow palette in 279 Denim

Mascara: L’Oreal

Telescopic in black

Lips: Maybelline Super Stay Vinyl Ink Liquid

Lipcolor in wicked Neckless: andotherstories

On the skin

Odièle Rose serum, foundation: Clarins Everlasting Youth Fluid # 103N

Blush : Nars in Liberte

Eye Shadow : Urban Decay

Naked 2Basics Eyeshadow

Palette

Mascara: L’Oreal

Voluminous Original Washable Mascara in Cobalt

Eyeliner : NYX

Epic Wear

Waterproof Eye liner stick in Chill

Lips: Dior Addict in 659 Coral Bayadère

Earring: Dune Jewelry @dunejewelry

Look # 5 on Amelie

Look# 4 on Ava Sophia

Look # 6 on Amelie On the skin

Odièle Rose serum, foundation: Clarins

Everlasting Youth Fluid # 103N

Eye Shadow: Urban Decay Naked 2 Basics Eyeshadow Palette

Mascara: L’Oreal Telescopic in black

Lips: Maybelline

Color Sensational Matte in Violet Vixen Hat : Esenshel @esenshel

Earring: Agmes @ agmesnyc

So What’s Next For Cult of Individuality?

THE

GW TETE-A-TETE WITH LEGENDARY STREETWEAR VISIONARY,

RON POISSON

BY GEORGE WAYNE

wing to its peak eye for design, appreciation of the best fabrics and luxe approach to sportswear, the 13-year-old denim cult brand continues to ride the crest of streetwear relevance. Weathering and sandblasting processes, along with rip-and-repair house tropes plus personalized denim and leather set new standards (and profit margins) for Cult of Individuality. How will its creative director, designer and co-founder Ron Poisson build on three decades of cutting-edge cool with his revolutionary, all-American streetwear brand ?

GW: American fast-apparel visionary Ron Poisson, your certified cult classic, Cult of Individuality, is way past its cool-of-themoment expiration date–so why is ‘Cult’ still sizzling in the marketplace?

RP: The only constant thing is change. The creative minds at Cult of Individuality never rest on their laurels. We are always trying to push the boundaries of the contemporary streetwear market. Never ones to play by the traditional rules of fashion, we strive to break and reshape them whilst exploring collaborations with other artists and musicians.

GW: I hear the first Cult of Individuality brick and mortar store is opening. Incredible news! We pray it will be in Soho, New York City.

RP: The flagship will be home to all Cult categories: denim, activewear, t-shirts, hats, swimwear, backpacks, slides, socks and underwear.

GW: Tell us about your Summer 2023 drop-of-the-season, with Cult of Individuality x Guns N Roses to tie in with their latest stadium tour.

RP: We like to collaborate with artists that come onto the scene and make a generational impact, whether with the Bob Marley family, the Jimi Hendrix family, or the Guns N Roses family. We all share one thing - rebellious style. Our collaborations pay homage to these musical pioneers and the cultural impact they’ve had on society.

GW: Slash had better be sporting those looks onstage at Met Life Stadium this August.

RP: Hopefully the denim jacket from the collaboration screams “’80s hair band!” It’s replete with studs, patches, prints, embroidery and zip-off sleeves. Also featured in the collection are vintage t-shirts with novelty glitter appliques, prints and embroidery and a sweatshirt accentuated with studs, embroidery and an aux chord for a draw chord.

GW: How did a surfer dude who studied Marine Biology at the University of Rhode Island become one of the greatest

American retail gurus who’s still at the top of his game?

RP: I am a unique individual and the brand has undertones of my personality woven through it. The brand brings a beach and surf meets urban city hipster vibe. Growing up in Rhode Island, I was artistic and loved to surf. As fate would have it, I landed a job with one of my favorite companies, Ocean Pacific, in the early ’90s. Mossimo, another iconic California lifestyle brand, taught me a vital lesson that I used to create my brand and still uphold today. That is, to inspire and captivate, make them want to be a part of what you’re making. There has to be a lifestyle attached to the brand that resonates with who wears it.

GW: From piquing Generation Z to what we hope will follow in Generation Alpha, is the Cult still ready to rock the zeitgeist?

RP: I’ve always made strategic decisions to

bring in younger designers to work with me who have different and fresh perspectives on fashion and on the desires of our target audience. The same approach applies to our marketing: always have a pulse on what that customer wants and is searching for.

GW: You are famous for saying, ‘’Denim is the backbone of American fashion.’’ Flesh out that thought.

RP: I started this brand in 2009 with eight pairs of jeans: four relaxed fits and four boot cuts. I chose denim because I love its versatility and treated it as an artistic palette. There are no rules; the only limitations are what we can think of. Denim is the backbone of American fashion. Everyone has at least a pair of jeans in their wardrobe.

GW: The backbone of your brand, the skinny jean, is now dead for any fashion

head. R.I.P. skinny jeans.

RP: We’ve returned to the board with a more relaxed fit and our classic take on the bootcut jeans. Over the last 13 years, we have constantly pushed the envelope regarding fashion and fit in our jeans. The skinny jean will never die–it’s just taking a back seat. I did super skinny jeans in stretch for my artists ten years ago when nobody else did it. In fact, the retailers were initially apprehensive about buying because they were seen as feminine or women’s jeans. So I was relegated to giving these jeans away to influencers and musicians who could appreciate them at that moment. Fast-forward ten years, skinny jeans have become the staple for the fashion-forward skater, rockstar and artist. All consumers seek stretch in their denim, but my experience over the last 30 years has shown me that fashion trends are like a pendulum—when it swings one way, it often swings back the other way.

GW: Are there any plans to revive your Bob Marley Collection x Cult of Individuality to coincide with the upcoming Paramount Pictures’ Bob Marley biopic in 2024?

RP: We are currently on our second capsule with the Marley family. Bob Marley was the first collaboration with an artist we did and would be difficult to outdo. Bob Marley is one of the few artists with universal appeal and recognition. His message is of the utmost importance, and the sound he used to convey that message really resonates with the brand.

GW: Your eye for culture is as on-point as ever, because right now an homage and reverence for Native American indigenous cultures is about to sweep the zeitgeist. As ever, the visionary Ron Poisson. P cultofindividuality.com

“I’VE ALWAYS MADE STRATEGIC DECISIONS TO BRING IN YOUNGER DESIGNERS TO WORK WITH ME WHO HAVE DIFFERENT AND FRESH PERSPECTIVES ON FASHION AND ON THE DESIRES OF OUR TARGET AUDIENCE.”

YAAMAVA’ PUTS

NATIVE AMERICAN DESIGNERS ON THE MAP

Fashion

Daze

BY GEORGE WAYNE

COBRA PHOTO CREDIT - JAMIE OKUMA

or two days in late April, the chicest, coolest event in the California desert wasn’t Coachella but a two-day fashion extravaganza produced by People’s Revolution and dubbed the Yaamava’ Fashion Daze, aka America’s First Indigenous Fashion Weekend. Just ask Paris Jackson, LA’s reigning new ‘It’ Girl, who turned up for the final night of the triumphant presentation of Native American indigenous creators, including the first admitted to the

FCFDA, Jamie Okuma, and other stellar stars such as Jennifer Younger, Orlando Dugi, and Section 35 from Vancouver, Canada.

The setting was on the ancestral land of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians and their reservation, which happens to feature the splashiest, swankiest, buzziest Forbes-rated five-star Yaamva Resort & Casino set against the snow-capped mountains of San Bernardino, California.

“This is a spirit call to the next generation,” said Kelly Cutrone, the legendary fashion show producer behind the event. “To celebrate culture and commerce and beauty by creating this platform for indigenous creators gives them new representation for their expressive native sovereignty.”

The first Yaamava’ Fashion Daze will go down in fashionista history as a seminal event! The first truly Native American Fashion Week was one to remember. Other worldestablished brands, such as Custo Barcelona and the hippest American streetwear brand of the moment, Cult of Individuality, extended love and support. But the one-of-akind work in textiles, beading, and metals from indigenous vanguards like the Alaskan Tlingit artist Jennifer Younger and her armor-like jewelry set the standard.

The graphic printed silk dresses, beading, and ribbon motifs of the most famous indigenous American designer right now, Jamie Okuma, also helped truly define this triumphant fashion moment. P

COBRA PHOTOS - ORLANDO DUGI OLIVER HALFIN PHOTO

COBRA PHOTOS- JENNIFER YOUNGER

of Manhattan

School Music

LEADING THE WAY TO A BETTER SOUNDING FUTURE

BY NATI TESFAYE

EARLIER THIS SPRING, THE MANHATTAN SCHOOL of Music community gathered for their annual Gala at the magnificent Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Center, which was music to the ears of their many esteemed and notable guests in attendance. The festivities were in celebration of MSM’s prestigious Opera Studies program and in honor of long-time MSM Board of Trustees members Marcia Clay Hamilton and Edward Lowenthal, who have both contributed generously to the institution and its mission.

The Gala, which was hosted by Richard Gaddes (HonDMA ’17), a former General Director of the Santa Fe Opera, and Melissa Wegner (MM ’05), Executive Director of the Metropolitan Opera Lindemann Young Artist Development Program and Laffont Competition, included breathtaking performances from current students and MSM alumni. Mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges (BM ’09), a two-time Grammy Award winner, performed for the crowd along with Bernie Williams (BM ’16), the former New York Yankee All Star and Latin Grammy-nominated jazz guitarist. This riveting pair were followed by performances from recent graduates Le Bu (BM ’22) and Daniel Rich (MM ’19). Le Bu, bass-baritone and winner of the 2022 Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition, made his debut at the Metropolitan Opera this season as a Flemish Deputy in Don Carlo. Daniel Rich, baritone and winner of the inaugural New York City Opera/MSM Duncan Williams Voice Competition, will sing in two Met Opera revival productions this season taking on the roles of Paris in Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette and singing Chester in the Grammy Award-winning Fire Shut Up in My Bones, composed by MSM trustee Terence Blanchard (HonDMA ’17).

Adrienne and Gianluigi Vittadini

MSM Vocal Arts students

Melissa Wegner and Ann Ziff

Sylvia Hemingway, Maribel Lieberman, Adam Gyorgy

Left to right: Trustees and gala honorees Marcia Clay Hamilton and Edward Lowenthal with MSM President James Gandre (center)

The success and talent of these alumni is a testament to their alma mater’s excellence and prestige. Located at 130 Claremont Avenue, MSM has been at the forefront of musical education for decades. Originally founded by Janet Daniels Schenck in 1918, MSM is renowned for its more than 1,000 prodigiously talented undergraduate and graduate students who hail from more than 50 countries and nearly every state. These musicians are steeped in the school’s innovative curricula. Through the classical, jazz arts, musical theater, contemporary performance, and orchestral performance programs, undergraduate and graduate students can excel and develop with the help of their peers and professors who are all highly regarded in the industry. The school’s prestigious faculty is made up of musicians from

the Met Opera Orchestra and New York Philharmonic, as well as the upper echelons of the jazz and Broadway worlds.

This exciting learning environment is enhanced by the school’s more than 700 live, in-person performances throughout the academic year. Here, students can showcase their talents to New York audiences and gain real-world performance experience. The school’s curricula and performance season are inseparable; this is just one of the many reasons why MSM has been at the forefront of music education globally. The curricula, which is centered around performance and musical exploration, works in conjunction with the school’s robust alumni network which features distinguished, award-winning graduates, many of whom are still very involved with and connected to the school. At MSM, the possibilities are endless, and students learn in a nurturing environment where they are encouraged to find their true selves and explore the full reach of their potential.

The school’s immersive and remarkable curricula is also a feature of its other programs and offerings. MSM’s Precollege, which teaches students ages 5 to 18 in classical, jazz, and musical theater, helps young and promising musicians expand their horizons and develop technically and personally. Currently, the school has 475 students enrolled in the Precollege, which takes place on Saturdays throughout the school year. Recently, Judith Insell, a Precollege faculty member, won an advocacy “Jazz Hero” award from the Jazz Journalist Association for her work leading the Bronx Arts Ensemble. Another of MSM’s pioneering programs is its Distance Learning Program, part of the school’s Orto Center, which was launched in 1996 and offers private instruction, seminars, and master classes for MSM’s college students and – thanks to its digital global reach – students all around the world.

With the 2023-2024 academic year just around the corner, the MSM community is teeming with excitement at the arrival of the class of 2027 and the launch of what promises to be an extraordinary performance season. P

msmnyc.edu

J’Nai Bridges (BM ’09) and Bernie Williams (BM ’16)

‘‘HERE, STUDENTS ARE ABLE TO SHOWCASE THEIR TALENTS IN THE MORE THAN 700 PERFORMANCES THAT COMPRISE THE MSM SEASON.’’

Summer’s Most Anticipated Art Event

The Hamptons Fine Arts Fair is one of the nation’s most important art events, drawing art collectors from across the country and across the globe in pursuit of rare pieces, masterworks, and the discovery of remarkable upcoming talent. Produced by art connoisseur Rick Friedman, the Fair is celebrating its fourth year and returning to the Southampton fairgrounds July 13-16 in what promises to be the largest and most spectacular event yet, as the fair adds some of the most acclaimed galleries in the world. Yes, you can find something to fit nicely over the sofa, but you may also find an incredible timepiece, a crocodile fossil, or even a Picasso of your own to elicit awe and envy.

Jewelry, Watches, Fossils, Antiques, and Art

Friedman takes immense pride in the growth the fair has shown in the past four years. “Last year was really successful in that we exceeded sales and attendance expectations, so this year we have increased the scale of what we are offering by 60% to ensure that we have

Rick Friedman THE HAMPTONS FINE ARTS FAIR

BY BRIAN AKER

the top art vendors to create a special experience for our guests,” says Friedman. “This year we have about 130 vendors from all over the world, which will not only encompass art, but also jewelry, watches, antiques, and much more.” Galleries include M.S. Rau and Bill Hodges Gallery. Notable artists on view will be Jean-Michel Basquiat, Guy Stanley Philoche, and David Hockney. Friedman also created a separate building, called the Luxury Pavilion, to showcase elite brands and highprofile collectible items. He refers to it as “the art collectors’ miracle mall of luxury products and services.”

The Hamptons Fine Arts Fair doesn’t specialize in any particular kind of art, as tastes run the gamut, but it does focus on high-quality, rarer pieces and sought-after artists. Friedman shares what attendees have to look forward to: “There’s a big trend in urban art or street art, so we are bringing innovative artists and their works to reflect the demand in that category and capture that client who wants to learn about and see more of it. A lot of galleries across the country are adopting urban artists alongside their more traditional offerings, so we want to be reflective of that trend and offer those pieces. We also have what we will call

‘blue chip’ pieces, including prints by artists like Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, and Alex Katz, whose prints are very popular and draw clients. Last year one gallery alone did over one million dollars in sales of prints in the four days of the fair.”

Beyond the two-dimensional offerings, Jewelry and Watches will also be well represented, with vendors from across the country bringing in collectible and high-end, highly sought-after name brands. Jewelers will offer rare, large precious gems both set and unset, in addition to showstopping pieces.

And another category broadening the art category is the emergence of the market for natural art, with one vendor bringing pieces created by nature over several thousand years. “We have a vendor coming that specializes in fossils, who is bringing a stone with an 11-foot ancient crocodile fossil in stone. That is definitely a conversation starter,” Friedman says with a laugh.

50th Anniversary of Picasso’s Death

“We will also be celebrating Picasso on the 50th anniversary of his death. We have a major display coming from London with 30 works by Picasso, with lectures and a reception built

Rick Friedman in front of Jackson Pollocks

around that. There will be many Picassos for sale, giving people the opportunity to not only see them, but to own them, and that is tremendously convenient to bring so many pieces together in one place to provide options of which Picasso someone would want. Unlike museum shows, all of these Picassos will be available for immediate acquisition. There is also a vendor coming from Philadelphia with a stunning collection of Norman Rockwell. He has many of the artworks used on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post, for which Mr. Rockwell produced the cover art for many years.

He is bringing the best covers with him, and he is going to show the original paintings that were made into the covers. These are some of

the most iconic images in Americana, and Rockwells are becoming harder to find, even as the values are soaring.”These are some of the most iconic images in Americana, and Rockwells are becoming harder to find, even as the values are soaring.”

Artists’ Hall of Fame, Blue Chip Masters, and LGBT Tea Dance Events at the fair will include many lectures, a Hall of Fame paying tribute to five notable local artists, and an LGBT Tea Dance Friday night, as part of the special Bastille Day celebration. Food and alcohol will be plentiful, as guests explore the grounds and the 70,000square-foot pavilion complex, allowing an

estimated 12,000 or more art enthusiasts to view all the vendors over the course of the weekend. Art prices range from $10,000 to the “sweet spot” of $30,000 to $50,000, yet many pieces offered top the $100,000 price point.

“People come to the Hamptons Fine Arts Fair from everywhere as they are looking for special pieces to decorate their primary homes, vacation homes, and offices. These are often investors looking for serious prestige investment art, and we have everything from emerging, mid-career, and Blue-Chip Masters. This is the largest cultural event in the Hamptons; nothing else even comes close.” P

hamptonsfineartfair.com

Guy Stanley Philoche

M.S.

Rau

PRESTIGE ART & JEWELRY IN THE HAMPTONS

BY BRIAN AKER

Hamptons Fine Art Fair

As a highly respected purveyor of fine antiques, art, and important jewelry, Bill Rau knows exactly what the luxury client has on their wish list. Rau is the owner of M.S. Rau, the iconic antique store on New Orleans’ fabled Royal Street, where you feel like you’re shopping in a museum. Rau will be staging a stunning exhibition at the Hamptons Fine Art Fair July 13-16 in Southampton, bringing with him one of the most impressive collections of fine art and jewelry in the country. Having taken part in last year’s successful fair, Rau returns with treasures that will beguile and prove irresistible to the well-heeled and discerning collectors.

Picasso, Monet, Renoir, and Rare Jewels

“We are bringing high-value jewelry and rare fine art, including some really powerful impressionist and old master paintings that will astound,” says Rau. “We bought a couple of important collections, which brought us a Picasso, an incredible Monet, an extraordinary

Renoir, and a Matisse that is just utterly amazing. We have these masterworks as part of nearly 60 that we will show, and then there is the jewelry. We were fortunate enough to acquire some exceptional objects from a collector, which include stones that never, ever come to the market and are the best of their type. Our jewelry will be captivating and enticing to that client looking for something unique and showstopping.”

Knowing that there is an expanding market for rare gems, Rau is wise to bring those with marquee appeal. “We have two really important gemstones, a ten-carat blue diamond, and a ten-carat pink diamond. We were also able to get pieces that had not been on the market in 20 or 30 years. Jewelry prices have done so well over the years, especially for colored gems. It is a very smart investment at this time.” Among the most notable stones Rau has, is a 37-carat cushion-cut Brazilian Paraíba, a stone that is currently in high demand and which Rau describes as “the best Paraíba in the world” for its beauty, clarity, and depth of color.

