PARK Magazine The Spring Issue 2023

Bruce Weber: Portfolio

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Editor’s Letter

fter an action-packed winter season filled with Fashion Week highlights that included an appearance from iconic supermodel Beverly Johnson, who closed out Dennis Basso’s 40th anniversary show—I had the pleasure of chatting backstage with the first ever Black cover girl to appear on Vogue—to a PARK x Fashion Week soiree that was gossiped about in Page Six, plus an award season that both shocked and stunned, spring is once again returning to envelop the city, reawakening the senses to the beauty that surrounds us in our own backyard. I again invite you to find another type of escape within our pages of nostalgia and the most au courant trends.

He hasn’t given an interview in five years, but acclaimed fashion photographer and Academy Awardnominated filmmaker Bruce Weber opened up to me. We talked about how he changed and captured the cultural norms of sexuality in America, as well as his treasured relationship with Elizabeth Taylor and other Hollywood stars, followed by what inspired his latest documentary. This soft-spoken animal lover who became known for how he photographed men during his early days at GQ enjoys falling in love “every day.” His stories, which are filled with everyone from Mae West to Madonna, along with insights into days past, are both revealing and fascinating, making it easy to get

entangled in Weber’s web. Make sure to check out our upcoming issue for another installment of Bruce’s life and juiciest works.

Our three gorgeous cover girls, Sharon Bush and daughters, Ashley Bush and Lauren Bush Lauren, invited us into the family home, giving an up-close look into the life of these sweet but strong women who are upholding the family’s political legacy and giving back in their own, very stylish ways. Through her FEED bag, Lauren has helped donate meals to over 100 million hungry children while also encouraging them to pursue an education. Now a mom of three boys herself, Lauren is more motivated than ever to give hope and fight hunger around the globe.

Read all about our favorite fashion designers, as well as what you should be reading right now and where you should be going on your next getaway—think Southern charm in Knoxville, Tennessee, or a staycation at the latest Hard Rock Hotel in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. We also meet entrepreneur, businesswoman, and now television host Jeanniey Walden, who just launched Liftoff with Jeanniey Walden. Catch me on the show this season, where I will be discussing the latest PARK-approved trends. With so many new hot spots popping up, one that really stands out is 74Wythe in Williamsburg, brought to you by hospitality king Josh Kaiser. I wouldn’t celebrate a special occasion anywhere else.

I sincerely hope you enjoy this issue, and don’t forget to seize these fresh spring days that let the imagination soar with possibilities.

From the Publisher

appy Spring! Since launching PARK, I could not have imagined such devoted clients, friends and team members, as well the respect of world-renowned talent, models, fashion designers and photographers who help us to bring each issue to life. I could not be prouder that we are already in our second year and watching New York come back to life, especially now that the warmer months are upon us.

I sincerely thank you for joining us on this journey and getting lost within our pages of nostalgia and the latest need to know places, people and things. From luxe travel to arts and culture, PARK sets out to bring you, our lovely readers, compelling and posh stories in each and every issue.

We take great pride in finding not just great talent, but also good human beings, and I can say that this holds true for Sharon Bush and her daughters Lauren Bush Lauren and Ashley Bush. It was such a pleasure to hear how these darlings of the Bush political dynasty are carrying on the family’s legacy of service and helping others. Get to know this to down to earth and philanthropic family like never before.

Whether it’s fashion or our favorite reads, I hope you enjoy this Spring Issue and would love to hear from you.

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BRUCE

PHOTOGRAPHER, ACADEMY -AWARDNOMINATED FILMMAKER

WEBER

SOME OF FASHION’S MOST ICONIC PHOTOGRAPHS HAVE BEEN TAKEN by the legendary photographer and filmmaker Bruce Weber. In fact, many of his now-famous subjects, including everyone from Leonardo DiCaprio to Madonna to Colin Farrell, were photographed at the very start of their careers by Bruce for magazines like Interview, Life, and Vanity Fair. Bruce’s images helped to make them internationally recognizable, always from an unexpected perspective, and often with an offhand sense of humor. Who else could convince Elizabeth Taylor to be photographed with a real live bear?

To celebrate our spring issue, Bruce spoke with us about his journey from small-town Pennsylvania to the worlds of high fashion and Hollywood. Along the way, he become a star in his own right, changing American visual culture and its representations of sexuality, masculinity, and desire. Bruce’s meandering stories are filled with allusions to a bygone golden era of big stars, dreamy landscapes, and a freer, more open society—all with a nostalgia and yearning that fuel his current photography and filmmaking. But he takes inspiration from the present as well, pointing to Harry Styles as someone from our current moment he’d like to photograph. Having shared almost 45 years with his wife, Nan Bush, Bruce shares his unique take on the

nature of attraction: “I feel so lucky that I have a feeling of romanticism in my life every day, and I do my best to put that back into my films and photographs.”

Early Days

It was the camera that introduced Bruce, a selfdescribed introvert, to the life he was meant to lead. Taking photos also helped Bruce put things into perspective. He recalls his dad taking pictures and making films while his family spent time together in their garden. These peaceful memories are among his happiest reflections on the times they shared, even as he witnessed a dysfunctional side of his family as well. When Bruce was invited to show his work at the

Whitney Museum of American Art early in his career, he chose to present his father’s photographs on the wall opposite his own. At the opening, Bruce told his father how great his images were, and how he wished he could take pictures like that.

Though he prefers his pictures to be, in his own words, “a little off,” Bruce credits his parents—who became his first test subjects—for helping him refine his idealized aesthetic. “My dad was very athletic, and my mom was beautiful. They were both in great shape. My mom played a good set of tennis.” He was also inspired by his handsome, all-American roommate at Denison University, who came from a farm in Illinois and built his own motorcycles. With a little Pentax camera gifted to him by his mother, Bruce brought his vision to life and realized that this whole photography business was pretty nice.

Many people might not know Bruce’s own career started off in front of the camera. As he explains, “What’s a better way to learn about photography than being a model yourself?” Though he might not have been the best subject—Bruce would often arrive late or bring his dog with him, a big no-no back then—he made up for it by helping the photographer with his equipment, which allowed him to witness firsthand what it was like to work on that side of the lens. He still gets a chuckle thinking about those days of modeling, fondly recalling some of the photos Francesco Scavullo took of him. Bruce was even a cover star, with a photo of him appearing on the front of a GQ-produced teen

magazine, something his boarding school roommates enthusiastically teased him about.

Calvin Klein & Obsession

Bruce made a departure from his traditional Midwestern upbringing with some of his best-known campaigns: the Obsession fragrance work for Calvin Klein in the late 1980s.

“I had met a woman in Brazil who I was crazy about— Luíza Brunet—and we did some nude photos on a huge swing we built. I later found out that she was four months pregnant at the time. The way people worked back then was so different.” He recalls asking his sister, who was producing the shoot, to tell all the models to

“YOU MEET A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO WANT THEIR DOGS PHOTOGRAPHED. AND SO, IT’S A NICE THING IN ONE’S LIFE.”

please put on clothes before they sat down to lunch. The thing Bruce remembers most, however, was everyone’s comfort level with themselves.

“You realize that this absolutely could not happen today. People are too inhibited and nervous. I was lucky to work for Calvin at a time when there was a great freedom of expression. I think that feeling has been kicked around a lot and suppressed by much of the work that’s available for people working in fashion today.” Though it seems like so many of today’s stars are wearing little more than underwear on the red carpet, Bruce points to what he considers the biggest difference. “In those days, people were concerned with more than creating a sensation.”

It’s a Dog’s Life: C.Z. & Cornelia Guest

Bruce’s life has also been a long love affair with his dogs, as evidenced in his most recent coffee-table book with Taschen, The Golden Retriever Photographic Society. Bruce and Nan are both long-time supporters of numerous animal charities, including the Hamptons-based Animal Rescue Fund, The Humane Society of New York, and Bully Crew, which trains dogs to get along better with humans. This fondness for the canine world was shared by two of Bruce’s great friends, the legendary socialite and gardener C.Z. Guest and her actress daughter, Cornelia Guest, the ’80’s “Debutante of the Decade” and Park’s previous cover girl. Bruce recalls the first time he met C.Z. in Palm Beach. After picking him up for lunch in a vintage paneled station wagon, she looked him up and down and demanded, “Where are the dogs?” Bruce knew in that

moment they would be friends for life. “You meet so many people when you’re walking your dog, and you meet lots of people who want their dogs photographed. That’s been a nice thing in my life.”

Bonkers & Elizbeth Taylor

Bruce has been obsessed with Elizabeth Taylor all his life— to the point that his concerned parents once made him see a psychiatrist. Years later, when he was about to photograph her for the first time, the actor Roddy McDowall (a mutual friend) advised Bruce not to mention his childhood fascination. But Bruce and Elizabeth would eventually become good friends— so when she found out about his childhood preoccupation, she merely laughed it off. Bruce then confessed they could never be together, because they would wind up having 100 different kinds of animals in the house.

By the time they met, Bruce knew that Taylor had been photographed with almost every animal imaginable, from elephants to squirrels to everyone’s favorite dog, Lassie. Bruce knew one special creature she hadn’t yet shot with: a bear. So he arranged for her to meet a gentle, specially trained bear named Bonkers. To prepare for that day, Bruce had to make sure that Elizabeth wouldn’t be put off by the fact that Bonkers was used to being the biggest star in the room.

“I told Elizabeth, ‘He’s a little like you. He’s a big film star, and he has his own trailer.’ It’s very hard to bring a bear into the city, so we shot at a ranch outside of LA. Elizabeth had a magical way with animals—it was obvious the moment she was in the picture with Bonkers. It was wild to see his paw and her hand

“YOU DO REALIZE THAT THIS ABSOLUTELY COULD NEVER HAPPEN TODAY. PEOPLE ARE TOO INHIBITED.’’

next to each other with the Burton Diamond. I was tripping out!

“Elizabeth was a very, generous person who helped a lot of our friends when they were sick with AIDS. She gave me a lot of courage to stand up for myself in this world of fashion, art, and photography. We always talked about making a little film together, even though by the time I knew her she wasn’t really able to. It was hard for her to walk and do any sort of physical activity.”

This astonishing turn of events—a deep, sincere friendship with his childhood idol—was not lost on Bruce. “I was sitting on Elizabeth’s bed one time, talking with her and her grandson Quinn. I stopped myself mid-sentence, realizing, I am so lucky! Having friends like Elizabeth in my life has really helped me get through some difficult times. And I was so fortunate, because I had a camera with me every step of the way.”

Early Films: Backyard Movie, Broken Noses, & Let’s Get Lost

Bruce began to express himself through another visual medium: film. His first documentary, Broken Noses, won a Grand Jury Award at the Sundance Film Festival. Shot with a small team and his good friend, cameraman Jeff Preiss, they made what Bruce describes as “a little home movie” about a boxer and Olympic hopeful named Andy Minsker, who ran a boxing gym for boys and in the process became a father figure to many of them.

Next up was the Academy-Award-nominated documentary Let’s Get Lost , a film about the jazz trumpeter Chet Baker. “I have always loved Chet’s music. For years, he couldn’t come back into the US because of his many arrests for drug possession. When I found out he was finally going to perform again in New York, I went down to the jazz club in the Village to listen to him play. When he finished, I asked him if I could do some pictures. He told me to come over to his place the next day. I went with my assistant Jeff, and we hung out. I asked him to play a song for us that I loved called ‘Blame It On My Youth’ by Oscar Levant. I think that a lot of us could go, ‘Well, that’s kind of like my life, I guess.’ That’s how my adventure with Chet began.”

One of Bruce’s early short films, Backyard Movie, combines old home movie footage with hand-written text describing his sexual awakening and cheeky footage of frolicking dogs. Bruce took us behind the

scenes of this breakthrough work, which premiered at the New York Film Festival:

“I had met a guy from Cuba who strangely had blonde hair. Ric was a great athlete with the most perfect body. For Backyard Movie , I had him jumping on a trampoline behind our house with one of my dogs. All of a sudden, a policeman came by, and he asked, ‘Bruce, is there a naked guy jumping in the air here?’ And I said, ‘No, not really. My dog is on the trampoline.’ Just then, two older women passed by on the beach. They looked toward my house, and Ric started popping above the bushes, wearing nothing. I was afraid they were going to have a heart attack and I was going to get arrested! But it all worked out.”

New Documentary:

Photographer Paolo Di Paolo

The Treasure of His Youth

More recently, Bruce decided to celebrate the life and work of another visionary, this time the Italian photographer Paolo Di Paolo. After a brief but illustrious career documenting post-war Italian life, culture, and society, Di Paolo surprised his contemporaries when he quit photography at the age of 40. Through his new

“WHETHER PHOTOGRAPHING POOR FARMERS OUT IN THE COUNTRY OR WEALTHY ARISTOCRATS AT A SOCIETY BALL, | PAOLO MADE THE INDIVIDUAL STAND OUT WITH DIGNITY AND GRACE.”

Bruce Weber on Paulo di Paolo

feature film, The Treasure of His Youth, Bruce ensures that Di Paolo’s legacy will endure. As to why Di Paolo made the dramatic decision to leave his career behind, Bruce’s film points to two possible motives: his intense dislike for the emergence of the paparazzi in Rome, and a love affair gone wrong with a beautiful socialite. “He just didn’t want to be a part of that kind of life. In his photography, whether it was about poor farmers living out in the country or wealthy aristocrats at a society ball, Paolo made the individual stand out with dignity and grace. On some level, I don’t think he could handle the heartbreak of the world changing so dramatically around him, and the fear of, ‘What if people don’t like my pictures?’”

This visually compelling documentary works on many levels, celebrating Paolo and Bruce’s mutual love affair with Italy. “When I was growing up, Rome was my Hollywood. My grandparents, my parents, and my sister all came back from their trips to Italy with these incredible stories. I finally went with a bunch of kids from boarding school, and it was

A selection of Paulo di Paolo's work

amazing. I traveled alone, met people, and, most importantly, took pictures.”

In The Treasure of His Youth Bruce intertwines his own experiences with Paulo’s life story. “This film is also about the responsibilities of photographing in the moment. In the film, [Paolo] talks about seeing a young boy in rags, starving, and about the struggle he felt about whether or not to take a picture. That’s a tension many photographers experience, whether it’s right to capture a scene of suffering, even if you have a feeling that the image could bring people to an important confrontation with reality.”

According to Bruce, the “treasure” of the film is being able to look back at one’s youth and find something to carry into the present, something that continues to impact the individual. “The Treasure of His Youth comes from us sitting in the editing room and really trying to sort out what the hell this film is about. Those experiences that you look back on are the foundation that you build your life on. And I felt that Paolo

A selection of Paulo di Paolo's work

did that with his work. His treasure and my treasure are totally different, and that’s what’s wonderful. It’s great to be a character and to have characters in your life—to be that way and to live it.”

Exhibition in Prague & A New Film

Now 77, Bruce shows no signs of slowing down. He’s currently working on the 23rd edition of his annual arts journal titled All-American. He’s also planning an upcoming exhibition in Prague, while working on a new short film at the same time.

More than anything, Bruce wants his fans and collectors to know how much he appreciates them. “I’m really, really thankful to the people who’ve collected my photographs and books, to show me that admiration. When you take a picture, it’s a gift—from somebody and for somebody else. And I hope my work can inspire others to get out there themselves and take pictures, to give something back.” P

For Part Two of Bruce’s Story and more photos from his archive watch out for our Summer Issue.

bruceweber.com

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SPRING FORWARD

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I’ve never been too big of a fan of Heavy Metal, but when it’s in fashion it’s a big yes from me. Lately the metallic trend has grown and is a fun way spark up your night. Put on a silver skirt or a golden dress and the night is yours!

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Sofie Mählkvist is a 24-year-old Fashion Columnist and Social Media and Branding Consultant. She works with fashion brands overseeing the day-to-day social media channels while also analyzing trend forecasting for upcoming seasons in fun, unique ways. Sofie is currently working on her master’s degree at Harvard University in Fashion Marketing Management. She graduated from Regent’s University London, where she finished with honors in Fashion Marketing and Global Management. Sofie lives in NYC, London, and Paris, allowing her to attend all the top fashion shows.”

IG: sofiemahlkvist

Eve and Max Creative and Conscious Fashion

fashion brand designed with the belief that style should be ethical, beautiful, and artful. Founded with an ethos to reimagine the lifecycle of fashion, Eve & Max presents one seasonless collection yearly which is designed in Paris and made exclusively in New York City.

Meeting in London while studying fashion, this English lady with impeccable taste now resides in Dallas, Texas, while Samudra, originally from Jakarta, Indonesia, currently calls Paris, France, his home.

Hartanto brings a wealth of talent to the brand following an extensive career with some of the world’s most well-known design houses. Joining the Louis Vuitton ready-to-wear team in 1997, under the artistic debut of Marc Jacobs as a women and accessories designer, Hartanto moved to Hermès as a senior womenswear designer working with Jean-Paul Gaultier, and in 2010, joined Gaultier at his eponymous fashion house to focus on haute couture.

Coalescing his design repertoire, Hartanto shares, “instead of the traditional two-piece suit with a jacket and pants, we propose something tailored yet playful, such as the plaid jacket and matching bustier, and the trench dress, Sasha, which has a slim torso and generous skirt with a mini cape, giving the illusion of cap sleeves.”

For styles as eclectic, timeless, and unique as today’s woman, Eve & Max is the conscious woman’s ready-to-wear brand you will want to indulge in all season long. Founder Max Trowbridge and co-creative director

Samudra Hartanto present their second iteration, Collection Twenty-Three, titled Blue Inferno, featuring an art collaboration with Texas-based artist Zeke Williams.

Trowbridge, who started the line in 2020 with longtime friend Hartanto, wanted to focus on building a sustainable business, a

As for the artistic collaboration with Zeke Williams, the limited-edition print, Blue Inferno, on silk charmeuse becomes an extension of the artist’s interest in fashion, exploration of color and forms found in nature, and the use of digital tools in creating an image. “The original paintings were a chaotic exploration of blue and red hues interacting with black, grey, and silver spray; the cut stenciled designs are taken from photographs of plants and gardens I took while walking with my wife,” explains Zeke. “The messy spray patterns were created using specially modified nozzles for spray cans of archival paint made by the Montana Company for graffiti artists.” The final digital work signifies ocean turbulence, yet formed from a flower, signifying that the ocean is as delicate as it is powerful.

In keeping with Max’s ethos, a portion of sales from the collection will benefit Mission Blue, a global organization founded by legendary oceanographer Dr Sylvia Earle. P

eveandmax.com

Bags of Style

Gladstn London Bag Founder Richard Sharman on How His Brand is Giving ‘Made in London’ a Major Comeback

The sleek, handcrafted Gladstn London bag is not just a stylish, versatile travel companion—though their core collection is called Everyday Friends—but more than that, this independent brand competing in the luxury market offers inspiration for wherever you may go. I had a chance to catch up with founder Richard Sharman about why he traded the boardroom for the bag industry and how the British brand is planning its US takeover.

JS: Richard, tell us about your background. How did your own travel experiences inspire the brand?

Two decades of global travel in a corporate

career meant I had to carry my life in many different bags! Spending far too much time in airport lounges, I started to search for bags that would complement my style choices. It was this pursuit along with the influence of my stylish and determined mother which were my ultimate inspirations for the brand.

RS: What is the Gladstone Bag, and how did that influence you?

The brand’s name came from the iconic Gladstone Bag, named after William Ewart Gladstone, the British Prime Minister. He was a liberal thinker and renowned for his love of travel. Being able to carry your belongings in a bag for work or leisure meant everyday journeys became instantly possible—“have bag, will travel.” There’s the connection for us—we are an international brand, designed in London and made in Italy, and proud to

reflect a modern interpretation of this history in our core principles and designs.

JS: How old is the company, and where are you based?

RS: Still very young! The brand is British and was launched in London 2015. Along the way we have been awarded Luxury Briefing’s Emerging Brand of the Year in 2019 and, more recently, Corporate Live Wire’s Luxury Luggage Brand of the year in the 2022/23 global awards.

JS: What do you think is so appealing about British design and London culture?

RS: Many skilled British artisans were lost in the First and Second World Wars, and eventually, craftsmanship across London waned. So, I think the history of ‘Made in London’ combined with our fashion history and British heritage—the Royal Family and our history of pageantry—means that people have an association with buying something from the UK with a certain degree of quality and luxury.

JS: What goes into making your bags? Where are they made?

RS: Uncompromising craftsmanship and attention to detail is so important. That’s why we design in London and handmake in Italy. For example, our hardware is custom-made in Florence. We have been lucky enough to work with two factories in Italy that have been family businesses for 30 or 40 years, and their business models are very similar to ours.

JS: Tell us about your Bespoke collections.

RS: An integral part of our identify is our Made-to-Order service, which offers both Limited Edition and Bespoke. It’s really a refreshing option in a luxury industry where so much volume is produced.

JS: How are you attempting to raise the brand’s profile internationally and in the US?

RS: We have always chosen to sell our bags online, as we only make in small number. To complement this, we have recently decided to retail a selection of our bags in chosen luxury locations around the world, such as Harrods in the UK. Very soon you will also be able to see a selection of our bags in the Caribbean as well as in the United States. P

gladstnlondon.com

With celebrity clients and known as Rachael Ray’s go-to ambush makeover hair colorist, Miguel Angarita, whom I refer to as the blonde whisperer, remains trusted with the tresses of New York’s elite, and that extends to entire families. “I am now doing second and third generations of the same family,” explains Angarita.

Miguel Angarita

THE OSCAR BLANDI COLORIST THAT GETS PASSED DOWN FROM ONE GENERATION TO THE NEXT

After all, if you’re going to pass on important knowledge and heirlooms to the next generation, what could be more important than the gift of good hair? “They really trust me, and that’s why I find myself doing a longtime client as well as her sister, daughter, niece, granddaughter, etc. I’m so honored that my clientele has remained loyal for so many

years, and in some cases, over a decade. One bad experience with color can make you nervous, so I’m glad that I can put them at ease.” Splitting his time between South Florida and the famed Oscar Blandi Salon, which he is proud to be a part of, Miguel continues making his clients look and feel better, one strand at a time.

Being in Miguel’s very capable hair hands allows you to relax and focus on important things, like chatting with the always fun-loving and personable stylist, who will easily become your friend. You might even be lucky enough to see some snaps of his dog, Oreo.

While this celebrity colorist still remembers the days when he would do hair in Hamptons homes, or even on city balconies during the height of the pandemic, many clients still make sure to center their trips to the city around their appointments. Despite the challenges of finding new ways, or locations, to do hair, Miguel says he also learned a lot from those days. “I had to get creative and really challenged myself with my techniques.”

