Park Magazine_Summer Issue_Berenice Electrolysis

ARK

VE

Berenice

Electrolysis

& Personal

Beauty

Center

CELEBRATING

40 YEARS OF

MAKING YOUR

SMOOTH SKIN

JOURNEY

AS SMOOTH

AS POSSIBLE

NATORI.COM

www.ulrichlangnewyork.com

Photography: Matthew Porter for Ulrich Lang New York

SMALL IS

THE NEW BIG.

Atlas Ocean Voyages will take you to remote destinations and iconic

ports on a small-ship expedition. With fewer that 200 guests, you are

steered into ports that get you close in to your adventure. Onboard, you’ll

enjoy all-inclusive globally inspired dining options and unlimited premium

pours, entertainment, and indulgence. The time to escape has arrived.

Plan a 2022 - 2024 luxe-adventure voyage today.

AFRICA • ANTARCTICA • ARCTIC & NORWEGIAN FJORDS • BRITISH ISLES & NORTHERN EUROPE • CARIBBEAN &

CENTRAL AMERICA • ICELAND & GREENLAND • MEDITERRANEAN • SOUTH AMERICA • TRANSOCEANIC

Call your preferred Travel Advisor or our Voyage Specialists at 1.844.44.ATLAS (28527) or visit atlasoceanvoyages.com

© 2022 Atlas Ocean Voyages. Ship’s registry: Portugal. All rights reserved. PM.060122A

WELCOME TO

ART

Presenting 85 Select Galleries

Showcasing Important 20th & 21st Century Art

JULY 14-17, 2022

The Bastille Day Vernissage - July 14

Benefiting Guild Hall

Southampton Fairgrounds

HamptonsFineArtFair.com/tickets

Images (L to R): Andy Warhol, Jean Dubuffet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, M.C. Escher, Norman Rockwell, Albert Kotin, Ronnie Landfield, Michael West, Keith Haring, Andrew Wyeth

COUNTRY

Join us at the PARK in The Hamptons VIP Launch Party – Friday, July 15, 6-8pm

Lead Gold Sponsor Gold Sponsor Exclusive Automotive Sponsor Insurance Sponsor Official Champagne Official Limousine

Service

Media Partner

GENESIS OF THE SOUTH SHORE

My Advice

Is Your

Advantage

#1 Agent in the Hamptons by GCI

for 2021, 2020 and 2019 *

More than $1 billion

in total transactions **

Michaela Keszler

Lic. Assoc. R. E. Broker

M 631.525.3810

O 631.204.2743

mkeszler@elliman.com

elliman.com

*BY GROSS COMMISION INCOME AT DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. **ACCORDING TO DOUGLAS ELLIMAN FIGURES. 2488 MAIN ST,

P.O. BOX 1251, BRIDGEHAMPTON, NY 11932. 631.537.5900 © 2022 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY.

Michaela’s Featured Southampton Village Properties

Southampton Village | $24,990,000 | 12 BR, 10 BA, 2 HALF BA | Built in the heyday of 19th century Hamptons summer society with the sound of

the ocean nearby, this 1860s Federal-style mansion oers a rare opportunity to own a true piece of history. The residence has been meticulously

renovated top to bottom, sparing no expense for 21st century living, while recalling its historic details. Encompassing three floors, with porte

cochere, covered porches and verandas, the home oers 12 bedrooms to accommodate a houseful of friends and guests. Web# H354867

Southampton Village | $13,750,000 | 8 BR, 6 BA, 2 HALF BA | The Gables Cottage is located in Southampton’s most desirable location, equidistant

from the beautiful beaches and the village’s shops and restaurants. The home is set back on the 1.5-acre property to ensure privacy and oers lush

greenery along the long, gated main driveway. Be transported back to a time when quality and details were the predominant features of a home. The

detached garage house has a separate apartment and there is a pool house adjacent to the heated gunite pool. Room to expand. Web# H355653

#1 Agent in the Hamptons by GCI for 2021, 2020 and 2019 *

Michaela Keszler

Lic. Assoc. R.E. Broker

O 631.204.2743 | M 631.525.3810

mkeszler@elliman.com

elliman.com

*BY GROSS COMMISION INCOME AT DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. **ACCORDING TO DOUGLAS ELLIMAN FIGURES. 2488 MAIN ST, P.O. BOX 1251, BRIDGEHAMPTON, NY 11932. 631.537.5900 © 2022 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. ALL MATERIAL PRESENTED HEREIN IS INTENDED FOR

INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. WHILE, THIS INFORMATION IS BELIEVED TO BE CORRECT, IT IS REPRESENTED SUBJECT TO ERRORS, OMISSIONS, CHANGES OR WITHDRAWAL WITHOUT NOTICE. ALL PROPERTY INFORMATION, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO SQUARE FOOTAGE, ROOM COUNT,

NUMBER OF BEDROOMS AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN PROPERTY LISTINGS SHOULD BE VERIFIED BY YOUR OWN ATTORNEY, ARCHITECT OR ZONING EXPERT. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY.

Navigating from

Harbor to Home

ELITE | ELEVATED | EXCEPTIONAL

SUSAN VANECH AND ANGELA SWIFT PRESENT COMPASS COASTAL, THE COLLECTIVE.

This is an innovative and elevated real estate experience

with access to the nation’s top performing real estate

strategists and analysts in coastal and waterfront

communities nationwide. With over $500 million in luxury

home sales* we understand the needs of our connoisseurs of

life, our high-net worth clientele.

The Compass Coastal collective promises to present an

unparalleled level of service by executing smooth and swift

transactions while honoring trust, discretion, and efficiency

to the highest degree.

Susan Vanech

Founder

Lic. RE Salesperson

M: 203.685.2348

Angela Swift

Founder

Lic. RE Salesperson

M: 203.253.5292

Susan Vanech and Angela Swift are real estate licensees affiliated with Compass Connecticut, LLC, a licensed real estate broker in Connecticut and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. Melisa J. Rubin is a

licensed real estate salesperson affiliated with Compass, a licensed real estate broker in Florida and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes

only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. Photos may be virtually staged or digitally enhanced and

may not reflect actual property conditions. *Total Transactions is the sum of all transactions closed on the Compass platform in which our agent represented the buyer or seller in the purchase or sale of a home

(excluding rentals) and includes a single transaction twice when one or more Compass agents represent both the buyer and seller in any given transaction. *Source: SMART MLS 1/1/21 - 8/31/21

EASTON, CT

20 Redding Road

2 BD | 2 BA | 1,987 SF | $1,800,000

Escape to this expansive estate that brings distinctive contemporary

style and materials to its private country location. Tucked inside

over ten acres or sprawling greenery sits a picture perfect cottage

restored with a maestro of modern style and two barns that offer

opportunity for restoration to house thoroughbreds with polished

wood stalls, engraved brass nameplates, and a trove of 1930s farm

implements.