An Extraordinary Matisse

The Hamptons Fine Art Fair is in its fourth

year, and it has already attained a reputation for amassing the most impressive art on the market. This year promises to be even more stellar for the level of world-renowned masterworks that will be present, including a group from Rau’s New Orleans gallery. One painting has never been for sale in the art market and collector who attends. “The Matisse is a rarity that we bought directly from the Matisse family,” says Rau. “It has never been on the market, and is in the top 3% of all Matisses, sizewise. Not all paintings by Matisse were signed, but this is signed, and it was painted during an important period during World War I, after he escapes Paris in 1917 and goes to Nice, to be further away from the fighting. In Nice, Matisse stayed with Renoir, who at first did not like him and thought Matisse was just a wannabe artist. Then, when Renoir saw what Matisse was doing with light and color, Renoir was amazed and had nothing but the most complimentary words for him.And that was about the time Matisse broke through.

“In 1952, MoMA in New York did a retrospective of Matiss’s work. They took the

Bill Rau

very best paintings from around the world, and it just blew people away. The painting we have for sale was in that exhibition. So, you have this giant painting direct from the family, and in perfect condition, unlined—the great majo-rity of them that are over 100 years old are lined. I’m not even sure that anything could be any better than this piece staying in the Matisse family all these years, where it was cherished and protected. To finally come to market now is extraordinary in the art world, and now, it is among the most valuable.”

Family-Owned Business, Founded in 1912

Rau’s gallery, M.S. Rau, has become an institution in New Orleans and a magnet for serious collectors throughout the world, having been in business since 1912. They specialize in museum-quality art and antiques, as well as fine jewelry of unsurpassable craftsmanship. What Rau is bringing to show at the Hamptons Fine Art Fair is a curated selection in alignment with the tastes of the cognoscenti, whose preferences for distinctive, prestigious pieces drive local attendance and beckon art enthusiasts from many countries. P rauantiques.com

M.S. Rau Antiques, New Orleans

Paysage du Mont Alban, Nice by Henri Matisse

Westhampton The

FOOD FESTIVAL + MELBA MOORE & PARSON’S

DANCE

BY BRIAN AKER

Beach Project

Musical Mime Theatre

Summer in the Hamptons isn’t just about catered pool parties, boutique shopping, and walks along the beach. The arts have always played an integral role in life there among the residents and visitors. This year the Westhampton Beach Project celebrates its fifth year as a complementary two-day presentation of the arts under the aegis of visual and performing artist and producer Steven Colucci, a long-time Hamptons resident. The event will be held July 28th and 29th at the Westhampton Beach Great Lawn, and as dusk fades into starlight, V.I.P. guests will enjoy handcrafted cocktails and delight in food from 25 of the Hamptons’ finest restaurants, including Sobol, Centro, and Blue Nectar. This highlight of the summer social calendar is organized by the Colucci Musical Mime Theatre, whose purpose is to help aspiring young talent by exposing them to established acts in the performing arts.

Funded by sales of Colucci’s visual arts, the Westhampton Beach Project is a manifestation of the artist’s passion for the performing arts and sharing that joy with the general public. It also allows Colucci to give exposure to younger performing artists. He shares, “The opening acts will be seen by a who’s who of the Hamptons, and by opening for world-class artists, it allows them to be experienced and heard, building their artistic performance credentials.” Colucci goes on to add, “This is my biggest project; I don’t think I will ever do anything greater in my life than to be an artist and promote artists to the community.” In preparing for this annual event, which was disrupted by the pandemic, Colucci says, “It is difficult to find great talent doing something that should be seen by a larger audience. I am very discerning, and it takes about eight months to find the right mix of talent to present here in the Hamptons. I look domestically and all over the world, because I want the attendees to be wowed by what they see.”

Chris Ruggiero

To kick off the weekend is celebrated singer Chris Ruggiero. Ruggiero has gained national attention from his performances on PBS, and he has been traveling around the country delivering his distinctive brand of vintage rock and roll and sharing his passion for the classics. Ruggiero takes his audience on a musical journey through the golden age of rock and roll, into the music of the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. Ruggiero, as Colucci explains, “will open the door for people to come, and they›ll come back the next night and see the ballet. Then we got them hooked on the event.”

David Parsons

The second night’s headliner is Parsons Dance, a New York City-based contemporary American dance company led by Artistic Director David Parsons. Dancers will present a program set to music of various genres including Brazilian, electronic, jazz by Miles Davis, and popular songs of Yusuf/Cat Stevens. The company has developed a broad, fervent

Colucci

Steven Colucci

fan base over the course of its 35-year existence, and is known for its athleticism, unbridled energy, and technical prowess, earning international acclaim.

Marcel Marceau

Colucci developed a keen interest in the arts while growing up in the Bronx. “I spent a lot of time in Greenwich Village and went to a private school there, so I was always around talented people. I was a visual artist at first, but it wasn’t enough for me to paint or to sculpt. I became fascinated with corporal movement and expression,” he recalls. Eventually he made his way to Paris, where he studied mime under Étienne Decroux, the father of modern mime. Colucci also worked with Marcel Marceau, who propelled the artform onto the worldwide stage in the mid-twentieth century and became a household name.

Painting & The Performing Arts

Establishing his name in the arts over the last several decades, Colucci has become a celebrated and much collected painter whose work has been described as neo post-impressionism. He enjoys his lifestyle, imparting, “I have a house on the bay where I paint, and I have a house on the ocean. I am not one to sit around too much; I love getting together and going out with friends for dinner. The Hamptons is such a beautiful area to explore and be social.”

Colucci takes immense pride in his work and is modest about his contributions to the local arts scene, saying, “It just makes me feel great when people see the show and have discoveries about the stories being told visually on stage through dance or enjoying amazing music. You want people to walk away being moved by the experience and knowing that they have witnessed something of exceptional quality. P

rauantiques.com

Dr Ostad Ariel

WorldRenowned Dermatologist and Reconstructive Cosmetic Surgeon Whose Results and Patient Care Are Much More Than Skin Deep

BY JULIE SAGOSKIN

Photography by Udo Spreitzenbarth

TRIPLE BOARD-CERTIFIED DERMATOLOGIST

and reconstructive cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Ariel Ostad might be world-renowned for his advanced artistry and aesthetic techniques, which he performs in his state-of-the-art facility on the Upper East Side, but this dedicated doctor’s skills and personalized care are much more than skin deep.

His road to carving out both continuously successful results as well as a reputation for himself as an expert surgeon all started when the now beloved and dedicated doctor arrived in the US as a 12-year-old from Iran following the country’s tumultuous revolution in 1979. It would take four years for his parents to be able to join him and his sister in their new country, and along the way, he learned many life lessons through the adversity and hardship of being away from family at such a young age. Going between Brooklyn and Long Island, he was forced to grow up quickly and credits the experience for making him the strong and resilient person and doctor that he is today. “It kept me more focused. Having that immigrant mentality of wanting to succeed and do well and assimilate led me to where I am,” explains Dr. Ostad.

Realizing he had a fascination with the arts, as well as a propensity for the sciences, medicine soon became Dr. Ostad’s life mission. Upon attending medical school, he was immediately drawn to the arts in the medical field, leading to an interest in reconstructive surgery. He especially knew he had found his calling when he got the chance to remove someone’s skin cancer and put everything back together while avoiding any permanent scars or deformities.

“My upbringing has always been centered on doing good and helping people. Growing up in a family where it’s important to serve and do good, I chose to become a physician.”

Dr. Ostad is grateful to serve a dual purpose with his practice by both helping to save lives as well as restore confidence to those who are struggling to look and feel

good about themselves following surgery. “I have always been drawn by that combination of art and wanting people to look their best,” he says. “I encounter individuals who are healthy but suffer from conditions apparent on their faces and bodies, and this can be psychologically debilitating and affect confidence at an early age or with aging.”

Realizing that dermatology was his destiny, the devoted doctor who is known for his ability to produce scarless results pursued a fellowship with specialty training in skin cancer and reconstructive surgery. He earned his undergraduate degree as well as medical school degrees at New York University in addition to attending Harvard Medical School, where he also undertook an internship at Massachusetts General Hospital before finishing his fellowship training at UCLA doing cosmetic surgeries. Dr. Ostad is triple board certified in dermatology as well as micrographic surgery for skin cancer, and he has board certification from the American Board of Facial Cosmetic Surgery. “I feel extremely grateful for my competence to address a myriad of issues that people have with cosmetic issues.”

The practice, which has grown over the years through word of mouth and referrals from other

patients and physicians, has also evolved into a cosmetic surgery space where the skillful surgeon is able to utilize his awareness of facial anatomy. This in-depth knowledge includes insight into everything below the skin, including the soft tissues, muscles, nerves, and arteries. After all, he does have 26 years of experience performing cosmetic surgery for patients who come to see him from around the area as well as the country. From Botox to fillers, as well as non-surgical skin rejuvenation using lasers and minimally invasive cosmetic surgeries, Dr. Ostad is able to provide outstanding outcomes with minimal downtime.

Perhaps the only thing the good doctor values more than his ability to transform lives through his surgical techniques is the empathy and sincerity he has toward his patients, something he is most proud of and what he believes sets him apart from other more conventional practices. Perhaps this all leads back to his upbringing and being able to relate to the challenges of others.

“At the end of the day, I really am not just a perfectionist in regards to my surgical outcomes, but just as important is my ability to put myself in my patients’ shoes and go that extra step to really take care of them and their needs. This is the feedback I get on a daily basis, and it’s a crucial part of what we call the art of

“At the end of the day, I really am not just a perfectionist in regards to my surgical outcomes, but just as important is my ability to put myself in my patients’ shoes and go that extra step to really take care of them and their needs.’’

medicine. It’s that ability to heal someone by going above just your knowledge and expertise and having compassion. I’m proud of my creativity and skills, which allow me to do what I do, but at the same time, I’m proud of possessing awareness of what people may be feeling when undergoing the aging process or through skin cancer surgery, which makes a huge impact on how they feel. That relatable bedside manner is so unique today, so I make sure to make it a priority.”

In order to provide the type of care he believes in, Dr. Ostad makes sure to work only with patients who have realistic expectations, as well as those who understand the challenges of maintaining a natural look. “I let people know what I think is best, and it’s my philosophy that the best results are created when people don’t look as if they have had an overdone amount of surgery,” he explains. “It’s about communication and trying to educate people on what is best for them. Things usually turn out best when our values

‘‘My goal is to make people look as young as they feel on the inside and in a natural way. I always try to get to know my patients and achieve the best results with my belief that less is more.”

are aligned.”

Dr. Ostad’s ongoing goal is for people to walk out looking rejuvenated and refreshed without any recovery time. He is able to treat sun damage, wrinkles, and crepiness on the body through a combination of laser treatments as well as fillers, Botox, and minimally invasive procedures. He explains that body and neck tightening are especially popular treatments, as they don’t require going under the knife.

“We see a lot of patients who have loose skin post pregnancy or multiple pregnancies later, and we have the ability to create treatments that help. I do a lot of mommy makeovers with the help of liposuction, along with body tightening under local anesthesia. When it

comes to the neck, I utilize Morpheus8 treatments or minimally invasive permanent suture suspension. I can also help with neck tightening through the use of lasers and radio frequency. I treat people from head to toe, and there is just so much we can do in terms of addressing aging. After 26 years of practice, the majority of people who come to me feel that aging has not only physical but also emotional complexities. My goal is to make people look as young as they feel on the inside and in a natural way. I always try to get to know my patients and achieve the best results with my belief that less is more.”

Being able to provide such personalized patient care takes a village, or rather a hardworking team Dr. Ostad has become extremely proud of. “I feel I am very fortunate to have created this incredible office culture that’s aligned with delivering that same standard of care that I uphold.”

With almost three decades of experience, Dr. Ostad is also passionate about passing on his knowledge to the next generation of physicians. He currently serves as an associate clinical professor at NYU Langone Medical Center, where he has won the Teacher of the Year Award three times.

In addition to being married to medicine, Dr. Ostad is happily married to his wife of 26 years with whom he shares three boys aged 17, 16, and eight. The doctor enjoys living in the city and spends as much time with his family as he can when he’s not helping others. His other love is meditation and spirituality, which he pursues through maintaining a positive mindset, reading, and approaching life in a way that helps him achieve growth and calmness despite being surrounded by so much negativity, especially in the daily news cycles. “I’m interested in studying consciousness, so I meditate and read about spirituality and enlightenment, and it brings so much calmness to me. Those skills have helped me be a better doctor and person, as it allows me to better deal with ongoing challenges all the time. Through the process, I am able to recover quickly if something is bothering me.”

Dr. Ostad is indeed helping to transform the lives of others from the inside out through both his precise procedures and perhaps even more importantly, his palpable passion for his patients’ outcomes as well as their well-being. P

drarielostad.com

Dr.Nick MAVROSTOMOS

The Young Cosmetic Dentist Making Patients Smile

BY JULIE SAGOSKIN

MAVROSTOMOS

Photography by Henry Lou

elivering dream smiles is something that makes Dr. Nick Mavrostomos smile. Known as New York’s hot, young dentist, the 29-year-old, who earned a coveted spot at Apa Aesthetic’s posh Upper East Side location, was always drawn to the cosmetic side of dentistry. With an early passion for his craft, he now not only makes masterful molds but indeed broke the mold himself—and not the kind you put in your mouth.

Dr. Mavrostomos, who grew up in New Jersey, realized his cosmetic dentistry calling early on. He did, after all, grow up with a general dentist as a father, though he said he was never pressured into following in his footsteps. Instead, he used him as a resource and took everything in as a learning experience. “It’s a pretty bold thing to say as a young kid that you want to focus only on this one aspect of dentistry,” explains Dr. Mavrostomos. “Specialized practices do exist, but overall, it’s pretty rare. It just really piqued my interest, and I wasn’t shy about chasing the dream. It started with my dad; I watched him do some cosmetic work, and he was a good mentor, allowing me to see it all and figure out what I wanted on my own.”

This talented young dentist, now known for his smile makeovers, imagined his future practice before learning it already existed. He knew that he had the gift of good instincts, especially when it came to visual aesthetics and handwork, and the confidence to be able to translate what he saw in his mind into a patient’s mouth. As a student at Boston University, Dr. Mavrostomos saw Dr. Apa lecture, and that’s when the vision

in his head started to come to life. With a cosmetic-focused practice at the corner of Madison Avenue—you can see the master ceramists at work from the moment you walk into the advanced state-of-the-art space—Dr. Apa was indeed ahead of his time. “I knew I wanted to do something different in this field and was fascinated with the idea of making it happen. Meeting Dr. Apa made me realize my dream could become a reality. There he was, doing exactly what I wanted to do. I knew I had to work with him.”

From that point on, the aspiring dentist, who would go on to study dentistry at NYU, became somewhat of a Dr. Apa groupie over the next ten years, attending his lectures, shadowing in his office and, eventually, cultivating a deep mutual connection and bond. Dr. Mavrostomos also seemed like a perfect match for the practice and proved to have as much talent as he did passion.

“There was nowhere else I wanted to work— Apa Aesthetic was it. I knew I would be a good fit and believed in what I had to offer. If you want to act you go to Hollywood, if you want to sing you go to Broadway, and if you want to do cosmetic dentistry at the highest level, you work with Dr. Apa. Even my toughest days are not bad days. I wouldn’t trade this experience and opportunity for anything. I’m doing what I love in an environment that promotes success.”

One of the biggest takeaways from his dentist dad is that dentistry is deeply interpersonal and based on trust—something that is paramount even to smarts or talent. It is not hard to see why the field was a perfect fit for Dr. Mavrostomos, who immediately draws you in with his charisma and caring demeanor. He understands the importance of connecting with patients and taking care of their physical and emotional needs through

each procedural process where he offers personalized attention.

Today, he doesn’t take his patients’ trust lightly. The always-determined dentist takes pride in each patient’s overall look and satisfaction level, as he knows they have the utmost confidence in his aesthetic and expertise. “I take every case super seriously. Someone is trusting you and choosing you to enhance their beauty permanently. I don’t look at any case as just another case. People come to feel and look their best, and they want my take on that. Everyone has their own vision and style. It’s like going to an architect for a beautiful home; you choose the person based on their personal style. It’s no different here. There are tons of cosmetic dentists offering the same service but with a different eye. My patients want my eye, and that is pretty cool.”

What defines a Mavrostomos mouth? His attention to detail. According to the dentist, he makes it his mis-

“I knew I would be a good fit and believed in what I had to offer. If you want to act you go to Hollywood, if you want to sing you go to Broadway, and if you want to do cosmetic dentistry at the highest level, you work with Dr. Apa. ”

sion to understand what someone is looking for, even if they might not know how to articulate it themselves. For Dr. Mavrostomos, each mouth he works on is another masterpiece he is creating, as everything is customized to fit the shape of a patient’s face and even their personality. Unlike a painting, however, his masterpieces can’t just look good, they have to function well too. Understanding each unique patient to deliver customized treatment is what the dentist considers one of his greatest strengths. He is not a one-trick or technique pony.

“It’s an office joke that every case I do becomes my new favorite case, but it’s true. I care about every smile and every detail; that’s how I know I’m in the right place. The work can be tedious and definitely requires patience, but I love it and everything that goes into achieving a successful outcome.”

He also wants to make sure that you come out looking like your favorite star, yourself. Instead of bringing photos of celebrities, Dr. Mavrostomos encourages patients to show him images of what they used to look like before unflattering dental work, aging, or wear so that he can get inspired to produce the most optimal results. “A photo of someone else’s teeth doesn’t work because we can’t recreate another person’s face and mouth; we all have our own skeletal structure,” he explains. Don’t expect a digital preview of a smile makeover either, as Dr. Mavrostomos does not want to give inaccurate depictions or unrealistic outcomes.

Cosmetic dentistry is not his first artistic endeavor.

This young dentist first tapped into his creative and entrepreneurial side when he was still in high school. While playing sports and competing in tournaments, his teammates and friends were always wanting a haircut, so he used his eye for aesthetics to start a side business as a barber. This self-taught hairstylist compares that profession to what he does now.

“The client sits in a chair and tells you what they want. Then, it’s up to you to visualize the end result and use your hands to make it happen. If you deliver, you wind up getting referrals and building trust. When I was a kid watching my dad do dentistry, I could see the similarities. Both require creativity and a bedside manner.”

The now in-demand dentist has certainly come a long way since his haircutting days, but he has never lost his gift for forming relationships with clients and providing the best care that he can.

This millennial has unsurprisingly used social media as a platform to show off his work and personality, which has led to many new and still-loyal clients. He also gets referrals from satisfied patients and finds new patients when setting out on the New York social scene, one of his favorite things to do, where he can build his network while having a good time and exuding some of his charm and authentic self in person.

As no stranger to the city, he feels fortunate to have been able to make New York home. After all, what the dentist dreams becomes reality. P

apaaesthetic.com

“I care about every smile and every detail; that’s how I know I’m in the right place. The work can be tedious and definitely requires patience, but I love it and everything that goes into achieving a successful outcome.”