After getting the dye treatment of your dreams, finish off your perfect look for wherever you go this season with a cut or blowout from Faith. She is one of Oscar Blandi’s most popular stylists and has worked with Miguel since getting into the industry.

One thing is for sure: blondes know that Miguel does it better! P

oscarblandi.com

“THEY REALLY TRUST ME, AND THAT’S WHY I FIND MYSELF DOING A LONGTIME CLIENT AS WELL AS HER SISTER, DAUGHTER, NIECE, GRANDDAUGHTER, ETC.’’

NonBinary Bling

How High Jewelry Lost Its Sex and Gained Appeal

It’s the belief of collectors that fashion is cyclical. Keep it in your closet and give it 20 years and the style will come back around. Perhaps the same can be said of society and gender roles. Pink, once a color worn by French male aristos for its red hue symbolic of blood, a masculine sign of a war hero, lost its phallic association in the 1950s as the pale preferred color of then-First Lady, Mamie Eisenhower. Antiquated as her taste may have been, compared to the incoming style powerhouse of the Kennedys, her public platform assured her a lasting influence that saw every little American girl wrapped in a cloud of cotton candy. Peering into the windows of today’s trend-worthy fashion houses, it’s clear to see that the market is swiftly blurring its gender lines. Gone are the days of sex defined by pink or blue. Society is flipping gender roles around, and men in high jewelry are taking cues from women’s fashion.

In contrast to the more recent timelines of the Western World, where women set the mode, the 19th century saw India and its abundant source of gems as a stylistic sign of vigor; it is in India that men set the high jewelry trend. The Indian court culture required kings and princes to display their position by literally carrying the weight of their wealth by wearing layers of cut stones from turban to neck. The swelling of the British Empire into the land of the Maharajas was the seat of male-to-female status appropriation through gems. As the arbiter of the Gilded Age style, Queen Alexandra, commonly thought to have borne a neck scar from a childhood surgery, adopted the fashion of the Indian royals by stacking chokers on multiple strands of diamonds, in order to hide the evidence of the mark. At the same time, she was sending the message to her subjects that she was the Empress of India, and they should not forget where the diamonds come from. Though the sun has set on the British Empire, we are once again seeing history repeat itself in a cyclical trend through the influential style of the Maharajas in pearls. They may be the most controversial emblem

of conservative femininity being adapted to the male figure. Pearls once thought to be the ultimate show of WASP wealth are now adorning the clavicles of male rappers and bare-chested male models, breaking the gender role. Haughtily declaring to her followers to, “remember that Chanel Oberlin is above the law,” the fictional Scream Queen was willing to bend the gender rules to save her own skin with the admittance of the forbidden “male” sorority sister into the bitch clique, “The Chanels.” She was not, however, willing to bend the aesthetic, making sure their new male counterpart’s style matched theirs—“Chanel Pour Homme” was too clad in the signature Chanel Pearls. As the face of the coveted fashion house that the infamous clique took its namesake from, Pharell hit the 2016 Paris runway wearing triple strands of Coco’s identifiable white gem, modernizing a classic trend in jewelry.

Unshy about their approach to non-binary

directives, brands are prepping for the incoming wealth of the “Gen-Z” to hit the market. Tiffany & Co., reputed for its traditional approach to silver, boldly stated: “Our necklaces for men feature essential chains and I.D. tags that can be custom engraved and pendants in sleek shapes that are classic and easy to wear. Add an edge to your style with Tiffany men’s pearl necklaces and pendants.”

Designer Sheryl Jones noted: “It’s an exciting time as a fine jewelry designer because men aren’t just buying for women, they are buying it for themselves too. Brooches are worn in addition to tuxedo studs and cufflinks. I can really be creative and bold with color and the size of pieces because many of my clients are looking for unique jewelry that reflects their own style and personality.”

Swiss-based brand Matthia’s & Claire, known for their heritage, declared their

“collection merges old-world tradition with a modern, global-inspired celebration of true artisanship. Its original, handcrafted fine jewelry is enlightened, with each piece perpetuating both past and present, and inviting its wearer to participate in the story-making of a future heirloom.” Regardless of sex.

Gender appropriation reaches beyond the time of Versailles, when the Hope diamond, once known as the “French Blue,” worn by the Louis’ in a special pendant reserved only for the king, was later recut and fashioned for the Hope family and finished its notorious life in modern high society around the neck of Washington, DC-based Heiress Evalyn Walsh Mclean. Displaying its cursed beauty held no gender preferences. P

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‘‘DESIGNER SHERYL JONES NOTED: “IT’S AN EXCITING TIME AS A FINE JEWELRY DESIGNER BECAUSE MEN AREN’T JUST BUYING FOR WOMEN, THEY ARE BUYING IT FOR THEMSELVES TOO.”

Couturier Ron Dyce

on Dyce is an anomaly in fashion. The Brooklyn-based designer grew up in Brownsville and started out working in construction, then he founded his own renovation and remodeling company. It wasn’t until 2019 that he launched his own fashion brand, first starting with women’s shoes, then expanding into menswear and womenswear.

Now, his designs have graced the pages of Harper’s Bazaar and LADYGUNN magazine, and he has dressed several celebrities, including Sex and the City writer Candace Bushnell, Gloria Estefan’s daughter, Emily, MC Lyte, who wore an outfit designed by him while on Good Morning America, and rapper Bambi of the hit VH1 reality series, Love and Hip-Hop Atlanta. At his most recent runway show at New York Fashion Week in February, America’s Next Top Model alum, Bianca Golden, made an appearance.

But this dream was decades in the making. “I always had a passion for fashion back in the early 1990s, when urban fashion brands came out on the runway,” he said. Dyce is referring to brands like Sean John by Sean (Puff Daddy) Combs and Phat Farm by Russell Simmons.

It also came from his father’s own dapper style. “Growing up and seeing how my parents dressed, they had a real look about them in custom clothes—suits, shoes, and fedora hats,” he said. “That inspired me to go into fashion, but I didn’t know in exactly what way. So, I came up with different collections.”

24-Karat-Gold Painted Outsoles

When Dyce first launched his brand in 2019, it was with a line of women’s footwear. Each pair of heels made by Dyce have 24-karat-gold painted outsoles. It’s a reference to the Biblical scripture Revelation 21:21, which references the streets of Heaven as “pure gold.” “I always draw insight in my life from scriptures,” he said. And these golden-heel outsoles have become his trademark for women everywhere.

When he first launched the brand in 2019, he arranged to debut the collection with a photo shoot and models. “I hired a stylist, and they chose outfits that didn’t match with the shoes,” he recalls. “The pandemic helped me design women’s and men’s clothes.” He specifically designed women’s power suits. “I wanted to design women’s power suits with the structure of a man’s suit,” he said.

His engineering mind of a construction executive comes through in his fashion line too. He sets the bar even higher for women who want to not only look good, but be practical. “Women’s blazers lack pockets,” said Dyce. “I designed my power suits the same way men’s blazers are built, so women don’t have to hold things in their hands,” he said. “Everything is functional.” That said, his women’s blazers are stylish too (Bushnell loves the Light Blue Silk Brocade Suit), and are available in floral prints and softer pastel colors. Some are even made of silk.

Rapper Lish 2X, Bella Dose, Edgar Cutino & Sommore.

They’re a favorite among women in the industry, like rapper Lish 2X; Bella Dose, a Latin girl group; actress Shahadi Wright Joseph, who is star of the Prime Video series Them; Ebony Obsidian from Tyler Perry’s hit series Sistas; Female Artist Steph G; and Queens of Comedy comedian Sommore. Edgar Cutino is also a fan. But essentially, Ronald’s greatest influence was from his father, with his sharp style in his tailor-made custom suits. “We create clothes that are more than just trendy,” said Dyce. “We craft clothes with purpose, which are designed for the capsule of time with quality that will last for years on end.”

The Ultimate Collection, NY Fashion Week

His latest runway show at New York Fashion Week, called the Ultimate Collection, opened with a performance by rapper Steph G and was a celebration of the 50-year anniversary of hip hop. DJ Mister Cee provided a hip hop soundtrack at the official afterparty.

The aim was to present four seasons on one runway. He featured 90 looks, from men’s sequin blazers to women’s formalwear. “I wanted to come up with a new concept showing formal and luxury wear at the same time,” he said. “Girl’s night out and guy’s night out wear—I wanted to bring it all together.”

Next up, Dyce is looking forward to expanding into department stores like Bergdorf Goodman. He also plans to have a flagship store in New York City. “Ron Dyce has a lot more to offer to the fashion world,” he said. “I want to make go-to pieces. I want to create timeless pieces that last. Ten years from now, I want you to put it on as if you bought it yesterday.” P

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BUSH The Darlings of the Dynasty

BUSH

A MIX OF PHILANTHROPISTS, POLITICS AT THE HIGHEST level and a member of one of fashion’s most famous families, Sharon Bush and her daughters Lauren Bush Lauren and Ashley continue to uphold their family’s legacy of service in their own stylish ways – Lauren’s now legendary FEED bags have already donated over 120 million meals to those in need. The close-knit family invited us into the Upper East Side home of matriarch Sharon Bush, where we saw a playful, fun-loving sister and motherly bond. The only other thing they get as excited about as being together is bringing the Bush birthright to the next generation.

Sharon Bush

HER EXTRAORDINARY LIFE

haron Bush, a force in the New York philanthropic world, has had a whirlwind life. She went from a middle-class upbringing in upstate New York and New Hampshire to becoming an elementary school teacher to marrying Neil Bush, son of former President George H.W. Bush Sr. and brother of former President George W. Bush. Sharon remarried in 2019, to financier Robert Murray.

Museum of Democracy

Sharon used her position in the powerful Bush political dynasty to do good, lending her efforts to charitable causes, including Teddy Share, which benefits children worldwide, and Cristo Rey Brooklyn High School, which prepares disadvantaged students for college, with tuition fully underwritten. She was a founder and 7-year board member of KIPP Academy, a public charter school that helps underprivileged children get into college. They now have more than 200 locations nationwide. She also founded the

Karitas Foundation and is currently director of community affairs for the Museum of Democracy, a bipartisan collection of political memorabilia that has recently partnered with the Roosevelt Foundation and Long Island University. In 2021, she received the Emerald Award from the Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida for her exemplary leadership and serving as an outstanding role model for young women in the community.

Dark & Happy Times

Her acrimonious 2003 divorce from Neil Bush after 23 years of marriage received national attention from the likes of Vanity Fair, the Washington Post, CNN, and more. “It was a messy divorce,” she says. “My husband’s decision to divorce me was unquestionably a surprise. He was away on business at the time and emailed me to announce the split and made reference to the difficult financial situation ahead. I had no choice but to move forward. I had three young children and had a

driving force to be happy. At the advice of a friend, I moved to New York City and just started over.”

Despite this unexpected turn of events, both emotionally and financially, Sharon did not let this difficult period get in the way of her concern for those less fortunate. “Giving back has always been a part of my life’s work, as a teacher and as a role model to my girls and my son. My mission has never wavered, even when I experienced the most difficult times in my life. It was so important to me that my children know that those less fortunate really needed us, and I needed to smile through my own pain in order to bring light and levity to those who were suffering. Keeping the faith definitely got me through the dark times.”

Mother of the Year

Now, happier times are here for Sharon and her family. In a wonderful ceremony officiated by pastor Joel Osteen, with whom she has a close relationship, Sharon married Robert Murray in front of family and close friends in 2019, at Central Presbyterian Church in Manhattan. “Bob is such a wonderful man with a really close-knit family. Our children all get along. The grandchildren all get along,” she says, beaming. The extended families spent this past Christmas together at Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz. “We had so much fun, with so many laughs, and it feels wonderful to be in a place with unconditional love and support.”

She is most proud of her three children, daughters Lauren, a former fashion model and founder of anti-hunger charity Feed, and Ashley, a writer and producer for film and TV, both

of whom are profiled in this issue. Son Pierce is CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters in Texas. “I knew that at an early age, I needed to teach them about compassion and helping others,” Sharon says. “I took them to homeless shelters, to organizations devoted to helping women, to children’s hospitals. We were involved, helping serve holiday meals at soup kitchens and shelters. They saw first-hand through this work how important it was to me for them to give back to those in need.”

Sharon’s child-rearing efforts have frequently been recognized. She received the Outstanding Mother Award from the National Mother’s Day Committee and was named Mother of the Year at Hale House. “You only have one chance at raising children and showing them a good example. As Jackie Kennedy said, if you bungle up on raising your children, you haven’t done anything well, and that, to me, was always the most important thing in my life.” With such an extraordinary life path, from middle-class childhood to Christmases in the White House as a member of one of America’s most prominent political dynasties, Bush regaled us with remarkable tales of what it’s like living in the spotlight of power. Here we’ve shared just a few.

The Upsides & Downsides of Having Secret Service

“The children got used to it. And we would make cookies for them to eat, as they’d stay outside the house. So, we’d become friends with them and kind of try to make them part of the family, when we could. They’d go on trips with us, go skiing with us. And I remember them running into me skiing, knocking me down, and I was in bed for several days. Because

they couldn’t really ski, but they had to try to keep up with us. And then, of course, when the kids got older, it actually helped because I could just call the Secret Service and say, ‘Okay. Where are they now? Can you tell me?’ So, it was very helpful then.”

Having Doors Slammed in Your Face While Campaigning

“People either liked you or they didn’t; sometimes, they let us know right away, by slamming the door in our faces.” She laughed. “You just never knew, but that’s part of the game of campaigning. But now it would be so much worse. I mean, it’s really gotten divisive. But we had fun with it. I always looked at it as a really great experience, meeting new people and understanding who they were and their way of life.”

Barbara Bush Schooled President Reagan on How To Eat

Sharon was sitting with Ronald Reagan at his postinauguration White House buffet luncheon, and Barbara Bush came over and critiqued the president’s handling of a tartufo ball, which has a hard chocolate shell and is difficult to cut. “She started telling the president how to use his utensils and how to cut it, and he had just been inaugurated president. He handled it so well. I was just in shock, but that’s how she was.”

George Senior & a Yacht in Kennebunkport

The Bushes were invited to watch July 4th fireworks aboard

a privately owned yacht making its way to Boston for a tall ships parade, when the boat suddenly started rocking and shaking. They had hit some rocks. The boat was equipped with instruments indicating depth and location of the rocks. “My father-in-law was directing the captain, saying, ‘I know these waters. You can go there.’ And the captain said, ‘No, I can see it’s not a good place,’ but who argues with the ex-president? So, he hit rocks, and we were jolted and had to jump off the boat into the tenders. We watched the boat getting towed away, and it tipped onto its side, so it struck a hole. We ended up having pizza at home for dinner that night.”

Magical White House Christmases

“I remember the children playing hide-and-seek with all the Christmas trees; they counted something like 22 Christmas trees, decorated beautifully, around the White House. And we’d go down to the basement. That’s where everything happens at the White House, where the flower shop was, and the chefs. They always had cookies for the children. And the staff loved all the activity after the Reagans, because the Reagans didn’t have their grandchildren there.”

Ghosts in the Lincoln Bedroom

“I remember sleeping in The Lincoln Bedroom; one of the original signed Gettysburg Addresses is in there. There was always talk of a ghost in The Lincoln Room, and I would stay up all night, hoping I would see something, which I never did.” P

Sharonbush.org

ON GROWING UP IN THE BUSH FAMILY

Ashley Bush

he children of this issue’s cover star, Sharon Bush— Ashley, Lauren, and Pierce—have an unusually close relationship. The siblings grew up in the spotlight. Their father, Sharon’s ex-husband, Neil Bush, is the brother of former President George W. Bush, and son of former President George H.W. Bush.

In fact, Lauren officiated at sister, Ashley’s, 2019 wedding to Julian Lefevre. “Beyond joyful for my beautiful and loving sister, Ash, and her new hubby, Jules! It was an honor of a lifetime to get to officiate their ceremony yesterday,” Lauren posted on Instagram at the time.

Lauren, whose husband is David Lauren, son of fashion designer Ralph Lauren, surprised the newlyweds with a performance by Jon Batiste singing the couple’s signature song, “What a Wonderful World,” at the wedding party . “It was so magical, incredible,” Ashley tells Park

“When Jon was starting out in New York, we’d always go hear him play at some cool bar, and he would lead these parades around the block,” she says. “It was this insane, wild feeling that you’re all dancing on the streets of New York, and he’s leading this band. So we had really great memories with Jon and the Stay Human Band.”

The couple got to know him in those days before his career exploded. Batiste and his band later spent seven seasons as the in-house musicians for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

Kennebunkport “Summer White House” A Port In the Storm

Even after her parents’ contentious divorce in 2003, the extended Bush family remains close. Ashley’s cousins Jenna Bush Hager and Barbara Pierce Bush, and their father, W, all attended her wedding.

They still gather every summer at the family compound

in Kennebunkport, Maine, even after George Sr. and Barbara passed away in 2018. “The great thing is, life would change around you—my parents got divorced, I went off to college—but there was always this central place in Maine where you would come, and everything’s kind of the same,” says Ashley, a writer and producer for film and TV who lives in Los Angeles.

George Sr. Never Forgot Fallen WW II Airmen

Ashley still misses her late grandparents. “My grandfather was just so humble and kind and thoughtful. I asked some questions as he got older, reflecting on his life, and he still thought about when he was in the war and his fellow plane mates died in front of him,” she says, becoming emotional while recalling this. “It haunted him every day, and he got teary-eyed. He was a really emotional, in-tune kind of guy.”

America’s Grandmother Couldn’t Cook, but she was Big on Reading

We may have pictured the Bush family matriarch, Barbara, affectionately known as “America’s Grandmother,” baking cookies, but her actual granddaughter set the record straight. “She couldn’t really cook,” Ashley says. “But she was very big on reading.” Every summer, the children had to update Barbara on what they’d been reading. “It scared me if I didn’t do my summer reading.” She laughed, adding, “She wanted to make sure we were actively engaging our minds in that way.” She also loved journaling, and she encouraged Ashley to keep a journal, which she does to this day.

Barnard, USC, Anderson Cooper, Cary Fukunaga

Born in Denver, raised in Houston, Texas, Ashley

“SHE WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE WERE ACTIVELY ENGAGING OUR MINDS’’

attended Barnard College in New York, majoring in journalism. She later studied film at USC. After graduating she worked for Anderson Cooper at his daytime talk show, which ran for two seasons. Working with director Cary Fukunaga in Africa on the film Beasts of No Nation proved to be quite an adventure, trekking through the Ghanaian jungle, whacking the brush with machetes and coming down with malaria. However, the experience cemented her love of filmmaking, spurring her to enroll at USC for her MFA.

Film Festival Award, Nick Bilton, Projects in Development

Her documentary The Queen’s New Clothes won the audience award at the Dallas International Film Festival in 2019. It chronicles the life of Winn Morton, the gay costume designer who turned the pageant into something “magical and sparkly and fantastical,” in a conservative town.

With the journalist Nick Bilton, Ashley is producing two projects about the social media app Twitter for Netflix. Yes, the projects were in the works before the Elon Musk era, but the timing is certainly opportune. She’s also developing a scripted series about young women working in politics in DC, and she has been working on a project with her husband, a scriptwriter. P

–Ashley on her grandmother Barbara

Lauren Bush Lauren

She might have a name that embodies both political and fashion royalty, but Lauren Bush Lauren, a former model, is most proud to be considered a model mom, wife, and philanthropist through her popular FEED bag designs, which have fed millions of underprivileged children around the world.

The oldest of three children, Lauren was born in Colorado, where she lived until the family moved to Houston when she was around seven years old. Though she would eventually identify as a Texan, this outdoorsy free spirit always remained connected to her Rockies roots and would visit frequently throughout her childhood. This shared passion and love for the West was also part of the eventual love story of Lauren and her husband, David, who also grew up frequenting and appreciating the vast beauty of the area. The two even tied the knot in their special place in the Rockies.

President George H. W. Bush was Lauren’s Grandfather

While many kids can relate to the challenges of moving to a new city and school, relocating while the Secret Service is tailing along is something most of us will not have to deal with. “We had moved to Texas while my grandfather was president, but I was still so young, so it didn’t fully register at the time that my grandfather’s job was different. I didn’t comprehend the enormity of it all, but you pick up on social cues and how friends are treating you. Kids get over that stuff more quickly than adults do, so the fact that I didn’t grasp the meaning and importance of his role until after he was out of office probably made it easier for me.”

What she remembers more than the stately and historic aspects of the country’s most famous address, is being one of 14 cousins running around a big house and sliding down the

“MOM TOOK US TO SOUP KITCHENS AND HOMELESS SHELTERS.” –Lauren

banister. She even had a birthday pool party at the ‘big white house.’ “We would all pick at the Christmastime gingerbread house every year until the house chef started making cookies for us, which he would hide behind the house he made so that we wouldn’t ruin his work of art. The staff was always so nice, and the butlers and ushers were amazing with us and had been through many administrations. I’m sure they have seen a lot in their day and were always so warm and welcoming. I mean, I might have slept in the Lincoln Bedroom one night, but to us, it was just like going to our grandparents’ house, and this is where they happened to live.”

Creating New Traditions Through Philanthropy

To relive that special time, she took her now seven-year-old son, James, for an Easter Egg Roll when Obama was in office, when he was around one or two years old. They left with plenty of pictures to show him as he grows older. Being able to pass on some of her own childhood memories while creating new traditions has been one of Lauren’s favorite things to experience as a mom.

Though she found her own unique way to help others by founding FEED, Lauren was inspired by her philanthropic family’s efforts throughout her life. “Mom took us to soup kitchens and homeless shelters and had a charity when I was little called the Karitas Foundation that helped homeless women and abused children, so I got to be a part of going to some of the women’s shelters. There was this universal connection when playing games with these kids living in the shelter, and it was really impactful to understand that they’re in this shelter because of the circumstances they were born into. It was shocking to be presented with realities that were so different from my own everyday reality, and I realized how lucky I was to never have to worry about food or shelter and to have access to education. My mom also helped to give grants, and I watched her working in terms of raising money and throwing fundraisers, and I am just really grateful for that exposure. I think it was an early influence for me and what started me down the path I’m on now with FEED.”

The mother of three boys, aged seven, four, and one, Lauren is now leading by example when it comes to educating her children on the realities of the world and how they can make a difference in their own way. She currently serves on

the local board of the Food Bank of New York City and has taken the boys to various volunteer opportunities around the city. She is also involved in the service learning projects that their school partakes in.