Susan Vanech

Lic. RE Salesperson

susan.vanech@compass.com

M: 203.685.2348

Your Dream Home Awaits in the Hamptons

534 Hands Creek Road, East Hampton | $9,500,000 | 6 BR, 7 BA, 2 HALF BA | Exquisitely crafted, custom estate on a private 4.66 acres, featuring

approximately 10,000sf of sophisticated living. The park-like grounds include a gunite pool with fountains, a hot tub and bocce court. Web# H365617

Artist Rendering

96 Tuthill Road, Montauk | Now $2,500,000 | Sited on 0.53 acres high upon a bluff crest, this property features some of the most breathtaking

sunset vistas on the East End. Plans for a 4-bedroom, 4.5-bathroom home with waterfront pool and roof deck are included. Web# H357035

Martha Gundersen


O 631.537.5900

M 631.405.8436

martha.gundersen@elliman.com

Paul Brennan


O 631.537.4144

M 631.235.9611

paul.brennan@elliman.com

2488 MAIN ST, P.O. BOX 1251, BRIDGEHAMPTON, NY 11932. 631.537.5900 © 2022 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. ALL MATERIAL PRESENTED HEREIN IS INTENDED FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. WHILE, THIS INFORMATION IS BELIEVED TO BE CORRECT, IT IS REPRESENTED SUBJECT TO ERRORS, OMISSIONS, CHANGES

2-Acre Compound in Historic Sagaponack

871 Sagaponack Main Street, Sagaponack | $12,000,000 | Located in the heart of historic Sagaponack, this 2-acre compound 0.6 miles from the ocean

consists of a meticulously maintained farmhouse along with 4 additional pre-existing, non-conforming outbuildings, offering boundless opportunity.

The renovated farmhouse offers 4 bedrooms, 2 full and 1 half bathrooms. There is an additional 2-bedroom guest cottage, an artist studio, and

2 barns, one with an international squash court and gym. The buildings predate zoning, offering limitless potential for residential use. Web# H364966

Experience with a Proven Track Record of Success

elliman.com

OR WITHDRAWAL WITHOUT NOTICE. ALL PROPERTY INFORMATION, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO SQUARE FOOTAGE, ROOM COUNT, NUMBER OF BEDROOMS AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN PROPERTY LISTINGS SHOULD BE VERIFIED BY YOUR OWN ATTORNEY, ARCHITECT OR ZONING EXPERT. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY.

VOLUME 1. NO.4

ARK

VE

Contents

48

LYDIA HEARST

FASHION AND ARTS

68 SHIRA GOLD

74 THE BEAUTY

OF IMPERFECT

78 HAMPTONS

ART FAIR

80 BILL RAU

82 VICTORIA

GOLEMBIOVSKAYA

84 MARIA KREYN

86 STRONG-CUEVAS

FINANCE

92 MATTHEW

BRUDERMAN

98 INFLATION IS HERE

100 SERGIO NICOLOSI

LUXE

102 CHAGIT LEVIEV

106 WEMPE

108 SUDHIR GUPTA

ESCAPES

110 EXCURSIONS

TO ANTARCTICA

112 HOTEL

CALIFORNIAN

114 MIRAVAL

BERSKHIRES

DINING

116 IL GATTOPARDO

122 WELCOME

TO THE JUNGLE

126 A PASTA BAR

128 ANKUSH PUNHANI

130 YANKEE

PREMIUM SUITES

132 YUMBLE

133 GEORGE DURAN

HEALTH &

WELLNESS

134 NASALGUARD

VOLUME 1. NO.4

62

EAGER TO

DISPLEASE

ARK

VE

Contents

REAL ESTATE

& SHELTER

136 ANELLE

GANDELMAN

140 SUSAN VANECH

142 KLAR

144 UNLIMITED

EARTH CARE

146 A TREEHOUSE

IN MANHATTAN

148 LISA LIPPMAN

150 PALM BEACH

DESIGN MASTERS

BEAUTY

152 BERENICE

ELECTROLYSIS

156 YOUR BEST

SELF TV

PROFILE

160 ANDY SABIN

162 MOLLY DEVOSS

163 BLOCKBOARD

SOCIAL SAFARI

164 COURI

166 THE HAT

LUNCHEON

168 SAVE VENICE

169 THE ANDY

WARHOL DIARIES

170 TEFAF NY

171 NYBG ANNUAL

ORCHID DINNER

LOOK BACK

172 THE WATERMILL

CENTER

AND FINALLY

176 CARTOON

CORNER

CONTEMPORARY LUXURY

IN BOSTON’S BACK BAY

Stay with us to experience a new kind of urban chic, complete with an award-winning

spa and the world-renowned Japanese izakaya-inspired restaurant, Zuma.

fourseasons.com/onedalton

Recently Sold | 111 Murray Street, 36 W | New York City | $6,450,000 | 3 BR, 3.5 BA

Recently Sold | 174 Garfield Place | Brooklyn | $3,995,000 | 5 BR, 3.5 BA

elliman.com

575 MADISON AVENUE, NY, NY 10022. 212.891.7000 © 2022 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN REAL ESTATE. ALL MATERIAL PRESENTED HEREIN IS INTENDED FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. WHILE, THIS INFORMATION IS BELIEVED TO BE CORRECT, IT IS REPRESENTED SUBJECT TO ERRORS, OMISSIONS, CHANGES OR

*BY GROSS COMMISSION INCOME, 2021.

Gabriel Leibowitz Native Manhattanite

As the founder of The Leibowitz Team

at Douglas Elliman Real Estate,

our team is ranked among the top 4%

of agents companywide.* With 18 years

of industry experience, I offer clients a

wealth of residential advisory services,

boots-on-the-ground knowledge,

around-the-clock attentiveness, and

a warm, bespoke real estate strategy.

Known for my mantra of ethics, I take

the time to understand every customer

and how I can best make their lives a

little better.

Gabriel Leibowitz


O 212.274.7917

M 917.312.5624

gabriel.leibowitz@elliman.com

theleibowitzteam.elliman.com

WITHDRAWAL WITHOUT NOTICE. ALL PROPERTY INFORMATION, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO SQUARE FOOTAGE, ROOM COUNT, NUMBER OF BEDROOMS AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN PROPERTY LISTINGS SHOULD BE VERIFIED BY YOUR OWN ATTORNEY, ARCHITECT OR ZONING EXPERT. EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNITY.