ProfessionalElectrolysısBerenice

INTERVIEW BY MJ PEDONE

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow, and Just in Time for Summer

Ihad the opportunity to sit down with Berenice S. Rothenberg, owner of Berenice Electrolysis and Personal Beauty Center in Manhattan. Berenice has been offering electrolysis, skin care, laser hair removal, and other beauty treatments in New York City for over 41 years. She is a Certified Clinical Electrologist (CCE), an FEHS-licensed Cosmetologist, and a member of some of the most prestigious electrolysis societies in the country. Berenice has been recognized as a beauty expert for decades and has set an industry standard in the provision of successful beauty and skin care solutions. As one of the first professionals in the field of electrolysis to be nationally certified, Berenice has been a pioneer in creating new and innovative treatments for the removal of unwanted hair.

Berenice has treated thousands of clients over the last four decades and has established a loyal clientele. They travel from near and far to receive her services. She prides herself on treating every client with respect and integrity and develops trusting relationships that last for years. Berenice is a student of her craft and continues to expand her knowledge of the latest technologies and techniques in hair removal and beauty treatments. Her extensive knowledge and decades of experience allow clients to have confidence and trust in any of the services that she provides.

Since 1982, Berenice Electrolysis and Personal Beauty Center has been recognized as Best

Hair Removal in New York City by Modern Luxury Manhattan and has been featured in numerous beauty publications, including Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, InStyle, Elle, Cosmopolitan, Gotham, and W Magazine to name a few. Berenice is a proud member of The NYS Association of Laser Hair Removal Specialists and The Society of Clinical Member Hair Removal (SCMHR).

As we are getting into the warmer months, what do you do to eliminate the flaky, dry skin from the winter elements?

As the elements of the winter weather can be harsh on our skin, I always recommend exfolia tion and hydration treatments for the face and body. You will be glad that you did!

Laser hair removal is quite popular. What are the differences between laser and electrolysis?

In my opinion, electrolysis and laser hair removal are both very effective for every skin type. I would say that clients would see faster results with laser because it destroys many hair follicles with one pulse instead of destroying one follicle at a time with electrolysis. Furthermore, electrolysis is effective on blonde and gray hair, and laser only targets the dark hair.

The specialist or electrologist should evaluate every case individually, which is the reason Berenice Beauty Center offers a complimentary consultation before starting any treatment.

From the time a client starts the process of lasering a specific area, how much time is needed for complete removal?

As a hair removal expert, I cannot predict how long it will take to complete the treatment for numerous reasons, such as each person having different hair types. Sometimes certain medicine stimulates hair growth; plus, stress and hormonal changes are important factors. What I can offer with my 40-plus years of experience, is to guide my clients to come at the right time to treat the hair at the right cycle to achieve the best results.

What are some of your favorite beauty tips for aging skin?

In general, as we age, it is important to stay out of the sun, no smoking, have the right amount of sleep, moisturize your skin with good products that promote collagen, and lastly, hydration facials to slow down your skin’s aging process.

Tell us how diet plays a role in affecting the skin.

In my profession, I have talked to many doctors and nutritionists about several diets and draw my conclusion as, you are what you eat!

And what it means is that if you don’t have a balanced diet and if you don’t drink enough water daily, then your skin will resent it and will let you know with dryness, hyperpigmentation, acne, etc. P

bereniceelectrolysis.com

Gwyneth Paltrow, Brooke Shields, Alyssa Milano & Julianna Margulies

T“he energy, the culture, the history, the people…” celebrity hairstylist and successful entrepreneur Chaz Dean talks with great passion about why he just opened a luxury salon in NYC. Despite living in LA and owning a

Hair Stylist Chaz Dean

Industry Leader in Beautiful Hair

BY LAURIE NEWKIRK

thriving salon in Hollywood, he dreamt of adding a Manhattan location. Why now? He finally found the ideal venue, a landmark building from 1845 in the West Village which he has painstakingly restored to its original beauty, style, and old-world charm.

Chaz has a growing A-list clientele. His meteoric rise can be traced back to an early career as a photographer who dearly wanted his glamorous models to have equally glamorous hair. Determined in his quest, he attended

cosmetology school, quickly became a rising hairstylist, and began working on a new approach to haircare — focusing on nourishing hair’s natural oils instead of stripping them with harsh detergents and chemicals found in traditional shampoos.

WEN Brand: Holistic Approach to Beauty

By understanding hair chemistry and using natural ingredients, Chaz created a conditioner that both cleaned and protected the scalp and

follicles, resulting in lush, hydrated hair. From there the groundbreaking WEN brand was born. Between his new haircare line and his magic touch as a stylist, Chaz quickly gained a celebrity following. His noted clientele has included Gwyneth Paltrow, Alyssa Milano, Julianna Margulies and Nicolette Sheridan. In 2015, Brooke Shields, whose hair had suffered immensely due to decades of over processing for her modeling and acting jobs, became a product ambassador. She is quoted as saying that by using the brand’s Cleansing Conditioner and Nourishing Mousse she was able “to turn back the clock on my hair and it feels healthy again.”

Since Chaz emphasizes a holistic approach to beauty, focusing on overall well-being and self-care, he chose the name WEN because it is close to the word Zen. His unique, scientifically sensible approach has worked so well, the brand now touts over 700 hair, skin, and beauty products. It has received numerous awards and continues to be one of the top selling beauty product lines on QVC.

Bravo’s “Flipping Out” & QVC Staple

When asked about his philosophy of success: “One thing I always remember from my grandmother is, ‘You can do or be anything you want in life as long as you’re willing to work hard for it.’” Family is deeply important, and Chaz talks with great love and affection about both

his birth mother Millie and his adoptive mother, Joan Dean. When Joan passed away after battling cancer, Chaz created a special deep cleaning protective product line 613 to honor her June 13th birthday.

While discussing his own celebrity as a star on the show “Flipping Out” and as a QVC fixture, he notes he surprises people with his grounded and down-to-earth demeanor. Along with his stunning hair (that is an advertisement for his products alone), he is a mixture of incredible knowledge, charm, and gentleness. His kind heart is evidenced by his extensive philanthropic endeavors. He’s worked for decades with the Los Angeles Mission, HollyRod Foundation, The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls, and Project Angel Food, and is involved with countless other charities including Best Friends Animal Society and The Vanderpump Dog Foundation.

Classic Hollywood Glamour & WEN Pets

Chaz has a deep love of animals…all animals…but especially labs. His current loves are Bella and Riley. He talks fondly about two previous pets, a black lab and a white lab, “I named them Grace and Montgomery after Grace Kelly and Montgomery Clift, because I was in Hollywood and I wanted to bring back old Hollywood. They grew up with me, they came to the salon. Every time I would go live on QVC, I would put up new pictures of them and

they grew up with our QVC customers.”

It’s not surprising, then, that WEN Pets came into being. People kept asking him for a product for their furry friends. Chaz used his traditional product as the base and then “by doing my research, I realized that a dog’s pH level is higher than ours. So, I adjusted the WEN Pets to a higher alkaline level. And added more appropriate essential oils for the fur.” People often bring these WEN products to their dog groomers to use.

Chaz Dean’s Studio NYC

What’s next for this pioneer? In addition to a new, delightful sounding Pina Colada scent, plans are in the works to extend the brand with an exciting line of color products that are vegan, ammonia free, and cruelty-free. And, living up to his grandmother’s words about working hard, Chaz is also launching a new lightweight, low heat blow drying tool. This idea is based on an older client who sadly thought she was losing her hair. Chaz came to her rescue and diagnosed her real issue as burnt hair from her unnecessarily hot straightener.

With Chaz being in NYC for only part of each month, one senses that starting in June with his first arrival, the next hot, hard-to-get reservation in the city will be an appointment with the man himself at Chaz’s New York Salon. P

chazdean.com

“ONE THING I ALWAYS REMEMBER FROM MY GRANDMOTHER IS, ‘YOU CAN DO OR BE ANYTHING YOU WANT IN LIFE AS LONG AS YOU’RE WILLING TO WORK HARD FOR IT.’”

JETTI WALKING POLES

Joyce Shulman G ets You Walking

BY BRIAN AKER

99 Walks That Will Change Your Life

Author and fitness entrepreneur

Joyce Shulman has made getting people ontheir feet her mission. Shulman is the author of Walk Your Way to Better: 99 Walks That Will Change Your Life, a motivational book that promotes walking as a pathway to mental wellness and happiness. There’s also the added bonus of improved fitness, thus presenting walking not as a task, but as a way to reconnect the body and mind. Timing is everything, and as the pandemic set in, Shulman’s book provided people everywhere a blueprint of how to maximize a healthy activity for much more than just physical fitness.

The reason is that bananas give off a chemical that causes all the bananas in the same bunch to ripen at about the same speed. In that way, people are like bananas. You are going to take on characteristics of the people you surround yourself with. And all that means is that you have to choose carefully.” Sage advice, indeed.

Jetti Fitness

Shulman, who is a former attorney now calling Sag Harbor home, saw a calling to a greater purpose in helping others, specifically women. “I have been working with women for the last 15 years, and I noticed two things over and over. First, women tend to be lonely and disconnected, and second, many are not in the kind of physical shape that they want to be, nor that they should be, for their best health and best life. I believe that those two things are related. There’s a connection between the loneliness epidemic and our isolation and our feelings of compare and despair, along with trouble getting out the door to take care of ourselves. Those observations, combined with a personal, lifelong passion for walking, physical activity, and movement, led to the creation of first 99 Walks and then Jetti Fitness.

says Shulman, “and not surprisingly, we saw tremendous growth during that time. What has totally heartened me is that walking is having a moment; I’m seeing that people developed a walking habit during the pandemic because it was all they had access to. Walking and push-ups in the living room. So many people discovered the benefits of walking for their mind and their mood, even beyond their body. People are holding on to that and continuing to maintain the walking practice. Some people have abandoned it, of course, but many more have held onto it, and since I believe truly, with every fiber of my being, that walking is a gateway to so much goodness, it just thrills me.”

People Are Like Bananas

The book brims with rational, relatable, and applicable thought topics to explore while walking. For instance, the chapter The Trouble with Oranges drives home an important point. Because it’s nearl y impossible to do anything else while eating an orange, we sacrifice eating it because, in our hectic lives, we try to multitask as much as possible. Shulman suggests not giving up the pleasure of eating the orange for the sake of not being able to do something else simultaneously, and as importantly, to ask ourselves what other simple pleasures we are denying ourselves for the same reason. The chapter People Are Like Bananas, Shulman explains this way:“ Have you ever noticed that if you put two bunches of bananas near each other, they’ll ripen at the same rate? Have you ever stopped to think about how weird that is?

Jetti Fitness dovetails nicely with Shulman’s 99 Walks with its launch product, Jetti walking poles. For the uninitiated, walking poles boost the effectiveness of walking by engaging the upper body more fully. Shulman says, “Because I’m a New Yorker, I’m a bit of a type-A personality, and I want as much benefit as I can possibly get from my walk. We were exploring ways to bring in some elements of Nordic walking, to build up the intensity, and give it more of an American spin. We built Jetti Poles to increase the intensity of your walk, which I call the ‘Jetti paradox,’ because you feel like your body is not working as hard, when, in fact, you’re burning an average of 55.6% more calories and activating your whole upper body. You get strength-building and increased cardio from that, while at the same time, you’re providing a lot of stability. Jetti Poles are great for all ages. For people who are looking to get more movement, people who are looking to burn more calories, Millennials who want more intensity, older people who want a little bit more stability – they are suitable for everybody.” P

jettifit.com

WE STARTED 99 WALKS ABOUT FIVE OR SIX MONTHS BEFORE THE PANDEMIC

SHIBA & Co

No-Faux Canine Clothing and Accessories Brand

BY LAUREN STANZIONE

f you happen upon a Shiba Inu wearing a fancy sweatshirt with orange accessories, it most likely means one thing: that posh pooch was dressed by Nicolo Di Stefano and Jiatai Qi. Nicolo is the founder of SHIBA & Co., a luxury pet clothing and accessory brand that combines style and practical design to refine everyday moments for pets and their owners. With a long career in restaurant consulting, Nicolo is now paying homage to his Italian heritage by focusing on luxe fashions for man’s best friend.

SHIBA & Co. might use the finest products from his hometown, but Nicolo credits their marketing successes to his husband, Jiatai, who earned a master’s in marketing from New York University and whom Nicolo refers to as “the soul of the company.”

Nicolo and Jiatai, who enjoy spoiling their own pair of Shiba Inus, noticed a commonality in the quality of fun dog accessories on the market— they were never of great quality and sometimes lacked practical functionality. “Even at high prices, the quality was not there,” Nicolo recalls, noting that the fabric became ruined after a wash or two. As a joke, the duo decided to design something from luxury materials. Soon after, Nicolo’s high-fashion connections in Italy helped him to transform this playful idea into an everexpanding luxury business.

Nicolo began by crafting vibrant orange

bandanas from sustainable Mulberry silk imported from Suzhou, China (where the finest quality silk is originated and crafted by local artisans), embellishing them with motifs of bones and tennis balls for a signature look. The company’s products are water-resistant and authentically tailored to the Shiba Inu form. The tailoring prompted Nicolo’s next idea, the Shiba Inu hoodie. “When we decided to make the first one, we said, let’s make something simple, purpose driven and elegant that goes with orange, as it’s similar to the color of the Shiba.”

The timeless style, practical design and lasting quality resulted in an unexpected upturn for Nicolo. “In the beginning, we didn’t expect to have such impressive success.” With the present demand, he’s already envisioning a more inclusive and expanded brand. “For us, SHIBA & Co. means dressing Shibas and their companions, which can be other dogs or people friends. We’ve also created a collection that’s the “& Co. part of the brand.”

This anticipated expansion will go beyond canine clothing and no matter what he designs, Italian craftsmanship is always

incorporated. “We’ve just launched an accessory collection that includes leashes, collars, mini dispenser bags and bag charms that’s all made from Italian leather. We work with leather producers from Tuscany, Italy, so for me, it’s like home, this opportunity to work with native suppliers.”

Nicolo goes on to say, “We understand how important it is to find a balance between style and sustainability these days, and that’s exactly what our leather collection achieves. Our sustainable leather collection is a testament to the exquisite taste of our customers, who value an elevated lifestyle and care for the environment.” They take pride in using 100% vegetable-tanned cow leather that is eco-friendly and biodegradable. Unlike faux or vegan leather, which is essentially made of plastic and can take up to centuries to decompose or require harmful chemicals during production, their natural leather is sturdy and long-lasting, making it a timeless investment.

The collection is now available, showcasing four limited-edition pieces in their renowned orange color. Our collection boasts a Lucca Collar, expertly crafted to handle any pulling from your canine companion. The Roma Bag is ideal for carrying small essentials on long walks, such as waste bags, treats, keys and AirPods. The Otto Leash is adorned with handcrafted intrecciato weaving and is sturdy enough to withstand any pulling from your dog. Lastly, their iconic Shiba Bag Charm can be used with tracking Airtags to keep track of your belongings.

In addition to being sold online, Nicolo’s products will soon be sold in boutiques across New York City. Don’t be surprised if you see SHIBA & Co. in California as well, as the designer acknowledges San Francisco is a big market for luxury pet goods.

Nicolo feels satisfaction and joy within the world he has created. He not only gets to work with the dynamic and fun energy of dogs— he can dress his fur babies in the way he sees fit and all with the person he loves by his side. P shibandco.com

Who’s GettingReally into Ivy Schools?League

BY DAVID MICHAELS

e all have that friend—her child earns perfect grades, volunteers on the weekend, participates in a bevy of extracurriculars, and scored a 1600 on the SAT. She is quick to parrot her child’s many accomplishments and wide-ranging interests at parties and events, leaving us wondering how they can possibly find the time to do it all.

Yet, as college decision season rolled around, many of us were shocked to hear that that friend’s perfect kid received letters of rejection from all of the Ivy League schools they applied to.

If her kid isn’t getting into top schools, then who is?

The Ivy League could be considered one of the most exclusive private clubs in the nation. The last few admissions cycles have brought record lows in Ivy League acceptance rates, as top schools admit only 3% to 4% of their applicant pool on average. With tens of

thousands of applications flooding in each year, prestigious schools could fill entire classes with students who boast well-rounded resumes and perfect grades and test scores. In this competitive admissions landscape, colleges are looking for more.

“It’s not enough to be the valedictorian of your class,” says Christopher Rim, Founder and CEO of Command Education, a premier college consulting firm. “Top schools are admitting entrepreneurs, nonprofit founders, researchers, artists, and changemakers. It’s not about what students have the potential to do in the future—it’s about what they’re doing to chase their passions and affect change right now.”

Becoming a successful applicant requires students to strategize and self-reflect, but all too often they simply pack their schedules with activities they assume will impress colleges— leaving both students and their parents stressed and unfocused. Margot Brown discovered this

during her daughter Kate’s sophomore year of high school. After reading about plummeting acceptance rates and witnessing her peers experience the sting of rejection, Kate began signing up for every club and activity that caught her eye. Brown lent her full support, assuming that the more activities that Kate was involved in, the more impressive she would be as an applicant.

“By the end of her sophomore year, we were drowning,” says Brown. “It felt like all of our time together was spent traveling to the next place for a competition, event, or awards ceremony, and Kate was up at all hours of the night trying to finish her school work so that she could maintain her good grades. I kept asking myself, ‘Is this really what it takes to get into an Ivy League school?’”

In short, the answer is no, according to Rim. “Many families assume that simply doing more will increase their student’s chance of

acceptance—but this isn’t the case,” says Rim. “The applicants that are in the 3% of students to earn admission to Ivy League schools are those who are anchored in a singular and demonstrable passion.”

Allison Elliott, whose son Jake has worked with Command Education throughout his high school career, notes that many of her friends equate their students’ busy schedules with their competitiveness as applicants. “My friends were shocked when Jake was accepted to Cornell,” says Elliot. “Not because he wasn’t smart and talented, but because they didn’t see us running ourselves ragged like everyone else. Jake’s mentor helped him identify his passion and create a detailed roadmap to achieve his most ambitious goals with purpose, rather than throwing himself into any activity that vaguely interested him.”

Elliot shares that Jake’s work with Wafa Muflahi, a Senior Mentor at Command

Education, empowered him to not only create an actionable plan for his high school career, but also equipped him with self-confidence and a path for his future. “Chris’ team helped us to recognize that the students getting into top colleges aren’t simply those filling their time— it’s those who are driven by their passions and making a change in their community. I am so proud to say that Jake is one of those students.”

Ten years ago, colleges regarded the wellrounded, all-American student as an ideal candidate—that friend’s well-rounded child would likely have had a good shot at admission. But the college admissions landscape has changed dramatically in the years since. Now, colleges know that it’s impossible for a student to excel while doing it all—the key to success in Ivy League admissions is finding a core passion and doing that one thing well. P commandeducation.com

“THE APPLICANTS THAT ARE IN THE 3% OF STUDENTS TO EARN ADMISSION TO IVY LEAGUE SCHOOLS ARE THOSE WHO ARE ANCHORED IN A SINGULAR AND DEMONSTRABLE PASSION.”

Ramon

Tallaj Dr.