“The amount of love and energy you put into your kids to know that they are happy and heathy and thriving and eating enough just gives you even more empathy when you travel and visit certain global communities. It’s also important for kids to know that they can make a difference because even though world issues are massive and overwhelming, we can all feel empowered to make someone’s life a little easier. It doesn’t have to be through big gestures or donations, and I just want my kids to realize that we are lucky, so let’s give back. Anyone is able to host a FEED dinner, and we have had some amazing and creative moms step up to make it kidfriendly and engaging.”

She might look like a model right out of a Ralph Lauren ad, but Lauren has found her place on the creative side of the fashion world these days. She does, however, still credit her early modeling days with exposing her to the fashion industry and getting to work in photography, which she studied in school. “My modeling story was all a fluke. I was visiting New York with mom for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and our family friends introduced us to their friend who worked at a modeling agency, and one thing led to another. I started modeling part time during school but pulled back when I realized it was time to get on a real career path. I am definitely grateful for the experience, which exposed me to the place I live and love.”

Interned at the TV Show Friends

She even rubbed elbows with the cast of Friends during a high school internship, where she wound up having a cameo appearance, but would soon find a way to embark on her true passions: sustainability, fashion with philanthropy.

UN Food Program to FEED Bag

It was when she began studying anthropology at Princeton that this future giving-back-focused FEED bag founder realized she was able to combine her love of travel and studying different cultures and ways of living and values with her passion for fashion. This became even more pronounced

Bush Lauren

Lisa Nik stud earrings. 18 Kt. white gold with aquamarine and diamonds. Sugg. retail $ 3,780. www.lisanik. com

Lisa Nik pendant. 18 Kt. white gold with aquamarine and diamonds. Sugg. retail $ 1,995. www.lisanik. com

“WE’RE A BRAND ANCHORED AROUND SOCIAL GIVE BACK.” –Lauren Bush Lauren

when she was given the opportunity to travel with the UN World Food Program, which really set her on the path to starting FEED so that she could support their great work. “On the one hand, I was studying, and I also had the opportunity to travel and get that on-the-ground exposure. Between my junior and senior year, I was able to get funding, so I spent most of the summer in Africa doing research and taking pictures, and it was also an educational experience, so anthropology pairs nicely with that.” Determined to make a difference, Lauren had the FEED bag prototype by the time she graduated, and through that was able to go out and raise money for the UN Food Program in 62 of the poorest countries around the globe. In addition to feeding kids nutritious meals, it also encourages and incentivizes them to go to school. Because of FEED, kids in Asia, Africa, and Latin America are getting a healthy meal and an education for their future.

“I wanted to create a way for other young people to give back, and world hunger is a massive issue. There are 800 million people around the world who are hungry, and 9 million children in the US alone live in food-insecure households. When visiting these families and communities I couldn’t help but leave thinking, What can I do to help? What I thought of was turning the consumer into the donor. Now, they can wear their values and support something where they know where their money is going and what it’s doing.” She officially started the company a year later, and fast-forward to today, 15 years after the launch, FEED is still going strong, with 126 million meals served and counting. FEED was also started in the early days of doing commerce for good. “We’re a brand anchored around social give back and social issues, and I’m so proud that we are 15 years in and are still around and making school meals and raising awareness around hunger.” With a mission to be both functional and feed others, the initial FEED bag was mostly inspired by the bags of grain and rice she saw being distributed to kids in schools globally. Lauren also likes the utilitarian aesthetic, which is why even the feed logo has an older, industrial look.

Commerce for Good

This commerce-for-good concept was almost avant-garde back then, as the FEED bag was around even before Toms

was giving away shoes. This for-profit business model also measures giving in terms of meals. Lauren says that she is really glad to see that commerce has evolved to a point where it’s expected of brands and companies to have a purpose and give back.

“I went into FEED saying our main mode of raising money is a brand because I really love fashion and design and had the passion and curiosity to pursue it. FEED was really this ‘aha’ moment of realizing I can combine this desire to be a designer and entrepreneur but with a real vehicle to give back to kids who don’t get to have a meal in school. One of my greatest joys is seeing how other companies have stepped up and are doing so much for the community, so we are no longer an anomaly like we were when we started. Each bag we make has a number, which signifies the amount of meals we are able to donate through the sale of that product. We know how to solve hunger, and there’s a cost to that meal. The highest level of giving is a bag that feeds one child in school for a year, while the rest also provide the price equivalent to the meals.”

Though the price of a meal varies depending on where they are giving, the global average of a meal is 15 cents. FEED also works with the best-in-class partners and organizations who are on the ground serving the meals. This extends to the UN World Food Programme, where Lauren’s whole journey started, as well as No Kid Hungry, their American partner, and also an Indian-based partner. These are their three main giving partners.

Leading by Example

Lauren also explains how her family, including her grandparents, inspired her by leading by example, something that left a strong impression, evidenced by the fact that her siblings and her cousins have found their own paths to lead a life of service. “Doing something that helps others beyond you is a good path to choose, and I’m lucky I had those examples to learn from.” Another person she considers to be a role model is longtime family friend Bill Clinton, who even came out to support her when he spoke at a Clarins event she was a part of at Lincoln Center, which helped to raise an incredible amount of meals. It was a humbling and meaningful moment, especially when he referred to Lauren as being ‘the real deal.’

Summer White House: Kennebunkport, Maine

She also recalls some of her earliest memories in what she still refers to as her happy place, the family compound in Kennebunkport, Maine. “Barbara was keeper of the rules, so you definitely didn’t want to leave towels out or a bike thrown on the lawn. Literacy was her big cause, so for one hour each day we would all come in her room with our books and do our summer reading. She was always very funny and loving, but you didn’t mess with her! The summers were a big task with such a big family coming and going, and we have always been very active and competitive, whether it was playing tennis or now a pickleball match or swimming. We would basically move there in the summer and felt super lucky to have this cool escape from Texas. We would even drive our boats to town, and as a kid, it was so great having that freedom and was also pretty unique and special. It was really like a camp environment. We all return every summer, and it’s so wonderful to have those old and new memories.”

Though she might be a Texan, the always inquisitive and forward-thinking Lauren, traits that have led her to help solve world hunger in the most stylish way possible, became a vegetarian at the age of four or five once she realized that animals had a face and put together that meat came from animals. While her mom thought she would grow out of this phase, she continues to choose not to eat meat and appreciates all the plant-based options out there these days. She also had a chance to hone her cooking skills during Covid and enjoys a good curry or soup. Her husband and kids are indeed fans of her healthy dishes, but they haven’t given up on hamburgers just yet.

Lauren Met Her Husband at The Met Gala

With a match made in Met Gala heaven, which led to a rustic chic wedding tucked away in the Rocky Mountains, Lauren and her husband, David, have now been married for almost 12 years and continue to go back to the glitzy gala every year as an anniversary of their initial meeting. After they met while leaving the Met and having David’s sister, Dylan, as a point of reference due to Lauren’s friendship with the candy entrepreneur, Dylan helped arrange a group dinner that helped to further solidify a friendship that progressed to a seven-year courtship. When he finally

proposed in 2011, David transformed the Met into a side gallery showcasing true masterpieces—photos of them together over the years.

The wedding took place at the Ralph Lauren ranch with 200 guests in attendance. Wearing blue socks under cowboy boots, Lauren got to be totally herself, and in true Ralph Lauren style, no detail was spared for the magical occasion. The dress is now in the Ralph Lauren archive.

While over the last 15 years FEED has partnered with brands and retailers including Williams-Sonoma, Ralph Lauren, Judith Leiber, National Geographic, and many others, and even evolved to other products, such as home collections with items related to food as well as candles and scarves, Lauren is already looking forward to more ways to feed the bodies as well as souls of others around the world. P

feedprojects.com

Instagram: laurenblauren

eid Stowe has had two lifelong passions, making art and sailing, usually long distance, and there are fresh developments in both. His first show with Chase Contemporary opened on March 23rd at their West Broadway gallery, and in June he will be setting off on Anne, the schooner he built by hand at the age of 25. This would be the first of a series of voyages with a crew of wannabe astronauts he will be observing. Their reactions to the pressures of being cooped up in cramped quarters will be closely monitored. This is a project that has the backing of NASA and the support of the Mars Project, a core interest of Elon Musk.

It’s been a long trip for Reid Stowe, who is now in his early 70s, and sometimes, yes, a strange one. He built his first boat, a small catamaran, on a waterway near his home in North Carolina at age 20 and named it Tantra, after another of his passions, tantric yoga. “It only weighed 1,400 pounds,” he says. His art was an add-on to the weight. As an art student at the University of Arizona, he had carved figureheads and been influenced both by the Nazca Lines in Peru and Richard Long, a Brit who made art by walking through the land. It was also a time of Extreme Performance, a time when Philippe Petit, also a former art student, wire-walked between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. Stowe would perform aboard his boat wearing a mask. In 1973, he made a solo crossing of the Atlantic, fortifying his marine charts with images of goddesses. “I was painting for my protection,” he says.

Needful protection. Stowe was aware of the story of another artist/sailor, Bas Jan Ader, a Dutch Conceptual artist, who had taken off alone from Cape

Cod in a 13-foot pocket cruiser on July 9th, 1975, his departure celebrated by a group singing sea shanties. Ader called this Performance piece, In Search of the Miraculous, and estimated it would take two and a half months. His boat was found floating off the Irish coast ten months later. His body was never recovered.

Reid Stowe’s voyages grew longer, and he frequently took along a paying group. In 1986 he sailed to the Antarctic on Schooner Anne, his second boat, built when he was 25, with a crew of eight artists, including painters, musicians, and a comic. “Usually, it’s just scientists who get to go there,” he says. For five months they circumnavigated Antarctica, threading their way through icepacks and lashed by icy 100-MPH-plus winds. It was in Antarctica that Stowe decided upon a future project. A biggie, a recordbeater: one thousand days at sea.

That was for the future, though. Further voyages followed in the meantime, and much more art, sometimes the two being intertwined. “I invented GPS Art,” Stowe says. This was inspired by Richard Long’s walks through various landscapes, and Anne became Stowe’s drawing instrument on the seascape, his course being recorded by the Global Positioning System. He made The Odyssey of the Sea Turtle, his first piece, in 1999, intending a voyage that would outline a turtle. “It was contingent on my understanding the winds and the currents,” he says. But he had to contend with strongly contrary winds when he reached the bottom of the shell in the middle of the South Atlantic. “I ended up not drawing the flippers at the bottom,” he says. “So now it’s the sea turtle

hatching out of the shell.” This piece of maritime artmaking followed by others, such as Whale GPS Chart Painting, 1964-2019, upon which he collaged relevant documentation, such as a self-portrait he painted at the Equator, the chart he used upon his 1973 Trans-Atlantic crossing, and the GPS charts that had defined the whale-shape.

The Big Trip was never off Stowe’s mind, though. On July 20th, 1989, some months after his return from Antarctica, President George Bush announced plans for a trip to Mars. “They were planning to send six to eight people. Men and women,” Stowe said. It was instantly clear to him that the physical and psychological pressures of being cramped together long-term in an extremely small space that he and his crew had endured on the Antarctic trip indicated real parallels between that experience and travel those on a space capsule.

It was also clear to him that the likeness would be all the stronger when he and whoever he chose to accompany him would be selfbanned for three years from getting fresh supplies of food, drink, or equipment during his forthcoming Big Trip. Which he promptly renamed 1,000 Days at Sea: The Mars Ocean Odyssey.

Reid followed up by writing a piece indicating that ocean voyaging could be a learning experience for fledgling astronauts, and he gave talks on the subject. This got NASA’s attention. Meetings followed, at which they discussed the use of Schooner Anne to check the suitability of the wannabes—NASA calls them analog astronauts—

and this was plain sailing. But then there was a squall. Stowe, an old-school hippy, had financed his voyages from early on by smuggling pot from Latin America and the Caribbean. He was now indicted for bringing in a hefty load, the bust being in his SoHo loft. “They never found my main grow room,” he says cheerfully.

Stowe served a nine-month sentence, and when he got out, NASA was out the door. But The Mars Ocean Odyssey project continued, and on April 21st, 2011, Stowe and Soanya Ahmad, his young wife, set sail from Hoboken. Marine excitements began early, with them being run down by a container boat in the early morning on Day 14. They lost their bowsprit, and Stowe carpentered a replacement, but it was kind of a stump, making the boat harder to maneuver. Some months later, Soanya found she was pregnant. She insisted that the voyage continue, so Stowe called Jon Saunders, holder of the then-long-distance sailing record, on a sat phone. He took her aboard his craft eleven miles off Australia, and Stowe headed for the Pacific. That was Day 306.

Sheer survival required Reid’s constant maintenance, including the patching of sails and the fixing of devices, as when his desalinator stopped working. “I had four big water tanks,” he said. “I had to sail to Galapagos on the Equator so that I could lower my sail and catch rainwater.”

Artmaking also continued, and an artwork can record a sailing experience, sometimes a scary one. As on Day 657, when Schooner Anne was overturned by a monster wave rounding Cape Horn. Stowe was knocked out, but Anne righted herself, and another icy wave brought him back to his senses. He saw that the sail he had spent forever hand-sewing was now wholly shredded, which was bad. But also good. “I instantly thought I’d make a great painting out of that,” he said, “and got to work on usable areas of the sail.” The Capsize Painting, a five-by-seven-footer, includes the grommets, rope, and piles of sawdust produced by the necessary

boat repairs, along with collaged material from his personal documentation.

The last year of the 1,000 Days was the easiest, and Stowe was painting several hours a day. “I could paint in my pilot house in all weathers,” he says. When the weather was good, he worked on deck, laying out the canvases and working in all media. He made something like a hundred artworks.

“As I sailed up into the South Atlantic Ocean, the weather grew much nicer, and I drew a GPS drawing of a giant heart in the South Atlantic Ocean. It was satellite verified, and that was meaningful for me that I was able to do that with a disabled boat with torn sails. I was in the Trade Winds, and those beautiful waves were rocking me all the time. I counted them numerous times. There were thirty thousand waves a day, rocking.”

Stowe had picked the date and time of landing six months in advance. “I looked at the tides,” he said. “There, tide would rise and put me on the dock in midtown Manhattan at one o’clock on Thursday, June 17th. It was perfect—the motor worked; the sails worked. I saw my woman, my daughter, and my son, Darshen, for the first time. And I saw a lot of people I love.”

Reid Stowe is in the Guinness Book of World Records as having made the longest such ocean journey, 1,152 days, without ever touching land.

And it continues. “I call her the Starship Schooner Anne now,” he says. His first journey with the eight analog astronauts will take them straight out from Manhattan into the ocean for two weeks before returning. It will be at the beginning of June. Till then, he will be engulfed by an equally demanding presence, the New York Artworld. Go see the remarkable work that has come directly out of a remarkable life at Chase Contemporary. P

reidstowepaintings.com

“I INSTANTLY THOUGHT I’D MAKE A GREAT PAINTING OUT OF THAT, AND GOT TO WORK ON USABLE AREAS OF THE SAIL.”

The University of Michigan Museum of Art & The Bronx Museum of the Arts

In a remarkable 25-year career, artist Marcus Jansen has progressed from selling his work on the corner of Prince Street and Broadway in Soho to showing in museums and galleries around the world. One of the most prolific artists to emerge from the graffiti school of 1980s-1990s NYC, Jansen’s work is now in the permanent collections of the Bronx Museum of the Arts, the Baker Museum at Artis-Naples, the Rollins Museum of Art in Orlando, the University Of Michigan Museum of Art, the Moscow Museum of Modern Art and the Perm Museum of Contemporary Art (PERMM), both in Russia, and the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, among others. Throughout his career, Jansen’s work has dealt with socially and politically charged issues, including inequality, the environment, and power structures in our culture, and he is considered a pioneer by critics and historians in this respect.

Examine & Report: A Documentary

In Marcus Jansen: Examine & Report, a 2016

Artist Marcus Jansen FROM PRINCE STREET SIDEWALKS TO GLOBAL MUSEUMS

documentary by Emmy-winning filmmaker John Scoular, Dieter Rampl, Chairman of Hypo Kunsthalle, Munich, said of Jansen, “When I was in New York, it was the time of Basquiat and Warhol; I couldn’t compare him to anybody, alive or dead.” The film is available on Amazon Prime TV.

Military Service: Gulf War

Born in NYC in 1968, Jansen grew up in the Bronx and Queens, then later in Germany, his father’s homeland, where he experienced racism and bullying as a mixed-race child in a small town. It was during summers visiting family back in New York that he encountered graffiti, realizing its potential as an art form useful for communication. “I can’t say that I saw art as a possible profession until the 1980s, when graffiti emerged as an art form,” he says. As an adult, Jansen spent a decade serving in the US Military, including in the first Gulf War. His experience during the Desert Storm offensive spurred him to change his mode of expression. Having been discharged from military service, he took a leap, transitioning to serving in the arts and humanities. “I felt both

were forms of service, but I chose the peaceful one of the two. I was willing to risk the jump, even if it meant selling paintings for $50 apiece for the rest of my life.”

He describes painting as “the most intimate act of war.” “Painting is a form of conflict,” Jansen says. “It’s a form of destruction in order to come to a new consensus. It’s an intellectual, psychological, and even physical battle with whatever tools you choose on canvas or other materials. It’s also a spiritual battle from within.” In those early days, he worked double shifts bartending on Long Island on weekends to be able to show his work during the week on Prince Street.

Career Highlights – Warner Brothers, John Ortiz, Absolut & Ford

Some moments that Jansen considers highlights of his career include his first solo museum exhibition, in 2016 at La Triennale, in Milan, Italy. Another that he holds dear is when he sold his first cardboard painting to Hollywood actor and star of The Cloverfield Paradox, John Ortiz, in 1999. “He stopped by my street corner where I was standing showing

my work. I was just starting out, and later Absolut Vodka, Ford Motor Company, and Warner Brothers commissioned me for paintings. It’s these moments that pushed my career further.”

Shanghai Exhibition

Another career first is happening right now, with Jansen’s first-ever solo exhibition in China, at Almine Rech in Shanghai through the Spring of 2023. Titled “In the Land of Silhouettes,” the works were all created in 2022, mostly after Hurricane Ian, which had a devastating effect on Florida, where Jansen has a studio, in Fort Myers. Therefore, the environment was very much on his mind while creating the Shanghai show, which comprises landscapes and work from his faceless portrait series.

Marcus Jansen Foundation Fund

Marcus and his wife, Sabrina, are the founders of the Marcus Jansen Foundation Fund, which focuses on assisting and providing exposure for marginalized, economically disadvantaged community organizations. Based in Fort Myers, Florida, the foundation opened in 2019 to help marginalized children in the arts, children with autism, and veterans with PTSD. They’ve collaborated with the Richard Beavers Gallery to donate to the Mott Haven Fridge Network, now called Grassroots Grocery, in the South Bronx, which works with communities to get fresh food to those who need it. The foundation most recently helped in relief efforts for Southwest Florida artists and marginal communities severely impacted by Hurricane Ian. marcusjansenfoundation.org

Upcoming

In addition to the Shanghai exhibit, Jansen’s work will be shown at Expo Chicago in April, with Richard Beavers Gallery. Jansen has also partnered with Avant Arte to release a limitededition print of one of his works later this year. P

@marcusjansenofficial marcusjansen.com

Super Specialized Rhinoplasty Surgeon Practicing Patient Care His Own Way at His Upper East Side Practice

Dibeli us

arving out his reputation as an expert and super specialist in the field of rhinoplasty for how he expertly crafts perfectly chiseled or reconstructed noses, Dr. Gregory Dibelius is dedicated to maintaining a practice that remains ultra-specialized and provides personalized care. After having worked in a successful rhinoplasty center in Boca Raton, Florida, this Amherst graduate now treats patients looking to get that social media feature they covet, as well as those who require his expertise after a botched surgery or two.

A self-described hyper-perfectionist, Dr. Dibelius is able to use this trait to his advantage in his ultra-specialized practice, which focuses narrowly on one aspect of surgery at his Madison Avenue practice. Since deciding to open his own practice, this super down-to-earth and personable, family-oriented surgeon has indeed focused on patient care and complex procedures his own way. Speaking with the good doctor over lunch, I found that he is someone who is both laid back and also sharp on his feet. More than anything, he enjoys talking about his family and his real passion for helping others using his specialized techniques.

Born in Korea and adopted at just a few months old, along with his fraternal twin brother who is now a nurse, Dr. Dibelius has called the state of New York home for as long as he can remember. After his parents wound up having their own set of twins just 22 months later, the family became somewhat of a famous sensation in the Upstate New York neighborhood where he grew up.

“There was a lot of adoption going on at the time in Korea in the ’80s,” says Dr. Dibelius. “With so many kids so young and close in age at the same time, we were definitely an anomaly around town. I still have to explain to people who meet me where my last name comes from because it’s neither common nor Korean. I used to joke that it was the fifth most common last name in Korea. It is quite a cool and unique story, and I’m just happy for it to be my story.”

While his parents and siblings still reside Upstate in the Lake George area, the family remains close and visit each other often, especially now that there is a new Dibelius around, baby Max, whom Dr. Dibelius and his wife, Audrey, a hospitalist pediatrician, welcomed just a few months ago. The two doctors have promised not to put pressure on baby Max to pursue medicine.

Before deciding to become a surgeon, Dr. Dibelius’s

first interest was art based, a talent for which both he and his brother were recog nized at an early age. “My brother and I were these lit tle Korean twins who, even in kindergarten, found our selves inclined to and inter ested in cartooning and draw ing. We would often be asked do draw things, and it became such a fun and important part of who we were. I even tually got more into biology and the sciences, which prob ably had something to do with looking toward the future. Being an artist as a career these days seemed uncertain, so I thought that maybe science would offer a chance for a more stable path, and it wasn’t something I was uninterested in either.”

With this realization, the future Dr. Dibelius wound up attending Amherst Col lege in Massachusetts and contemplated becoming a scientific researcher. After working at a lab in MIT, however, he recognized that he wanted to do something that included a bit more action and excitement. This epiphany led to a career in medicine, specifically surgery. “I wanted to do something that had direct contact with people, and more so in a helping capacity, which I thought was really cool. I then entertained the idea of being a surgeon, as that is something unique that most people can’t do, and again, it’s about making an impact in people’s lives.”

This newfound passion for making a difference led him to pursue medical school, where he both enjoyed studying and also realized he indeed had the skills it took to become a surgeon. Furthermore, he realized that he could incorporate his love of art that had remained from his childhood days if he chose to embark on a path to plastic surgery.

“I saw that if I took ownership over this route I was going to go, that I could really be who I wanted to be. This was an awesome way to tie all this stuff that I was interested in together.”