w

1 2

3

1. Renovation With No Detail Overlooked

145 President St. 3BR. 2.5 Bath

$2.795M Web #21786194

Jonathan R. Stein 917-763-3514

2. Riverfront Village Masterpiece

165 Charles St. 3BR. 3Bath

$8.36M Web #21517039

Mike Lubin 917-371-6723

3. The Price Is Right

730 Park Ave. 4BR. 4.5 Bath

$15.25M Web #21767672

Burt F. Savitsky 917-561-0925

Jessica L. Savitsky 917-767-2648

4. Trophy Penthouse by Robert A.M. Stern

205 East 85th St. 5BR. 6.5 Bath

$7.75M Web #21574056

Paul Anand 917-207-7847

5. Impeccably Restored Gilded Age

Apartment on RSD

258 Riverside Dr. 6BR 4Bath

$6.5 Web #21783346

Marie M. Bingham 917-796-9386

Cheryl F. Rindfleish 917-660-3044

6. One-of-a kind home in

a one-of-a kind building

171 West 71st St. 5BR. 4.5 Bath

$6.25M Web #21723161

Nada Rizk 646-226-8115

Joanne Greene 917-716-6880

7. Penthouse Perfection on Beekman Place

1 Beekman Pl. 2BR. 3.5 Bath

$5.995M Web #21709570

Jill Roosevelt 917-319-8535

8. 25’ Wide Beaux-Arts Style Townhouse

7 East 88th St. 6BR. 7.5 Bath

$25M Web #21230030

David E. Kornmeier 917-494-4302

4 5

6 7

8

10

9

12

13

14

15 16

9. Townhouse Style at 740 Park Avenue

740 Park Ave. 5BR. 6.5 Bath

$13.9M Web #20238003

Kathleen M. Sloane 212-906-9258

10. Mint Penthouse with Grand Terraces

114 East 72nd St. 3BR. 3.5 Bath

$5.95M Web #21718996

Jill Bernard 516-445-6707

Jeffrey Stockwell: 917-449-3433

11. New Price as Dramatic as Central Park View

230 West 56th St. 3BR. 2.5 Bath

$4.75M Web #21728988

Bonnie Goldner 917-355-5386

Monika J. Ingram 212-588-5613

12. Dramatic Dumbo Duplex

Penthouse with Views

70 Washington St. 3BR. 4 Bath

$4.9M Web #21670831

Joan Goldberg 646-812-0468

13. The Dakota - Renovated Classic 7

1 West 72nd St. 3BR. 2 Bath

$4.5M Web #21729627

John Burger 212-906-9274

14. Flawless Single Family in UWS

304 West 90th St. 6BR. 9 Bath

$13.8M Web #21729485

Gregory M. Roache 917-291-0805

15. Panoramic 2,100 SF Wraparound Terrace

595 West End Ave. 2BR. 2 Bath

$3.695M Web #21745985

Louise Phillips Forbes 917-846-8640

Nirveeta Mahabir 917-943-0807

Landon Lichtenstein 847-815-3456

16. Pre-War Perfection

180 East 79th St. 3BR. 3 Bath

$2.995M Web #21719381

Jeffrey A. Smith 917-837-6706

11

All information is from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, prior sale or withdrawal without notice. All rights to content, photographs and graphics reserved to Broker. Equal Housing Opportunity Broker.

PUBLISHER & FOUNDER

Christopher A. Pape

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR & CO-FOUNDER

R. Couri Hay

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & CO-FOUNDER

Julie Sagoskin

ART DIRECTOR

Paul Crawford

EDITOR-AT-LARGE

George Wayne

FEATURES EDITOR

Bennett Marcus

CULTURE

EDITOR

Michael Gross

PALM BEACH

EDITOR

Christine K. Schott

FINANCE EDITOR

Philip W. Malakoff

ARTS

EDITOR

Janis Gardner Cecil

SPECIAL PROJECTS

EDITOR

Patrick McMullan

ASSOCIATE EDITORS

Michael Gross Lauren

Bens & Linda Feliz

ASSISTANT EDITORS

W.A. Muller &

Arlesia McGowan

TRAVEL EDITOR

Joe Alexander

REAL ESTATE

EDITOR

Alison Kenworthy

INTERIORS

EDITOR

Susanna Salk

COPY

EDITOR

Sonia Acone

CARTOONIST

Anthony Haden-Guest

DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL

AND SOCIAL MEDIA

Sarah Mohamed

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Jake Dressler, Betty Taylor, Patrick Shannon, E. E. Bradman, Brian Aker, James Salomon,

Ekaterina Ward, Ashley Brennan, Lisa Lippman, Skylar Brandt, Biba Milioto

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Stewart Shining, Udo Spreitzenbarth, Christina Deo

SALES TEAM

Lisa Stiehl

National Sales

Manager

914.760.6875

lisa@parkmagazineny.com

Wendy Packer

Director of Sales

Development

203.904.6700

wendy@parkmagazineny.com

Maria Coyne

Director of Florida

& Caribbean Sales

305.975.9234

mecoyne@mecoyneinc.com

Scott Pauker

Advertising

Sales Manager

917.859.1343

scott@parkmagazineny.com

PARK is published four times annually by Park Avenue Magazine LLC. Copyright 2021 by Park Avenue Magazine LLC. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any material from this issue is expressly forbidden without

permission of the publisher. Unsolicited manuscripts and photographs are welcome on an exclusive basis, but must be accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope. Reasonable care in handling manuscripts and

photographs will be taken, but PARK cannot be responsible for unsolicited materials submitted. Printed in the U.S.A.

*This issue features paid for sponsored content and covers provided by outside sources. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact Christopher Pape at: christopher@parkmagazineny.com

Take part in an important unreserved auction in

support of the Geoffrey Beene Foundation and its

drive to fund Cancer Research. Bid on thousands

of original fashion illustrations by Geoffrey Beene,

Joe Eula, Issey Miyake, Alber Elbaz and many

others. Also included: high fashion photography,

art from Mr. Beene’s personal collection and over

100 fabulous designer mannequins from his Paris

and New York shows.

Proceeds benefitting The Geoffrey Beene Cancer

Research Center at Memorial Sloan Kettering

For full information, please visit guernseys.com

or call 212-794-2280.

Guernsey s

S

Editor’s

Letter

ummer is finally here – and we are your backstage pass for all things fashion and

fun. It’s also been one whole trip around the sun since we started on this journey

and hope you have enjoyed being a part of PARK right along with us!

This month we are thrilled to feature cover star Lydia Hearst, who we have

loved to hate in some of our favorite thrillers and horror movies. The real-life

Lydia is also much more than an actress, model and socialite with a famous last

name and family background. You’ll love getting to know the striking star’s fun

and quirky sides, including a passion for pinball and horror props. While she has

a few exciting new acting and producing projects in the pipeline, her favorite new

role is motherhood. Lydia and her comedian husband, Christopher Hardwick,

welcomed a baby girl four months ago, and Lydia is loving every minute of it.

This horror queen who is clearly a fan of love stories – at least in real life – has

found true happiness and can’t wait for this next chapter.

Who needs an invite to the Met Gala when you can get a behind-the-scenes

tour of the Metropolitan’s Museum of Art’s Costume Institute with Associate

Curator Jessica Regan. Read all about how the Institute has transformed over the

years, as well as how they choose which designers to display. Regan also gives her

take on today’s streetwear trends and the future of fashion. Anna Wintour’s signature gala might have been

fun, but most importantly, it raised tens of millions of dollars for the Institute, that is as much historical as

it is haute.