Emmy Winner

& Healthcare

BY BENNETT MARCUS

SOMOS Community Care

Dr. Ramon Tallaj, founder of SOMOS Community Care, a non-profit physician-led network of almost 3,000 healthcare providers serving over one million Medicaid beneficiaries in New

York City, won an Emmy Award this year. The prestigious award was bestowed for the documentary Doctor Tallaj: The Hispanic Physician who faced COVID-19 in New York, focusing on the heroic activities of Dr. Tallaj and his SOMOS colleagues in caring for vulnerable populations during the pandemic.

You may be surprised to learn that this is the third Emmy that this distinguished, caring physician has won. “The company, SOMOS, has won three, and I’m the producer of all of them, but in this last one, I was also the subject,” Dr. Tallaj says. He points out that SOMOS itself does not perform medical services. The doctors in its network do so, and they have accomplished incredible work.

Mariano Rivera and Dr. Ramon Tallaj

Emmy-Winning COVID Battle

The majority of SOMOS patients are poor and without government help would not have access to healthcare. “Our doctors do not open their doors on Park Avenue,” says Dr. Tallaj, whose office is in Washington Heights. “Our doctors are in the poorer neighborhoods of Manhattan, the Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn.”

“We raised the COVID alarm at the beginning,” says Dr. Tallaj, an immigrant from the Dominican Republic. After the virus took hold in Italy, the first country outside of China to be hit, Dr. Tallaj warned that it would come to the US, and many were skeptical. “It happened. And you know, our neighborhoods, with essential workers, were the ones that suffered the most.” SOMOS was among the first to obtain and distribute vaccines once they were developed.

While tirelessly battling COVID, SOMOS lost 12 physicians to the virus. “To win an Emmy Award is important, but more important is the work we do in the community. For so many years, I’ve helped

change people’s lives, especially around the pandemic.”

Dr. Tallaj Throws Out First Pitch at Yankees Game

Iconic ball player Mariano Rivera and Dr. Ramon Tallaj were invited by the New York Yankees to participate in their recent game against the Tampa Bay Rays. Dr. Tallaj, who was chosen to throw out the first pitch because of his work during COVID-19, which included using Yankee Stadium as the city’s largest vaccination center, threw a hard ball to Mariano, who caught it handily. After the game, which the Yankees won 9 to 8, Dr. Tallaj filled Rivera in on his recent trip to the Vatican, where he met with Pope Francis to talk about healthcare in underserved communities, including the Bronx and Washington Heights, where SOMOS has its headquarters.

Distinguished Career

Working with the poor and establishing SOMOS in 2015 was very much a choice. The

eldest of six children in a mixed Lebanese and Dominican family, Dr. Tallaj became a prominent figure in his country, appointed Undersecretary of Public Health and Social Service, a member of the Dominican-Haitian Frontier Affairs Commission, and later the Medical Director of his country’s Social Security and Welfare Institute. He was to become the Dominican Republic’s Minister of Health, but instead moved to New York at the behest of Cardinal John O’Connor in 1991. “It was a dream for me to come to New York,” says Dr. Tallaj. His American dream also included advising President Barack Obama healthcare reform.

Close Ties With Pope Francis

The CEO of SOMOS, Mario Paredes, was assistant to New York’s Cardinal O’Connor when Dr. Tallaj joined the Diocese, and today, he continues working with the Catholic Church, and all churches. In fighting the pandemic, SOMOS did testing and vaccination at synagogues and churches of most denomina-tions around New York City. “We did it everywhere,” Dr. Tallaj says. “And this pope had shown that you have to be sure that we all work together for the good of the people, independent of faith.” He sees Pope Francis, whom he visits with at the Vatican, as a reformer, who places more importance on being close to the people, and what he does in the community, than on his status as pope.

Working Toward Healthcare Reform –Within the System

Dr. Tallaj has been working to reform America’s healthcare system, and he firmly believes that promoting prevention is the most important way to do that. He cannot change the way our healthcare system works, but he can change patients’ behavior and their treatment plans. “The way I see it is this: I believe the United States has the best disease care in the world, based on hospitals, based on buildings to treat people who are sick. Therefore, the more sick people, the more business.” Dr. Tallaj believes we need to move in a different direction, with prevention as the key. “The best healthcare should be the best prevention,” he says. “Our healthcare system is based on disease, and I intend to use more resources for prevention, so that in the future, less and less people have complications with chronic diseases.” P

somoscommunitycare.org

Dr. Ramon Tallaj

driven two ambulances of the 108 we’ve delivered to Odesa to help the Ukrainian Territorial Defense Fund,” Sabin added. “He’s a very brave guy, in addition to someone who cares about the environment. He visited my rattlesnake den in New York State.”

Secret Timber Rattlesnake Den

Rattlesnake den? “Well, you laugh,” Sabin said, “but it’s the largest population of timber rattlesnakes in the world.” Sabin bought the land to preserve the snakes’ existence because at one time there was a bounty on rattlesnakes upstate. “They would give people $10 a snake for every one they killed. There was a famous collector, Rudy Komarek, who almost single-handedly got rid of the whole population of timber rattlesnakes in the state of New York.”

Andy Sabin SoFo Founder

South Fork

Natural History Museum & Nature Center

BY BENNETT MARCUS

Summer Gala on July 29th:

Andy Needs Help To Save the Planet

Andy Sabin is excited about the South Fork Natural History Museum and Nature Center’s 34th annual Summer Gala on July 29th. “We’re honoring the two founders of Patagonia, Malinda and Yvon Chouinard, and my friend Dan Emmett, a very important environmentalist,” said the philanthropist and environmentalist who founded the SoFo Museum in Bridgehampton.

“We’re very pleased to have Basil Seggos, the New York State Commissioner of Environmental Conservation, who was also brave enough to have

The rattlesnakes are thriving, he assured us. “Last week, my guy went to the den, and he saw 164. I’m going next week.” Just anyone, however, cannot visit the den, because the location is secret, to allow the creatures to live and breed in peace. “Believe it or not, there are 22 rattlesnake dens within 45 minutes of Manhattan,” Sabin continued. “People don’t realize how close to New York City rattlesnakes live. They were on Long Island. In fact, the last one that I have a record of was killed in Bridgehampton in 1938. Long Island is not exactly rattlesnake habitat, but we did have them here at one time. Anyway, that being said, we’re excited about the gala.” The invitations were about to go out when we spoke for this article in May, but they’d already raised a lot of money from sponsors, advocates, and patrons.

Hands-on Philanthropy - Wide Range of Causes

Environmental issues are just a part of the philanthropic activities supported by his Andrew Sabin Family Foundation. Efforts to aid Ukraine war victims include building three orphanages there, helping to facilitate the delivery of insulin, and obtaining a commitment from pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly to continue to provide insulin in that country.

Andy Sabin, Brooke Taylor

PHOTO BY PATRICK MCMULLAN

Sabin invites friends to experience delivering the Ukraine ambulances. “Every month we drive four or five ambulances. Obviously, they go through a lot of ambulances, you can understand.”

Programs at Yale, Columbia, Sloan Kettering, the Mayo Clinic, & M.D Anderson

With the International Fund for Animal Welfare, they provide food for pets of the Ukrainian people and care for abandoned animals there. His foundation rescued four lion cubs orphaned amidst the war, bringing them to a sanctuary in Minnesota, where they’ll permanently reside. When we spoke in May, Sabin was looking forward to interviewing eight new foreign candi-dates for the master’s program at Yale’s School of Forestry, where his foundation provides full scholarships and a $20,000 post-graduate award if the student returns to his/her country of origin and works at least two years for an environmental NGO.

His Climate Change Law Clinic at Columbia University has ten lawyers, and Sabin was recently honored by Columbia Presbyterian Hospital for two projects he spearheaded, a cardiac research center and a men’s wellness center. He supports medical research at Sloan Kettering and the Mayo Clinic. He also funds 20 doctors working to cure cancer at MD Anderson in Houston, where he helped to establish

an immunotherapy clinic named for Nobel Prize winner James P. Allison.

Bucket List Trip: Solomon Islands

Sabin, who has visited 110 countries, just returned from a “bucket list” yacht trip sailing from Auckland, New Zealand, to Brisbane, Australia, with stops in the Cook Islands, Norfolk Islands, New Caledonia, Guadalcanal, the Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu.

While on the journey, run by National Geographic and Lindblad Expeditions, Sabin figured out a way to get basic supplies to needy children on two remote islands in the Solomons. “They have absolutely nothing, and I mean nothing. They don’t have shoes; they live in grass huts,” he said. “Nobody’s done this before. I’m so happy to help these kids.”

Bipartisan Conservation Group

An avowed political conservative, Sabin has done the seemingly impossible, establishing Conserve America, a bipartisan group of 14 senators, evenly split between both parties, working on environmental solutions. Their newest push is RAWA, Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, a bill in the Senate being introduced by Thom Tillis, Republican from North Carolina, and Martin Heinrich, Democrat from New Mexico. “It’s $1.4 billion a year to states to protect habitat and keep animals off the Endangered Species List.”

Lifelong Environmentalist: Many Species Named for Sabin

His love for the environment is lifelong. At nine, he started collecting frogs and toads. “I never grew up. I still get excited when I see a frog.” Now 77, Sabin leads Tiger Salamander walks in Bridgehampton several times each year. “My favorite thing in life is to take children on a nature walk at night and to see the smiles on their faces when they come in contact with nature.” He has more species—14—named after him and his family than any person in the world.

Sabin believes that his purpose on Earth is “to save humanity and save the planet, and not care about being the richest guy in the cemetery.” P sofo.org/summer-gala

Heidi Cruz, Andy Sabin, Ted Cruz

PHOTO BY ROB RICH

CLUB KING

Morrissey

Opens M2 in Miami

New York & Hamptons Nightlife Legend

Joey Morrissey is a legend in the nightlife business, the creative force behind some of Manhattan’s and the Hamptons’ best-known mega-clubs, including Crobar, Mansion, M2 Ultra Lounge, and Pink Elephant. During more than 30 years in the industry, Morrissey pioneered innovations such as the use of promoters to bring crowds to clubs and the implementation of bottle service as a way to increase revenues. He also broke ground with an early YouTube channel in the days before social media.

Now, he’s brought his wealth of experience to Miami, partnering with longtime collaborator Jason Lin on M2 in the South Beach Art Deco district. The space, at 1235 Washington Avenue, was formerly music legend Prince’s nightclub, Glam Slam.

World’s Top DJs at Miami Music Week Opening

The 35,000-square-foot venue, the city’s largest club, opened during Miami’s Music Week in March, hosting a stellar lineup of 30 of the world’s top DJs, including David Guetta, alongside Morten, Adam Beyer, Carl Cox, Charlotte de Witte, and Sasha & John Digweed, over five days. “The big names did

BY BENNET MARCUS

the main sets, and there were DJs in different rooms,” Morrissey said. “It was like a festival at a nightclub.”

Rock God Prince’s VIP Room

The star-studded opening week had David Guetta turning up to support DJ Morten, staying into the wee hours alongside DJs Hardwell and Maddix. Guetta played his new, controversial AI song, “Emin-AI-em,” which mimics Eminem’s voice, and sent the crowd into a frenzy.

Music-industry tongues were wagging when Guetta showed up with his girlfriend, Jessica Ledon, in their first public appearance together after split rumors last year. Guetta was the first VIP to use rock legend Prince’s private, purple-themed room that overlooks the dance floor.

This bang-up opening week was the result of partnering with Ultra Music Festival’s Resistance, which specializes in underground DJs. The program will be ongoing, with over thirty events planned throughout the year, including several that- happened during Miami’s Formula One Grand Prix weekend, which M2 kicked off with a party hosted by Diddy AKA Puff Daddy.

Art Deco Venue Updated With TLC

The building was originally designed as a casino and theater,

with a ballroom, but has gone through many iterations over the years, eventually becoming a nightclub by the late 1970s. It was vacant for several years, until Morrissey and his partner took it over. “It needed a lot of tender loving care, so we put in a whole new lighting system, sound system, redid all the bathrooms, redid all the infrastructure, the electrical, and everything,” said Morrissey. But they kept the look and feel of the space.

Former owner Prince had remade the projection booth into a private room, and they’ve restored it to how it was during his reign, with new lighting and a new bar. The total cost was 15 million. With multiple entrances to the vast club, they can open up one side for more intimate parties of 300 to 400 people, or utilize the entire space,which can hold 2,000 plus.

South Beach’s Year Around Rebirth

“Miami is no longer seasonal, and that’s why we decided to open up,” said Morrissey. “We just felt that the city could support a mega club. It’s a full-time city now.” Plus, he feels that South Beach is on the rise again after the harsh toll the pandemic had on area businesses. “A lot of the clubs moved to downtown Miami,” Morrissey said. But now the Washington Avenue area is picking up again, with new hotels like the Good Time Hotel and the Kimpton Surfcomber, and hot new restaurants, like Queen.

“There’s a lot of investment into Washington Avenue right now,” he said. “When you’re in the nightclub business, you usually go to a distressed area and see if you can make a deal. And this space is one of a kind, it’ll never be duplicated. You just can’t build something like this,” said Morrissey, who started opening clubs in Manhattan’s now-posh West Chelsea when it was full of vacant factory space.

Full Circle for M2 Brand

Morrissey launched the M2 brand in the 2000s in New York. It attracted an array of celebrities, including Jay-Z and Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, Snoop Dogg, Rihanna, Mariah Carey, and Diddy. The club was namedropped by Nicki Minaj in her track “Up All Night” featuring Drake. They had taken over the space from Mansion, and as the West Chelsea neighborhood was being rezoned for residential, M2 relinquished its 20+ year lease and closed. Ironically, the South Beach club had also previously been occupied by Mansion. “The Miami deal came around, and I felt like I didn’t finish the whole M2 saga, and it being Mansion again, I just felt like M2 was the perfect fit for it.” P

m2miami.com

The Clubhouse Keeping Entertainment Intimate in the Hamptons

BY BRIAN AKER

Chelsea Handler, Amy Schumer, Bon Jovi & Stephen Marley

While the Hamptons are a summer paradise bursting with parties of every kind, even the most hardcore Hamptonite would have to admit that yearround entertainment options have always been somewhat limited. To change that perception and reality, Matt Rubenstein and Brian Kelly, through their event production company Murmrr, are bringing top-name acts to the event space at the Clubhouse, an entertainment complex in Easthampton. Rubenstein and Kelly tout the appeal for locals to be able to see their favorite

Mark Norman

performers up close in an intimate experience just a short distance from home.

The reaction from the local community has been incredibly enthusiastic, as seating at the Clubhouse venue is limited to a capacity of 600 guests, giving everyone a great view and, unlike larger arenas in the city, a togetherness for something truly special. Kelly says, “I think people are excited that they have the opportunity to see acts like Stephen Marley (son of reggae legend Bob), Chelsea Handler, Amy Schumer, and MGMT right in their backyard. Some of these artists, like Bon Jovi or Sublime, would normally require you to travel into the city to see them perform. Often, artists are out East anyway for the summer, so it has really filled a cultural void in that way.

I think that’s exciting.”

clubhousehamptons.com

Montauk Point Lighthouse & Opera House in Brooklyn

Murmrr has also brought shows to other New York venues such as the Montauk Point Lighthouse, Industry City, and the Opera House in Brooklyn. The smaller nature of their productions taps into a client who often avoids larger settings. Rubenstein shares, “We are creating our own lane here, where we are able to have a concert one night, and then the next day do a disco show and host Latin Night, and then host a superstar comedian. We offer all these diverse acts, music, comedy, etc., and we are learning the market for them using part gut instinct and part analytics, having a great time while respecting the sophistication of the Hamptons crowds. It has been a year and a half now of us carving out this new market in the Hamptons of doing real ticketed concerts or shows.”

The variety of acts across several of the venues this summer will include Mark Norman, who Rubenstein says is “a wellknown New York City comedian coming to the Hamptons, where he will do well because

he is so talented, and he has a large social media following that will come out to see him.” Trevor Hall and the Great In-Between, Stephen Marley, and Chelsea Handler will also appear at the Clubhouse, while Rufus Wainwright and a slate of special guests will perform at the Montauk Lighthouse. Closer to the city, Flor de Toloache is performing in Industry City, and comedian Joe Pera has already sold his two shows out at the Opera House. “We like the mix of talent we offer. We have presented Amy Schumer and then a Dark Star Orchestra show, which seemingly feel like they are on opposite ends of the spectrum in some ways, but there’s continuity there because the main thrust of what we do is bring people together,” says Kelly.

Murmrr

During the early days of the Clubhouse entertainment space, Rubenstein never planned for it to grow into national headlining acts the way it did. “I started off with just sort of building local acts,” he shares, “and then I hosted a food bank benefit with Jon Bon Jovi during COVID, which actually launched the stage for us. We raised a lot of money for a couple of local charities, and then I did Sublime show, after which I met Brian, who has become a good friend and a mentor. Now, I’m all-in for building a destination entertainment spot that the locals embrace. The Clubhouse has a lot of parking space, a 4:00 a.m. liquor license, a terrific staff, and all the essential elements needed to build a successful venue.

“Well, I think here in the Hamptons, we’re in a nice, sweet spot right now,” says Rubenstein. We are able to bring acts that may not have been able to come out here, but it’s small enough that it’s still a once-in-a lifetime opportunity to see some of these acts in such an intimate setting. Kelly shares, “The idea was always to have high production value, treat artists well, and execute, which is good for the patrons, too, because we keep our costs down. We keep that model as our core, whether we are producing events in the Hamptons, Brooklyn, or even Miami. The idea is that Murmrr is in the business of making people happy.” P murmrr.com

Rufus Wainwright (CREDIT: PMC)

NEW LEADER OF THE NEW OLD GUARD

BY JULIE SAGOSKIN

PHOTOGRAPHY BY UDO SPREITZENBARTH

Dayssi

Dayssi

ON’T LET HER LUSTROUS LOCKS AND IMPECCABLE APPEARANCE FOOL YOU –development titan, philanthropist and Co-founder, President and COO of Flag Luxury Group, Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos’ first interests were playing with trucks and dirt and building things in the yard. It’s not surprising once you get to know the Colombian born business woman who grew up with immigrant parents and became a Town and Country cover girl, philanthropist, and staple of New York’s social set. For Dayssi, this rise in New York society is more than Met Gala dresses, but rather dedicating herself to making a difference and passing on that legacy to her children.

The Ritz-Carlton New York, Nomad

While Dayssi has always been interested in architecture and design, she never would have imagined that she would go from playing with Legos to building 50-story towers, including The Ritz-Carlton New York, Nomad, and forging her place as one of the world’s foremost developers. After waiting tables in high school, she went on to study at the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University. Upon attending a lecture series and hearing from one distinguished speaker in particular about the process of visualizing and constructing a building, a lightbulb went off and it was then that her dreams of being a developer came to life. Years later, she was even asked to return to the school as a speaker as she has since taken those dreams to some cutting-edge heights.