With an interest in all things artistic, including interiors—though his wife sometimes puts a stop to some of his home décor ideas—Dr. Dibelius has his own aesthetic lens through which he views the world. This dedicated doctor has truly incorporated this worldview into his everyday life, and it is now paramount in his job. Being able to combine his own aesthetic with doing what he enjoys most, helping others, it is clear that Dr. Dibelius has officially landed his dream career, much to the pleasure of both himself and his patients.

“Sharing your aesthetic with somebody else is the most incredible feeling. It’s always some combination of fascinating and rewarding and challenging, just like a lot of medicine is. Plus, there still remains this aspect of helping others, and in my world, that also includes helping people gain confidence, as well as breathe better, get higher nasal function, and overall improve their quality of life. All this stuff is very meaningful to my role in this field of medicine, so it’s just a really unique thing to be able to do on a daily basis.”

It is, in fact, being able to translate this aesthetic ideal, which he believes allows patients to ultimately realize their rhinoplasty goals. “It’s a canvas, a way to express your artistic ability, but you always have to remember that it’s a patient with their own goals and hopes for their outcome, and they might not have the same aesthetic as you. I have a certain idea of what looks good to me, and I will never stray far away from that because I will always use my aesthetic sensibilities. If we don’t share the same aesthetic view, I’m probably not the right guy for you. My favorite thing is when someone says ‘I love your aesthetic on your website,’ which usually means that they want to look different but still natural and not have a million questions from their

family members about what they had done. Those are the cases I think are most suited to my practice.”

Intended to ensure his patients come away learning something valuable that they wouldn’t just be able to get from the internet, Dr. Dibelius’s emphasis on service is one of the main things he set out to do when opening his practice. “The whole purpose of my practice is that I’m sick of the fiveminute doctor visit. I’ve seen it in so many different arenas that I wanted to do things my own way, and that means spending time with each patient. That’s why I book 60-minute consultations, whether or not someone takes up the entire time. Even if I see someone who doesn’t turn out to be an eventual patient, that’s not as important to me as providing a great service or experience.”

In addition to giving self-esteem and healthy breathing back to patients by correcting botched services, he also works on complex cases, including those that are the result of trauma or congenitally difficult diseases, both of which require advanced techniques that he studied in anticipation of such surgeries. “I focus on these types of things because the hardest cases need the most specialized surgeon, and it’s really what I have dedicated my career to doing.”

Some of his surgeries might even sound like sci-fi, but Dr. Dibelius considers it part of why he wanted to be a super-specialized surgeon in the first place. “We frequently reconstruct noses using rib cartilage. It’s a small incision made on the chest, and we are able to take a block of cartilage and create a new nose from scratch. I find this to be one of the most incredible and artistic things you can do as a surgeon. It’s a complicated set of techniques that most surgeons won’t undertake. My goal is to be the practice that comes front of mind for those cases that require and deserve the most expertise and dedication and specialization.”

Doing things his own way means that Dr. Dibelius has a different vision from most other doctors and the aesthetic industry as a whole in general. “My practice doesn’t have to be a big machine or factory. I want one

“Sharing your aesthetic with somebody else is the most incredible feeling. It’s always some combination of fascinating and rewarding and challenging, just like a lot of medicine is.”

thing being done well and to offer a high-quality boutique experience, where every patient is treated like a VIP. I can see it being a bigger version of itself one day, but it will still maintain this personalized feel to it. A lot of our practice is word of mouth, and there is no better referral than one that comes from a trusted colleague or friend. I appreciate that people still trust their doctors and a word of confidence from them is still very valuable.”

Finding his comfort zone for both his home life and work life on the Upper East Side, Dr. Dibelius and his family live just a few blocks from Central Park. He shares his life and love of medicine with wife, Audrey. As a hospitalist pediatrician, she also admits patients to the hospital. Part of a newer field, Dr. Dibelius calls it “a good development in medicine.” While they didn’t meet during their college days at Amherst, where they overlapped by a year, they did come across each other many years later while he was doing residency rotations and her medical school was doing rotations through the clinic. It then took another two years for them to connect through mutual friends. This medical-loving match who initially bonded over their backgrounds and same small college experience, also shared their story in their New York Times wedding announcement. “We can go to the same college reunion and it’s meaningful for both of us, and our circle of friends involves people from this same, unique place.”

When he’s not practicing medicine, he’s playing music. That’s right, Dr. Dibelius, who studied guitar in high school and college, has been getting his groove back, especially with old jazz standards. He has also collected quite a few high-end bicycles and remains an avid runner who has competed in many marathons. According to Dr. Dibelius, being passionate about fitness and health is important for his well-being. “I try to have a fulfilling life outside of just work, and that has to do with balance and family. It does miracles for your health and gives you that calm you need to have in the surgical field, which can be quite stressful. I especially credit my family with this, and it all gives me the confidence to make it on my own. We also love New York, which is why I came back from Florida. We enjoy Broadway shows and just saw something great at Hudson Yards with Ralph Fiennes. We have three local Europeaninspired restaurants in our neighborhood that are the

best anywhere, including the food we’ve had in those countries. My wife’s Chinese parents live in Flushing, Queens, where you can get really authentic Asian food. New York is not always an easy place to be, especially with the costs of living, but it’s all worth it if you think of the taxes as the price of admission to everything it has to offer.”

When it comes to finding the right guy for your rhinoplasty, this trustworthy and dedicated doctor provides both expert care and compassion. P

rhinoplastymanhattan.com

“My goal is to be the practice that comes front of mind for those cases that require and deserve the most expertise and dedication and specialization. I want to offer a high-quality boutique experience, where every patient is treated like a VIP.”

edical science has made enormous strides over the years. Once unimaginable procedures, like open-heart surgery and organ transplants, are now commonplace; crippling, often fatal diseases like polio and smallpox have been eradicated. The most recent miracle of modern medicine was the development of Covid vaccines with record speed, dramatically reducing deaths caused by the virus. However, one medical procedure that virtually everyone on the planet experiences regularly has not changed since it was invented over 160 years ago: hypodermic needle injections.

MILESTONE SCIENTIFIC CEO

Jan Haverhals Disruptive Technology for Painless Injections

Sure, there’s the don’t-fix-it-if-it-ain’t-broke argument, but one company, Milestone Scientific, saw room for improvement in the humble injection: making them virtually painless. They’ve done that by developing computer-controlled injection delivery instruments that provide virtually painless and precise injections.

How does that impact your everyday life?

Let’s take the dentist. “In general terms, nobody likes to go to the dentist,” says CEO Jan Haverhals. “In the US,” he explains, “about 40 million people are dental- phobic, and it is because of anxiety and pain associated with the procedure.” Normally, the dentist uses that very long, scary syringe, delivering the local anesthetic manually, which requires injecting as slowly as possible. Then he or she leaves you for ten minutes, and if you are not numb when the dentist comes back, you’ll get another injection. “That’s exactly what you do not want as a patient, because you want to get out of that dental chair as soon as possible,” says Haverhals.

Controlled Flow, Painless, No Collateral Numbness

With Milestone Scientific’s computerized drug-delivery technology, the injection flow is very low, like an IV infusion, so you don’t feel the injection, and it is virtually painless. It enables the dentist to inject a single tooth instead of the whole mouth, so you don’t have collateral numbness in the lips or swelling in the face. And the anesthesia kicks in, in just 60 seconds, saving the dentist time. More importantly, it helps get you out of that dentist’s chair faster. An added bonus for dentalphobes, especially children, is the needle used is much smaller than the hand-held versions, easing anxiety.

Treating Pain During Labor & Delivery

The good news is that Milestone Scientific’s computerized, pain-free injection technology has become widely used by dental practitioners worldwide for over two decades— so there’s a good chance you can find a dentist

already utilizing the system.

With 19 US patents and 133 foreign patents, the company is the leader in computercontrolled injection technology, and is now expanding into larger medical markets, such as anesthesiology. It has proven especially useful for epidural analgesia during labor and delivery.

Epidural Analgesia

In short, this technology is safer than the manual injections traditionally administered during labor. Instead of the rather “subjective” nature of a person injecting medication, the technology is “objective,” eliminating falsepositive results, eliminating dura punctures, and reducing morbidity. “It takes the guesswork out of the epidural,” says Haverhals. “If you ask people about their experiences with an epidural analgesia, 90% will say it was not very pleasant,” Haverhals adds. “My daughter got an epidural for the birth of her first child, and they had to make five attempts to place the needle,”

he says. “The procedure worked, but now she has scar tissue on her back, and that’s also an emotional thing. So, let’s not brush it under the carpet.”

Disruptive Technology

We live in an era of technology, but with manual injections, we still use what Haverhals considers prehistoric technology from 1860. One challenge they face is changing the mindset of dental and medical professionals. They ask why they need to change procedures they’ve been using for 25 or 30 years. “The reason to change is to give the mother a better experience during labor and delivery than what she currently has.” The technology is disruptive, so Haverhals tries to be disruptive in getting this message out. He liaises with groups over social media. “At the end of the day, we need to educate women who are planning an epidural, or are going into labor, or want to have kids.” By bringing this safeand-effective process to the attention of the

general public, he hopes that people will ask for it if they go to the hospital or have an injection in their back.

Global Business Background

Haverhals joined Milestone Scientific, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (MLSS), in 2020, and has helmed the company for over a year. Born in the Netherlands, he studied pharmacy science and attended business school. He’s had wide experience in the dental and medical fields, including companies in Norway and Switzerland. He started his own company and worked in the chemical industry for several years. He eventually landed in the US, where he met the founder of Milestone Scientific, Len Osser. “He was looking for his successor without me knowing that. And after 11 months with the company, he offered me the position of CEO, allowing him to retire.” P

milestonescientific.com

‘‘DEVELOPING COMPUTER-CONTROLLED INJECTION DELIVERY INSTRUMENTS THAT PROVIDE VIRTUALLY PAINLESS AND PRECISE INJECTIONS.’’

fter over 20 years of being named by Castle Connolly as one of America’s Top Doctors, and New York Magazine as one of its best plastic surgeons, Dr. Lyle Leipziger has finally opened a Park Avenue office in addition to his state-of-the-art Great Neck practice. It is, of course, impressive for a doctor to head a division in a top hospital, but presiding at two institutions carries major gravitas, and Dr. Leipziger is Chief of Plastic Surgery at both North Shore University Hospital and Long Island Jewish Medical Center. His surgical skill, artful eye, and ability to significantly transform patients with enough subtlety for results to

Dr. Lyle Leipziger

Elite New York Plastic Surgeon

look natural have earned him a reputation as a “go-to’’ esthetic doctor on Long Island. Now, the board-certified plastic surgeon, who also offers non-surgical options to combat aging and improve his patients’ appearance, is available to city dwellers, including those who have previously trekked east to his flagship office. We caught up with the esteemed surgeon and asked about the expansion.

BL: What made you pick this time to open in Manhattan?

LL: I’ve considered opening in Manhattan for years, but it came to a point where I had so many people driving in from Manhattan, as well as long-term patients who became empty nesters and had moved to the city, that I was being asked continually about a

New York presence, so I felt the time was right.

BL: How has the response been?

LL: I was surprised at how quickly we became busy with existing patients as well as new ones. People who used to take car services out to the office, were so pleased at being able to stroll to the new office at Park and 66th Street, as many live nearby.

BL: What about your approach is unique, or sets you apart from your colleagues?

LL: I’m dedicated to the entire process with a patient, from an initial consultation to at least a year post-op. It’s a journey that we take together with very specific goals, and I see them more than some people feel is

necessary, but my staff and I have a real focus on attention to personal detail, so everything is individualized, and nothing is cookie cutter. I’m meticulous and never leave the operating room until I am completely satisfied with the results. I want every case to be my best one. I also haven’t jumped on the social media bandwagon because my strong practice is built on word of mouth, loyalty, and trust.

BL: Is there anything new in plastic surgery that you are excited about?

LL: There are always new ideas, but I don’t jump on every one of them until I’m convinced of their effectiveness. The latest techniques need to be vetted and tested before I implement them because safety is paramount while achieving optimal results. I

like fat grafting and think it will become more and more common as the techniques are fine-tuned. Almost every face-lift I do has fat grafting to balance out volume loss, and because of its potential effect of boosting the quality of skin.

BL: Any new non-surgical techniques or procedures that you are using?

LL: I like things that help maintain and amp up the results of surgery. We employ both ultrasound and radio frequency devices to tighten skin on patients. These treatments are particularly effective on the lower face. For fine lines and wrinkles, we use laser technology and have an array of fillers and neurotoxins. All of these nonsurgical techniques can also be used to

improve the appearance of patients who are not yet ready for surgery.

BL: What do you like to do in your leisure time?

LL: Possibly because I spend so much time focusing on the structure and appearance of faces and bodies, I have always been intrigued by sculpture, and visit museums locally as well as while I’m traveling.

BL: Where do you get your inspiration?

LL: My patients themselves inspire me. Each has a unique story, and there is nothing more satisfying than making a significant change in their lives that winds up improving their quality of life and increasing their self-esteem. P

drleipziger.com

Chiccıne Lisa The

BY

ISA CHICCINE IS ONE OF THE WORLD’S TOP HAIRSTYLISTS,

with movie stars, royalty, fashion icons, Wall Street tycoons, heads of state, and socialites among her clients. Trained in Paris, London, and Milan, Chiccine is the protégée of the legendary Bruno Pittini, who mentored Frédéric Fekkai and Serge Normant. Featured in hundreds of publications, including W , Glamour, People, and Oprah, she is constantly in demand by fashion editors and brides. She recently brought her talents to PARK , styling jeweler Kayla Rockefeller’s locks for our winter issue cover. A longtime client, Rockefeller wouldn’t let anyone else touch her hair!

An accomplished entrepreneur, Chiccine has developed a thriving business over 35 years as a top stylist. Her multifaceted career in beauty has included everything from runway shows to being the beauty expert for Oprah Magazine to countless weddings that have been featured in the New York Times and Town & Country Sought after as an unbiased authority by Wall Street firms investing in hair care products coming to market, she meets with scientists across the globe to evaluate their new innovations in the field. She has developed her own hairstyling products over the years that have been highly successful on QVC; so successful that she gave up the TV home shopping format because it required too much time away from her first love, styling clients’ hair. (Her products are sold in select salons and boutiques.)

The Hair Whisperer

Known among cognoscenti as “the hair whisperer,” Chiccine wields her scissors at three single-chair salons in New York City, Palm Beach, and on Philadelphia’s Main Line. Always booked, her salons are the epitome of exclusivity, yet they offer a warm, welcoming, relaxing environment. With her impeccable taste and sophisticated sense of style, Chiccine has become something of a lifestyle guru to her loyal clients, who rely on her not just for working magic with hair but also for advice on fashion, wellness, and travel. “Customers always say they leave feeling beautiful inside and out,” she says.

Her salon has become a hub for empowerment—not just for women, but also for some men. “Life happens, whether it’s a nervous bride, someone who’s losing their

hair, or somebody who has a friend going through a terrible time,” says Chiccine. “We keep things calm, we keep things inspirational, we keep the hope going, and we keep everybody in good shape, emotionally and with their beauty.”

That intrinsic warmth and her fun-loving, charismatic personality make Chiccine a natural on camera, and she often appears as a beauty expert for broadcast outlets like E!, the Style Channel, Good Day New York, QVC, and on PIX11’s New York Living segment.

Humble, non-intimidating

Chiccine dislikes the term “celebrity hairstylist.” “I don’t want to use the word celebrity because I’m not. I’m a hairdresser, not a brain surgeon,” she says. “But humble and grateful, yes, that I am.” She flatly refuses to name clients. She had no comment when we mentioned that we’d heard that a certain Oscarwinning actress is a regular. A 2010 W article revealed that she styled locks for Prince Pavlos of Greece and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “I used to keep a book for clients to sign in. I stopped that practice, and that will never happen again,” she explains. Her high-profile clients appreciate that she doesn’t divulge their names.

However, Chiccine is able to laugh about the circumstances involved in working with people in such powerful positions, like Netanyahu. “Doing someone’s hair while standing next to armed guards, with men on the roof and being surrounded by the Israeli Secret Service, that was pretty amazing to me,” she says.

Self-made, Chiccine knew what she wanted to do from her earliest years, and she built a hair care empire on her own terms, establishing herself at the top of the industry through pure talent and determination. In effect, she created her own brand years before the advent of the internet and influencers.

Chiccine is active in supporting research on autoim-

mune diseases, a cause close to her heart, as it has affected her immediate family.

From Barbie dolls to Paris to Bruno Pittini’s first female protégée

Chiccine has been doing hair since childhood, styling her Barbie dolls. In college, she turned her dorm room into a hair salon, and then talked her parents into letting her go to beauty school. She read the European issues of Vogue , where Bruno Pittini’s work was constantly featured, and headed to London, Paris, and Milan for additional schooling.

Once back home in Pennsylvania, she took the bus to New York, went to Bruno Pittini’s Madison Avenue salon, and announced, “I’m here for a job with Bruno.” “Ignorance was bliss,” she told PARK with a laugh. Pittini was in Paris at the time, and the shop manager told her it would never happen, since all his assistants were European and male, but as she talked, he became intrigued and arranged a meeting at a later date.

“My interview with Bruno was him staring at me, basically saying, ‘What do you want?’” Chiccine recalls. She kept talking, and he gave her a blow-dryer to see if she “had it in the wrists.” He immediately realized she had a gift and created a job for her. One day, several of Pittini’s assistants were out, and he asked her to do a blow-dry. “Nobody got to blow-dry for Bruno. His six-man team was it.” She filled in, and he said, “Today is the first day of the rest of your life. I’m going to take you under my wing.” Chiccine ended up replacing all six assistants and doing 50 blow-dries a day herself.

Six years later, when Pittini was dying, he told his clients, ‘Who knows how to cut your hair better than Lisa?’ “And I’ve had those clients ever since, and I’ve built on them. So that was my turning point. We had a connection. I was the little sister he never had. We had a very, very special relationship. He was my life-changer.”

“TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY OF THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. I’M GOING TO TAKE YOU UNDER MY WING.” Bruno Pittini

Single-seat salon

From there, Chiccine had star stints at swanky megasalons, but she soon realized that wasn’t the right situation for her. “I was working six chairs at a time with an assistant following me back and forth, and that just felt so impersonal. I was never bonding with clients.” In 2006, she opened her one-seat salon in Manhattan. “Private room, dial me direct, no tipping. I’m the owner, there won’t be an assistant here, let’s talk. That’s when people started feeling good inside and out, and that’s when it really became beauty therapy.”

And she truly finds great happiness in pulling her clients together inside and out and making them feel so good. “I have literally been doing hair since I was four years old. It is something I’ve been doing for many years, and I can’t wait to go to work every day. I just love what I do.”

Learning to become a CEO and businesswoman from behind the chair

While Chiccine’s parents instilled in her the values required to be a good person with integrity and a warm heart, she credits much of her business success to clients who have guided her with their expertise while in her

ROOM, DIAL

chair over the years.

She is particularly appreciative of one very special longtime client and friend who has been especially generous in advising her. “I absolutely treasure him; he is so kind and beyond brilliant.” They have established a “tip a month” routine in which on each visit he dispenses his favorite piece of advice. “He has a magical way of seeing the big picture in everything and knows exactly how to guide me to get there.”

Upcoming book

With such a colorful career, styling hair for world leaders, supermodels, and Hollywood greats, vetting the hair care products and gadgets we all use on a daily basis for private equity moguls—and even, on one occasion, steering the inventors of such an item away from an investor she later found out was less-than-scrupulous— it’s no surprise that Chiccine has a book in the works. Details are under wraps for now, but we are confident it will be as much of a success as Chiccine herself. P

lisachiccine.org

“PRIVATE

ME DIRECT, NO TIPPING.

I’M THE OWNER, LET’S TALK.”

TEAMING UP WITH DR. JANE SALMON TO FIGHT AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE

cause that hairstylist Lisa Chiccine is passionate about is research on autoimmune disease, which has afflicted both of her parents. She has worked for many years with Dr. Jane Salmon, a worldrenowned research scientist who treated Lisa’s mother, helping to raise funds to advance treatment options.

“I am just so grateful, she gave my mom her life back,” Chiccine says of Dr. Salmon, who is the Collette Kean Research Chair and Director of the Lupus and APS Center of Excellence at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), and Professor of Medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine. “I can’t even express how much Dr. Salmon means to me.”

Because of her mother’s life-threatening systemic autoimmune disease, Chiccine learned about the challenges that patients face from the medications used in treatment, which dramatically alter the body. “Their hair gets very thin, they gain weight in places they might not want to gain weight, and they get acne. They have profound fatigue and struggle to effectively manage their lives,” Dr. Salmon explains. “And as their disease remits and the inflammation of the organs resolves in response to their treatments, the physical side effects of the drugs that helped remain.”

Chiccine put her professional training into action, organizing beauty gatherings for patients at HSS in Manhattan. She rallied colleagues who would fix their hair, apply makeup, and talk to them about their body image and how to find clothing that minimizes the changes in their bodies. She brought gifts for patients. “ That was Lisa’s concept, to help people understand they were beautiful, even if their body had changed as a result of their medication,” Dr. Salmon says.

Her mother’s condition also spurred Chiccine to develop her line of hair care products, which are all geared toward thickening and giving greater volume to thinning hair.

Later, Chiccine decided she needed to do more, and realizing money is the key, she created an endowment to fund

trainee scientists to work in Dr. Salmon’s research laboratory. Over the course of her career, Dr. Salmon has trained 35 investigators who have worked in her laboratory to further her goal to improve the lives of women with autoimmunity and to develop effective therapies with tolerable side effects.

Over the years, Chiccine and Dr. Salmon have become close friends, and they have found they have many things

in common. “When Lisa was emerging in her field, there were very few women,” says Dr. Salmon, adding that her own experience was similar. “I was the first woman in the MD PhD program at Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons, and we were both able to move forward despite not looking like anyone else in the room.”

Chiccine believes that we have a job in life, and then we have a purpose. “My job is cutting hair, but my purpose is definitely bringing attention to this cause and making people beautiful.” P

Voyage to

Champagne

Royal Champagne Hotel

It’s a fast overnight flight to Paris, so once arrived, you are ready to jump into the luxury sedan sent by the Royal Champagne Hotel in Epernay They whisk you to the romantic world of castles, châteaus, and vast vineyards that produce the magic that ultimately becomes Champagne. There are over 370 Champagne houses using grapes from 20,000 farmers in the region. On the 90-minute drive from Paris, you roll through picturesque villages and miles of grapevines to arrive at a sleek, modern, low-slung Frank Lloyd Wright-esque hotel perched on a hill with the best views in Epernay, the seat of Champagne. The view from the Hotel is like a Cézanne painting The hamlet’s ecru and terracotta-colored roofs surrounded by endless vineyards is a perfect setting for this elegant 5-star hotel. My room is a minimalist wonder, spacious and chicly appointed in neutral tones, allowing the eyes to focus on the view through floor-to-ceiling windows leading onto the private balcony.