Whether you want to get bikini-body ready or are just trying to become the best version of yourself, Your

Best Self TV with Dr. D always brings inspiring guests and life lessons to his audiences. Read all about how

this famed dentist-turned-television host made it his mission to combine wellness with entertainment and

so much more – plus, you can catch me on the show in July discussing all my editor’s pick finds you will

want to try this season.

From our favorite travel destinations – think Antarctica - to outdoor entertaining tips with celebrity Chef

George Duran, cheers to the best and most stylish summer yet! And, if you’re out East, make sure to check

out Hamptons Fashion Week as well as the Hamptons Fine Art Fair, where PARK is a media partner.

See you on the beach! P

Julie Sagoskin Editor-in-Chief

26 | parkmagazineny.com

From the

Publisher

hen I think back to when I first started in publishing, at 23 years old, fresh out

of college, working in media sales and writing articles, (for free!) for the

magazine I was working at, it’s almost unbelievable that I’ve come this far. For a

boy like me - who was never the most talented nor the most popular nor perhaps

the most ambitious, it’s a remarkable turn of events to say that I own a magazine

publishing company in the center of the world. Not only to say that, but to be able

to shout and celebrate that we’re a year old and that the magazine not only goes to

Manhattan, but also reaches into the homes of those living in Palm Beach, Miami,

Fairfield County and the Hamptons is an unbelievable achievement.

Of course, I could not have done this alone. First and foremost, I want to thank the

triumvirate of people who are at the heart of PARK’s success - R. Couri Hay, our

Editorial Director and partner, Julie Sagoskin, our Editor-in-Chief and partner (and

who is one of my best friends) and Paul Crawford, our Art Director, whose designs

deserve special recognition and should (and I’m sure will) win awards. I thank these

three for their hard work, tireless dedication and for putting up with me (I know that’s no

easy task!).

I also want to thank George Wayne, our Editor-at-Large, Christine Schott, our Palm Beach editor,

Michael Gross, our esteemed Special Correspondent, Patrick McMullan for all of his photographic

contributions, and to Stewart Shining who has become our go-to cover photographer. And to all

the other contributors who make PARK the most important read of each season!

I would be remiss if I did not mention and thank my sales team who took a chance on me. I can’t

be more thankful for finding amazing advertising partners and for elevating the book beyond my

wildest expectations.

Lastly, I want to thank my mother and grandmother for all their love and support throughout the

years. I know I was always the prodigal son, but I hope they can finally be proud of PARK’s

achievements and of what this little boy from New Jersey has been able to achieve.

Until September, have a wonderful summer! P

Christopher A. Pape Publisher & Founder


retreat

TO RECONNECT

Each day at Miraval provides unique and mindful

experiences to revitalize and inspire you.

Book your next getaway or escape for the day at Miraval

Berkshires Resort & Spa. Exclusive package rates available.

DISCOVER MIRAVAL BERKSHIRES

@miravalberkshires

MIRAVALBERKSHIRES.COM | 866.966.6135

or consult your travel professional

SOCIETY

What

Blake

they

said

Anna Wintour

“There’s many reasons why we feel so

passionately and so strongly that this is important

and it’s a symbol, I think, for the creativity of

fashion and having fun with fashion, but by far

the most important reason is the fundraising, the

attention that it brings to the exhibition and to the

museum.”

THE MET GALA

PRODUCED BY

R.COURI HAY

Sarah Jessica Parker

“All I ever think about is the theme. Whenever I

go to the Met, I don’t understand how everyone

else didn’t spend seven to ten months working on

it. It is an assignment, and you should interpret it,

and it should be labor-intensive, and it should be

challenging.”

Lively, Co-chair

alongside husband

Ryan Reynolds,

Regina King, and

Lin-Manuel Miranda.

“What an honor to get to host

and to wear this dress. Versace

turned it out. But rather than

looking at fashion from the

gilded age, I wanted to look at

architecture. New York has been

such a critical part of who I am.

It’s the place I choose to live. It’s

the love of my life, other than my

family. So I thought ‘well, I

would love to arrive in a copper

dress and have that dress patina

as I ascend the carpet and turns

verdigris, which is oxidized

copper. The Statue of Liberty

obviously showed up a shiny

copper like a penny and now it’s

the green that we have. So

instead of me performing, I

wanted, sort of, the dress to

perform. I think Versace thought

I was crazy when I called him

and pitched this. This column of

the dress, the lines in it are an

homage to the Empire State

Building. The draping on the

side is sort of a tip of the hat to

the Statue of Liberty and this is

the constellation ceiling of

Grand Central Station. Grand

Central felt like sort of a really

neat full circle moment because

the first shot of ‘Gossip Girl,’ I’m

on a train and I pull into the

station, and it’s a shot of Grand

Central Station.”


Lenny Kravitz

“I honestly cannot remember the first

time I dressed up for an event because my

mother dressed me in suits and ties since

I was a child. She loved taking me to Saks

Fifth Ave picking out ensembles for me.”

Kim Kardashian

“I tried it on and it didn’t fit me. So I

looked at them and said ‘give me, like,

three weeks. I saw this all as a sign the way

that all of the stars aligned. It will forever

be one of the greatest privileges of my life

to be able to channel my inner Marilyn in

this way, on such a special night.”

parkmagazineny.com | 31

SOCIETY

Tom Ford

“Everyone has a right to express themselves.

I’m a classic guy, but if somebody doesn’t want

to be classic, this is certainly the moment to let

yourself go.”

Kodi

Smit-

McPhee

“There’s such a

diversity of people

and cultures that

make up America,

so instead of the top

hats and tailcoats

of the Gilded Age, I

wanted my look to

be a celebration of

casual Friday—where

you get to dress

down and present

yourself more

casually.”

Lizzo

“I’m in Thom Browne,

and it’s hugging my

curves just right. I

look amazing! It took

twenty-two thousand

hours to make this

coat, I’m just so

happy to be in it,

I feel like a

piece of art.”

Katy

Perry

“You know, it

would be pretty

obvious for me

to go play the

kooky, crazy, wild,

big, fun, colorful

card. This time,

I’m going to play

a whole different

card.”

Cardi B

“I don’t care what anybody says: This is a competition.

The Met Gala, this is a f—king competition and we’re going

number one. I wanted to give woman, and Donatella brings

that woman. No lipo-surgery could bring this body that my

son gave me… It’s giving, it’s giving, it’s giving.”

Winnie Harlow

“Dipped in glamour. Making

sure that everything is up to

the T, and I think that’s just

what the Met is in general.”

Jared

Leto

“Double Victorian

Gilded Trouble.

That’s all you

need to know,”


Jordan

Roth

“It creates this

dialogue. We have

the male formal

and the female all

in one look. The

suit is the uniform

of masculinity:

terrain that I have,

at times, bounded

away from. Thom

takes that form

and deconstructs

it, explodes it. He

evolves it in a way

that articulates my

relationship with it.”

Janelle Monae

“I’m proud to be American. I’m proud to be wearing

Ralph Lauren. This is gilded glamour from the future.”