Dayssi credits her mother as the one with the determination to come to New York from Bogota, Colombia and paving the path to her success – Dayssi’s passport shows her as a one-and-a-half-year-old sitting on her father’s lap. Her mother, who had learned multiple languages while still back at home, started off giving tours at the United Nations as soon as she arrived. Some of Dayssi’s first memories include spending time with her mother’s friends who were part of the LGBTQ community, many of whom were performers, as the only person she knew when com-

ing to New York was an older lady who had brought her son here as he was getting bullied as a gay hairdresser back in Colombia. Upon her parent’s divorce when she was nine years old, Dayssi and her sisters wound up moving back to their home country to connect with their roots until she ultimately moved back to finish school at Forest Hills High School.

Dating a Prince & Marrying Developer Paul Kanavos

She might have once dated a prince, but Dayssi acknowledges that her American dream story was more about fierce determination than a fairytale. Now, her world centers on her family which includes husband Paul Kanavos and three children, Peter, Sophia and Nicholas. When she met her now husband in the 90s, he was part of his family’s real estate business which had developed everything from hotels to golf course communities.

Dayssi, who was in the midst of earning her master’s degree in real estate development at NYU when she first met Paul, also worked for a real estate company as a leasing analyst and leasing broker. She saw this as an opportunity to learn about the New York market and who the real power players were. “If you didn’t have that last name, you were not going to get a job as a developer as most were only small family businesses.”

Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos and Paul Kanavos

THAT LAST

Bringing The Ritz Brand to a New Generation Dayssi and her new husband decided to start their own real estate development firm, now known as Flag Luxury , with one condition – that Dayssi would get to follow her dream of building hotels. Together, they homed in on hospitality and started off renovating the Regency on Wall Street. Soon afterward the developer duo got the exclusive to design and build the Ritz-Carlton properties in and around Miami. This included the Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, Miami, the Ritz-Carlton South Beach, and the RitzCarlton Bal Harbour, Miami many years later. It seems only fitting that they would now bring the brand to their own backyard, their way. Their newly opened Ritz-Carlton in New York’s Nomad neighborhood is now the prized jewel of their real estate portfolio.

Town & Country Cover with Nadia Swarovski

The successful businesswoman and social force, who once graced the cover of Town and Country alongside Nadia Swarovski to celebrate the charity Save Venice, has made sure to share her successes by remaining involved in philan-

thropic organizations which are close to her heart. From growing up watching her sisters always make it a priority to give to those in need and going on to win a philanthropy award in college herself, Dayssi dedicates not just her money but her time to make a difference. Some of the most cherished charities she is involved with include New Yorkers for Children and Save Venice, which she was always drawn to due to her passion for design and architecture. She also remembers being on the committee of the New Yorkers for children benefit right after 9/11 when Anna Wintour and Mayor Giuliani decided that the charitable event must go on in to show the world the city couldn’t be stopped. The toneddown event, no black tie or dancing, singled a return to the city’s daily life.

Rose Ball, The Top Private Event of 2023

Dayssi recently celebrated her birthday with a Carnaval de Rosas (Rose Ball) , hosted by her family, for 250 guests at the Ritz Nomad’s new and magnificent ballroom . The stylishly curated black tie, feathers & flowers themed night was the social event of 2023.

“IF YOU DIDN’T HAVE

NAME, YOU WERE NOT GOING TO GET A JOB AS A DEVELOPER AS MOST WERE ONLY SMALL FAMILY BUSINESSES.”

Dayssi

The Kanavos Family The Rose Ball

Sophia Kanavos, Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos and Norma Olarte Becker 2009

Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos and Sophia Kanavos

Legacy of Philanthropy

Though Dayssi says she still feels like an outsider, which is perhaps why she is able to envision such special spaces for those who are staying at a home away from home, Dayssi has created a productive place for herself in her adopted city –and is passing on that legacy of work and philanthropy to her children.

“I always feel like an outsider because when I lived in Colombia, we were known as the gringas, which means the Americans. Even though we were Colombian, everybody affectionately called us the gringas because they knew that we had our primary years in America. And then when I moved back to New York, it was still, “Oh, you’re the Colombian. You’re not from here,” or whatever it was. I’m never going to fit into anybody’s box.” Dayssi and her company have current projects in Las Vegas and Orlando, Florida and recently purchased the Sagamore Hotel in Miami in partnership with two other families. Aside from building new posh properties around the country, Dayssi can be found rebuilding her own inner wellness at her home in Southampton, her favorite place during these summer months. P

flagluxury.com

@dayssi.ok

“I’VE ALWAYS FELT LIKE AN OUTSIDER. I’M NEVER GOING TO FIT INTO ANYBODY’S BOX.”

Dayssi

Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos and Paul Kanavos

AKING OVER

THE FAMILY BUSINESS MIGHT

BE big shoes to fill, but Sophia is already running in them. Growing up in the development dynasty has led the 26-year-old Cornell grad to realize just where she fits into both the company and the charitable scene, as well as what her generation wants to take away from these philanthropic nights.

Young Friends of Save Venice

Sophia was spotted on the dance floor at this year’s dazzling Save Venice Ball, which she first attended when she was just two years old. As a committee member of the Young Friends of Save Venice – which her mother founded - she is a using her own network to make an impact. “Not everyone has time to take on leadership roles, but we all invite each other to our events,” explains Sophia.

From galas to the workplace, Sophia got her start in business young. She credits her parents for pushing her beyond her skillset and helping her to gain independence and confidence through internships before going to college. After working at Starwood Capital Group for two years, she decided she was ready to make the shift to the equity side and realized she wanted to do it under the flag of the family business.

DAYSSI’S DAUGHTER SOPHIA KANAVOS T

Women of Tomorrow

Sophia is also helping to empower other women, something her mom is passionate about. Together, the motherdaughter duo recently organized a Women’s Power Breakfast in Miami with over 400 women in hospitality, real

estate, and lifestyle fields of all ethnicities and backgrounds. The event, which featured panels of distinguished speakers, ended up raising over $40,000, all proceeds of which went to Women of Tomorrow, an incredible organization run by Jennifer Valoppi.

According to Sophia, social media might have overshadowed some of New York’s original influencers, including her mom, but it will never be the same. “Where they went, that was cool. They knew all of the new restaurants because they were here when they opened, knew the owners, knew what the ethos of all those places were. I do feel like, with social media, a little bit has been lost. I can only speak for New York City, but when I think of society, there’s two kinds. There’s the New York New Yorkers, and then there’s New York society. It’s funny because I feel like I’ve always been in between the two. I’m the daughter of my mom who’s Colombian and my father, who’s Greek. I grew up in a Colombian household, but I’m a New Yorker. I feel like this is my city. I’m very attached to the city. I would never leave it.”

The Dream: A Hotel Brand of Her Own

As a Nomad resident herself, her go-to restaurant spot is Scarpetta, though she can usually also be seen at Nubeluz, The Swan Room at Nine Orchard Hotel, Casa Cruz, Fasano and Monkey Bar. While she hopes to one day use her knowledge of the hospitality business to open her own boutique hotel brand, for now, Sophia is focused on her upcoming travel plans which include trips to Tel Aviv and Turkey – but keep an eye out for this entrepreneur of tomorrow. P

@ sophia_kanavos

‘‘I’M A NEW YORKER. I’M VERY ATTACHED TO THE CITY. I WOULD NEVER LEAVE IT.”

Bodenchak The Team of Sotheby’s International Real Estate

T

The Ultimate Package

HE BODENCHAK TEAM, LED BY FRANK AND DAWN Bodenchak, are the ultimate package in the Hamptons brokerage scene.

Frank and Dawn offer complimentary skills. While he has decades of experience with land planning, architecture and building, Dawn focusses on design and how to transform a product into her client’s dream home. Tyler Goldich rounds out their team. Uniquely, Dawn, Frank and Tyler each have a Wall Street background with finance MBAs.

BY JULIE SAGOSKIN PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARK ELZEY

FRANK AND DAWN ARE NOT JUST LEADING brokers…they are also extremely successful developers and investors with 30 years of experience. They pride themselves on being experts in the real estate process from start-to-finish, not just the “showing” stage. Their expertise is derived from personal and collaborative real estate investments totaling over $250 million over the years.

It is this integrated vertical knowledge of real estate that enables the team to advise clients on valuation, land planning, build/renovation potential and design in a way no other brokerage team can.

“Our background is unique. We provide experience-based advice on land and construction” says Frank. “We collaborate with developers and buyers on their plot plan, architectural design and home features. Ultimately, this collaboration can result in hundreds of thousands of dollars in value creation—or even more on our $20 million new constructions.”

The Bodenchaks’ investment backgrounds add another piece to the puzzle. “Buyers want to know their purchase will be a sound investment,” explains Frank. “We have a passion for creating value, and the financial background that benefits our clients in every conversation. Looking at real estate from an investment standpoint has garnered the trust of a large Wall

Street and NYC clientele. Dawn and I look to create extra value by finding special situations and by understanding what can be done with a property or home to maximize value.”

Frank and Dawn have been advising high-end clientele for decades, even before segueing full time into real estate. In his previous life at Morgan Stanley, Frank advised CEOs and over 1,000 investment institutions. He was ranked #1 by Institutional Investor for five years, and a #1 Stock Picker by Reuters. He was the youngestever managing director at Morgan Stanley.

Dawn Bodenchak had a background in finance as well. She worked at large institutions such as Credit Lyonnais and Smith Barney, before specializing at boutique investment funds and banks.

Decades later, this team is involved in 20 to 40 deals per year, mostly in the $5 to $30 million range, ranking them as number one among Sotheby’s International Realty’s Hamptons brokers in terms of the number of properties sold, and number two in dollar volume.

They also credit hard work to their success. “We are always working and going the extra mile. We’ve heard some in real estate say they work “smarter not harder”. We believe the secret to our excess is that we work both smarter AND harder. We work 7 days per week, typically 12-hour days.

“We also have a reputation for honesty, and

“We collaborate with developers and buyers on their plot plan, architectural design and home features. Ultimately, this collaboration can result in hundreds of thousands of dollars in value creation—or even more on our $20 million new constructions.”

believe our clients are more successful because they can rely on our advice”. Dawn notes, “It is a disservice to all when we see listings with misinformation or non-local agents who give bad or incomplete advice on investments or pricing due to limited knowledge.”

Lastly, they value the Sothebys’ platform. “Our three Hamptons offices consist of 150 elite professionals, all strong in their own right. Whereas some agencies have one or two strong agents, our office consists of the best and brightest in the profession, with a fleet of $100 million producers, each with a deep clientele base. Unlike small brokerage shops, Sotheby’s has 26,000 agents and 1,000 offices around the world, and a long history of collaboration and networking. When we moved to Sotheby’s six years ago, we were surprised how many more sales and rental leads we got from being part of a national brand. We are now ranked within the top 15 agents of Sotheby’s International Realty’s owned and operated international offices.”

Immortalized in magazines and films as a stylish summer spot for New York’s elite, Frank says the Hamptons continues to attract a fantastic clientele. “It’s an amazing, friendly mix of fulltime residents, weekend visitors, summer residents and vacationers. It can be a secluded retreat for some but also offers one of the most vibrant social scenes for others. The landscape

is known for its open fields and farms and boasts among the prettiest stretches of beaches in the world. Stunning architecture and estate properties abound here.”

Since 2009, the Bodenchaks have integrated real estate with charitable work. They developed and donated five 12,000 sq. ft new constructions as Summer Designer Showhouses. They also introduced three other developers as hosts, raising over $1 million for the Southampton Hospital and Breast Cancer Research in total.

“Beginning with COVID-19, we also started a practice of making a donation for every deal we closed.” Locally, the Bodenchak Team is heavily involved In the Bridgehampton Child Care Center. They have been contributors to The Children’s Museum of the East End, the Parrish Art Museum, AARF and United Hamptons. They also support Habitat for Humanity, UNICEF, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Save the Children, Shriners and Diabetes research, among other charitable causes.

Whether you are looking for land, a home, an investment opportunity, or simply to rent out your high-end Hamptons estate, the Bodenchak Team will takes care of your needs with their trustworthy expertise and dedication to each and every client’s real estate goals. P

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“When we moved to Sotheby’s six years ago, we were surprised how many more sales and rental leads we got from being part of a national brand. We are now ranked within the top 15 agents of Sotheby’s International Realty’s owned and internationaloperated offices.”

BY W.A. MULLER

rown Harris Stevens, the premier privately owned real estate brokerage, is celebrating its 150th anniversary through a new campaign that imagines how real estate agents will work in the future. The design concept showcases several futuristic scenarios, including flying cars, floating treehouses, and hydroponic-powered utilities while emphasizing that no matter how much technology may change the industry and our lives, the role of a great agent will remain

vital to any real estate transaction.

The campaign was created by Chief Marketing Officer Matthew Leone in partnership with Agency Sacks, as well as Brown Harris Stevens Executive Creative Director Dan Mozeika.

Founded in 1873, Brown Harris Stevens Embraces the Future B

“With this new campaign, we really wanted to do something completely different from what Brown Harris Stevens has done in the past. Everything in these ads from the imaginative and futuristic imagery to the tongue-in-cheek copy is designed to make people stop whatever they’re doing and pay attention,” said Leone.

The new ads will roll out across print, digital, out of home, streaming, and broadcast platforms in every region with imagery and copy tailored to its specific audience. The

IT’S

BUT CAN IT LAND YOU THE PERFECT BUYER? THAT STILL TAKES MASTERY. 150 YEARS AND COUNTING.

Mastery

design builds on elements of the highly successful Mastery of the Craft Campaign released by Brown Harris Stevens in 2022. The new ads also proudly boast a 150 year seal set against the backdrop of every futuristic scenario, seamlessly tying together past, present, and future.

“There is no better time than your 150th birthday to shake things up and we’ve been

defining the future of real estate since our founding in 1873,” said CEO Bess Freedman. “The way we do business will evolve with new technologies, tastes, and lifestyles - but this campaign shows that Brown Harris Stevens’ commitment to and legacy of exceptional real estate service is here to stay.”

Brown Harris Stevens is one of the most prominent privately held real estate firms in

the world. Established in 1873, the firm has historically dominated the luxury, high-end market. With more than 2,500 agents across the East Coast, the company oversees the sale of marquee properties worldwide, including property management and new development marketing, from its headquarters in New York City and its offices throughout the Tristate area, Palm Beach, and Miami. P

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New York City | Hamptons | Connecticut | Palm Beach | Miami | New Jersey | Hudson Valley

of the Craft. It’s Timeless.

THE FUTURE. YOUR BEACH HOME CAN FLY WHEREVER YOU WANT.

REAL ESTATE

Must-Haves ForToday’s Luxury Buyer

BY LISA LIPPMAN

F

or more than two-and-a-half decades I have had the pleasure and privilege of working with countless buyers in the city. At the onset, together, we create a list of must-have attributes to refine our search. While design trends can come and go, in recent years, I have noticed a specific set of in-home amenities that have become less of a luxury and more of a necessity for today’s luxury buyer.

Eat-in kitchen

Nowadays, prep is collaborative, and meals are a more casual experience, making an eat-in kitchen that offers a generous amount of space a common requirement. Other kitchen amenities buyers have come to expect are two ovens, five-or-more burner stoves, wine refrigerators -- plus views that are comparable to the rest of the home are always a bonus and dark kitchens are OUT.

Large primary bath

A luxurious, grand bathroom can offer a private retreat within a home and a way to escape the city’s hustle and bustle. Within primary baths, large glass showers are highly desired as well as double vanities and soaking tubs.

Well-located guest bath

Whether hosting a dinner party or just having people over, a well-located and elegantly styled guest bath – half or full – is almost a requirement for purchases over $5 million, and

truthfully at every price point, buyers want one.

Walk-in closets

As a whole, people have more than ever before, and walk-in closets have become the standard. Further, closets outside of the bedroom are also highly sought after for the additional storage they provide for seasonal items and backstock of essentials!

Washer and dryer

A washer and dryer are basically a “musthave” for properties 2 bedrooms and larger. While many buildings offer modernized laundry rooms onsite with large capacity washers and dryers, nothing truly beats the expediency of being able to stay within your home. Properties 3 bedrooms and larger have a VERY hard time selling when they do not have an in-unit washer dryer. P

About Lisa

Lisa K. Lippman is the #1 agent at Brown Harris Stevens, an honor that she has held for the past six consecutive years. For more, visit: https://www.bhsusa.com/ real-estate-agent/lisa-lippman

Spot Sweet

New York-based Interior Designer Cara Woodhouse

whips up an artistic interior recipe for a Cult Cookie brand founder and her young family to indulge in.

BY CARA GIBBS PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRIAN WETZEL

For interior designer Cara Woodhouse, the connective tissue within her body of design work is always cast around materiality. Perhaps referencing her roots as a young sculptor or her affinity for uncovering natural elements and using them in unexpected ways, regardless of the source, the designer’s material-first mantra has enabled her to render spaces that exude natural beauty with an artistic flair.

Such was the case in her latest project for Cult Cookie brand founder Dana Pollack. Known for her trailblazing flavor pairings that reinvent our classic cookie favorites at her eponymous Dana’s Bakery, it’s no surprise that Pollack and her husband turned to Woodhouse to add that same je ne sais quoi to their Long Island home. Very

subtle and calm like a horizon line.”

“We definitely collaborated,” Woodhouse explains regarding the creative process in which she and Pollack shared a ton of inspiration collateral that Woodhouse then turned into custom design schemes— creating an intentional dialogue from one room to another.

“They wanted a lot of natural material features, which really excited me because I love working on projects where I can use interesting and beautiful stones, woods, and other fibers.” The multi-colored marble entryway sets the tone for the creative journey that’s about to unfold when you enter the home. Though small in footprint, Woodhouse didn’t let size stop her from making a statement.

“I wanted to make this space impactful and functional,” she explains.

“The eye-catching marble floor paired with the custom floating console with a small drawer to stash catch-all items did just the trick.”

Invoking a quiet color palette in the dining room met with unexpected shapes, echoing the impact of the entry way, and a restrained approach to color was introduced. This theme extends through the welcoming family room and primary bedroom, until moody vibes make an appearance in the bar room.“We wanted to edge things up in this space, so we looked to the darker side of the color spectrum,” Woodhouse states.

But this home was always going to be centered around the kitchen. “One of the biggest overhauls was when we re configured the kitchen to expand it and create the ultimate dream kitchen—afterall, Dana is a chef,” says the designer.

Creating a focal point centered around the natural heart of the home,

“The dark walls are anchored by the blue and green color-blocked rug that butts against the coolest fireplace, which was custom designed in grand antique active black-and-white marble.”

Woodhouse waved her material wand throughout the space. She created fluted details on the island, designed the waterfall marblecountertop to reveal an oak detail by the base,and fashioned geometric interest through her architectural cast of lighting.

“This home’s aesthetic is flavorful with color and texture and modern elements,” muses the designer. “The clients wanted a cool vibe throughout their home for their young family and wanted to add color and shape in a way that was both livable and artistic.” Looks like the checklist is complete. P

carawoodhouse.com

Lula

THE FOUNDER OF STUDIO GALEANO

DESIGNS EACH PROJECT DIFFERENTLY

Galeano

BY JULIE SAGOSKIN

f you don’t see a distinct pattern in each of Lula Galeano’s architectural or interior designs, it’s because her design insights and instincts vary per project. This self-proclaimed craft enthusiast and founder of the women-led New York City-based Studio Galeano, whose work has been featured in Architectural Digest, has indeed worked on a range of projects, from stores to homes and hotels.