I arrived in late January, traditionally the quietest time of year, when the vineyards are asleep, but the Champagne still flows, and the area’s nine Michelin-star restaurants are mostly still open as the region is becoming a year-round destination. The hotel also possesses a world-class spa with both indoor and outdoor Olympic-length pools heated to resemble a dip in the warm waters of St Barts. There’s a sauna and steam room and a wide variety of treatments. I had a massage, a facial, and a glass of Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blanc Champagne to put me in the perfect mood. The hotel has lovely restaurants and bars, including the one Michelin-star Le Royal, and a breakfast buffet that was nothing less than sublime. Dinner was also a treat, and the service was impeccable, both for the humans and dogs. Yes, I encountered two dogs, a brown Rhodesian Ridgeback and an adorable tri-color King Charles Cavalier Spaniel, who sat quietly at the table next to ours. Très Français, n’estce pas? royalchampagne.com

Cuisine Solutions’ International Sous Vide Day

I spent my first day at the celebration of International Sous Vide Day hosted by Cuisine Solutions, the world’s largest and most trusted producer of sous vide foods. The event, held at the picturesque Château Comtesse Lafond, also celebrated the 81st birthday of Dr. Bruno Goussault, the master of sous vide and the greatest scientific innovator of the technique. Guests included the company’s chairman, Stanislas Vilgrain, Chief Strategy Officer Chef Gerard Bertholon, and CMO Tom Donohoe, who surprised his girlfriend, Allison Sells, by asking her to marry him during the event with a diamond the size of the Ritz. She said yes, and no fewer than 14 Michelin-star chefs led the applause. Cuisine Solutions held concurrent sous vide celebrations in Washington, DC, and Bangkok, Thailand, as the company has a significant presence in North America and Asia, as well as in Europe. cuisinesolutions.com

Le Parc Les Crayères

On another night, I went to the very grand two-Michelinstar restaurant Le Parc Les Crayères. We had the truffle tasting menu, each course paired with the appropriate Champagne, including an extraordinary bottle of Jacques Selosse V.O. that took us to the heavens. Needless to say, every course was celestial. Standouts were the roasted scallops with black truffle slices and the black truffle capellini. The chocolate cream,

caramelized pecans and cherry confit with truffles were magnifique. It’s the only way, really! The restaurant is in the Domaine Les Crayères, a small hotel formerly the chateau of the De Polignac family, which had a long history in the French nobility. In 1775, Yolande Martine Gabrielle de Polastron, Duchess of Polignac, became a favorite of the queen, Marie Antoinette, and subsequently spent years living at the Palace of Versailles. lescrayeres.com

Avenue de Champagne

A tour of the Champagne houses is de rigueur, but plan ahead, as these private tours book up quickly. The first thing you need to ask your driver to do is ride down Epernay’s famous Avenue de Champagne. Along the treelined road paved with bubbles, you’ll pass all the grand mansions of Champagne, including Dom Ruinart, Moet Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, and Krug, among many other houses whose vintages are superb but not as well known outside of France. Ask your concierge for a few ideas if you’re in the mood to be adventurous.

Champagne has a long history, going back to the 5th century, when the Romans planted vineyards in this region of northeastern France. The pinot noir grapes that

thrived in this climate produced a pale, pinkish wine, far different from the lush reds from the southern Burgundy region. It was an accident of nature that created the bubbly we know and love today.

The cold winters in Champagne caused fermentation to halt and restart in the spring, releasing carbon dioxide trapped inside the bottles. The pressure from the gas often caused the bottles to explode, but those that survived contained bubbles, which was originally considered a flaw. In the 1600s, winemakers, like the Benedictine Monk Dom Pérignon, were still trying to rid their wines of the bubbles, but the sparkling versions of Champagne wines grew in popularity, eventually becoming a favorite among the French nobility. By the 19th century, winemakers had learned how to create bubbles deliberately, and advances in these methods by the house of Veuve Clicquot made the production of sparkling wine on a large scale feasible. Champagne houses blossomed in the 1800s, and the modern Champagne industry was born.

House of Pommery

If you can only visit one house, I suggest Pommery because they have the most extensive and dramatic chalk caves twelve miles to be exact almost 100 feet belowground, which serves to ventilate the cellars. There is also a large and fun art installation throughout; a giant tree festooned with oversize fruit, an enormous glass box that blows a blizzard of feathers, giant screens of crashing waves, and another depicting a storm in a forest. The caves also have the original carved sculptures on the walls,

some permanent, some temporary, the remnants of past art exhibits. Madame Pommery, who created the estate in 1868 after her husband’s passing, and her daughter, Louise, were art lovers and patrons of up-and-coming artists. The company continues to support artists today, hosting annual exhibits in the cellars.

Bring your walking shoes I counted 121 steps to get down to the cave, but it’s worth it. Over 25 million bottles of Champagne are stored there. You read that right! Along the corridors, you’ll see the different sized bottles, including Piccolo, Salmanazar, Balthazar, Nebuchadnezzars and Goliath. At the end of the tour, which you can do on your own or with a private guide, which I suggest, there is a tasting of different vintages. Pace yourself. champagnepommery.com

House of Ruinart

Benedictine Monk Dom Thierry Ruinart, a native of Champagne, spent time in Paris in the 17th century, where young aristocrats were enthusiastic about an exciting new “wine with bubbles.” Dom Ruinart traveled widely but eventually returned to his home turf, working in the wine cellars alongside another monk, Dom Pérignon. Together, the two developed methods to improve sparkling wine production, solving the problem of bottles exploding under pressure during the fermentation process.

Dom Ruinart’s nephew, Nicolas Ruinart, took up his uncle’s interest in winemaking and, in 1729, founded Maison Ruinart, the world’s first Champagne house. Louis XV had just authorized the transport of wine in bottles rather than barrels; with the bubbles created inside bottles, this meant Ruinart’s “wine with bubbles” could be sold throughout France and beyond. In 1768 Ruinart acquired its Romanera chalk quarries, and five miles of tunnels 125 feet below the city of Reims were hollowed out to store its bottles. Classified as a historical monument in 1931, these chalk “Crayères,” providing stable temperatures and perfect humidity levels, make for a fascinating tour. Their Blanc de Blanc pressing is one of my favorite champagnes. ruinart.com

House of Dom Pérignon

Dom Pierre Pérignon, the Benedictine monk whose efforts shaped the foundation of the champenoise method, making the production of sparkling wine commercially viable, is so

revered that his statue stands at the entrance to Moët & Chandon’s headquarters in Epernay. When he died in 1715, he was buried in a part of the abbey cemetery traditionally reserved only for abbots as a show of respect.

The Pérignon House is in the former Benedictine Abbey of Hautvillers on a hillside overlooking the Marne Valley. Originally founded in 650 AD, the Abbey was destroyed and rebuilt more than once through the centuries The current building, where Pérignon lived and worked for 47 years, went up in the 16th century with the support of Catherine de Médicis. Who else would tell you these things? domperignon.com

House of Krug

The House of Krug was founded in 1843 by visionary Joseph Krug with the goal of blending wines from different years to consistently produce the very best. Krug’s singular approach has given it the reputation as the Haute Couture Champagne. Its signature Krug Grande Cuvee is aged for over 20 years. Housed in the family’s circa 1868 estate, the House of Krug features a collection of unique relics, a portrait of the founder, and his notebook containing his vision for the Grand Cuvee, which you will taste on your tour. A wall of 400 wines is where the

cellar master auditions wines to be used in creating each year’s new edition, a music room contains the reserve wines, and the Krug Yurt, in the garden, is where you’ll experience immersive “echoes” tastings, where wine is paired with music. krug.com

Veuve Clicquot House & The Ghost

Founded in 1772 by trader Philippe Clicquot-Muiron and taken over in 1798 by his son, François. However, this renowned Champagne house truly blossomed with a woman at the helm. When François unexpectedly died, his wife, Barbe, took over the business, “Veuve” meaning “widow” in French, and proved to be a passionate winemaker, introducing innovations including the rosé Champagne recipe, which is used by most modern champagne houses today.

The house’s history is noteworthy. Their fifteen miles of chalk cellars date back to the Middle Ages. A faded Red Cross sign on the chalk walls is a reminder of when the cellars were used as an infirmary during World War I. One of 46 antique Veuve Clicquot bottles found in 2010 in the 19th-century Föglö wreck at the bottom of the Baltic Sea in Finland is on display. Madame Clicquot’s original house is still used by the company for visiting VIP guests. I encountered Barbe’s charming ghost

when I slept in her bedroom. Have you ever? veuveclicquot.com

House of Taittinger

Pierre Taittinger bought a Champagne house in the 1930s and relaunched the business, offering elegant sparkling wines under the Taittinger name. The family’s third generation still runs the house today. The Taittinger House, which includes the ruins of the 13th-century SaintNicaise Abbey, destroyed during the French Revolution, and UNESCO-listed Roman-era chalk caves, is undergoing a 2-year renovation, so tastings have been detoured to the delightful Residence of the Counts of Champagne in Reims.

Owned by Taittinger, the 13th-century Gothic-style pile Demeure des Comtes de Champagne in French its name derives from the fact that it served as the residence of the Counts of Champagne when they came to Reims for the coronation of the kings of France at the Cathedral of Reims. After being partially destroyed during WW I, Taittinger bought it and restored it, and it is used for cultural events. taittinger.com

The Saint James Hotel: Paris

We drove back to Paris for a round of stylish parties. I checked into one of my favorite Parisian hotels, The Saint James, in the heart of the quiet, leafy 16th arrondissement and mere steps from the elegant Avenue Foch. This is Paris’s only chateau hotel boasting its own enchanting gardens. The Saint James just debuted a complete renovation encompassing all 50 guest rooms and suites, the

addition of an indoor pool, and an expansion of the sublime Guerlain spa. The new swimming pool offers views of the distinctive Paris sky, and you can steam any tension away in the hammam and have a relaxing massage. The Saint James’s signature treatment, the Dédicace Guerlain, with 90 minutes of blissful body and facial treatments, is not to be missed.

Landscape architect Xavier de Chirac refreshed the lush gardens, and Michelin-starred chef Julien Dumas launched a new restaurant, Bellefeuille, at the hotel. French interior designer Laura Gonzalez retained all that was wonderful about the stately 19th-century former mansion and enhanced and livened its grandeur, mixing Versailles parquet flooring, geometric patterning, Japanese style panoramic wallpaper, Art Deco accents, frescoes by local craftsmen, and custom rugs, bien sûr. The whole feels like a swank English country estate with chic Parisian flair.

In the Bellefeuille restaurant, chef Julien Dumas whips up inventive, nature-inspired fare using seasonal and local ingredients. Indeed, fruits and vegetables come from The Saint James’s own organic gardens located just outside the city. Whatever Chef Dumas doesn’t make inhouse is sourced from providers with similarly eco-responsible methods. The restaurant’s breads and pastries are from renowned chef/baker Julien Duboué, a former Daniel Boulud protégé.

St. James Paris: A Relais & Chateaux & J.MAK .com Member

The Saint James has an interesting history. Built in 1892 at the behest of the widow of former French President Adolphe Thiers, the mansion was originally used to house a small number, only 15 at a time, of France’s most promising students on scholarships. The estate was the site of the first-ever hot-air balloon airfield, hence the bucolic 50,000-square-foot garden in the middle of Paris.

The Saint James’s Library Bar, where nowadays lunch, tea, and cocktails are served, is a real library dating from

the property’s student housing era. The leather-bound books and comfy, deep armchairs are not just décor. In the 1980s, the building was turned into a private club, and in 1991 became a hotel, now part of the Relais & Châteaux collection. saint-james-paris.com

Avenue Montaigne

It made no sense to go to Paris and not shop, so we headed to the Avenue Montaigne and directly to Dior. Although you enter through the same discreet door that was once a small and tres chic boutique, the emporium is now an entire block of dreams. Men’s clothes, women’s clothes, baby clothes, jewelry, and homeware. A Dior Mall.

The Ritz, Dior, Balenciaga, Yayoi Kusama & Louis Vuitton

I crossed the street to have tea at the Plaza Athénée , another of my favorite Paris hotels. Once fortified with tea and pastries, we headed to Louis Vuitton, which is as much an art installation as a store. Yayoi Kusama’s trademark “silver balls” bedeck the outside, and once inside, it’s an Infinity mirror of red and white dots that festoon the entire collection. Tres chic. I hit the Balenciaga store and bought an oversized denim jacket emblazoned with black beads before heading to the brand’s haute couture shop, where I picked out a black blazer with the sleeves rolling well past my fingers from the 2023 runway show. Afterward, we headed to the Ritz Bar for drinks. balenciaga.com P

Four Seasons, CasaBlanca

The Height of Luxury in Morocco

reaming of jetting to Morocco and resting at a prestigious resort-style hotel? The hip and avant-garde beachfront Four Seasons Hotel of Casablanca awaits you. Positioned atop Anfa Hill in Casablanca’s classiest neighborhood, this hotel enjoys a remarkable view of the vast Atlantic Ocean. This sleek getaway is just a quick 10 minutes from the business district and historic city center of Morocco’s largest city, Casablanca.

Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by a glitzy entrance accentuated by the lobby’s floor-toceiling windows that frame a jaw-dropping view of the deep blue expanse of sea. The mesmerizing landscape is the only true distraction from the unrivaled flower arrangements and highend jewelry that decorates the lobby. Think emerald-green jewels that parallel the vibe of the hotel’s bright and luscious lawn.

Once you’ve stepped into your holiday abode, you will notice a more European luxurious feel from your assigned room. The gorgeous marble

flooring and smart décor create a crisp ambiance. The peaceful bathroom, also lined with suave marble, may have floor-to-ceiling windows and a massive bathtub overlooking the beach and ocean. If the jaw-dropping view that overlooks the 100-year-old El Hank lighthouse is not entertaining enough, the bathroom does come equipped with a TV in the mirror for ultimate relaxation as you soak in your spa-grade bathtub. There is also a separate walk-in shower, leaving room for your travel companion to rinse as you bathe. The modern interior design of your room will also incorporate local Moroccan heritage by using traditional fabrics and brass finishings. These recommended rooms come equipped with private balconies, allowing you to enjoy an intimate breeze.

The ambitious hotel offers three on-site seaside restaurants. Bleu, the signature restaurant, has a menu inspired by its Atlantic location. It offers daily breakfast buffets and dishes featuring freshly caught seafood and fish. French executive chef Christophe Laplaza leans on Casablanca’s expansive coastal line for inspiration for his creative yet delicate menu. Featured dishes include the bisque shrimp with lemongrass rosemary jelly and cream cheese, the Atlantic fresh salmon with black rice herb jus, tomato, and paprika, along with other dreamy dishes curated from listening to the whispers of the sea.

The poolside eatery, Latitude 33, focuses on regional specialties that are encouraged to be shared. Chef Laplaza truly strives to create memorable culinary experiences that draw from local ingredients. Named for its geographical location, the 33rd parallel, this restaurant’s signature dish truly showcases Laplaza’s culi-

nary talent while honoring Moroccan flavors. Here you can try The Crab, a Niçoise-style plate with fresh guacamole, vegetables, and an earthy tomato dressing.

For the most traditional meals, the outdoor terraces of the Mint offer all day dining options. Visit this elegant lobby lounge to enjoy a causal meal of authentic Moroccan specialties and light gourmet. While a five-star hotel isn’t usually the sought-out spot for tagine, this hotel’s interpretation is unpredictably delicious. It should be noted this is a dry hotel, with no alcohol on-site. The intoxicating views can be thoroughly enjoyed with craft mocktails and locally produced teas.

Putting dining aside, the hotel’s most impressive feature is its destination spa with treat-

ments by Guerlain. The 90-minute Imperial Relaxing Massage is a must for anyone passing through Casablanca.

Visiting Casablanca is perfect for those attracted to seaside cities drenched in history, stunning architecture, and high-caliber dining. Guests of the Four Seasons Casablanca are supported by the hotel’s ability to create an experience tailored to unique desire. The hotel’s primary goal is to help reestablish a romantic connection to the Moroccan air and encourage visitors to see the land like a local. Carefully planned private tours can be booked through concierge service to help guide your experience of the White City. P

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Four Seasons, Marrakech

Let Your Magical Moroccan Journey Begin

arrakech taught me color. Before Marrakech, everything was black.” That is the remark Yves Saint Laurent made after his trip to the region in 1966. While the legendary French couturier counted icons such as Betty Catroux and Catherine Deneuve as his muses during his 60-year career, a trip to Marrakech has become a bigger source for his endless imagination that materialized in countless avant garde designs. For anyone who intends to appreciate Saint Laurent’s sartorial ingenuity, it might be quite the lofty goal to immerse in his archival collections all day long, but the good news is that you could always plan your next stay at the Four Seasons Marrakech and invent your own color story this summer, in true haute couture fashion.

The stylish and well-appointed guest rooms

of this luxurious resort offer the very best in comfort and privacy. In the sun-splashed Garden-View Terrace rooms, a passionate shade of tangerine lights up the interior through the wallpapers and cushions, and then fades into a softer yellow on the petals of the roses delicately arranged within the silver vase on the nightstand. After a rejuvenating night of sleep, wake up to splendid views of the lush green canopy of the resort gardens before getting ready for an eventful day ahead in the ivory full marble bathroom furnished with handcrafted Moroccan décor details. If you crave even more sweeping settings, you could not go wrong with the Pool-View Terrace Room, where you will catch the sun setting over the pool’s shimmering waters while sipping on a cup of mint tea or nous nous (half

and half Moroccan style) with friends and family on your private balcony.

Step into Azzera, the pool side restaurant that offers something for everyone with its lunch and all-day menu; an assortment of avocados, romaine lettuce, tomatoes and prawns is mixed with red wine vinaigrette in the Cobb Gambas Salad. The Juicy Burger, as the name suggests, comes in a cerulean tray with dripping blue or cheddar cheese and a side of crispy golden fries. For the ones who appreciate a pleasant surprise, go for the Catch of The Day and explore new gastronomic depths in the daily fish selections and grilled vegetable skewers accentuated by taupe anais and ivy green parsley leaves.

Should you be enticed by true Moroccan flairs, make your way to the palm-fringed

lounge at Inara, the restaurant modeled after a traditional riad located at the heart of the resort. Prepare to be mind blown by the slowcooked, dangerously flavorful beef stews textured with the aromas of prunes and apricots when you take the lid off the terracotta tagine. Rewind and rejoice with a sophisticated selection of handcrafted cocktails such as the Cosmoroccan centered around fresh mint leaves infused Grey Goose vodka and the rum based Daîqu’inara which draws refreshing sweetness from dates and passionfruit purée.

Last but not least, a good color story is never complete without strokes of inspiration that occur unexpectedly. With a breadth of activities both onsite and offsite, the Four Seasons Marrakech guarantees guests an enriched getaway with memories that will lasta lifetime.

Start the day with a morning vinyasa yoga class, and then treat your group to an authentic Moroccan tea ceremony, where they will watch the traditional mint tea being prepared and poured. Capitalize on a Sunny afternoon by embarking on a two-wheeled adventure or a balloon ride that offers breathtaking views of the maze-like Medina and Atlas Mountain, before heading back to soak in the sunset while listening to the whispering fountains and live music in courtesy of their in-house band. Oh, and did I mention that there is a tour that grants you an insider view into the life of Yves Saint Laurent during a private estate visit?

Breathe in the magic that is Marrakech when you stay at Four Seasons Marrakech. P fourseasons.com

Hard Rock Hotel, New York

Since opening last summer, Hard Rock Hotel New York is honoring the legacy of Music Row in the heart of Midtown Manhattan on West 48th Street, where many recording studios and music stores once stood. Now, guests can really be a part of all of the entertainment options New York has to offer.

In keeping on brand, this latest Hard Rock location showcases an array of memorabilia of rockstar outfits and instruments throughout, with some notable displays including a classic leather motorcycle jacket owned and worn by Joey Ramone; a pair of silver patent leather boots worn by Lady Gaga; and handwritten lyrics for John Lennon’s 1972 ode to his adopted home, “New York City.”

This hotel is much more than a space, but an experience, where live music remains the theme across all public spaces, as well as multiple entertainment venues where artists host live concerts, interviews, and more. This extends to the guest rooms, where signature brand experiences and amenities include Crosley record players and Fender guitars in-room, and music-infused designs throughout the hotel. Forget chocolates, you might just find a guitar pick on your pillow upon returning to your room.

Artwork associated with music as well as with images of famous musicians can also be found in all the rooms and suites, as can floor-to-ceiling windows complete with the lights of Times Square. The Platinum Suite offers a powder room in addition to a luxurious master bathroom with standalone tub and rainfall shower, plus a banquet and separate living space, while the Grammy winner for rockstar room goes to the Rock Star Suite. This two-story penthouse with open-plan living and dining space and bar, features a 1,600-square-foot private terrace, plus VIP direct access to RT60 Rooftop Bar & Lounge.

From in-room yoga experiences with Rock Om® to a fully equipped gym, guests can find their inner balance before rocking out to live music in one of the hotel’s bar or lounge areas.

The hotel also offers a diverse array of dining options for any occasion. RT60 Rooftop Bar & Lounge, with both indoor and outdoor seating, offers expansive city views from the 34th floor, as well as the most current and internationally recognized DJs and enticing drink and bites menu. Upscale dining at NYY Steak, in partnership with the New York Yankees, gives an old-fashioned steakhouse vibe but with a more comfortable and modern dining room experience. Your Hard Rock Hotel New York experience is sure to hit a high note with an all-day menu of farm-fresh seasonal cuisine in a musicinspired setting at Sessions. They also have an exciting lineup of live music and special performances from Thursday to Saturday and provide an ideal spot for hosting private events, especially with their outdoor terrace.

Whether you’re looking for a staycation, a trip to the city getaway, or experiencing a concert or performance, you can rock out hard at the city’s latest hotel to grace its dreams-can-come-true skyline. P

hardrockhotels.com

‘‘DISPLAYS INCLUDE A CLASSIC LEATHER MOTORCYCLE JACKET OWNED AND WORN BY JOEY RAMONE; A PAIR OF SILVER PATENT LEATHER BOOTS WORN BY LADY GAGA; AND HANDWRITTEN LYRICS FOR JOHN LENNON’S 1972 ODE TO HIS ADOPTED HOME, “NEW YORK CITY.”