Shawn

Mendes

“This is Tommy

Hilfiger. This is

also badass ‘cause

it’s all upcycled.

This is completely

sustainable. So,

I’m just proud this

year to be in this,

honestly.”

Khloe

Kardashian

“Am I supposed to

admit that I

almost had a heart

attack on that

carpet tonight? It’s

so scary, but it’s

fabulous, and I’m

so excited to be

here. I just had to

be a part of this

experience. It’s

something I have

always wanted to

do. I need a glass

of champagne.”

Camila

Cabello

“Being at war with

your body is so last

season. I am grateful

for this body that lets

me do what I need to

do. We are real women

with curves and

cellulite and stretch

marks and fat. And we

gotta own that, baby,”

Rachel Brosnahan

“I love that the Met is an opportunity to

take risks with fashion. I love a good pair

of sweats and a night on the couch, but it

feels so nice to have an excuse to put on

beautiful clothes again.”

Gabrielle

Union-

Wade

“The Golden Age

was a time of great

social problems

masked by gold

while few enjoyed

the riches that were

built off the blacks

and blood sweat

and tears of the

oppressed people of

color of this country”

Emma

Chamberlain

“It’s over the top, it’s

absurd, but that’s what

makes it magical.”


SOCIETY

MET GALA

Behind the

Couture

Associate Curator:

Jessica Regan

The Metropolitan Museum’s

Costume Institute

Jessica Regan

BY JULIE SAGOSKIN

COURTESY OF THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART

his year’s Met Gala theme was Gilded

Glamour, and it was a fashionable thrill-aminute

on the red, white and blue carpet;

please see the accompanying story “What

They Said.” PARK spoke with Jessica Regan,

the Costume Institute’s Associate Curator on

how she works with Andrew Bolton, the

Curator in charge of the Costume Institute

on the exhibition designs which can be

found, not just on fashion’s biggest night, but

throughout the year.

Specializing in 18 th and 19 th century fashion,

Regan, a New York native, fell in “love at first

visit” to the Costume Institute as a young girl.

Her own exhibition designing dreams came

true when she started

working as an intern at

the Met in 2001, the

summer before starting

college. “I was really

taken by portraits that

depicted historical

fashion, and then I think

gradually became more

interested in the fashion

objects, themselves. I’ve

had an opportunity to

work with a wide range of

our collection, which is

always incredibly

exciting.” She explains

that while the majority of

the pieces in the current

exhibition are from the

Costume Institute’s

collection, meaning most

will go back into storage,

they also have also a

handful of loans which

range from haute to

historical. “We borrowed a coat that was worn

by George Washington, we think, to his

inauguration from Mount Vernon.”

Fashion As an Art Form

Having started as the Museum of Costume

Art as a separate entity in 1937 until merging

with the museum in 1946, going through

renovations, working with well-known

consultants including Diana Vreeland and

being renamed the Anna Wintour Costume

Center in 2014, today, the Costume Institute is

home to 33,000 objects spanning seven

centuries of fashions and accessories. As both

the exhibits and the styles continue to change,

Jessica tells us how most people perceive the

Institute these days. “There’s always been an

enthusiasm for fashion, but I think it has really

grown in recent years amongst the general

public. It has just been a growing acceptance of

the idea of fashion in museums and studying

fashion as an art form. I also think that we

encounter fewer instances of people

questioning that idea, and there is now a real

feeling of excitement from our visitors and a

desire to see more from our collection.”

Anthology of Fashion

Their current exhibit, Anthology of Fashion,

is actually the third exhibition that the

Costume Institute has curated in the Met’s

period rooms. “We did Dangerous Liaisons in

2004 and Romania in 2006 in the French and

British period rooms. We were really led, in

terms of the curation, by the rooms themselves.

We worked very closely with Amelia Peck, who

was our co-curator on the project and the

curator in the American wing, to make

connections between each of the rooms and

fashions in our collection and other museum

collections. Andrew Bolton, our Curator in

charge of the Costume Institute, had been

thinking for a while about doing this final

installment in our trilogy of period room shows

and wanting to collaborate with the American

Wing. I think the initial idea came about

through conversations between Andrew and

Silvia Young, who is the Curator in charge of

the American Wing. This felt like an opportune

moment for us to do an exhibition focused on

American fashion as it was coinciding with our

75th anniversary. When the department was

founded, the support of the American fashion

industry was one of the primary goals of the

department, so it felt like the right time to really

have an exhibition that was focused on

American fashion.”

When it came to deciding on designers, they


remained focused on highlighting more

familiar houses such as Oscar de la Renta,

Halston and Charles James but they also made

a point to showcase the styles of lesser-known

names who also made important contributions

to American fashion including Jessie Franklin

Turner, Eta Hentz, Lloyd Kiva New, Fannie

Criss Payne, and Elizabeth Hawes.

Film & Fashion

Film and fashion truly collided when they

decided to create more dynamic and lively

vignettes within each of the spaces by

collaborating with nine film directors. “Once

we had worked out the curation that we had in

mind for the space, we shared that with the

director who we were inviting to work on that

room and we asked them, essentially, to stage

the vignette or set the scene,” says Jessica. “So,

when you walk into the gallery, the tableau that

you’re seeing has been staged by the film

director who worked on that space. They made

decisions about the poses of the mannequins,

the appearance of the mannequins, the lighting

and any sound interventions. They also

introduced props as needed, but they really

each brought their own distinct vision and had

their own concept for how to interpret the

objects, the fashion, and the rooms.”

Charles James

The museum also has the world’s largest

collection of clothing from American designer

Charles James, who heavily influenced fashion

and had a close relationship with our own

Editorial Director, R. Couri Hay, which you can

read all about in our Fall Issue. “Many of the

pieces came directly to the Costume Institute,

as well as pieces that were originally donated to

the Brooklyn Museum and then were later

transferred to the Met in 2009. James had such

a unique approach to cut and construction. In

this particular exhibition, we’ve featured his

work in a living room that came from a Frank

Lloyd Wright designed home. We felt that there

was an interesting affinity between Wright and

James. I think they both have this incredible

assurance in their artistic visions. And of course,

James approached a lot of his work almost like

an architect. He was creating these incredibly

sculpted designs that had an extraordinarily

complex understructure to achieve shapes that

really nobody else was creating and that, of

course, afterwards, were copied by many

designers in his own time and continue to be a

source of inspiration for contemporary

designers. And also, like Wright, he took a lot of

inspiration from the natural world. I think

what’s incredible about a James Design is that it

could create this metamorphosis of the

individual. He created gowns for themes like the

Butterfly dress, which had a skirt like

outstretched wings, or the Swan, which had this

beautiful, curved back. But at the same time, he

was very conscious of the individual wearer and

the wearer’s body. And so, I think his work is

fascinating on so many levels and I think he

was, although he didn’t have the level of fame, as

you say, of someone like Halston, conscious of

wanting to maintain his legacy. He encouraged

his clients to donate his designs to museums, so

that’s why we’re fortunate to really be able to

represent such a large portion of his career.”