After coming to New York from her hometown of Patagonia in 2015, Galeano started designing her own future in her adopted city and opened her own firm in 2017. She first gained experience designing

My work is very diverse I don’t compare any one project with the rest. You might not know that any of my projects are done by the same person because my style changes for each concept and space. I interpret who my clients are and what they want. I love working with no selfrestraints, aside from budget constraints.

for the Audemars Piguet boutique in East Hampton, and her stylish aesthetic and skills soon led to her redesigning the company’s offices. Lula would go on to work on multiple other stores and homes, mostly gained by word of mouth, which she attributes to her rapid growth.

Trained in architecture and interior design, Lula is able to combine both passions for her

clients. From Susan Alexandra to Prada, she creates interior experiences for a mix of varied retail brands.

While retail might have originally been at the core of her career, Lula has recently used her talents to expand to the residential market. Up until last year, most of her residential clients were her commercial clients. “They would ask, ‘Can you also do our house in the Hamptons?’ and then last year, I started having more private commissions.”

According to Lula, when it comes to creating a space, it’s all about the feeling it can invoke. “For me, it’s more than what you see on Instagram. When you walk into a church you feel a sense of holiness. I like to create a feeling for each project. For Susan Alexandra it was whimsical and fancy, and there are things to see everywhere. For Audemars Piguet, we wanted to convey the feeling of calm luxury. There was nothing to see, it was all wood and monochromatic. Very subtle and calm like a horizon line.”

It’s a much more textual feeling when you are in a space surrounded by different objects and colors and light. I like to think about how that makes me feel.

Lula’s way of approaching fantasy and joy is also quite compatible with what the experiential market is offering right now.

Lula is not just building up her business but also branching out in many ways. “I don’t just want to specialize in one thing and be known for either stores or offices or restarants. I like testing the waters and not being fixated on one aspect.”

She also enjoys being able to work on projects such as Dever, Los Angeles, and Atlanta, as this allows her to expand more on her ideas—literally —as there is more space in these cities, which are not as densely built as New York.

Lula’s favorite new trend? Having fun!

After Covid, everybody wants to have more fun, so I’m kind of glad that all of these kinds of somber palettes and beige all over is sort of coming to an end in a way. I see that people are enjoying incorporating more fun into their spaces and in their home. It’s a resurrection of joy in a way, and the trend is being more imaginative, like having a fireplace that has a face or mixing materials and fabrics. It’s just overall a very joyful approach, whereas before, things were a bit more monochromatic. You can see this not just in interior design but also fashion, and it just transmits joy and makes people feel happy

Let’s just say that word of mouth about Lula is leading to projects around the world, including a hotel in Ibiza, and there’s plenty more to come. P

studiogaleon.com

Lauren Makk

HGTV Host and DIY Guru Spills

Her Secrets for Keeping a Television -Worthy Home

BY JULIE SAGOSKIN

nown for appearing on TLC’s Emmy Awardwinning Trading Spaces and A&E’s Drill Team as well as co-host on ABC’s FABLife, Lauren Makk’s love for living luxe started when she was just a little kid. From a young age, she often found herself moving things around in other people’s homes. As she says, it was just something she was born to do. “Whitney Houston was born to sing, Michael Jordan was born to jump, and I was born to design.” She also credits this natural knack to coming from a long line of women who made other people’s homes nice and beautiful. “I come from the South, so based on Southern history of Black people, everyone in my family was a housekeeper. My mother used to make all our clothes and decorations and had a big garden where she would grow all our food and pickle things.”

Growing up, Lauren never realized her family didn’t have a lot of money because her mother always made everything look so lovely and was a pro at creating something out of nothing. This DIY goddess remembers her mother going from making Easter decorations to making extensions to their countertops. After her parents divorced when she was 14 years old, Lauren’s mother found a way to make money by buying houses at auction and turning them into rental properties. She didn’t know it back then, but helping to drywall or rip out floors at these income residences would eventually help shape her career.

Lauren’s original plan for her future was to travel the world with her group of international friends and paint graffiti murals. After all, there were no examples of interior design shows on television back then. The first time she realized that you could actually be a designer and make money was when Designing Women came on television. Up until then, she had just thought of herself as an awkward Black girl in Oklahoma.

Lauren’s mother made it very clear that she “was going to take her butt to college.” She might have been anxious at first, but on the first day of the design class she had enrolled in, Lauren knew she had picked the right thing.

Now, the tv star and businesswoman who owns her own interior design firm in Nashville, where she lives, refers to herself as the design whisperer. “I love vintage and mixing old with new, or resale with retail. My favorite thing is challenging myself to save

money. I came from a woman who did not pay full price for anything, ever, so I like approaching design from that way to make the most out of the least. Even my clients who have all the money in the world still want to save money, so I want to bring affordable luxury to everyone because I design for the regular man.”

She also believes that a really good home is curated and tells a story about someone’s experiences rather than just being bought off a retail floor. “I love places that feel good or that feel like home. It’s about finding pieces that mean something to someone. Finding those pieces and using them in a unique way, that’s the juice of the project.”

Another tip from the DIY guru? Keeping a tidy home. “Even if you have a maximalist approach, organizing things by color or size can make things look presentable. My mom gave me a box when I was about six years old and said, ‘You can have whatever you want, but put it in this box and put it away.’ Now, I have a lot of junk in the most beautiful things, and all my kids’ toys go into a big pot at the end of the day.”

Her first job out of school involved designing models for homes at the height of the housing market, but once she recognized that the bubble was about to burst, she typed in “interior design” on Craigslist on her swivel-screen phone, and the first thing that popped up was an audition to come on for a Trading Spaces type show. She showed up for the audition with her award-winning design portfolio and her larger-than-life personality and landed a spot on the show, which turned out to be Trading Spaces. She knew she had found the right opportunity when her first challenge was to complete a makeover with a $1,000 budget, something that allowed her to show off her skills early on.

Now 18 years into her career, Lauren is still just as passionate about elevating the art of DIY. “Crafting has always been a part of my lifestyle, so my next project is a top-secret, luxury DIY project. I’m also working on some exciting new programming for HGTV and Giveaway Homes Smart Home 2023, which just debuted on Discovery Plus and HGTV.

With small children and a busy career, Lauren finds joy by making memories with her family as well as ripping out plants and gardening and, of course, finding therapeutic ways to channel some energy through thrifting. Now two years sober, she is mostly excited to learn to love her life in a different way, while helping others live better as well. P

BY BETTY TAYLOR

hy wait for a special occasion to receive a bouquet of flowers when you can add some freshness to your space all year long with carefully curated florals from Winston Flowers? The award-winning family-owned flower company which has been offering unparalleled service and quality plus a commitment to sustainability practices for 75 years, is now offering three unique subscriptions to guarantee divine displays on a daily basis.

Celebrate the best of every season with original arrangements beautifully composed with one or two exceptional in-season blooms

Was part of the Flower of the Month Subscription. By simply choosing the price and duration that best suit your needs, you will soon be enjoying unique, original arrangements every month. There’s no fee for each delivery, making your floral dreams as easy as possible. Add even more personalized peonies and other beauteous blooms with their Design of the Week subscription, which will give your space a stylish upgrade on a weekly basis. Experience the talents of Winston’s design team with selections from seasonal gift collections of various sizes and give yourself the gift of beauty and freshness.

No need to wait for a home makeover when you can receive unique designs each week with the Residential Collection, where each arrangement will come personally designed

just for your space. Winston Flowers is committed to sourcing only the most exceptional flowers and plants of the season, plus they use local products whenever possible, and present their designs in stunning specialty vessels. Their divine displays provide are an effortless way to make an impact in any room.

With each subscription series, you are sure to experience the joy that fresh flowers can bring to your space and your soul. This now third generation led company offers arrangements that are crafted from the freshest blooms as well as gift boxes which show recipients just how much they are loved and appreciated. P

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HOW THE HARD ROCK HOTEL NEW YORK BECAME

The Swirl OF MIDTOWN MANHATTAN

BY GEORGE WAYNE

Photography by Andrew Werner

The Rock star suite

It’s been 14 months since the Hard Rock Hotel New York swung open its gilded doors in the heart of a never more electrifying Midtown Manhattan, located between the Theatre District and Rockefeller Center. Initially the worry was how this newest outpost, which is at the heart of where music and entertainment collide, would stand out in an oversaturated market bristling with not only more established, but more recent unique properties. Add to that the nearly three-year pandemic shutdown. How would the Hard Rock, well, rock it?

The answer just might just lie within their innovative culinary experiences including NYY Steak, RT60 Rooftop Bar & Lounge and their lobby bar Sessions, where hotel guests and visitors alike will find the best of live music while enjoying

inventive bites and cocktails. The area is now being brought to life once again with this always happening Hard Rock, which offers a full-access pass to a lineup of legendary performances.

“The Hard Rock Hotel New York has become the swirl of New York City,’’ says Dale Hipsh. And who’s to argue with this legendary force majeure of the hotel-hospitality sphere? The former Senior Vice President of the brand returned for a time to serve as consultant to the Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos franchise, and when it comes to creating and inventing a hotel experience, there are none in the business more accomplished.

“Music is a force, a kinetic spirit that’s ageless and electric. This new Hard Rock Hotel had to exemplify that spirit like no other, and I think we are doing just that.’’ With a sweep of the hand, the maestro shows off the latest A-List memorabilia—

David Salcfas and Dale Hipsh

ESCAPES

The show-stopping entertainment space known as The Venue on Music Row

an iconic look from Janet Jackson welcoming guests to the gilded entryway as they engage with the new jewel of New York. “It’s not just about meeting the moment—it’s about exceeding it,” quips the oft-quotable Hipsh.

Hipsh and his team quickly realized that forging an inclusive and dynamic alliance with New York City’s leading creatives, influencers and personalities was the most accurate and organic way of creating buzz and generating goodwill. From the local musicians found in all the hotel’s public lounges and collaborations to moments with Housewives of New York to Rock & Roll Hall of Fame legends—a immediate sense of cool greets visitors choosing to stay at this centrally located Hard Rock Hotel New York.

Ascending the magical sweeping staircase to the gorgeously appointed second floor of the gleaming hotel, Hipsh opines, “No one does it better than Jeffrey Beers!” He believes there is no more talented interior designer/architect, master builder or re-inventor of hotels than his friend Jeffrey Beers. “We’ve worked on many projects together, but I am quite proud of this one in particular.”

The excellent compilation and placement of the vast trove of A-List memorabilia honors some of the music industry’s biggest icons who were from and inspired by New York. Much of the magic of the property is also owed to a brand

new general manager who truly brings his vision to life through the offerings which can be found at Hard Rock Hotel New York. David Salcfas brings 33 years of experience in the hospitality realm.

“I feel reinvigorated and happier than ever to be back running a pedigreed hotel,’’ Salcfas offers. “But the intensity is the same whether it’s a big box or boutique-style hotel. I am fully immersing myself in my new role here at the Hard Rock Hotel New York, which is tremendously exciting because it adds a unique vibe to the hotel landscape. And it’s not only a world-class hotel experience but a one-of-a-kind-live entertainment venue right next door.’’

This is the Broadway district, where the true masters of the craft transform ideas into spectacles and create an exciting, buzzy property that still manages to maintain an aura of safety and security. No easy feat, but that is precisely what the Hard Rock Hotel New York has managed to achieve. Says Hipsh, ‘’We are about authentic experiences that rock, and that’s been our philosophy here from day one.’’ P

hardrockhotels.com

‘‘ IT’S NOT ONLY A WORLDCLASS HOTEL EXPERIENCE BUT A ONE-OF-A-KINDLIVE ENTERTAINMENT VENUE RIGHT NEXT DOOR.’’

Top Resort Jamaica’s

Round Hill

BY R. COURI HAY

Round Hill Hotel

You can imagine my surprise when I looked over at the next table, while having lunch on Round Hill’s panoramic seaside terrace, and saw our USA Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen and her family. They were laughing and nibbling on fresh salads from the resort’s organic gardens, as a dozen Secret Service agents tried to blend into the foliage. The resort is no stranger to VIPs—I just missed Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, who were here for a wedding the week before. No one does “I do” festivities better than Round Hill. I accidentally witnessed a glowing couple say their vows with the sea behind them before having a glamorous party on the beach with 100 friends as I was leaving the resort’s world class spa. If you like yoga, ask for Donavan, and there are delightful masseuses who do reflexology, massage, and perfect mani-pedis.

A Storied Past

Originally, Round Hill was part of a sugarcane plantation owned by Lord Monson. Round Hill resort was the brainchild of John Pringle, a Jamaican-born entrepreneur whose socialite mother owned a hotel in Montego Bay. Pringle served in the British Army, worked for Elizabeth Arden in New York City, opened a haberdashery, and after marrying and having kids, returned to Jamaica. Round Hill opened in 1953 with Noel Coward as its first shareholder. Today, VIP shareholders include shoe designer Vanessa Noel and Blackstone founder Stephen Schwarzman and his wife, Christine Hearst Schwarzman.

Meet the Hotelier

In his office at Round Hill, the managing director, Josef Forstmayr, has a glorious letter from Queen Elizabeth II, naming him Jamaica’s honorary Consul General for Austria. Among the many famous guests at Round Hill, Forstmayr is especially fond of Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell, and Sir Paul McCartney, who has been coming to the resort for many years. “All of Paul McCartney’s children grew up here: Stella, Mary, James, and Heather. They all used to spend every Christmas here, and he’s an incredible person.” Forstmayr currently serves as the director of the Jamaica Tourist Board, the Montego Bay Chamber of Commerce, and he chairs the Montego Bay Arts Council.

From Astaire to The Sound of Music

Adele Astaire, Fred’s sister and dance partner, owned one of Round Hill’s villas, Number 25, that was later used by JFK. Kennedy actually edited and rehearsed his presidential inauguration speech there, and parts of it are still displayed in the cottage. Oscar Hammerstein owned Villa 12 and met the real-life Maria Von Trapp there. He wrote The Sound of Music, as well as several other musicals, in the three-bedroom property.

More recently, Angela Bassett, Whoopi Goldberg, and Taye Diggs lounged in the private pool while taking in the spectacular hillside views of the Caribbean from Villa 11, the set of the 1998 movie How Stella Got Her Groove Back. A few years later, Diggs and Idina Menzel had their wedding at Round Hill.

‘‘ THE SPIRIT OF ROUND HILL

— VERY QUIET, VERY ELEGANT.’’

— RALPH LAUREN

Round Hill Entrance

ESCAPES

Prince Harry & Meghan Markle

In 2017 Prince Harry brought along his then-girlfriend Meghan Markle for the wedding of his best friend an former wingman Tom “Skippy” Inskip. The visit was important because attending the Round Hill nuptials took their relationship to the next level, since Markle met the prince’s closest friends. Harry served as an usher. Several months later Harry and Meghan announced their engagement. There’s definitely something about the seaside air at Round Hill.

The couple stayed at Cottage 16, the same one in which author Ian Fleming, creator of James Bond, stayed. The glamorous, ultra-private villa has six bedrooms, two pools, and stunning views of the Caribbean, with decor by Ralph Lauren.

Harry and Meghan loved hanging on the beach, and their villa was equipped with a state-of-the-art kitchen where the future Duchess of Sussex could whip up dinner for her prince. That’s if she wanted to cook—Round Hill’s villas come fully staffed with a designated chef, a housekeeper, and a gardener. You really don’t have to lift a finger at this resort, except to raise a flute of champagne to your lips.

White Orchid

The other, White Orchid, which they purchased in 1996, is down the hill, directly on the beach, and was once owned by William and Babe Paley. Lauren deco -rated this one with a classic feel. “The White Orchid is clean, barefoot, and luxurious,” he said.

Ralph Lauren has put his stamp of approval on Jamaica as a vacation destination, according to Josef Forstmayr, Round Hill’s longtime and popular managing director who worked with the designer on its recent update. “We go there as often as we can escape,” said Ricky Lauren, who penned a book about Jamaica titled My Island

High Rock

Ralph Lauren designed the 36 luxurious ocean-view guest rooms at The Pineapple House, the main hotel at Jamaica’s Round Hill Hotel and Villas, but this was no mere interior design gig. It was a labor of love. “The greenness of Jamaica is gorgeous,” pronounced the designer. “The air is very mild. It feels like a paradise. There’s a naturalness and ease of living. It smells like a beautiful place.” Lauren and his wife, Ricky, own two of the 27 villas on the lush 110-acre property. One, called High Rock, sits on the resort’s highest point: “We made the house what it should be,” Lauren said of the place he’s owned for more than thirty years.

Vogue called one of Lauren’s runway shows, complete with wicker chairs, tropical plants, and woven basket patterns, a “love letter to his Round Hill, Jamaica home.” Lauren’s show notes read: “Everyone wishes for a magical place where they can step out of time into the beauty of nature. For Spring, I wanted to share the mood, the light, the blue-andwhite freshness of my retreat in Jamaica.” An unofficial ambassador for the island nation, Lauren was named an Honorary Commander of Jamaica’s Order of Distinction, and his face appeared on a postage stamp, an honor shared by Winston Churchill and Princess Diana.

‘‘IT’S LIKE BEING ON A BOAT.’’ — RALPH LAUREN

Justin & Hailey Bieber

Josef Forstmayer, Ricky Lauren, Ralph Lauren

Meghan Markle & Prince Harry

Justin Bieber, Jacqueline Kennedy & Noel Coward

Round Hill is Jamaica’s most personal, elegant, and private resort, and Lauren was not the first bold-faced name to discover its charms. John and Jacque line Kennedy honeymooned at a seaside cottage at the resort. James Bond author Ian Fleming, Errol Flynn, and Noel Coward, all visited before later buying their own homes here.

During the 1950s and ’60s, Princess Grace Kelly, Claudette Colbert, Clark Gable, Yul Brynner, and Alfred Hitchcock could be found sunning and swimming at Round Hill. Visitors have also included Paul McCartney and Pierce Brosnan. Justin Bieber, before marrying Hailey Baldwin, was once seen kissing Selena Gomez at the resort, before taking her on a bamboo raft down the island’s Great River with Chukka Caribbean Adventures. chukka.com

Ultimate hospitality

Round Hill has its own concierge at Montego Bay’s airport, ready to assist you and arrange private transportation to the resort, about 20 minutes away. Before our trip, they sent us a full, written itinerary for our stay. How perfect!

Our villa included a daily New York Times, afternoon tea, full use of the fitness center with instructor, nonmotorized water sports, shuttle to Tryall Golf Club, and supervised activities for kids, if you need it, all at no extra charge.

Dinner on the Beach with candles and tablecloths

What an unexpected and fun surprise on our first evening! It turns out that Mondays are designated for beach barbecue parties,

and longtime general manager Josef Forstmayr continues the tradition in signature Round Hill luxury style. This means tables with red table cloths, candles, and fine silverware set on the beachfront, while buffet tables with various cuisines are placed under trees. We had fresh corn, chicken, brisket, and sautéed shrimp. Executive Chef Martin Maginley oversees everything, and much of the produce is grown in the resort’s organic gardens.