Not since the Beatnik days of the San Remo ’60s (the original genesis of cool New York) has the West Village vibe felt so hipster relevant. Back in the day, the original notion of West Village ‘cool’ was the twenty-something Andy Warhol hanging out with Ondine, Danny Fields, and Robert Rauschenberg at the original temple of cool—the gay boite at the time— the San Remo right in the heart of the Beatnik West Village, where MacDougal merges with Bleecker. Pop historians regard the San Remo as the beginning of NYC calm and the counter-culture notion.

TheNow, some 60 years later, that nexus of the West Village once again feels like the a place to be. This time, though, the cool element is being led by the lively restaurant culture that again makes the Manhattan West Village the new global culinary mecca. Only in the West Village can one eat well on virtually every street and corner. This part of the city is suddenly awash with new restaurants on every corner, where food and frolic are embraced and seem to go hand in hand. And nowhere is the revival more evident than at the juncture of MacDougal and Bleecker Streets, where blue-chip restaurateurs. Stratis Morfogen is about to launch his next mega-foodie complex, Pappa’s Tavern, which will be a homage to his family’s Greek roots. Down the way, you have the stilllegendary élan of Caffe Dante near the newer classic, the hopping Brit spot Dame, and another chic café in Figaro.

West Village Foodie Frolic

EATING AT THE HIPPEST HOT SPOTS RIGHT NOW

But none of them matches the coolness of the hippest fashionista-foodie hot spot right now. Nat’s on Bleecker Street by Sullivan Street fills that slot. This is where the 21st-century version of Warhol would be the CFO of an elite fashion brand such as Saint Laurent, taking over the back room of Nat’s for a raucous dinner party with his team. Nat’s on Bleecker has been an instant hit with the most astute fashion insiders. It couldn’t have been lost on the Saint Laurent kids that taking over the back room of Nat’s virtually assures the possibility of an Anna Wintour sighting with her Manhattan home almost next door to this buzzy kitchen, where one of the most accomplished chefs in the West Village is parsing out the most delicious, elevated comfort food anywhere.

Chef Jonah Eagan is the real-life version of that nerdy-sexy Netflix chef played by Jeremy Allen White on The Bear Seriously, Chef Jonah is a true craftsman still all-in on the nostalgia for classic Americana comfort food.

If Dame Anna Wintour wants to order in from up the street, she must start with the transformative take on the simple deviled egg—perfect cue to introduce the devil who wears Prada next door. The reimagined deviled egg is just the start of the symphony from Chef Jonah. Small Plates you simply must order include the Fluke Crudo and the Razor Clam Ceviche. And indulge the unctuous comfort food coma of the Big Plates: Short Rib Pot Roast, the alwayssold-out Nat’s Chicken Cacciatore, and the yummy house classic, Gnoc-

chi Escargot—divine! Even his take on the traditional Waldorf Salad is sublime.

“We care about all the finer touch points. Elevated comfort food is what we do best.”

Thank you, Chef Jonah. And how to account for the deft hand at creating a foodie frolic vibe, which owner Nat Freihon seems to wield so effortlessly?

“Great food and a first-rate curated playlist,” she quipped as Lisa Stansfield—a true ’90s pop diva—amped the room’s retro-festive mood. “I like things that don’t fit into any box,” the West Village foodie mogul confidently chirped.

“It’s just how we are at Strange Bird Hospitality, a fun, let-loose vibe serving amazing food.”

When Nat herself makes an appearance in one of her colors, clang one-of-akind, the entire room lights up just as it did when Andy Warhol used to walk into a room. And her original Nat’s on Bank is unquestionably the Village insider spot for Sunday brunch.

Nobody could twerk like Josephine Baker back in the day. Just like the arbiter being distracted by the video montage jumping out from the vast LED screen, you can’t help but notice the minute you swish into yet another buzzing hot spot in the West Village named after its address at 9 Jones Street. That, and the gorgeous, statuesque, exotic host who greets you (Holly) looking like she just stepped off the cover of the newest L’Officiel Morocco. This is 9 Jones Street, the creation of yet another hospitality wunderkind, the London ex-pat to Manhattan, one Richard Wheeler (partners Josh Angel and Yiannis Vasilas), and the garrulous Greek chef partner in the kitchen, Chef George Lambracos.

Richard Wheeler, the suave, British-born former superstar model booker at Next, primed with the requisite

stints at all the best hot spots from 1 Oak to Somewhere Nowhere, has utilized his bold vision to create “a savvy supper club” and an instantly fabulous hot spot in 9 Jones. Think Nells or Omars back in the day, for those who remember, and get the idea of the exclusive air of Manhattan’s most authentic insider spot. It’s the 9 Jones waft the minute you enter the room. The glamorous oak bar insists immediately you take up pride of place with that first-time Raya date.

The night begins with a superlative list of top-shelf concocted cocktails, for which this moody, intimate, exclusive salon serving up high-end Greek-trained cuisine is already famous. The mixologist’s range of cocktails here deserves its own reality show! Indulge in The Dirty Disco or the Aston Martini, or better yet, kick the date night off with the house special Bumps & Bubbles. It’s best “served naughty” by the bespoke house mixologist, Brad Carnation. Start with the 3 grams of Kaluga caviar and flutes of champagne chasers and wait to see which hunky professional athlete will ball in and head to the enclosed, private dining enclosure with the Greek marble tables from Chios in the back.

The vibe at 9 Jones Street suggests the perfect spot for that mysterious, clandestine, illicit rendezvous where you fall in utter lust.

The eye candy offerings emanating from the bustling kitchen of the accomplished Chef George Lambracos is already well known for his show-stopping presentations. He sold his last restaurant in Turks and Caicos and came back to NYC to be part of creating the best Mediterranean-style kitchen/speakeasy in the West Village. As the arbiter refers here, Adorable Chef Georgie is an export from Sparta (Greece) via the Brooklyn turnpike. And his detailed precision is very much on full display at 9 Jones. “I take great pride in my craft, and attention to every detail is incredibly key.” By that, Chef George means from the sea salt to the fish to the marble furniture, they arrive from all corners of the Greek islands, all imported. The sea salt and spices (thyme and oregano), even the capers here, are sourced directly from Athos in the mountains of Northern Greece. Call it haute-couture Greek-inspired cuisine here at 9 Jones. From the must-order Tuna Tartare with the 24k edible gold leaf to the yummy giant lamb chop lollipops. But nothing matches the showstoppers here—the dynamic and delightful presentation of his Slow-Roasted Seafood Tower brimming with the almost pounds of lobster from Nova Scotia, slow-roasted and grilled and the colossal shrimp from the waters off Madagascar . . . or is it Nigeria? (It’s somewhere exotic.) Below that lies

a succulent batch of clams and mussels “bathing lovingly in lemon butter, my imported herbs, garlic, and white wine,” chirps the divine Chef Georgie.

The other must-order showstopper is The Lobster Pasta dish for two. Please order two, even if it’s only for one. You’ll want to take some home. There is also the expertly cooked Bronzino and many other fine offerings from both sea and land at 9 Jones. It is one of the new face foodie spots to pull out the perfect little black dress and comingle where the coolest-of-the-cool in-the-know crowd come to eat, drink, and be very merry.

A night out at 9 Jones effortlessly evokes the context, “Baby, we’re in the right place at the right time, and I can’t wait to have you for dessert!” Grace Jones, next time you’re in town, there is a caviar champagne celebration waiting for you at 9 Jones, my dearest hunny bunny.

Yet another Manhattan foodie-world-wunderkind that everyone is talking about is Kyle HotchkissCarone. And his newest Holiday Bar is the poshest, buzziest, and most instant classic of them all and a must-must-must if you follow #gwsays West Village Foodie Frolic. “Hospitality Hitmaker” is how Guest Of A Guest tabs this rising impresario who climbed the hospitality ladder devising genius at Lambs Club and American Bar before debuting the gorgeous new jewel in the crown, his festive Holiday Bar.

It’s a Saturday night, 8:45 pm in late December, and every table of Holiday Bar is taken. There’s not a nook to perch in either at the jam-packed Travertine marble bar with the girth of maybe the signature neon of “a boy from Patmos,” Hotchkiss Carone whispers vaguely in that oh-so-very White Lotus sort of way. It’s the room’s subversive statement piece. The bar scene here is just gorgeous 24/7. If you want to feel the vibe of Manhattan snobismo on full display this spring, then you better Resy that Thursday night table at Holiday Bar.

Is the decor here greige? G.W. pondered to himself the first time he settled into the perfect perch to dine and people-watch (Table 33). Order everything from the Raw Bar of Holiday Bar when you go. You won’t be able to resist. The razor clams, the king crab, the Hamachi, the shrimp ceviche, the divine lobster salad—everything! The Raw Bar is the flavor bomb. Sip and slurp down the entire Raw Bar menu and call it a night, you sybarite. There is a reason there are thirteen different types of sake alone to refresh the palate constantly, four different types of Rosé, and something like seventeen different types of mezcal and tequila! And yes, Chef(s) Marc Howard and Dina Fan bring you the umami on all levels. Bold, spectacular flavors abound, most so from the standout Raw Bar.

And the glamorama setting of Holiday Bar is definitely greige. A grey, beige post-Mod-Scandi, as in Scandinavian chic. A sleek, linear feel that exudes ’90s glamor. It all feels very Hollywood on the Hudson at the Holiday Bar. It’s a mood set to, yes, another highly curated playlist; this time, Larry Levan’s mixtapes from The Garage define this buzziest of foodie frolic spots on any given night. And now that spring is in the air, those vast sliding doors have been reeled in to allow Holiday Bar to flaunt its va-va-voom to the max! It’s time to make that reservation, Darlinka. Holiday Bar is where you first want to flaunt the new spring coat from Proenza Schouler. That’s the mise-en-scène from this most fabulous part of Greenwich Village. P

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“THERE IS A REASON THERE ARE THIRTEEN DIFFERENT TYPES OF SAKE ALONE TO REFRESH THE PALATE CONSTANTLY.”

Jbird

COCKTAILS

A NEW LEVEL OF SOPHISTICATION OPENS IN WILLIAMSBURG

More and more of New York City’s trendy hotspots are now found across the river in ever-evolving Brooklyn. That is why it’s no surprise that adjoining the iconic Wythe Hotel, which has been anchoring hospitality in Williamsburg since 2012, that another former factory has been reimagined, redeveloped and debuted for New York society to revel in. Hosting private events such as HBO series premieres, Airbnb press releases, top fashion shows and celebrity birthday soirees, 74Wythe is an 18,000-square-foot, multi-level spectacle. With breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline, several kitchens, a collection of full-service bars and a custom, 150-ton

retractable glass rooftop system, the entire project is inventive and thoughtful, grand and impressive. None of this should be unexpected from hospitality operator Joshua Kaiser, wellknown for championing indulgent design, meticulous service standards and most of all, producing fun. He brought the Pink Elephant nightlife brand from New York to top international destinations over the years and deployed dozens of top food and beverage brands. 74Wythe, however, represents a new sort of hybrid-model. In addition to its robust private events business, under a separate brand called Superior Ingredients, the team turns in a full second act, igniting late night hours with live

music entertainment including global DJs, burlesque, aerialists and jazz festivals. So, with all this under one roof, what could possibly be next?

Kaiser’s third act brings to life a disused back corner of the building to create Jbird Cocktails, opening to the public in late spring. Concealed behind a mop closet door, Jbird presents a level of absolute opulence that takes leave from any attempt to preserve the industrial architecture elsewhere in the project. Detailed brass metalwork adorns a 20-foot backbar, and a truly shocking Murano chandelier made of 100+ hand-blown, glass icicles (each illuminated from within) casts a

warm glow atop the Patagonia-marble horseshoe bar. Speaking of icicles; where to keep hand-cut custom drink ice? In a custom, ice vault display, of course. Where to safeguard your arranged allocation of Pappy Van Winkle? Why not in the lounge’s library-style bottle lockers? A DJ booth adapted from a 200-yearold church pulpit? Naturally. A private dining room with a reserve wine cellar? Without a doubt. And, original art commissions, custom fragrance added to the HVAC system, and monogrammed bartender coats all adorn the space.

Still, while certainly nothing has been overlooked in the stunning creation of this masterpiece, Kaiser insists that the physical objects and setting, regardless of refinement, are entirely secondary, believing that only people can produce hospitality. This outlook likely originates from his earliest pedigree in the business world, having worked for years at the original Waldorf Astoria Hotel where a uniformed service staff of more than 2,000 were elevated to peers with the clients, and taught that every team member, from Lobby Porter to General Manager, was to consider themselves

“ladies and gentlemen, privileged to be serving ladies and gentlemen” and that each were empowered to be accountable for elevating the establishment’s customer experience.

Jbird Cocktails will be fully open to the public, but for a select group, the brand is offering (by-invitation-only) an exclusive access option called Jbird Premier, where, in exchange for $2,500, guests will gain VIP invites to the full building’s programming. This will include the use of private bathrooms, being able to fasttrack into the venue though a reserved back door, ordering drinks which will then be waiting en route from the car, and access to private curated dinners, part of the Jbird Supper Series. There might not be a curtain divider, but this is definitely First Class.

The beverage program is one designed with careful intent to hold your attention. In addition to the Jbird Classics menu, which presents the core specialty cocktails that have evolved from hundreds of iterations since 2013, and continue to be the mainstay drinks presented in all Jbird locations, guests are also presented with seasonal lists from the Jbird Residency program, which brings new

talent from the international beverage space into Jbird. The cuisine options also beautifully compliment all the sipping concoctions and include truffle pizza, a proper shrimp cocktail, charcutier boards, and salted-caramel Sundays.

The savvy teams operating 74Wythe, Superior Ingredients and Jbird Cocktails have decades of combined experience in the hospitality business, which is immediately felt. Whether it’s planning a private event, attending a summer rooftop concert or enjoying a more sophisticated, grown-up evening out, this organization understands and maintains impossibly high standards.

Kaiser shares with me the original Waldorf’s service pledge, which hung in the hotel’s kitchen: “the difficult immediately. . . the impossible may take a few minutes longer.” And he assures me that while this massive project continues to evolve and take time to create, blending carefully gorgeous materials and imaginative service to elate our senses, it will be well worth the wait. P 74wythe.com

Le Jardinier

A MICHELIN-RATED ADVENTURE IN MIDTOWN

When traveling through France, you may often hear the locals say, “Mangez bien, riez souvent, aimez beaucoup,” which translates to “eat well, laugh often, love abundantly.” This simple understanding of living life to the fullest—and deliciously—is the perfect reason to embark on a culinary journey at the Michelin-ranked Le Jardinier New York. This modern greenhouse-inspired space located in Midtown Manhattan transports guests to a timeless, light-filled atmosphere designed by awardwinning architect Joseph Dirand. The journey of notable classic French techniques paired with the highest quality of seasonal ingredients, vegetables, sustainable food, and fresh herbs has earned this restaurant a Michelin star rating.

Le Jardinier is easily one of the best dining experiences in New York City, thanks to the Michelin chef team that is led by award-winning Culinary Director Chef Alain Verzeroli.

Born in Vietnam and raised in Paris, Verzeroli never intended to open his own restaurant. He spent 21 years working under the direction of Joël Robuchon, the most decorated Michelin chef in history, and when Robuchon passed away in August of 2018, Verzeroli was called upon to start from scratch.

Verzeroli approached mega developer Aby Rosen with a proposal for a new two-restaurant concept for Rosen’s new luxury condo building, now known as Selene. Rosen had previously signed a lease with Joël Robuchon back in 2016, prior to the 2019 completion of the building, and to no one’s surprise, he immediately green-lighted Verzeroli’s proposal. In May of 2019, Le Jardinier opened its doors to the public.

Chef Verzeroli has carefully curated a menu rooted in classic French tradition, where seasonal ingredients, fresh herbs, and wild seafood play an important part. Look for picturesque seasonal plates with vibrant vegetable

compositions and items like the tasty poached Maine lobster with coralline bisque and creamy polenta. Each meal begins with an “amuse-juice” that can be a taste of kale, pineapple, and ginger, and meals are accompanied with house-baked breads that are gluten-free.

This sophisticated menu is brought to life by celebrated Executive Chef Andrew Ayala. Born and raised in San Francisco, Ayala moved to New York City in 2013 to further develop his career and landed the role of opening Chef de Cuisine at Le Jardinier New York.

La Jardinier is a euphoric experience for those seeking a food expedition that is designed to please the most artistic eye and wow the highest food critic. It’s also designed to be approachable, allowing the space to be enjoyed by all. P

Art stars, fashion luminaries, and celebrities, like Lady Gaga, Catherine Deneuve, Spike Lee, Tilda Swinton, Karl Lagerfeld, and many more, are captured in candid moments during glittering galas, film premieres, and major events, like the Venice Film Festival, in the glamourous Forbes writer and photographer Nadja Sayej’s new book, Paparazzi Bitch. The book offers a backstage pass into the lives of this era’s pop culture icons and is a celebration of celebrities shot from the female gaze.

She is not, in fact, a paparazzo. As a culture and fashion journalist, stylish Sayej has access to celebrities, assigned to conduct interviews and invited to cover the exclusive events they attend worldwide. “I don’t have to hang out in front of a celebrity’s home and wait for them to come out, in order to get a photo, in order for me to sell it, in order for me to eat,” she laughed. However, she uses paparazzi techniques, which involve high-flash photography, spontaneous moments, and capturing somebody in action. “It has a sense of energy to it compared to a posed photo where everybody’s trying to control perfection, which doesn’t actually exist in real life.”

Yoko Ono, Dita Von Teese, Susan Sarandon & Bill Nye

Sayej has published six other books, including The Celebrity Interview Book, a compendium of some of her interviews with famous folks like Yoko Ono, Dita Von Teese, Susan Sarandon, and Bill Nye. Paparazzi Bitch is her first photo book. Why now? “Because people don’t like to read anymore; they’re just

Nadja Sayej

New Book: Paparazzi Bitch

obsessed with Instagram,” she jokes. Actually, Sayej always wanted to share the photos that she talked about in her previous book, Red Carpet Ho, which comprises comedic stories about the difficulties and fierce competition she experiences as a female red-carpet photographer in this male-dominated field. “You have to have very sharp elbows, and you have to be very fast to compete among a sea of men,” she explains of this unique world most of us just see on the news. “So I put my photographs together, capturing what the female gaze is, when you think of celebrity photography. Because it’s considered to be a male thing, as predator, with actresses as prey.”

Karlie Kloss in the Ladies’ Room Line, Karl Lagerfeld (gasp) Smiling

One of Sayej’s techniques for capturing wonderful off-the-cuff moments in these chaotic environments is to step away from the crowd of jostling photographers and, as the famous person is moving along, simply ask: “One more shot for the lady photographer, please?” That’s how the photo in the book of supermodel Karlie Kloss waiting in line for the ladies’ room at a gala happened. “You can see that in action. She turned around, and she’s looking at me and rolling her eyes. It’s so funny.”

The book includes a somewhat controversial photo of a smiling Karl Lagerfeld taken in Paris in the winter of 2018, shortly before he died. “He was very gracious to everybody at this event, and a lot of fashion publications wrote about the fact that he was smiling, and had teeth missing, but none dared to publish the photo.” Apparently, in his later years, Lagerfeld never smiled for photos. “And now we understand why; he was an older gentleman, and he had missing teeth,” says Sayej. Her own feeling

about this is that he was having fun, why not show him smiling? “I understand why they didn’t want to publish it, but it just shows you the power that he had over the fashion media.”

Flight to Venice for Cate Blanchett

An unforgettable experience was getting to photograph Cate Blanchett, someone Sayej had long wanted to shoot, at the Venice Film Festival in August 2020. A friend sent an invitation to a private event at which Blanchett would appear, and though this was a time when people were not yet widely vaccinated against Covid, she went. “I was crazy enough to get on a plane, because I wanted this photo of Cate Blanchett so badly.” Sayej was one of only three photographers in attendance, thanks to the pandemic, so there was no pushing and yelling. When Blanchett stepped on the red carpet, she said, “Wow, isn’t this dignified?”

A Career on Her Own Terms

Sayej has carved out a unique freelance journalism career. A Toronto native, she studied art, went to journalism school, then began covering arts for the Globe & Mail and other publications. When the 2008 recession hit, she decided to move to Berlin, where she had friends. She stayed for seven years, and there became a foreign correspondent for major outlets like Architectural Digest, Vice, and Vanity Fair London. Fluent in French, she next spent two years in Paris, her introduction to the fashion world, followed by New York, where she is currently based.

Paparazzi Bitch contains ten years of photos, beginning in 2011. “I think that if you look back at this book 50 years in the future, it really captures the zeitgeist of what pop culture meant and says a lot about a certain decade.” P

nadjasayej.com

William DeMeo

Gravesend: Actor and Producer

e might know Brooklyn actor William DeMeo from his roles in The Sopranos or Back in the Day, a gangster boxing drama he starred in alongside Michael Madsen and Alec Baldwin.

He grew up in Gravesend, a southern park of Brooklyn, and now honors his hometown neighborhood in a TV series. Gravesend, a Brooklyn mob series, is set in the 1980s. The mini-series first premiered with four episodes in 2020 on Prime Video and Tubi. Now, the series returns for the second season, out this spring. DeMeo is the writer, producer, and star of the show. He stars as Benny Zerletta, aka Benny Z, a soldier with the Colezzo crime family.

Angelina Jolie, Robert De Nero, Alec Baldwin, Bruce Willis & John Travolta

“I made many films, and I was on The Sopranos. After I co-starred with Bruce Willis and John Travolta in First Kill, and I starred in Back in the Day, a film I led that had Mike Tyson, Robert De Niro, Shannen Doherty, and Alec Baldwin in it, in 2017, I thought, What is my next move?” After growing up in Brooklyn, DeMeo got his first cameo as a character in A Bronx Tale in 1993 and produced his first indie film called One Deadly Road in 1998. He has appeared in films like Hackers (1995) with Angelina Jolie, Boss of Bosses (2001) alongside Chazz Palminteri, and Analyze That (2002) with Robert De Niro and Billy Crystal.

While Gravesend isn’t exactly a neighborhood in Brooklyn that’s considered sexy with the hipster crowd, it does have history with the mob. Many of New York’s most notorious mobsters came from Gravesend, from Carlo Gambino to John Gotti. The series is a fictionalized tale of their lives and what went on in this part of Brooklyn. Mobsters were “part of the social fabric” in Gravesend, says DeMeo, and this series offers some insight and insider’s wisdom.