Sneakers & Streetwear

If you find yourself running to the latest

exhibition, just think about how one day the

very sneakers you are wearing might wind up in

a future fashionable exhibit as Jessica explains

what she thinks of today’s trends, especially

streetwear, and how they might be viewed by

visitors in the next decade – or two. “I think that

perhaps there will be a turning point where

there’s really this growing emphasis on

thinking about the sustainability of fashion in a

variety of ways and really moving that

conversation forward. I think it is really

interesting what Demna Gvasalia is doing at

Balenciaga because I think he does have an

understanding of the house history and also of

the innovations of construction and pattern

drafting that Balenciaga introduced, but

reinterpreting that through a very different lens

and bringing in this streetwear element. And I

think that that is an important way of

sustaining these historic couture houses and

allowing them to continue to be relevant and to

be innovative and to resonate with a

contemporary audience.”

Gawking over who wore this year’s Gilded

Glamour theme best is the most fun one can

have without a coveted invitation to the Met

Gala, but the true success of the night was the

$17.3 million raised for the Costume Institute’s

ongoing exhibitions which truly showcase the

best of fashion, or anthropological art. P

metmuseum.org


ICON

Bob

MACKIE

THE ART OF

BY

BENNETT

MARCUS

BOB MACKIE HAS HAD AN EXTRAORDINARY CAREER

spanning 60 years, designing costumes for some of the world’s

most famous entertainers – Cher, Judy Garland, Lucille Ball,

Liza Minnelli, Carol Burnett, Bernadette Peters, Whitney Houston

and Diana Ross are just a few of the icons who have donned

his glittering sequined creations.

Mackie became a household name decades before designers

were known outside of fashion-industry circles. Some of his

pieces are among the world’s most famous garments; most

notably, perhaps, the dress that Marilyn Monroe wore in 1962

when she crooned “Happy Birthday, Mr. President” to thenpresident

John F. Kennedy at Madison Square Garden. Mackie

was just 23, working as an assistant to the French designer

Jean Louis, when he sketched the Monroe gown.


Marilyn Monroe at Madison Square

Garden - “Rhinestone Goddess”

About Kim K -

“NOBODY

ELSE

SHOULD

BE SEEN IN

MARILYN’S

DRESS.”

Bob Mackie’s sketch for Marilyn Monroe’s “Rhinestone Goddess” dress


ICON

Cher In Nude Butterfly Dress

Kendall Jenner in

Cher’s dress -

“JUST MAKES

YOU WANT TO

SAY, ‘GO DO

SOMETHING

DIFFERENT.’”

Courtney joins Mackie in

a 1973 fitting for Cher

Marilyn’s “Simple” Happy Birthday

JFK Dress

“It was”, he tells Park, “A basic, simple spaghettistrap

dress, except you could see right through it

and it had diamonds sewn all over it. But of course,

she looked amazing in it,” Mackie says. “And can

you imagine that girl in the center of Madison Square

Garden with all those spotlights on her and she

takes off her little fur jacket and it looks like she’s

just up there naked, but wet from all the diamonds?

That was pretty fun.”

Yes, this is the very dress that Kim Kardashian

wore in May to the 2022 Met Gala and the delightfully

frank designer bluntly denounced the fashion faux

pas as a “big mistake.” “Marilyn was a goddess…

She was just fabulous. Nobody photographs like

that. And it was done for her. It was designed for

her. Nobody else should be seen in that dress,”

Mackie told EW after the event.

Cher’s “Naked” Met Gala Dress

Another Mackie Met Gala gown, Cher’s 1974

“Naked Dress,” became mega-famous, ending up

on the cover of Time magazine. “It created such a

hullabaloo,” says Mackie. “A lot of newsstands took

it off the racks because people were shocked. It was

just so silly.” The see-through dress trend died down

for a while, until more recently. “In the last ten years

or so, all of a sudden, all these young actresses and

wannabes had been looking at the internet and

copying a lot of these clothes, just verbatim. I mean,

line for line, it’s kind of crazy.”

Admiration for Mackie’s creations must run in

the family, because in 2021 it was Kardashian’s

half-sister, Kendall Jenner, who wore a sheer dress

almost identical to Cher’s to the Met Gala. “It just

makes you want to say, ‘Go do something different.

Do something that’ll open our eyes and surprise

us,’” says Mackie. Cher, with whom he has collaborated

for many years, had a similar reaction to Jenner’s

homage, but he adds, “She liked it in a way too, that

this many years later people were still talking about

the dress.”

“And we’re talking about a lot of years,” Mackie

says. “I met Cher when she was 19 and she’s in her

70s now. That’s a long time ago, and she looks

amazing still. She can still wear that kind of stuff.”

Cher: “I don’t want to look like a housewife in an

evening gown.”

Indeed, 14 years later, in 1988, Cher again created


Chers

Showstoppers


ICON

Liza Minelli and Judy Garland

“I DON’T

WANT TO

LOOK LIKE A

HOUSEWIFE

IN AN

EVENING

GOWN,”

said Cher

Robert Gordon Mackie in a salute

to George M. Cohan at Rosemead

High School

a sensation in a daring, baring, Mackie creation

when accepting her Best Actress Oscar for Moonstruck.

“But”, Mackie explains, “This is Cher. She said, ‘I

don’t want to look like a housewife in an evening

gown’ when she goes to one of those things. So, she

dresses up. She loves Halloween and she loves to

dress up.”

While red-carpet dressing is sometimes a part

of his job, Mackie notes, it is not his modus operandi.

“That isn’t really costume design, it’s getting

something to be photographed in and be in the

paper the next day. That’s not what I do really, in

life.”

Book: The Art of Bob Mackie

All these escapades and much, much more from

Mackie’s unprecedented career have been chronicled

in a new book, The Art of Bob Mackie, by pop culture

historian Frank Vlastnik and author/editor Laura

Ross. The book, from Simon & Schuster, is the first

comprehensive compendium showcasing Mackie’s

work from early sketches when working for Edith

Head at Paramount Studios to today, as he remains

as busy as ever in his 80s.

Along with gorgeous photos, the tome features

dishy anecdotes from Mackie and many of his diva

muses, plus an afterword by Cher and an intro by

Carol Burnett, for whose TV variety show Mackie

designed the costumes during its entire 11-year run.

That gig involved designing costumes for Burnett’s

many comedy skits during each episode, and also

costumes for the cast and every guest who appeared

on the show.

He has found the book to be oddly nostalgic. “It’s

amazing, people will say, ‘I’d forgotten all about

that,’ and I love reading it because it makes me

laugh at those jokes again, because I did a lot of

comedy work with Carol Burnett and different

people. That was fun to do, and usually you don’t

get offers to do that kind of work, and I loved it,”

Mackie says. “And then movies, and TV specials in

Vegas, and an opera ballet, whatever. You just love

doing the work. I’m not happy when I’m not doing

something like that.”