Cottage 12

On this trip, we ended up in Cottage 12, now owned by shoe designer Vanessa Noel. The cottage is perched high on the hill with magnificent views of both Round Hill Bay and Montego Bay. The charming, secluded villa boasts three ensuite bedrooms, living and dining rooms, and expansive terraces with breathtaking views. We had our very own large pool set in a lush green garden. The cottage comes with its own staff, a chef, housekeeper, and gardener. Needless to say, everything was always immaculate, and what fun it was to order banana pancakes for breakfast or any time we chose.

In-Villa

Dining:

While there are several dining options, the cook in your villa will pamper you. Start your day— whether you’re up with the roosters or sleeping in until midafternoon—with those aforementioned insanely delicious banana pancakes accompanied by freshly brewed Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee on your

Villa view @ Round Hill

Picnic @ Round Hill

private patio overlooking the sea. Try the cinnamon French toast, coconut pancakes, fresh tropical fruit plate, or more traditional breakfast dishes like omelets and cereal.

Of course, they serve up authentic Jamaican breakfasts with dishes like ackee, a gorgeous tropical fruit and saltfish, which is cod, or organic callaloo, a leafy green, with boiled ground provisions called yams.

You literally do not need to leave your villa. You can eat all your meals there in total privacy. Lunch offerings include a variety of soups with local flavors, including pumpkin chicken and vegetable pepper pot, organic salads, wraps, fresh fish, and fried chicken.

Among the in-villa dinner dishes, you’ll find fresh steamed Caribbean fish, shrimp or vegetable curry, pastas with local vegetables, and chicken prepared in various ways, including barbecue and jerk. I’m getting hungry just thinking about it. If you want to go to the dining room, consider Jamaican night, an expansive buffet with all the local specialties, including oxtail, fish escovitch, and red pea soup.

Alligator Park

After breakfast it’s fun to go exploring; be sure to check out the alligator farm and zoo at Jamaica Swamp Safari Village that’s close to Round Hill. Here you will see a variety of indigenous animals, including snakes, parrots, other birds, monkeys, raccoons, and even a boar. If you ask and tip a little bit, the guide will get some big hunks of

beef to feed Sammy B. the one-thousandpound alligator that lives in his own pond.The James Bond movie Live and Let Die was filmed here, notably the scene where Roger Moore escapes over the backs of several alli gators. It’s fun to Google the video on your phone while you are there. my-island-jamaica.com

Rose Hall, Haunted House

If you like history, definitely go to Rose Hall, a Georgian-style 18th-Century plantation “Great House,” probably the most famous in Jamaica. Completely restored in the 1960s and furnished with antiques, the historic house and extensive grounds are open for tours and located near Round Hill.

According to legend, Rose Hall is haunted by Annie Palmer, a “white witch” who murdered three of her husbands. Married to John Palmer, who owned the plantation until Annie murdered him, she is also said to have offed her two subsequent spouses, as well as some of the plantation’s residents. The legend goes that one of the residents

later murdered Annie.

Johnny Cash recorded a song called “The Ballad of Annie Palmer,” with the lyrics: “ Where’s your husband, Annie, where’s number two and three Are they sleeping ’neath the palms beside the Caribbean Sea?

At night I hear you ridin’, and I hear your lover’s call And still can feel your presence round the great house at Rose Hall. ”

It is claimed that she still walks the property, and so strong is her curse that no one has dared sleep there since the 1980s, when a couple got scared off by the ghost. Annie is buried there, and by the ocean under three palm trees lie her three murdered husbands. Rose Hall even offers haunted night tours, not recommended for children under ten.

rosehall.com

Restaurants - Farm-to-Table The Grill

By now you’ve probably worked up an appetite. The Grill is Round Hill’s rooftop dining spot, where you can enjoy the balmy ocean breezes while taking in the pano ramic views. The food here is “modern Caribbean,” much of it locally produced, with snapper, grouper, and local lobster straight from the sea. Ingredients are organic and sustainably grown.

Rose Hall

Roger Moore for “Live and Let Die”

Seaside Terrace, Barefoot Elegance

This stone terrace overlooking the sea serves lunch as well as other themed meals, including a Caribbean curry night on Wednesdays, and authentic Jamaican food on Fridays with a popular live show appropriate for all ages. Highlights on the Jamaican menu include “firecracker” coleslaw, gazpacho shooters, jerk chicken, braised oxtail, and crispy fried conch, plus terrific vegetarian options. Desserts are homemade, and there’s a flambé station with Jamaican rum. Tip: the à la carte menu is always available as well, so you can join in the seaside fun, and you won’t go hungry if the day’s cuisine is not to your taste. The draw here is an informal and fun lunch and dinner, but with elegant touches like candlelight and tablecloths. “Barefoot elegance” best describes the ambience. The menu here highlights James Beard Award-winning chef Martin Maginley’s clean Caribbean cuisine, updating classic dishes from the 1950s, when the resort was founded, including lemongrass lobster bisque, grilled tuna filet, beef Wellington, and his signature Scotch bonnet ice cream.

Afternoon Tea

Round Hill’s ultimate experience is Tea time. It is served daily at 4:00 p.m. in the lounge, perfect for a break from the sun or to meet friends old and new. The tea fare is Round Hill Tea

traditional, with perfect cucumber sandwiches, fruit, and pastries. Try the chocolate chip cookie and the tiny brownies, a decadent delight. Check out the black-and-white photographs of famous guests—such as the McCartney family and Ralph Lauren—from the past dotting the walls of the Round Hill’s Cocktail Bar, the perfect place for pre- or post-dinner cocktails, with sunset views and a musician tickling the ivories. Round Hill is Heaven. P roundhill.com

Cocktail Lounge

Beach Side Bar

HOTEL DE PARIS

The Most Exquisite Jewel of the Monte Carlo Crown

BY LAUREN BENS

ven for jaded travelers, Monte Carlo, part of the principality of Monaco situated between France and Italy, still lives up to the hype, and the most luxurious hotel in this quintessentially chic provenance is the Hotel de Paris.

This historic and haute property helped to launch the image of Monte Carlo as the playground of the rich and famous, something that has led to multiple movies, James Bond included, and worldwide intrigue. Part of the collection of Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer, which has been offering the finest hotel experiences since 1863, and now operates four luxury properties, Hotel de Paris is perhaps the most exclusive stay I have ever experienced. They are, after all, home to the two most expensive suites in the world.

From the moment you arrive by car or helicopter—Blade has just launched a sevenminute flight service from the Nice Airport so that you can arrive in extra style—you are whisked away into the grand marble-floored lobby entrance featuring a glass dome and whimsical floral arrangements. If you keep looking, you will also find intricate carvings, and don’t forget to stroke the horse sculpture in the front of the lobby for some luck before heading to the Casino de Monte Carlo just across the street, which is also part of the

brand’s portfolio. Their luxe lineup includes another nearby casino, The Thermes Marins Monte-Carlo spa, and 30 bars and restaurants, including four with a total of seven Michelin stars.

Recently renovated, the spacious rooms and suites have been upgraded for comfort and design but still retain the same timeless charm as when they first opened. With harbor, sea, city, or casino views, each room features herringbone wood floors and marble bathrooms and most come with their own private patios. Waking up to the sun shining on this opulent city feels like one has truly arrived at the pinnacle of all things posh. Part of their Diamond Suite tier, the Princess Grace and Prince Rainier III suites, the most expensive in the world, are your own jewel boxes at the top of the Monte Carlo crown.

They even know how to get rejuvenated in a regal manner at their wellness-focused Thermes Marins Monte-Carlo, which combines innovation and savoir faire overlooking the Mediterranean. Their team of multidisciplinary experts assesses every need and desire, providing a holistic solution and treatment menu including body scrubs, facials, and massages. Sit at the heated pool or enjoy the outdoor jacuzzi facing the port and the Rock, solarium, hammam, sauna, and panoramic fitness room.

For a pre-dinner drink or late-night indulgence, Le Bar Américain is the legendary hotel’s lobby bar where you can listen to live jazz music and enjoy a selection of champagne and signature drinks, including their L’Orangerie Monte Carlo-infused cocktail. Michelin-star dining at Le Grill, which sits atop the eighth floor of the hotel, is fine dining at its most

flavorful. With views overlooking three countries, a retractable roof, exquisitely prepared menus, and impeccable service, you don’t need to leave the property to experience the best dining in all of Monte Carlo. With its three Michelin stars, Le Louis XV - Alain Ducasse at the Hôtel de Paris features a menu from chefs Alain Ducasse and Emmanuel Pilon, along with pastry chef Sandro Micheli. Utilizing fresh produce and protein from the Riviera’s small farmers, the selections are light, modern, and surprising. Mediterranean fare is also found at Em Sherif Monte-Carlo, while the iconic Café de Paris Monte-Carlo is located across the street.

Just outside the door of this posh property lies world-class shopping and dining, while views of yachts follow you as you walk around this enchanting city, unveiling gems such as the Opera Garnier and open-air marketplace. Get your Grace Kelly on when you take the steps to explore the Palais Princier de Monaco, where the American princess lived, and be taken in by the unparalleled views of the water and surroundings. Continue to the Oceanographic Museum with its own nautical treasures and an aquarium, plus even more stunning views from the top. For a night out on the town, Buddha Bar Monte Carlo is a fun, Asian-inspired lounge space with bi-level dining and cocktail options that turns into a nightclub at night. The casino also offers dining experiences, including Italian fare at Le Train Bleu.

An opulent destination that provides stunning views, ultimate relaxation, and world-class shopping and dining, Monte-Carlo truly epitomizes the great art of living in Europe. P

montecarlosbm.com

Four Seasons, Surfside

A Beachside Paradise

BY RYANN REYNOLDS

ooking for a luxurious beachfront getaway in South Florida?

The Four Seasons Surf Club is an idyllic destination for breathtaking views and an unparalleled experience that will leave you wanting for nothing. From the moment you arrive, you will be greeted with warm and friendly hospitality. The highly trained staff make it a priority to ensure your stay is unforgettable. The attention to detail is evident throughout the property, from the beautifully landscaped gardens to the elegant and stylish interiors.

The hotel offers opulent accommodations with plenty of high-end amenities to ensure a comfortable and pleasant stay. The spacious and well-appointed rooms and suites provide a relaxing and upscale atmosphere for guests. Guest rooms are bathed in natural light by floor-to-ceiling windows and feature a refreshing color palette that echoes the classic surfside combination of sun, sand, and sea. Guests stay ing in rooms with private balconies or gardens can enjoy the stunning scenery of either the vast Atlantic Ocean or the sparkling Miami skyline.

The relaxing soundscape of waves crashing against the shore also assist in making this an ideal destination for those seeking a peaceful getaway. The well-balanced combination of natural and urban beauty creates a unique and memorable experience. For guests truly looking to indulge with family or friends, the Marybelle Penthouse Suite designed by Joseph Dirand boasts 7,200 square feet, sleeps eight adults, and comes with its own private pool and spacious balcony.

The Marybelle Suite borrows its name from the yacht where Harvey Firestone and his peers discovered the land on which to build The Surf Club, and it is the most exclusive suite at the hotel.

The hotel offers a wide range of amenities and services, including a private beach, an oceanfront swimming pool, a fitness center, a spa, and a house car. Guests can take a compli mentary ride in the hotel’s Tesla to the iconic open-air Bal Harbour Shops to explore the best luxury boutiques in a lush, resort-like setting. For a special tour of Miami and its surreal coastal views, the hotel concierge will arrange a private yacht for you to breathe in the natural landscapes of Star Island, Hibiscus Island, and the Venetian Islands on your way to the city.

In Miami, you can dock to enjoy dinner at one of the concierge’s recommended hot spots. For those who prefer to sink into the hotel’s world-class dining options that cater to all tastes and preferences, The Four Seasons Surf Club showcases four excellent onsite eateries.

The Surf Club Restaurant, driven by celebrated Chef Thomas Keller, is a Michelin Star concept that focuses on continental cuisine and classic libations. Here, you will find Chef Keller’s famously meticulous standards applied to iconic dishes that are created with locally sourced ingredients. Think French onion dip, filet mignon, Dover sole, and tableside-pre pared Caesar salad. For more casual and light fare inspired by the flavors of South Florida, Winston’s On The Beach is another notable dining option.

Another highlight of the hotel is its impressive spa and wellness center, where you can soothe your mind, body, and soul. The spa features

private treatment rooms, relaxation lounges, and a full-service salon, as well as a state-of-theart fitness center.

Guests can expect to have all their needs met during their stay at the Four Seasons Surf Club. Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or a business retreat, the Four Seasons Surf Club is sure to exceed your expectations and leave you with memories to last a lifetime. P

fourseasons.com/surfside

Four Seasons,Anguilla

The Caribbean’s Most Luxurious Resort

BY RYANN REYNOLDS

Is the Caribbean calling you for a wildly needed escape? The Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla is the perfect place to visit for an exceptional holiday. Situated on the pristine shores of the Caribbean Sea, this stunning property offers the perfect blend of relaxation, adventure, and indulgence.

Upon setting foot on the property, you’ll be

transported into a world of opulence and relaxation. The resort boasts 166 luxurious accommodations, ranging from spacious guest rooms to lavish private villas. Every room is meticulously crafted with a keen eye for detail, adorned with modern furnishings, top-of-the-line amenities, and a calming view of the warm, aqua-blue sea. Each suite, villa, and residence’s ambiance encourages guests to embody the life of luxury,

with generous-sized living areas, bedrooms, and private pools that beckon for a refreshing dip. It is here that guests can easily feel like royalty in their very own private paradise. Many of these accommodations offer direct access to the beach, truly making your dream vacation a reality. In addition to its resort offerings, the Four Seasons also offers private residences for sale, ranging from one to five bedrooms, each with

its own private infinity pool and breath taking ocean views.

At the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla, every moment is an invitation to immerse yourself in sheer bliss. Spend your days lounging on the immaculate white-sand beach taking a swim in one of the resort’s three sparkling pools, or exploring the crystal-clear waters on a snorkeling or diving excursion. For those seeking adventure, the resort offers a variety of water sports, including kayaking, standup paddleboarding, and windsurfing. There are also onsite activities at the sports pavilion, such as rock climbing, tennis, and basketball. Just a few miles away from the resort, you’ll find the highly acclaimed Cuisinart Resort Golf Course. And if you’re looking for other ways to fill your days with more than just lounging by the pool, the hotel offers an array of classes, ranging from yoga and cooking to painting.

With so many options, the possibilities for how to spend your day are truly endless. As the culinary capital of the Caribbean, the island offers an array of top-notch restaurants serving up both local specialties and international cuisine. Visitors of Anguilla will have no shortage of dining options and can savor the flavors of exotic dishes and fresh seafood. For those who wish to stay close to their Caribbean home away from home, the resort also offers a variety of dining options, including the signa ture restaurant Salt, which serves contempo rary seafood and meats.

At Salt, indulge in stunning views of Barnes Bay and Meads Bay from the restaurant’s perch a top the bluff while relishing in a fresh break fast or a vibrant seafood dinner. Other dining options include Half Shell Beach Bar, Bamboo Bar & Grill, and the Sunset Lounge.

At the Sunset Lounge treat yourself to aged

rums, unwind with a high-quality Cuban cigar, or indulge in delicious sushi and other small Asian-inspired bites while being entertained by live music that will make you want to dance.

Lastly, let’s not forget the rejuvenating onsite spa. Here, guests may indulge in a comprehen sive body treatment tailored to nourish unique physiques. A session may include the applica tion of a soothing rose-gold oil, a rose quartz brightening mask to the face, and a revitalizing massage using rose quartz crystal. A treatment like this results in skin that emanates a radiant glow from within.

Undoubtedly, this world-class resort is the perfect getaway for those answering the call for an overdue Caribbean vacation with a wealth of amenities and services to ensure a truly luxurious experience. P

fourseasons.com/anguilla

Miraval Berkshires

Luxury in the Mountains

Find balance and beauty amid 380 acres set against a backdrop of green mountains. Surrounded by the full blooms of New England summer, Miraval Berkshires allows guests to explore experiences that will help create a life in balance. Our inclusive packages harness the transformational energy of the seasons, with amenities and activities like outdoor challenge courses, aqua and hiking adventures, equine experiences, Mindful Golf, and our award-winning Life in Balance Spa. Miraval Berkshires blends Miraval’s signature mindful and wellbeing offerings with the historic character of New England, complete with a Gilded Age mansion, grand and intimate terraces, and idyllic grounds for wandering at dusk. Explore our many paths to wellness and self-discovery this summer, under rich, celestial skies.

Each room and suite in Miraval Berkshires’

BY W.A. MULLER

collection of cottages and carriage houses is a true retreat intended for reflection and restorative sleep. Inspired by the Berkshires’ rolling hills, and designed by Clodagh, the peaceful cranberry, amber, and blue color palette encourages relaxation, meditation, and deep sleep. Our outdoor paths offer up bright blooms and gorgeous views while our indoor hallways are lined with unique artwork by both local and national artists. We also offer luxurious accommodations in our newly-upgraded Wyndhurst Mansion, complete with a grand ballroom and terrace, music room, private boardroom, historic bar & lobby, and a sprawling Great Lawn. We host corporate retreats, intimate social gatherings, large-celebrations, and a la carte wedding packages anywhere from 6 to 200 guests.

Not only do we nourish your soul at Miraval Berkshires, but we also nourish your body with fresh, consciously created food. Ever delicious and always included in your stay, the food you’ll eat at Miraval Berkshires celebrates the region’s distinct tastes and textures, featuring fresh ingredients from our very own Meadowview

Garden. We also offer gastronomic glamour in the mansion for an elevated food experience. 1894 Restaurant is an elegantly prepared experience that tells a story of culture and cultivation, and includes seasonal delights, vegan options, desserts and exceptional wine pairings. P miravalresorts.com/berkshires

Andrea B. Swenson Photography

The Social Swim

Peter Marino, Brooke Shields, Muffie Potter Aston, Jay McInerney,

Carolina

Herrera, D’yan Forest, Georgina Bloomberg & Holiday House

Peter Marino Art Foundation

C ouri

BY R.COURI HAY

The Peter Marino Art Foundation has an impressive summer lineup of some of the world’s most acclaimed artists. Located in the village of Southampton in a beautifully restored 19thcentury building that formerly housed the town’s original library, the cozy institution welcomes visitors from around the globe. Visitors are encouraged to view pieces from Marino’s personal collection, including works by Damien Hirst, William de Kooning, and Theodore Deck. The 2023 season boasts three new exhibitions: German neo-expressionist Georg Baselitz, painter and sculptor Erwin Wurm, and multimedia and digital artist Michal Rovner. Art lovers will also be able to see two new installations by French photographer Eugène Atget and Italianborn photographer Priscilla Rattazzi. Baselitz’s work will be available for the entire season, while Wurm and Rovner’s exhibits will alternate in July. Marino is an acclaimed architect and interior designer who just redesigned Tiffany’s flagship store on 5th Avenue.

petermarinoart foundation.org

Guild Hall

Arts Achievement Awards

Annie Leibovitz, Isaac Mizrahi, Jay McInerney, and

Jordan Roth were among the inductees at Guild Hall’s 37th Annual Academy of the Arts Achievement Awards Dinner. Known as the “Cultural heart of the East End,” Guild Hall recognized creatives for their continuous support and contributions to the art world. The night’s sponsors included Tiffany & Co., whose CEO, Anthony Ledru, presented interior designer Peter Marino with his award. “We are lucky to live among visionaries like Peter Marino and arts advocates like Tom Roush and LaVon Kellner. Coming together to celebrate their contributions and induct thirteen accomplished individuals to the Academy, was a beautiful thing,” said Director Andrea Grover. This year’s event raised over $600,000 to support Guild Hall’s mission of championing the arts. In East Hampton, Guild Hall is currently showing works from their permanent collection, featuring Jackson Pollock, Chuck Close, and Willem de Kooning. On August 4th, they will host their not-to-bemissed Summer Gala

to celebrate the art and artists of the East End. guildhall.org

The European Fine Art Fair Society of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Renee Rockefeller, Gillian Hearst, and Jamie Tisch were among the perfumed pack at the opening night of TEFAF N.Y. The evening, in partnership with Prada, was a benefit for The Society of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), whose President is Muffie Potter Aston. The ninth anniversary of this glamorous fair featured TEFAF’s signature lush floral displays and was filled with new and old masters’ works and important jewelry and antiques. Museum curators, art dealers, and artists were on hand to offer insights into the important works.