Gina Gershon, Fran Drescher & Chazz Palminteri

“We only put out a miniseries of four episodes, and we built a following,” said DeMeo. In fact, he said it was trending number one in 2020 on Prime Video when it first debuted. “People were messaging me everywhere asking when the second season would come out.” The second season, out late this spring, is premiering at the Cannes Film Festival with Indie Rights and will stream on Tubi and Prime Video. This new season will feature Andrew Dice Clay, as well as series regulars, Gina Gershon, Fran Drescher, Chazz Palminteri, Christina DeRosa, Louis Lombardi, and Paul Ben-Victor.

The series is self-produced and independent. “Today, we have more of a voice. We have more platforms we can go to,” he said. “We can do it our own way. If you wait on Hollywood, they passed on The Walking Dead originally. A lot of times they don’t see it like you see it. I feel like I know so many stories about the hood, that I could keep telling stories,” he adds.

A Bronx Tale

DeMeo may have started out in A Bronx Tale as an actor, but he wanted to grow outside the box. “I started reading scripts about the genre, I felt I grew up in a tough experience, and felt I could write my own script,” he said. “My first script, I got it into the hands of [actress] Peggy Gormley, and she

said I should stick with it. I got everyone’s business card on set and said I would make my own movie and develop a crew. I learned filmmaking from being there. I was a novice; you’re always growing and learning. Even when it wasn’t time for me to be on set, I would still show up and see how they set up. I grew as a writer just by doing it.”

We Come From Brooklyn, Baby

DeMeo has always been nostalgic for where he grew up. “It’s so sad, there’s so many people who came from Brooklyn. I know people want to move on with their lives, but why don’t they come back or give back?” he asks. His next project is directing a documentary called We Come From Brooklyn, Baby, which aims to highlight Brooklyn-born stars like Adam Sandler, Neil Diamond, Rosie Perez, and the Beastie Boys, among others.

DeMeo is also the founder of Brooklyn Brand, a fashion line with a Brooklyn logo on velour jumpsuits, sweaters, and T-shirts. “I started it because people would ask me to wear their clothes, designers,” he said. The brand was founded in 2017. “I was grateful, but I thought I should do my own line. I’ve always been pro-Brooklyn—it’s a brand, an identity, unlike any other borough. There’s a lot of pride in every borough but look at all the apparel that is sold based on the identity of Brooklyn.”

Brooklyn Brand started out with the logo, then led to hats and T-shirts, then the sweatsuits sold “like crazy,” said DeMeo. “I helped bring it back. Now velour jumpsuits are in style. When people see this new season of Gravesend, people will dress this way. Members Only jackets are also coming back.”

Despite the gentrification and rent spikes we see in Brooklyn today, DeMeo is happy that his home borough is in the limelight. “I love it but also love the old way too,” he says. “People don’t know what it was. I always look at real scenarios and make it my own version for TV. But it has so much truth to it.” He’s in it for the long haul with Gravesend too. “With Gravesend, people keep wanting more,” he said. “The goal is to do a minimum of five seasons.” P

This Is Not Your Mother’s Harvard

Admissions Experience

What Elite Colleges Want Now

wenty-five years ago, Eleanor Baker graduated as the valedictorian of her class and left her home in Boca Raton for the halls of Harvard University. Attending the prestigious school had been her dream since childhood, and she was ecstatic when her 4.0 GPA and well-rounded résumé earned her a letter of acceptance. When her daughter Sarah, at the time a high school sophomore, expressed the desire to follow in her mother’s footsteps and attend Harvard as well, Baker was thrilled.

“I had been accepted, and Sarah is smart and driven just like me, so I thought, of course I was qualified to help her through the process,” says Baker. “Plus, she’s a legacy. I thought she was a shoo-in—but I quickly realized how wrong I was.”

She began conferring with friends and relatives whose children had recently navigated the application process at elite universities. “As I spoke with some of my friends from Harvard—all of whom have impressive, talented kids— they all said the same thing: everything has changed dramatically since we applied.”

In the past, perfect grades and test scores were enough to gain admission to top schools, but prestigious universities are now looking for students who are specialists in their area of interest. Rather than admitting thousands of well-rounded students, colleges are constructing well-rounded classes. “Most top-tier schools could fill their incoming freshman class several times over with 4.0 GPAs and 1600 SAT scores, and an applicant’s legacy status does not carry the same weight as it did even a decade ago,” says Christopher Rim, Founder and CEO of Command Education, a boutique college consulting firm specializing in Ivy League and top-tier college admissions. “Being a legacy applicant may only tip the application process in your favor at the very end—and that is really only if the committee is choosing between candidates with nearly identical application profiles.”

Faced with the unique challenges presented by this highly competitive admissions landscape, Baker knew that she needed expert support to help Sarah achieve her Ivy League dreams. Sarah began working with Rim’s team at Command Education during the summer after her sophomore year. Rim emphasized that authenticity and

genuine passion are key to any compelling application. “Elite colleges these days are looking for students with unique backgrounds and niche interests who mobilize their passions to make a demonstrable impact in their community.”

Sarah worked with Wafa Muflahi, a Senior Mentor at Command Education, to narrow her extracurricular involvements and begin intentionally pursuing her interest in sustainability. By the beginning of her senior year, she had taken advanced coursework in Environmental Science, attended a prestigious summer program focused on sustainable design, and founded a nonprofit that organized a monthly farmer’s market in a food desert in her area.

Discussing her experience with Command Education, Sarah states: “I didn’t know how much I could be doing to discover my passions in a hands-on way and help my community in the process. Wafa helped me discover that I am capable of more than I even realized.”

Not only did Sarah’s self-confidence improve as she developed her interests, but she also reevaluated her future goals. As Wafa coached Sarah through the process of building her college list and considering what she really wanted out of her college experience, Sarah discovered that she would flourish in a big city, and Columbia University’s Sustainable Development major appeared to be the perfect option to grow her passion. She applied to Columbia Early Decision and was thrilled to receive the news that she was admitted.

“Seeing the joy on her face when she opened that letter was priceless,” says Baker. “Two years ago, I envisioned a Harvard seal on that acceptance letter, but I am so pleased to see Sarah forging her own path and discovering a place that truly aligns with her goals for her future—and all of that is a product of Wafa’s dedicated and personalized mentorship.”

Through the college admissions journey, the Bakers found that an expert admissions consultant does not just help students get into a top school—they set them on a path of confidence, purpose, and passion for their future. P

commandeducation.com

How to

Embrace Maximalism in

Your Home’s Interior Design

Gone are the days when minimalism was the trend du jour of interior design. While clean lines and contemporary décor will always have their place, current design trends indicate many are choosing to express themselves, their styles, and even their dreams and desires through bold colors, furnishings, and more.

Perhaps it is a widespread, emotional reaction to quarantine, causing many of us to grow bored of our spaces and long for more vibrancy in our homes and lives. Or, it could be our society’s love of nostalgia and the glamor of yesteryear, with shows like The Gilded Age, Bridgerton, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel reminding us of times when homes were rich with art, patterns, textures, and colors.

Reasons aside, maximalism has re-emerged as a top design trend and is likely here to stay, encouraging many to be bold and daring when decorating their homes.

“When I work with clients, oftentimes it seems they need permission to step outside of

the box and embrace a bolder style,” said BHS Broker Louise Phillips Forbes, a design expert who often counsels clients on how to stage and decorate their homes for selling. “We go into homes and curate vignettes and moments with spaces that people have almost been

afraid to let themselves have.”

A common misconception is that maximalism begets clutter and chaos, but that is not necessarily true. If approached thoughtfully, maximalism can allow you to express your personality through home design

“Maximalism is an opportunity to create a living space that conjures up good feelings, memories, and moods. This trend is about grounding yourself in the material and beauty of your surroundings—embracing color, patterns, and textures to go big, bold, and beautiful!”

—Alison Draper, Brown Harris Stevens Agent

while still exuding refinement—think “curated messiness,” as Forbes calls it. It can also be a lot of fun!

Here are some ways you can take a maximalist approach to your home’s interior design scheme. These are only guidelines, as

the true beauty of maximalism is that there are few if any rules. Just remember that, no matter what you choose to “maximalize,” cohesion and intention should always remain top of mind so as to prevent a space from looking crowded and overwhelming.

Bright, Bold Colors

If this year’s Pantone Color of the Year was any indication, bright colors are in high demand, providing an easy way to bring a space to life and inject your own personality into it. Let’s face it, there’s just something about vivid hues that lifts our moods and makes us smile. For those just starting out, consider incorporating pops of color through pillows, artwork, and accent pieces.

“You can have purples, reds, and yellows anchored with a neutral tone that won’t make the space look too busy,” explained Forbes.

Those taking a more audacious approach can “theme” rooms around certain color schemes, with both furnishings and wall paint showcasing bold hues like pink, emerald green, and violet. Colors that contrast help create a livelier environment, while monochromatic themes can convey a sense of calm and can even make a smaller room appear larger.

Art and Photo Walls

“Walls need art and art needs walls,” said Forbes. “I love an entire wall that is filled, intentionally, with all kinds of wild art. I think it gives a home a sense of soul.”

What better way to showcase your passions and interests than through art and photography? Consider dedicating a wall (or several) to photos and artwork that lift your mood, inspire you, or tell your story.

With many of us halting our travel plans over the last two years, this could also be a great opportunity to include worldly paintings and maps that transport you to other countries and cultures. Arranging photos and paintings strategically with complementary frames can keep the space looking clean and streamlined.

Vibrant Patterns and Textures

“Don’t be afraid to layer in texture with curtains, patterned pillows, rugs, art, and things you love while keeping a common thread with the color mix, theme, or style,” said Draper.

Did that zebra print loveseat you saw in the furniture store catch your eye? Are you drawn to the opulent, old-Hollywood feel of satin, velvet, sequins, and furs? Go for it!

‘‘MAXIMALISM HAS REEMERGED AS A TOP DESIGN TREND AND IS LIKELY HERE TO STAY, ENCOURAGING MANY TO BE BOLD AND DARING WHEN DECORATING THEIR HOMES.’’

Our society’s penchant for nostalgia has paved the way for mixing old and new, so bolder or vintage textures and patterns can be juxtaposed with clean, modern furnishings to keep things current while still appealing to your personal tastes.

Libraries and Reading Nooks

Despite the rise of e-books over the last decade, market trends indicate that print books are still the most popular, and nothing screams traditional, nostalgic décor like a home library or reading nook. It provides a great opportunity to not only express your interests, but also imbue a room with warmth and sophistication. Bookshelves can also offer an ideal space to display tchotchkes and other precious items.

“If you have collectibles from travel, for instance, you can mix the various artifacts together on a designated shelf to create a travel memorabilia nook,” said Draper.

Eye-Catching Wallpaper

One common trend in modern home design is separating and distinguishing spaces within

a home. Wallpaper can be a great way to accomplish this without any renovations whatsoever.

Additionally, patterned or textured wallpaper is an easy way to enhance a space

and make it stand out, particularly if it is small.

“A great place to start is the powder room,” said Draper. “Pick a pattern you are drawn to and go bold with colorful stripes, geometric prints, floral or tropical patterns, or a repeated pattern of an object or something from nature you love.”

Remember that unlike minimalism, maximalism is all about self-expression, rather than conforming to strict rules and ideals. In a society where so much of our behavior and style is influenced by social pressure and norms, maximalism is a great way to thwart constraints and take some cathartic risks.

“You do not need permission to embrace maximalism,” said Forbes. “Take the opportunity to loudly express who you are and don’t be afraid to be playful or sentimental. If it wakes your heart up, then showcase it. That is the essence of home, after all; it is the place from which we build our lives.”P

For more design inspiration and tips, head to The BHSNow blog (blog.bhsusa.com) or follow us on instagram at @brownharrisstevens

“PICK A PATTERN YOU ARE DRAWN TO AND GO BOLD WITH COLORFUL STRIPES, GEOMETRIC PRINTS, FLORAL OR TROPICAL.’’

CAMPION PLATT &

Mirrors Collective

Luxury Custom Mirrors @ 1st Dibs

During the height of the pandemic, work slowed down for Larry Shvets, founder of one of New York’s top glass/mirror fabricators and installers since 2004, who transformed his career from one he loved to one he’s intensely passionate about. He went daily to his empty Brooklyn shop, tinkering with things he could do with what he had, came up with a few unique mirror ideas, and the result was Mirrors Collective: a high-end online custom mirror purveyor. Mirrors Collective’s designs are dictated by the state-of-the-art production technology already existing at its workshop. Shvets came up with the concept in 2019, but the slowdown gave him the time to “crystalize” things, and it launched in January 2021.

So far there are three collections: Wrong Geometries, Bind and Essentials. All of these are designed by Larry and his small team. A new “Collaborations” collection involving

Campion Platt will also be available soon on his website at mirrorscollective.com and 1st Dibs.

Media & Designer interest

The new firm has already garnered attention from design media, including Design Milk and Surface Magazine, architects and interior designers have also taken notice. One decorator purchased a piece from the Wrong Geometry collection for the residence of an A-list celebrity whose identity remains a secret. “I don’t even know their name because it was not given to us,” Shvets says, “I just know that the apartment was really high-end, and we had to sign airtight agreements that we wouldn’t take pictures or reveal any information about our product installed.”

Designer Collaborations: Campion Platt

Designer collaborations are in the works at Mirrors Collective. The first is with AD100 designer Campion Platt, who is creating a limited-edition capsule collection exploring

sculptural design and reflective surfaces. Utilizing his vast knowledge and passion for luxury aesthetics, Platt aims to design and elevate reflective surfaces that are as much art as they are décor. The Platt pieces, in glimmering sculptural forms, make a bold statement with chunky, geometric shapes. “The Platt Collection marks the beginning of Mirrors Collective’s journey to encourage consumers’ curiosity connected to mirrors, reflective properties and the home,” the designer said in a statement on the project. “The goal is to encourage a shift in the perception of mirrors as simply functional items to beautiful pieces of art, transforming the look, feel and atmosphere of one’s home.” Platt debuted one of the first mirrors “Everglade Safari” to critical acclaim at Iris Dankner’s Holiday House Tabletop Event in Palm Beach, which benefited the Breast Cancer Foundation.

Designer Laurie Sheindlin

Another collaboration is coming this summer with New York-based interior

designer Laurie Sheindlin. Laurie first called on Shvets to produce a mirror she designed for a Tribeca residence, “The Leonard”, and a few weeks later “The Scarsdale” mirror. “She knew what I’m capable of and sent me the design,” he says. The pieces turned out so well, they’ve decided to produce a collection together, which will launch around May.

Goal: Go-to Mirror Producer for Interior Designers

Shvets hopes to establish Mirrors Collective as the go-to source for interior designers, architects, and product designers. “If you need a tool, you think of Home Depot. I would like to have designers think of Mirrors Collective when they need a custom and high-quality decorative mirror. That’s my goal.”

Shapes are important in the glass industry, and the specialized CNC and other machinery at Mirrors Collective, costing over a million dollars, allows Shvets to create shapes in-house, without relying on outside vendors, who are invariably late and always

come with problems. “My reputation is quick and best in quality, we can produce mirrors in one or two weeks,” he says. While other companies take seven to ten weeks. “And that’s a big deal because everybody wants everything right away, especially designers.” Mirrors Collective only uses the highestquality low iron mirrors on the market.

100% Made in Brooklyn, Eco-Friendly

“Everything that we need to produce a mirror we have in-house,” Shvets says. He even designed his own shipping crates. The crates are made of corrugated cardboard and expended polystyrene (EPS), which are both light and recyclable. “We don’t use anything that’s harmful to the environment, as an environmentalist, for me it’s important. We don’t order anything from foreign countries, or use any other suppliers,” he adds, with the exception of Richlite backing, which is made of recycled paper, and therefore also 100% natural eco-friendly material.

Ukraine immigrant; found his calling

In need of a job after immigrating from the Ukraine in 1999, his mother, who had already settled in the U.S., asked around and found him a position at a glass company. He quickly fell in love with the process, and within six months he was the head glazier within the company. “I never thought, of course, that I would do this, ever, and now it’s been 23 years.” By 2004 Shvets founded his own firm, Crystal Glass and Mirror Corporation, in Brooklyn, which makes glass and mirror products for many high-end brands appreciative of his unmatched workmanship. “I take pride in my work; I’m well known for my quality in New York through Crystal Glass. The quality and speed of the work I produce is much higher than any other glass shop in New York.” P

mirrorscollective.com

Five Key Questions Buyers Often Don’t Ask, But Should

uying a home is one of the most significant decisions someone will make in their lifetime. It can feel empowering and overwhelming, all at the same time. And while the Internet has given people access to more resources than ever before to prepare for this milestone step, there are five essential questions even the savviest prospective buyer often overlooks.

How negotiable is the seller?

Each season is a new market, and this year in particular this rings true. Discuss pricing with your agent, and don’t be afraid to make an offer where you feel comfortable. Market tolerances for negotiability is hovering around 10% in many cases. Sellers expect someone to make an offer, and if it is within an appropriate range, most sellers will continue the conversation.

Can I open the windows to hear the noise from the street?

Potential buyers usually ask if a home is noisy but generally don’t think to ask to open the windows to hear for themselves. It’s also important to consider noise levels at the time of day you view the apartment and look to what is located nearby. What are the drop-off and pick-up times for the school down the street, and how busy is the restaurant on the corner? It is also worth noting any nearby new development as construction noise tends to peak during the day. This will be important if you tend to work from home.

How old are the appliances?

Another question people will often ask their agent is how long ago a renovation was completed but they should also ask about the age of the appliances. Renovations and appliance replacements do not always go hand-in-hand so just because the countertops were changed recently does not mean the dishwasher was replaced at the same time. This can lead to having a number of appliances out of warranty should anything breakdown once you retain ownership.

How cool is the air conditioning and strong is the water pressure?

When checking appliances, also ask to test a few crucial features of a home out: air conditioning and water pressure. Neither of which will be an easy fix if you purchase and then are unhappy with their functioning. Turn on the air conditioning, regardless of the season, so you can hear and feel it. Keep in mind if a unit has been vacant for a bit and the air has not been used recently, there may be a mild odor but this should go away with regular use. Test the water pressure for yourself in the kitchen and bathrooms as well. You can also check to see how quickly the water heats at this time.

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: bhsusa.com/real-estateagent/lisa-lippman

How helpful and capable is the building’s super?

The common questions, “Are there any planned assessments and when was the last maintenance charge increase,” should always be accompanied by, “How helpful and capable is the building’s Super?” Protect your monthly budget by gaining a true sense of what maintenance responsibilities will fall to you, and what the building’s Super is able to address. Also find out if the Super is live-in as this ensures more timely responses and if they are able to access your apartment while you are out. Supers can also be a good source of information for any previous or recurring problems with the unit if you can catch one on your viewing. P

Unlimited Earth Care

Offering Unlimited Possibilities for the Season’s Most Sustainable and Stylish Landscape Designs

make a plan—see what’s native to your area and what type of soil you have and decide what kind of experience you want to create. Spring is the time to get to work as the soil thaws, and also the best time to come visit our Garden Market and find native and well-adapted plants and flowers. It’s always a good time to visit UEC and begin design discussions or find that perfect sculpture, tree, or piece of furniture to brighten your space.”

Frederico designs with the needs and properties of each landscape in mind. “Beautiful results come from healthy gardens.”

Azevedo is known for his personalized and thoughtful approach that he gives to each project. He considers the lifestyle of his clients, while incorporating his signature colors and curving floral borders.

Frederico’s aesthetic is all about color.

“The way that I understand the power of a garden is balance: flowers are beautiful, and I heighten the experience by planning color palettes that influence different moods and experiences. My meadows are a good example of my approach—their colors move in the wind, attract pollinators, and are more sustainable.”

In addition to design, Unlimited Earth Care is focused on maintenance, which is what ultimately allows a garden to flourish.

Now that the warmer months are upon us, homeowners are gearing up to get their landscapes noticed, and no one makes a garden look—or feel— happier and healthier than Frederico Azevedo, the founder of Unlimited Earth Care, which has been cultivating sustainable and award-winning gardens for three decades.

Unlimited Earth Care is a full-service garden and landscape design firm based in the Hamptons that offers maintenance, transplanting, installation, and lawn and hedge care services. According to Frederico, each season has its own unique timeline for preparation and growth.

“Fall is the time to plant bulbs to enjoy in early spring as the chill breaks,” says Azevedo. “Meanwhile, winter months are the perfect time to enjoy the evergreens, find inspiration, and

Unlimited Earth Care’s Bridgehampton headquarters is home to the Garden Concept Store, which carries unique planters, art objects, and accessories for the modern garden. The adjacent Garden Market carries a curated selection of native and well-adapted plants and flowers.

Unlimited Earth Care invites our readers to celebrate their 30th Anniversary on June 24th at the Garden Market at 2249 Scuttle Hole Rd, Bridgehampton. Everyone is invited for good music, cocktails, and hors d’oeuvres— cheers among the flowers to 30 years of beautiful, sustainable garden design.P

Unlimitedearthcare.com

advanced formula

Your skin at its very best

Sisley unveils the advanced formula of its universal skin care and worldwide bestseller. Drawing on the latest discoveries in the skin’s microbiome and its natural defense system, Sisley Research brings a new vision to skin ecology. Rebalanced and revitalized, the skin feels more resilient and the complexion looks more radiant.

Liftoff with Jeanniey Walden

rom groundbreaking executive roles to launching tech start-ups, Jeanniey Walden’s career has taken off in many different directions. Her latest role as Executive Producer and television host on her own show, Liftoff with Jeanniey Walden, is helping others accomplish their personal and professional goals.

Jeanniey graduated from the University of Pittsburgh, her hometown, with a master’s in teaching. Upon finding that the teaching market was saturated, she landed a job at JCPenney, where she quickly learned just how much teaching skills are transferable to the business world.

In fact, she still infuses all the elements of teaching into everything she does, a philosophy that she calls AIR – authentic, inspirational and relatable. “I believe every communication we have should be filled with AIR, and if you do that, you can’t go wrong,” explains Jeanniey.

During her tenure with JCPenney, Jeanniey worked with the board and other executives when websites and email were just becoming a thing. She then made a move to New York City to start the first e-mail marketing division of an advertising agency for Grey Direct.

The move proved to be monumental. This role was transformative for the marketing and agency industry, and it was equally as groundbreaking to be a woman at the forefront of this new frontier.

their customers.” Her start-up highlights included working with cutting edge start-ups, Zinio, and DailyPay.

Always trying to help others, Jeanniey started Liftoff with Jeanniey Walden to bring business and lifestyle tips to the masses. In addition to airing on CW Tampa and CW Atlanta, as well ONNJ, the show is about to be nationally syndicated this spring and will soon be broadcast on WLNY-TV.