And Mackie has no intention of stopping. “When

you do what you really want to do in life, and really

love doing it, you don’t think about that. You just

think, ‘Where’s my next job coming from?’ You

get kind of itchy and you really want to do the

work.”P

bobmackie.com


Left: Madonna’s

luscious look for her

performance at the

1991 Academy Awards.

Above: Elton John


ICON

do

Spreitzenbarth

ART & FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER

BY BENNETT MARCUS

Udo Spreitzenbarth

By Rebeca Federico

PHOTOGRAPHER UDO SPREITZENBARTH’S WORK HAS APPEARED

on magazine covers around the world, including those of Vogue, Harper’s

Bazaar, Elle, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire and many more. His art photography

has received international acclaim with a successful series of solo exhibitions

in New York, Berlin, Cologne, Frankfurt, Shanghai, Beijing and Chicago.

During his 25-year career, the German-born New York-based photographer

has turned his lens on many of the world’s iconic personalities, among them

John Legend, The Jonas Brothers, The Beach Boys, Usain Bolt, the artist

Christo, and the late Helmut Newton, whose work has been an inspiration.

“I’ve always loved Newton’s work, and I got to shoot portraits of him for a

German magazine while he was still alive,” Udo says. “That was amazing; he

was one of my biggest idols.”


Tyra Banks as

Claudia Schiffer


ICON

“NOBODY

RECOGNIZES

ME WHEN

I WEAR MY BIG

SUNGLASSES,”

MEG EXPLAINED.

“SHE WAS

SUCH A NICE

PERSON; LOTS

OF CHARISMA,

A ZEN-FEELING

AROUND HER.”

Meg Ryan

Meg Ryan

Working with such high-profile subjects has inevitably

provided some surprises. Udo was taken aback by Meg

Ryan’s laid-back attitude. She’d asked to come by his

studio to look at the pictures after a shoot, and instead

of arriving with a car and driver and a bevy of handlers,

he was stunned when the movie star appeared at his door

solo, having walked there over the High Line. “Nobody

recognizes me when I wear my big sunglasses,” she

explained. “She was such a nice person; lots of charisma,

a Zen-feeling around her,” he says.

Salma Hayek

Once, when hired by Elle Mexico to shoot the cover, Udo

suggested Salma Hayek as the model. The editors loved

the idea – and asked if he could get her to do it. He managed

to snag the actress and booked a studio in L.A. for

the shoot. When the shoot started, The House of Gucci star

suddenly began speaking in Spanish, which Udo apologetically

told her he didn’t understand. She said, “You›re doing the

cover for Elle Mexico and you don’t speak Spanish?” Everyone

on the set froze. He had to think quickly. “I said to

her, ‘Do you speak German?’ She said, ‘No.’ And I said,


Tyra as Grace Jones

‘You want to work with me, a German photographer, and

you don’t speak German?’ There was a moment of shocked

silence, and then Salma and everyone on set started to

laugh. “It kind of broke the ice. And then she saw some of

the first shots and she loved them, and it was a great shoot.

At the end of the day, she was hugging me and saying how

much she loved working with me.”

Tyra 15

Perhaps one of Udo’s most well -known projects was

Tyra 15: A Tribute to the Supermodel, in which he photographed

Tyra Banks as fifteen other iconic models

throughout the ages, including Kate Moss, Cindy Crawford,

Lauren Hutton, Iman, Twiggy, Karlie Kloss and

Carmen Dell’Orefice. The project was especially challenging

since they decided not to do any retouching. “If

you use Photoshop, you can basically make anyone look

like anyone, but if you choose not to use that, then it

becomes all about the art of photography, lighting,

makeup, styling, and acting on Tyra’s part,” says Udo.

“It was amazing how she could transform into these

models.”


ICON

‘‘MY FORTE IS

PEOPLE AND

EXPRESSING

EMOTIONS

AND FEELINGS

THROUGH

PEOPLE IN MY

PICTURES.”

Leelee Sobieski

Catherine Zeta-Jones exclusive

Udo is the exclusive photographer for Catherine

Zeta-Jones’ brand, Casa Zeta-Jones, doing

all the photos and video direction for ads, commercials

and editorials. These include cosmetics,

activewear and shoes.

Focus On Fine Art Photography

Recently, Udo has been placing more focus

on his art photography, which does include

some of his artistic fashion work. He feels that

the line between fashion photography and fine

art is increasingly blurring, and looks to his

idol, Helmut Newton, as inspiration. “He’s a

very important art photographer for our times,

but he was at the same time also a fashion photographer,

and that never excluded itself,” Udo

says. “Things are much more inclusive, and

boundaries are more and more broken. People

are very accepting and open to what art means

or can be.”

With his exhibit this spring at Virgil Catherine

Gallery, outside Chicago, he found that

patrons were fascinated by his life and work in

the celebrity world. “That’s very important to

collectors and art lovers, when they see a picture

that interests them and you tell them the

story, how it happened and why we did it and

how it got created. Then they fall in love with

the image even more.”

One hallmark of Udo’s work is that there is

always a human being in the photo. “I was never

as interested in still life or architecture. My forte

is people and expressing emotions and feelings

through people in my pictures.”

Upcoming Exhibitions: Carlton Fine

Arts & Art Karlsruhe Fair

Udo will be showing a selection of his celebrity

portraits at Carlton Fine Arts on Madison Avenue

this summer until July 16 th and then he’ll exhibit

at the prestigious Art Karlsruhe fair, in Germany.

P

udophotography.com


Mishcha

Barton


COVER STORY

Dress:

RANI ZAKHEM

Shoes:

AQUAZURRA

Earrings:

HOUSE OF

EMMANUELE

Rings:

ANABELA CHAN ,

DALE NOVICK

ydia

HEARST

AMERICAN

HORROR

QUEEN


COVER STORY

BY JULIE SAGOSKIN

YDIA HEARST, THE ACTRESS, MODEL AND

socialite who is as much of a fan as the horror

movies she is known to star in, is definitely more

sweet than scary. Okay, maybe a bit twisted, but

in the most endearing way, plus equal parts fun,

quirky, humorous and witty. With striking features

and vibrant red hair, plus a bubbly personality

that you know hides something deeper under the

surface, Lydia is serious girl crush vibes. As a

fellow horror fan who has followed Hearst’s rapidly

progressing career, my own excitement level peaks

as I notice a Chucky embroidered throw in the

background – which Lydia explains recently

replaced a Tiffany doll (from Child’s Play) - one

of many horror props she keeps throughout her

house, as we chat via Zoom from her home near

Griffith Park outside of Los Angeles. Also, a new

mom who just wrapped up another production

which she starred in and produced; Hearst is not

just your average heiress.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY STEWART SHINING

STYLIST Joseph Cassell

STYLING ASSISTANT Juliana Vargas

HAIR Mark Townsend

MAKEUP Rachael Goodwin

Dress:

JONATHAN

SIMKHAI

Hat:

PIERS

ATKINSON


parkny.com | 51

COVER STORY

Dress:

CHLOE

Shoes:

ROCHAS

Bracelets:

ALEXIS

BITTAR

Earrings:

VINTAGE

“OH MY GOD. I’VE ALWAYS

LOVED HORROR. I’M REALLY

INTO THE ATMOSPHERE AND

THE SUSPENSE’’

William Randolph Hearst

The great-granddaughter of William Randolph Hearst,

founder of the Hearst publishing empire and the inspiration

for Orson Welles’ classic Citizen Kane, Lydia grew up in an

idyllic community in Connecticut where she attended private

school while pursuing a career in modeling. Getting used to

a constant stream of rejections, mostly due to her shorter

stature at 5’7”, Lydia’s life soon changed when she was discovered

by famed photographer Steven Meisel who put her on the

cover of Italian Vogue. Rejection soon turned into worldwide

recognition.