TEFAF’s opening night solidified its place as an unmissable event in the international art calendar, offering a look into the dynamic world of art, where tradition merges with innovation, and beauty is celebrated in all its forms. Proceeds benefited crucial programs at MSK. Over the course of five days, Lady Liliana Cavendish, Galerie Gmurzynska’s Isabelle Bscher, Peter Thomas Roth, attorneys Martha Cohen Stine and Harriet Cohen, Ameon skin care founder Alina

Rockefeller &Jamie Tisch

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Peter Thomas Roth

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Isabelle Bscher

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Peter Marino & Anthony Ledru

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Mehrle, and fashion designer

Libbie Mugrabi perused the fair. tefaf.com

Holiday House, Hamptons Designers Thom Filicia and Campion Platt, Andrea Stark, and Jean Shafiroff are chairing Iris Dankner’s Holiday House, which is returning to the Hamptons after a three-year hiatus. The opening is scheduled for July 9th and will run through August 27th

The designer showhouse, at 279 Mitchell Lane in Bridgehampton, has been provided by Matt Pantofel, of BJC Custom Home Builders. The home offers 9,000 square feet of luxury living with high-end finishes. Twenty of the industry’s top interior designers, including Ashley Stark, Barbara Ostrom, Lola Tucker, Amy Storm, and Melanie Roy will transform the house to display cutting-edge decor and lifestyle concepts to interior enthusiasts. First launched in 2008, this show house

has established itself as one of the best in the country and has raised more than 2 million dollars for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. holidayhousehamptons. com

House of Ecologie Award-winning architect and interior designer Campion Platt has partnered with Bjørnulf Østvik’s Ecogensus, a global waste management technology company, to design a capsule collection of sustainable, luxury, and handcrafted pieces for the newly launched House of Ecologie. This is the first furniture and home décor collaboration for Ecogensus and will be produced using Ecogensus’ Rhino Recycler, which converts average U.S. household waste into “wood” boards. The material can then be used with standard woodworking tools and enhanced with copper-toned features and a glossy finish. Their first product was conceived by Østvik, the founder and CEO of the Earth-friendly corporation, and it is called the

“Eco-Table.”

ecogensus.com

Teen Race of Hope

Brooke Shield’s 17-yearold daughter, Grier Henchy, was the grand marshal of Audrey Gruss’ Hope for Depression Research Foundation’s (HDRF) Teen Race of Hope at Hudson River Park. HDRF also partnered with designers Veronica Miele Beard and Veronica Swanson Beard to host their Shopfor-Hope party at the Beards’ Upper East Side store. The evening raised critical funds to promote mental health awareness and research. Renowned psychiatrist and author Dr. Samantha Boardman led an inspiring conversation about depression in children and steps parents can take to build their child’s mental resilience. Guests checked out The Beards’ latest collection while enjoying light bites and champagne. Attendees included Dori Cooperman, Susan Gutfreund, Jennifer Creel, Alison Draper, Jessica Gruss, Pam Mitchell, Debra Peltz, and Gayle Perry. HDRF will hold its Race of Hope in the village of Southampton in August. hopefordepression.org

Solving Kids’ Cancer Carolina Herrera and Donna Karan were honored at Solving Kids’ Cancer’s (SKC) 15th Anniversary Gala at the Mandarin Oriental. The fashion legends have supported the charity from its inception in 2010. “Their presence helped launch our position as a global influence in the pediatric cancer research landscape,” said Scott Kennedy, the co-founder of SKC. Guests included let me see the release. The event raised funds to support over 250 cancer treatment centers around the world. solvingkidscancer.org

Cocktails for Canines

Georgina Bloomberg and Lara Trump chaired Rescue Dogs Rock’s annual Cocktails for Canines benefit. The night heightened awareness for the ever-growing plight of homeless animals. Jean Shafiroff, Rita Cosby, and style columnist Sofie Mählkvist were among the dog-loving guests at the event, which raised $150k to go toward opening a new rescue center on Long Island. The organization provides homeless animals with immediate emergency care, behavior specialists to help overcome past trauma, and a nurturing

environment. rescuedogsrocknyc.

D’yan Forest’s “Swinging on the Seine” D’yan Forest, the 88¾ year-old comedienne, who just received the Guinness World Records title for Oldest Working Female Comedian in the World, performed her one-woman show, “Swinging on the Seine After Dark,” at Joe’s Pub. During the show, D’yan chronicles her move to Paris as a young, divorced Bostonian, looking to make it in the Parisian cabaret scene. Immersing herself in the glitz, glamor, and scandalous nightlife of the era, D’yan is transported from a sheltered suburban existence to a life dominated by the underground swinger’s scene. Forest has been hailed by critics as the “naughty version of Betty White,” and has worked with Jerry Seinfeld, Jim Gaffigan, and the late Joan Rivers, who once referred to Forest as “that filthy ukulele player.” She recently appeared on Drew Barrymore’s TV show. dyanforest.com

Grier Henchy & Audrey Gruss

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Mugrabi

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Martha Cohen Stine & Harriet Cohen

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Andrea Stark & Iris Dankner

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Lara Trump, Jean Shafiroff and Georgina Bloomberg Photo: ?????

D’yan Forest

Photo: Christine Coquilleau

ROCKEFELLERS’ ROCK

The Story

Kimberly and Steven Rockefeller Jr. hosted a dinner dance for their 23-year-old daughter, Kayla Rockefeller, to celebrate her appearance on PARK’s Winter cover and help launch her new jewelry collection, Kayla Jaclyne, at the hot new Mediterranean restaurant White Olive on West 55th Street. The party was cohosted by this columnist and the owner and publisher of PARK, Christopher Pape. Among the one hundred social butterflies on the dance floor were Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia, Baroness Milly de Cabrol, Karen and Peter Goulandris and their sons Constantine and John, Isabelle Bscher, Ann Dexter-Jones, Jamee and Peter Gregory, Eugenia and Janna Bullock, Julia Haart, Martha Cohen Stine, Libbie Mugrabi, Joanna Bell, Vanessa Noel, Patrick McMullan, Nadja Sayej, Julie Sagoskin, Lady Liliana Cavendish, Christian Rockefeller, and Steven Rockefeller III. Kayla, whose great-grandfather was Vice President Nelson Rockefeller, will give a portion of her jewelry sales to Rising Ground NYC, which helps underserved families in the city. kaylajaclyne.com

Peter Goulandris, Karen Burke, John Goulandris, Constantine Goulandris

Jamee Gregory and Peter Gregory

R. Couri Hay, Kimberly Rockefeller, Janna Bullock, Amy Gould

Dan Stock, Martha Cohen Stine, Thomas Knapp

Isabelle Bscher

Joanna Bell

Christopher Pape and Oliver Li

Libbie Mugrabi

Alina Mehrle

Steven C. Rockefeller Jr. and Kayla Rockefeller

THE SOCIETY OF MEMORIAL SLOAN KETTERING’S ANNUAL BALL

Perennial charmer Muffie Potter Aston is now the President of the Society of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK). She has brought new glamour, excitement, and success to both of the organization’s signature events, the preview of TEFAF at the Armory and the 16th Annual Spring Ball at the Pierre Hotel. The dinner dance, cochaired by Joanne de Guardiola, Ashley McDermott, Kate Davis, Fiona Druckenmiller, Betsy Pitts, Amanda Waldron, and Anjali Melwani, raised a record-breaking 1.9 million. The benefit supported MSK’s Global Cancer Disparities Initiatives program, which was launched in 2011 to advance MSK’s mission to improve outcomes for people with cancer in low- and middle-income countries, with a focus on sub-Saharan Africa. Hearst, who serves as chair of the Society’s Associate committee, led the young socials onto the dance floor, where DJ TWILO kept everyone on their toes. The junior committee was cochaired by Serena McDermott, Mercedes de Guardiola, Audrey McDermott, and Genevieve Davis. The night’s lively cocktail was bathed in a flattering pink glow featuring a presentation of important jewels by De Beers, who sponsored the event. Best-dressed guests included Ambassador Georgette Mosbacher, who confided how happy she was with her Cavalier King Charles, Guinevere, that she cloned, Gillian and Sylvester Miniter, and plastic surgeon Dr. Sherrell Aston.

Spring Ball Chairs: Kate Davis, Ashley McDermott, Muffie Potter Aston, Joanne de Guardiola, Betsy Pitts, Anjali Melwani

Clayton Marsh & Audrey McDermott

Jenny Galluzzo, Marcy Pantzer, Courtney Corleto

Meredith Cavallaro, Alicia Valenti, Julia Kaufman

Ferebee & Brooke Taube

Caroline Dunn & Elizabeth Houston

HAT LUNCHEON CENTRAL PARK CONSERVANCY

The Story

The highlight of the spring season is always The Central Park Conservancy’s Women’s Committee Hat Luncheon, which also gives guests time to admire the Park’s tulips, lilac bushes, and blooming wisteria. Checking out everyone’s extravagant chapeaux is the day’s ad hoc entertainment. The event, which celebrated its 41st Anniversary, rang in $4.3 million to support the Conservancy’s enduring mission to maintain the Park as a respite for all New Yorkers and visitors. In the mix were Katie Couric, Mariska Hargitay, Michael Bloomberg, Martha Stewart, Misty Copeland, Patti Harris, Anne Harrison, Nina García, Alexia Leuschen, Andy Lew, Amy Miller Madry, Nelle Miller, Gillian Miniter, Margo M. Nederlander, Amelia Ogunlesi , Christine Schwarzman, Stellene Volandes, and Ali Wentworth, not to mention 1,000 others of that ilk and stripe. This year’s co-chairs included Kathryn Beal, Kristy Korngold, Melanie McLennan , and Suzy Welch. The Women’s Committee is a community of Central Park enthusiasts with a passion for preserving and enhancing the city’s backyard. The Committee has raised over $215 million since its inception in 1983. Centralparknyc.org

Amy Miller Madry

Melanie McLennan, Lizzy Quick, Chrissy Corredor, Stephanie Stamas, Regina Krumholz

Betsy Smith and Michael R. Bloomberg

Katie Couric

Gillian Miniter and Sylvester Miniter

Martha Stewart

Sharon Jacob

Hilary Geary Ross

CAROLE ROTH’S 100TH BIRTHDAY

The Story

Skincare Mogul Peter Thomas Roth bought Sharon Stone’s abstract painting Labyrinth as a present for his mother Carole Roth’s 100th birthday in Miami. Martina Navratilova and her wife, Julia Lemigova, along with her fellow housewife Adriana de Moura were among the guests at the extravagant birthday party that digitally whisked guests around the world from Paris to Italy with food from each city. Carole’s grandchildren Ryan and Brendan Roth, Denise Rich, Libbie Mugrabi, R. Couri Hay, Janna Bullock, and skin care mavens Rochelle and June Jacobs were among the guests singing as a group of topless Chippendale dancers rolled out Carole’s 10-tiered cake. Stone and Roth are both famous for their legs, and Roth uses her son’s Retinol Fusion PM serum by the gallon to keep her gams gorgeous. Carole even modeled the product on QVC in a clip that went viral. The 500k blowout’s dress code was sequins and diamonds. As Peter said on the invite: “Darling! You are only 100 once, so better to wear it than keep it in the vault.” peterthomasroth.com

The Event

Libbie Mugrabi

Paula Rosenshein and Guest

R. Couri Hay and Janna Bullock

NEW YORK CITY BALLET SPRING GALA

[MG1] Fe Fendi, and her daughters Paola Fendi and Alessia Fendi, and a large contingent of attractive dancers were at the New York City Ballet’s Spring Gala. Taking place at the David Koch Theater in Lincoln Center, the night was a celebration of NYCB’s ongoing commitment to invention, which was the theme of the event. The program featured new works by Tony Award-winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon and young Canadian choreographer Alysa Pires, followed by Justin Peck’s The Times Are Racing, which was the crowd pleaser. Ruinart, my favorite brand of bubbly, hosted the cocktail reception, which kept things lively. Chopard, one of the night’s sponsors, lined up waiters to showcase their jewelry on trays as you came in. Very inventive, indeed. Since its founding in 1948, the NYCB has created nearly 500 new ballets. The company has resurrected a brilliant but neglected ballet, Brandenburg, by the company’s former Ballet Master Jerome Robbins, that shouldn’t be missed. What I did miss was seeing any of the ballets by the company’s late guiding light George Balanchine. Every gala should also pay tribute to at least one of NYCB’s founding fathers. Although this year was a little less exciting than the past, everything is still beautiful at the ballet.

The Story Mikhail Baryshnikov, Michael Bloomberg, Diana Taylor, Carolina Herrera, Jean Shafiroff, Lucia Hwong Gordon, Julianne Hough, Sofie Mählkvist,

The Event

R. Couri Hay and Janna Bullock Paola Fendi, Fe Fendi, Alessia Fendi

Hannah Corbin, Christopher Wheeldon, Ally Love, Ross Rayburn

Fern Clausius

Allyson Tang and Ayesha Coker

Lucia Hwong Gordon Tiler Peck

Amanda Ring Julianne Hough

The Event

TRIBECA BALL

The Story

Brooke Shields, Naomi Watts, and Kate Capshaw were among the creatives at the New York Academy of Art’s Tribeca Ball. The evening showcased emerging artists from the academy and generated funds to support scholarships. The night’s honoree was Amy Sherald, a leading figure in contemporary American art best known for her portraits of Black America. The most notable of which is the painting of former First Lady Michelle Obama for the National Portrait Gallery. Guests were invited to tour the students’ private on-site studios and discover new works. Among the crowd were Van Cleef & Arpels CEO Helen King, whose company was the night’s major sponsor, William Abadie, and PPOW Gallery founders Penny Pilkington & Wendy Olsoff. The Academy was founded by artists, including Andy Warhol, in 1982. The NYAA is a nonprofit graduate school that combines technical training and critical discourse of the arts. This Art Happening was made possible by Van

Will Cotton and Rose Dergen

Barbara Guggenheim

Grier Shields

Amy Sherald Brooke Shields

Nicole Miller and Kim Taipale

David Kratz and Naomi Watts

Zani Gugelmann

WHITNEY GALA & STUDIO PARTY

The Story

Lauren Bush and David Lauren, Beth Rudin DeWoody, Bella Newman, Wes Gordon, and Susan Hess were among the art lovers at the Whitney Gala, cochaired by Board President Fern Kaye Tessler. The night honored artist Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, philanthropist Nancy Poses, and museum Trustee Thomas Tuft. The dinner was followed by the always-lively Studio Party, hosted by Jay Brooker, Alton Mason, Rowan Blanchard, Erica and Michael Karsch, Carlos Nazario, Jake Poses and David Aron, and Jennifer Tuft. Exhibitions on display included Josh Kline’s Project for a New American Country and Smith’s Memory Man, which features over 130 works that offer a new framework to consider contemporary Native American art. This fun party always attracts a crowd of interesting artists to talk to, including Rashid Johnson, D’Angelo Williams; Josh Kline, Lorraine O’Grady, Glenn Ligon, Kambui Olujimi, Sanford Biggers, Diedrick Brackens, Andrea Carlson, Charles Gaines, Jeffrey Gibson, Marie Watt, Cameron Welch, and Ian Cheng. Youthful energy took over the night with patrons dancing to a performance by CeeLo Green. The night, which was made possible by Maestro Dobel Tequila, the creators of the world’s first Cristalino, raised over 5 million dollars to support the Museum’s mission of presenting groundbreaking exhibitions, while advancing the careers of some of the most innovative artists of our time.

Beth Rudin DeWoody & Brooke Garber Neidich

Erik Bottcher, Emily Tisch Sussman, Richard Mumby

Cynthia Rowley

Ali Lebow

Samantha Gannaway & Samantha Sorbaro

The Event

VIENNESE OPERA BALL

The Story

Aristocratic young women used to make their debuts into society in front of the reigning English monarch until Queen Elizabeth II ended the custom in 1958. Nowadays, these ladies make their debut in society in Paris and New York. In 1982, Cornelia Guest, whose parents were CZ and Winston FC Guest, and whose godparents were the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, was declared “The Deb of the Decade.” This year, fashion influencer and socialite Sofie Mählkvist has been dubbed “The Deb of the Year” after months of parties in London, Paris, and Stockholm. Sophie, who wore a chic chignon styled by celebrity hairstylist Chaz Dean to accommodate her elegant diamond tiara, donned a white gown and long gloves as she made her curtsy at the 67th edition of the Viennese Opera Ball at the Plaza Hotel, while the flash bulbs popped. The Ball’s President, Silvia Frieser, presented 18 girls from around the world, with Sofie representing her native Sweden. Peter Thomas Roth and Jean Shafiroff were honored at the Ball for their international philanthropic work and served as the evening’s chairs. The 67th annual Viennese Opera Ball, the oldest and most prestigious outside of Vienna, attracted royalty and VIPs from the worlds of philanthropy, the arts, business, and politics. Eugenia Bullock, a former debutante, presented her mother Janna Bullock with a birthday cake. The gala benefited Denise Rich’s Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research. Top opera stars, including Stephen Costello, Joyce El-Khoury, Nathalie Peña-Comas, and Johanna Will, dazzled the crowd. While a full orchestra played, professional dancers taught some of the attendees the art of the quadrille, a 17th-century dance. vienneseoperaball.com

Jean Shafiroff, Denise Rich

Stephen Costello, Nathalie Pena-Comas, Joyce El-Khoury

Silvia Frieser, Daniel Serafin, Petra Schneebauer

Lucia Hwong Gordon

Lady Liliana Cavendish

Sofie Mahlkvist

By Anthony Haden-Guest