“Businesses invest so much time and money into helping others yet sometimes the messages don’t make it to those that need to hear it the most. After COVID, we’ve all gone to a work life blend. Liftoff helps everyone improve their personal and professional lives. Guests range from entrepreneurs to authors, celebrities, chefs, and body language experts. We’re even interviewing a company running front line operations in Ukraine that handdelivers items to those in need. This all follows my concept of AIR and is meant to be inspiring.”

This mom of two who resides in Rumson, New Jersey, would eventually start working at Ogilvy, start several transformational businesses and become president of an independent film company. Even now, she serves as the current interim head of marketing for Rite Aid. “I am always looking to transform the way that businesses communicate with

You can also find Jeanniey’s jewels of wisdom on her podcast, Liftoff Journeys, which interviews successful people about what drove them to achieve their dreams. She has even won an Empowered woman of the Year Award by the IAOTP and can be seen on the American Express website as a success story – and there is lots more to come. P liftoffcompany.com

“I AM ALWAYS LOOKING TO TRANSFORM THE WAY THAT BUSINESSES COMMUNICATE WITH THEIR CUSTOMERS.”

Brings Years of Business and Personal Insights to Viewers Around the Country

DR. SHAWN SADRI

COSMETIC & GENERAL DENTISTRY

NEW YORK CITY

STAR QUALITY & VIP TREATMENT IN A STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITY

Dr. Shawn Sadri and his extraordinary team provide a VIP experience every time you visit the New York office. When you choose our cosmetic and general dentistry services, you will enjoy a luxurious and comfortable atmosphere while receiving world-class dental treatment.

DRSHAWNSADRI

1234 Hamilton St Unit 304, Philadelphia PA

3 Bedroom 3 Bathroom 5,500+ SQ FT $3,300,000

Stunning, sun-drenched 5500+ sf. luxury top floor loft overlooking The Rail Park. Breathtaking, sweeping, panoramic 60 ft. x 9.5 ft. east, south, and southwest views of the city skyline, park, and streetscape; hundreds of feet of industrial skylights, where the sunshine and moonlight pours into this home. Originally two units, this labor of love was painstakingly renovated and converted into a captivating, 3 bed, 3 bath one-of-a-kind residence. All custom steel, including grand staircase and custom bedroom wardrobes, were created by local artist Bill Curran Designs. There are three deeded parking spaces mere steps from a private recently restored 8000 lb. capacity vintage elevator, which opens directly to the loft. Close to the subway and convenient to many attractions of the city! This special Loft residence is unlike anything you’ve ever seen. It is truly in a category of one.

650 Brooke

Road, Wayne

PA 5 Bedroom 6.2 Bathroom 9,425 SQ FT $3,200,000

Exquisite Wayne Estate perfectly pairs elegance and comfort. Sitting on a beautiful, lush 0.98 acre lot with private access to the Radnor Trail, this is a dream residence. Built in 2013, this masterpiece has it all including a Full house generator, multi-camera security system, sprinkler system, automatic water shutoff, Geothermal, 3-Car garage with Tesla charger. Throughout the home you will find high ceilings, gorgeous crown moldings and wainscoting, random width hardwood floors with inlay, and top of the line finishes. Located in the Award Winning Radnor School District. Close to schools, parks, public transportation and downtown Wayne.

A Royal Flush

Queen Elizabeth, King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William, Kate, The Princess of Wales, Prince Harry, Meghan

Markle, Susan and David Rockefeller & Jackie Kennedy

C ouri

Prince Harry is planning to add new chapters to the paperback version of Spare, his best-selling autobiography. Publishing insiders say readers are clamoring for the juicy details about how the couple feels after the backlash from the book and their Netflix documentary, as well as the scoop from King Charles’s coronation this Spring. Meanwhile, Charles has asked the Archbishop of Canterbury to help negotiate the terms under which Meghan and Harry will accept his invitation to attend his coronation on May 6th. It’s an important date for the Sussexes because it’s also the fourth birthday of their son, Archie.

Meghan and Harry cleverly used this sensitive moment to negotiate the HRH titles they wanted for their children, Archie and Lilibet, and they won. King Charles has now officially recognized them as a Prince and Princess to keep the peace. These titles are not automatic and can only be conferred by the sovereign, something Queen Elizabeth did not do before she died. King Charles gave them the titles as an olive branch to the couple. Queen Consort Camilla, who will be crowned Queen alongside King Charles,

Kate, now the Princess of Wales, and Prince William were all said to be against the idea of giving titles to Harry’s children. Still, they understand the institution’s hierarchy and have respected the King’s decision. Palace courtiers say Charles is eager for the couple to attend the festivities so that the family can put forth a united front for the sake of the monarchy. The Archbishop of Canterbury, who married the couple, helped broker the deal between the California renegades and Buckingham Palace that will result in a truce during the festivities and a pledge not to reveal behind-the-scenes conversations with the royals. King Charles hopes that Harry and Meghan are now happy and that the family can move on, and Charles can focus on his reign. For those who want to watch the coronation of King Charles in style, a pair of Queen Elizabeth II’s Royal Coronation Chairs can be purchased for $39,850 from M.S. Rau in New Orleans. rauantiques.com

Galerie Gmurzynska

The Palm Beach Show

George Hamilton was among the first to visit Isabelle Bscher’s Galerie Gmurzynska booth at the Palm Beach Show. Bscher showed masterworks by Picasso, Brâncuși, Wifredo Lam, Roberto Matta, Joaquín Torres-García, and pop icon Marjorie Strider. Prince Hussain Aga Khan’s undersea photography was presented with the proceeds going to Focused on Nature. A highlight of the exhibit included Picasso’s plaster sculpture of his left hand from 1937, the same year his masterpiece Guernica was created. This was the piece’s first public tour in nearly two decades. Strider’s piece Girl with White Rose also made waves through the artist’s innovative use of the third dimension and commentary on the tropes of romance, beauty, and gender in the Pop Art realm. This work shared many of the formal characteristics of Strider’s Girl with Radish, which the New York Times used as the cover image of their recent article “Best Art of 2022.” gmurzynska.com

Give Us Our Flowers

Artist Guy Stanley Philoche

Tyre Nichols, the 29-year-old FedEx worker who was beaten to death by the police

in Memphis, Tennessee, is getting support from across the country, including contributions to a 1.4-million-dollar memorial fund that will pay the family’s legal and mental health bills. Nichols, who was an avid skateboarder, will get a skatepark built in his honor in his hometown with the help of skateboarding champion Tony Hawk. NYC Artist Guy Stanley Philoche has created a portrait of Tyre on his skateboard to be given to the Nichols family with the help of Reverend Al Sharpton. The painting is part of Philoche’s Give Us Our Flowers series that also includes Muhammed Ali, Jackie Robinson and Nina Simone. Philoche said, “I painted Tyre the way he should be remembered: full of life and living with joy doing what he loved most, skateboarding ” philochestudios.com

Susan & David Rockefeller

South Fork Natural History Museum

Susan and David Rockefeller and Entourage’s Adrian Grenier and are all long-time supporters of metal magnate Andy Sabin’s South Fork Natural History Museum and Nature Center in Bridgehampton. Sabin recently rescued four lion cubs from the Ukraine, that he helped fly to the States by private jet and relocate to The Wildcat Sanctuary in Minnesota. The environmen-talist also hosted his annual Eastern Tiger Salamander search for the endangered species for nature lovers and their families in the woods near the museum. The mini safari included a tour of the museum, which houses rare snakes and turtles and teaches students of all ages about protecting the environment and its wildlife inhabitants. sofo.org

The President’s Award

Mayor Eric Adams, Attorney General Tish James, and Geraldo Rivera led the applause when legal eagle Arthur Aidala received the President’s Award from the Brooklyn Bar Association at El Caribe. All three noted that as the “quintessential New Yorker,” Aidala, who hosts a weekly radio show called The Power Hour on AM970 and is the Dean of the Friars Club, is always there to help his fellow citizens no matter what side of the aisle or what walk of life they come from.

The schmoozefest had Democratic and Repub_ lican leaders exchanging war stories about the famed litigator who has represented Harvey Weinstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, Rudolph Giuliani, Lawrence Taylor, and Anthony Wiener. The organization raised six figures for local charities. aidalalaw.com

Amy Robach & T.J.

Holmes Divorce

Attorney Ken Jewell

Good Morning America hosts Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes could find themselves in some serious financial and legal trouble with their spouses, Andrew Shue

and Marilee Fiebig, now that they have been booted form the show, according to top divorce attorney Ken Jewell. Due to their very public affair, Jewell suggests, “There could be an adultery charge because it is actually still a crime in New York. Although it appears to be a valid charge, this would be in the province of the district attorney as private individuals cannot bring criminal charges, so it will be up to the DA if Amy and T.J. get locked up.” Jewell also suggested, “A judge would not be sympathetic to a reduction in spousal support or a divorce settlement because their job loss was essentially self-

La Goulue, White Olive & IXTA

With the end of masking, restaurants are booming. Uptown La Goulue, which has been attracting celebrities like Jackie Kennedy since 1972, has been reeling in Sienna Miller, designer Libbie Mugrabi, fashion columnist Sofie Mahlkvist, and skin care guru Peter Thomas Roth. lagouluerestaurant. In Midtown, new Mediterranean restaurant White Olive, which was recently featured in the New York Times, is getting so much buzz that even Michael McCarthy, who owns media hotspot Michael’s across the street, came in for dinner.

whiteolivesnyc.

Downtown IXTA, the new Mexican spot brought to you by Hyde Hospitality, is teeming with VIPs, Ray Donovan star Liev Schreiber, as well as a bar full of models, and the men who love them.

ixtanyc.com

The Event

THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM ACQUISITIONS GALA

The Story

Tory Burch, Wendi Deng Murdoch, Karlie Kloss, and Annette de la Renta, the elegant widow of Oscar de la Renta, led the perfumed pack to The Metropolitan Museum’s posh Annual Acquisitions Gala. Samantha Boardman, Dasha Niarchos, Gina Peterson, Anne Tenenbaum, and Amy Griffin served as the night’s chairs. Among the museum’s celebrated new works is the archive of photographer James Van Der Zee, comprised of 9,000 photographs and 30,000 negatives from sittings with Harlem luminaries of the 1920s and ’30s. One artist in attendance, Jordan Casteel, whose grandmother Margaret sat on the Met’s board, gave an emotional speech during the elegant, candle-lit, black-tie dinner in the Temple of Dendur, telling the crowd of cognoscenti: “You hold a position at the proverbial table, you believe that supporting art and artists is not only important but necessary. Through acquisitions, history is written.” Michael Bloomberg, Alexis Traina, Rachel Feinstein, Janna Bullock, and Lizzie and Jamie Tisch led the applause. After dinner the guests were treated to a formal photo while sitting on ornate, velvet furniture with an elaborate floral backdrop inspired by Van Der Zee’s work. The night, which raised four million dollars to acquire new works, was made possible by Tiffany & Company.

CO-CHAIRS/ GINA PETERSON, ANN TENENBAUM, AMY GRIFFIN, SAMANTHA BOARDMAN, DASHA NIARCHOS

THE WHITNEY ART PARTY

Candace Bushnell, Ashley Graham, Karen Elson, Hilary Rhoda, Peter Davis, Martha Hunt, and Tracy Anderson lead the charge to the Whitney Art Party for an exclusive sneak peek at the museum’s blockbuster exhibits, Edward Hopper’s New York and Puerto Rican Art in the Wake of Hurricane Maria. Music by Questlove and the Muses kept VIPs, including photographer and author Nadja Sayej, Misha Nonoo, Jennifer Fisher, Malcom Jenkins, Rachel Rossin, Devin Kenny, Michelle Luong, and Marc Carson on the dance floor all night. The astrological-themed affair helped raise critical funds for the Whitney’s Independent Study Program and ongoing efforts to champion the voices of emerging artists. Cochairs Micaela Erlanger, Adam Fields, and Flora Irving welcomed artists, young patrons, and art enthusiasts dressed in attire inspired by their respective zodiac signs. The event was sponsored by Nili

ART + FILM AT LACMA

The Story

Leonardo DiCaprio and Los Angeles County Museum of Art trustee Eva Chow co-chaired the 11 Art & Film Gala. Salma Hayek introduced Elton John, who performed his hits “I’m Still Standing,” “Your Song,” and “Tiny Dancer.” Leading the cheers were Kendall Jenner, Jared Leto, Kim Kardashian, Jude Law, Paris Hilton, Adrien Brody, and Andrew Garfield. The night honored visual artist Helen Pashgian and filmmaker Park Chan-wook. Other guests included Molly Ringwald, Elaine Wynn, Idris Elba, Sean Penn, Kathy and Rick Hilton, Vito Schnabel, Wendy Stark, Carey Muligan, and Sydney Sweeney. Designer Alessandro Michele and Gucci continued their long-standing partnership and helped raise a whopping $5.1 million to centralize film in the museum’s curatorial program. LACMA is the largest art museum in the Western United States, with a collection of nearly 149,000 objects that cast light on 6,000 years of artistic expression. lacma.org

BLUE JACKET FASHION SHOW

The Story

Designer Frederick Anderson welcomed fashionistas to the annual Blue Jacket Fashion Show, which he co founded seven years ago with marketer Laura Miller, to raise awareness about prostate cancer, especially among black men at Moonlight Studios. This always-fun show put a long list of VIPS on the runway, including the City star Mario Cantone, Don Lemon, Al Roker, chef Marcus Samuelsson, Page Six’s Carlos Greer, Alex Lundqvist, and Nigel Barker. The men all donned edgy designer blue ensembles by designers such as Thom Browne, Michael Kors, and Tommy Hilfiger. Science superstar Bill Nye said, “We think with more research, we can change the world.” Carol Alt and Fern Mallis, led the applause. The fundraiser was sponsored by Janssen Oncology, and all proceeds from the ticket sales went to the nonprofit advocacy group Zero–The End of Prostate

GLEN-GERY SHOW @ BRICK WORKS

Queer Eye for the Straight Guy stars Carson Kressley and Thom Filicia opened Brickworks Design Studio last year on Fifth Avenue as both a showroom and an event space. During Fashion Week, the studio served as the location for the country’s premier brick and stone manufacturer Glen-Gery’s collaboration with fashion brand HARMONIA NY to launch their new Brick Styles Catalog. “The show is a celebration of upcoming trends, styles, and looks that will evolve from the runways to everyday fashion and now architecture and homes around the world,” said Tim Leese, of Glen-Gery. The event seamlessly fused the best of fashion and architecture with 14 high-fashion looks, by designers Daniela Peckova Watanabe and Gaby Endo, who were inspired by the company’s new catalog of designer bricks. The futuristic, metallic ensembles stunned the crowd of fashionistas, designers, and architects as the models went down the catwalk, causing the company’s top executives, Mark Ellenor and J.P Blanchard, to lead the standing ovation ovation. glengery.com

COUNCIL OF FASHION DESIGNERS OF AMERICA

The Story

Cher, Khloé Kardashian, Diane von Furstenberg, Drake, Gigi Hadid, Carolyn Murphy, Christian Siriano, and Kendall Jenner for the annual Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) at Casa Cipriani. Natasha Lyonne hosted the evening where Bradley Cooper presented Lenny Kravitz with the Fashion Icon Award, Christina handed the Womenswear Designer of the Year Award to Catherine Holstein of KHAITE, and Trevor Noah gave the Menswear Designer of the Year trophy to Emily Adams Bode Aujla. Other Law Roach, for the Stylist Award, and Kim Kardashian, for the inaugural Innovation Award. Leading the applause were Kerry Washington, Vanessa Hudgens, Anna Wintour, Tommy Hilfiger, Bernadette Peters, Martha Stewart, Gigi Hadid, Vera Wang, Keke Palmer, and Kris Jenner. The CFDA

The Event

BALENCIAGA WINTER 2023

The Story

Anna Wintour, Carine Roitfeld, the Buffalo Bills’ Stefon Diggs, and designer Libbie Mugrabi sat front row at Balenciaga’s runway show at the Louvre. The invitation included a pattern of the house’s avant-garde black jacket with sleeves that go below the fingertips and pants with four legs - you read that right! The show’s minimalistic setting and monochromatic looks tied into creative director Demna Gvasalia’s powerful vision of emphasizing clothing shapes, volumes and silhouettes. Demna said, “In the last couple of months, I needed to seek shelter for my love affair with fashion, and I instinctively found it in the process of making clothes. It reminded me once again of its amazing power to make me feel happy and truly express myself. This is why fashion, to me, can no longer be seen as an entertainment, but rather as the art of making clothes.” Following the show there was a chic lunch at Le Voltaire hosted by Vira Capeci, the President of Americas for Balenciaga. Demna also invited us to a sneak peek of Paris Galliera’s new exhibit, “1997 Fashion Big Bang.” It shows groundbreaking designs from the titular year by all the top designers from Thierry Mugler to Tom Ford. The day concluded with a glamorous party at the George V. The following afternoon the brand offered a Re-See of the collection, where you could purchase the looks

THE ORCHID DINNER

NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN

Gillian Hearst, NYC’s leading young philanthropist and most eligible woman, was among the chairs who helped revitalize The New York Botanical Garden’s (NYBG) annual Orchid Dinner at the Plaza Hotel. This has long been the prettiest gala of the spring, or any other season. Designers, including Rudy Saunders for Dorothy Draper, Joy Williams, Molly Ford, Susie Novak, Chris Goddard, David Netto, and thirty more, festooned their tables in stunning, oversized floral arrangements that were possibly visible from Mars. Indre Rockefeller, ballet dancers James Whiteside and Isabella Boylston, pianist Gina Alice, and artist Angelica Hicks danced to the beats of Timo Weiland, society’s favorite DJ. The fun night began with the sale of exceptional and rare orchids, something every flower lover should never miss. N’est-ce pas? The benefit served as a celebration of artist Lily Kwong’s outstanding exhibit, The Orchid Show: Natural Heritage, on view at the Botanical Garden in the Bronx through April 23rd. The chairs included Ravenel Curry, Jane Moss, Maureen and Richard Chilton, and Holly and Todd Lowen. Among the best-dressed junior chairs was Isabel Leeds, along with Sara Arno, Casey Kohlberg, Kevin Cornish, and Lizzie Asher. 1891, The NYBG is the most comprehensive botanical garden in the world, with over with 7.8 million plant and fungal specimens. Who else would tell you these things? The gala, which raised over $800k, was sponsored by Guerlain and Hearst. Nybg.org

RACE OF HOPE IN PALM BEACH

Hope for Depression Research Foundation

Audrey Gruss’s Hope for Depression Research Foundation held its Fifth Annual 5k Race of Hope in Palm Beach. The event gathered nearly 1,000 men, women, children, and dogs at Bradley Park to support mental health awareness and research into depression and anxiety. Gruss, who founded HDRF in 2006, said, “Two in five adults in America have reported symptoms of anxiety and depression, and we are working tirelessly to find new and better treatments.” The organization’s Executive Director Louisa Benton and Scott Snyder served as the race’s Grand Marshalls. Runners included Jamee and Peter Gregory, Sharon Bush, and Bob Murray. Local businesses, including Akris, J.P. Morgan, Le Bilboquet, Tenenbaum and Sullivan, and Yafa Signed Jewels sponsored the day. The highspirited race raised a record-breaking $550,000 for advanced life-saving mental health research into new treatments for clinical depression. hopefordepression.org

INTERNATIONAL SOUS VIDE DAY

Daniel Boulud and Thomas Keller were among the culinary luminaries wishing Dr. Bruno Goussault, the chief scientist at Cuisine Solutions, a happy 81st birthday in Epernay, France. Dr. Goussault pioneered the sous vide technique in France and has trained 80% of the world’s Michelin-starred chefs in the art of sous vide cooking. His birthday coincided with International Sous Vide Day, which was also celebrated with parties in Washington, DC, and Bangkok, Thailand. Three talented influencers, Cotto Vuoto, Lauris Zailaa, and James Beshada, took home the Ambassador of Sous Vide Award. Celebrated chefs and VIPs, including Cuisine Solutions Chairman Stanislas Vilgrain, CMO Tom Donohoe, President of French Master Chefs USA/Canada Jean-Louis Dumonet, and two-Michelin-star chef Jacques Chibois, joined the guests at the picturesque Château Comtesse Lafond. Also in the mix were Chefs Ghislaine Arabian, Jean-Jacques Bernat, Sébastien Canonne, Jean-Pierre Clément, and Fabrice Guinchard. The company’s products are used in over 26,000 restaurants worldwide, including Starbucks. cuisinesolutions.com

The Event

CARLTON FINE ARTS ICE T & ÆTHELSTAN

The Story Artist Vincent Peters, aka ÆTHELSTAN, opened his show “Art is Dead” to celebrate Black History Month at Carlton Fine Arts on 5 rapper and actor Ice-T supported the exhibition and said, “I went through a lot of censorship in my career. I felt that this show was something I should be involved in.” Ice-T also bought the first work in the series called Flames. created the show in response to Decree 349 in Cuba, which forbids Cuban artists from any type of creative expression without approval from the government.

ÆTHELSTAN’s new collection was born out of conversations with Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, one of Time Magazine’s Top 100 Most influential people, and performance artist Maykel Castillo, a Latin Grammy-winning rapper. Both artists were imprisoned under Decree 349, and are members of the San Isidro Movement, made up of artists who have banned together to protest the Cuban government’s censorship. “Art is Dead” featured 18 acrylic and oil paintings as well as portraits of Jay-Z, Jean Michel Basquiat, NASA Astronaut Victor Glover, and Ice-T, all of whom have inspired Peters’s career. All profits from the series are going to support artists through the nonprofit Decree349R.org. Guests included Libbie Mugrabi, Sofie Mählkvist, and Peter Thomas Roth. carltonfa.com

HOLIDAY HOUSE: PALM BEACH BREAST CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION

The Story

Campion Platt, Andrea Stark, Jayne Chase, and Sarah Wetenhall served as chairs of Iris Dankner’s Holiday House Palm Beach Tabletop Event, to benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Over a dozen leading designers, including Ashley Stark, Amanda Lindroth, Casa Branca, David Lucido, and Javier and Elsa Soyars, created tablescapes showcasing cutting-edge décor and lifestyle concepts. Platt’s table was a collaboration between Lalique Crystal and his new geometric design for Mirrors Collective. Checking out the tables were Simone Levinson, Sharon Bush, Tatiana Platt, Jean Shafiroff, Linda Fischbach, Jane Hansen, Annie Falk, Nancy Stone, Alison Stager, Pamela Morgan, Debra Halpert, Sue Devitt, and Liz Lange. Sponsors included Asprey, Hive Collective, Hamptons Real Estate Showcase, Luxe Magazine, Dan’s Papers, Modern Luxury, and

Cartoon Corner