“We shot that before Christmas in 2003. Things were still

shot on film, and it was before iPhones with the cameras and

all that, and everything was kept very hush-hush. I didn’t even

tell my agents at the time what I had done. And then come

April 2004, it sort of changed my life overnight. So many of

the people who had rejected me and turned me down suddenly

went, ‘Oh. Oh, I get it now,’ which was a very interesting response.

And it was sort of the first time that people actually took me

seriously. I was able to start traveling the world and work with

some of the most iconic photographers and designers to date.”

While she has been more focused on her film projects, she

did enjoy faux breastfeeding twin babies for an Equinox ad

campaign a few years back. “It was just a really fun shoot. It

also had a lot of controversy, but I loved that I got to work with

friends. Those are my favorite shoots.”

Scream Queen

Lydia is thrilled that she is now able to work as an actress,

more specifically, in the horror genre, which she refers to as a

very ‘niche community.’ “Oh my God. I’ve always loved horror.

It’s not really about the cheap thrills and the jump scares. I’m

really into the atmosphere and the suspense. And of course,

any true horror fan loves the gore too. But I love films that

aren’t just scary, but kind of creepy, which isn’t exactly the

same. You don’t get that jump scream. you’re almost vicariously

living through the experiences that the characters on screen

are having.”

Hearst has also wound up in a hearse more times than she

can remember. “I can’t remember how many, but my

husband (Chris Hardwick) was counting them up before. I

think I have died at least 13 times. And I’ve had so many different

ways of dying. I’ve been shot. I’ve had a flesh-eating virus. I’ve

had my head bashed in with a giant dildo. I mean, there’s been

quite a few interesting ways, and then there’s been drug overdoses.

But interestingly enough recently, I haven’t died quite as much.”

Dead or alive, her fans love watching her bring horror to

life. It also turns out that killer fashion and horror films do

have something in common – at least for Lydia. “I learned to

transform, and I have kind of this chameleon-like face, almost

like a blank canvas. I’m constantly changing the color or the

cut of my hair. I’m even putting in various contacts to change

my eye color.”

Mom Patty Hearst in John Waters’ Cry-Baby

Not falling far from the fashionable tree, Lydia remembers

the spectacle that was a Thierry Mugler runway show, back

when runway shows were more than an hour long and models

would change in front of the audience. She knew she wanted

to “do that” when she watched her own mother, Patricia (AKA

Patty) Hearst, alongside the original supermodels, including

Elle Macpherson and Naomi Campbell. She also recalls the

pure excitement and magic of being on set for the John Waters

film Cry-Baby in which Patty starred alongside stars like

Johnny Depp. “John Waters created this fantastic world. I

mean, everybody was in these incredible costumes and the

makeup and they’re singing and dancing. I mean, what little

kid wouldn’t want to do that when they grow up? Just play

and have fun.”

Despite growing up with not just a famous last name but

a mother who was at the center of an international scandal

surrounding her alleged kidnapping and bank robbery charges,

all of which was turned into a thriller movie, Lydia is surprisingly,

well, normal. Lydia normal that is. During an overseas interview,

the segment was scrapped due to her “disturbingly” adjusted

demeanor. “They said to me, ‘Well, we’re used to people who

tend to have more alcohol issues or drug problems or had

neglectful parents.’ I literally called my mom after and I was

like, ‘Well, mom, it’s terrible. You were such a loving parent

that people aren’t interested.’ So, it’s kind of ironic that when

people are like, ‘Oh, what challenges have you faced?’ It’s like,

I feel like the biggest challenge is that everybody thinks that

I should be some other extreme way with parents that weren’t

around or have all these issues. We have a really good relationship.


COVER STORY

Full Look: MOSCHINO Shoes: MOSCHINO Earrings: KAT MACONIE Rings: FRY POWERS JEWELRY

I still talk to my mom every day. I hope to be as good a mom

as my mom has been to me.”

It turns out that this horror actress is also a fan of love stories

- at least in real life - and found her own fairytale with nowhusband

Christopher Hardwick, the host of Talking Dead,

writer, and comedian. “It’s not that easy to find someone who

doesn’t mind having random horror props all over the house

and watching horror movies every night before bed and things

like that. It’s nice that he supports my crazy passions. And I

don’t know, we just have a lot of fun. It’s kind of like we both

embrace our childish enthusiasm. He’s my best friend and

we’re a team.”

Star Wars Wedding

Droids, boots and zombie makeup were just part of the

wedding celebrations for the two lovebirds who wanted to

make the festivities as fun and true to themselves as possible.

The ceremony, which lasted less than 15 minutes, was officiated


Dress:

CAROLINA

HERRERA

Bracelet:

RINALDY

A. YUNARDI

Earrings:

KATE SPADE

Gloves:

VINTAGE

COVER STORY

COVER STORY

Dress:

OSCAR DE

LA RENTA

Shoes:

KAT

MACONIE

Belt:

PRADA

Earrings:

JARED

JAMIN

Ring:

DOMINIQUE

RENEE

Ring:

NOUVEL

HERITAGE

COVER STORY

Dress:

AUGUST

GETTY

ATELIER

Earrings:

DALE

NOVICK

Rings:

BONDEYE

JEWELRY


COVER STORY

Top: AZZI & OSTA Hat: AMORPHOSE

by Ed Dumke, who had also married Lydia’s parents, as well

as her best friend, Jaime King, though the ring bearer was a

bit less known to the guests. At least on a personal level. R5-D4

– yes, the original droid in Star Wars, came down the aisle –

and it didn’t stop there. If you’re a Star Wars fan, you’ll know

that Mark Hamill originally chose him to be his sidekick, but

he is a bad motivator who consistently breaks down. “The

Ewoks come and take him away, and that’s how he winds up

with R2-D2, so at the ceremony, R5-D4 breaks down, he’s got

the ring, and he’s like sparking and sputtering, and then a

whole bunch of Ewoks came out to get... or no, sorry. Jawas,

not Ewoks. Jawas came out to get him. So, it was just that kind

of fun that we had.”

The party continued with guests in cocktail attire and cowboy

boots, a request made by this chic country girl who can effortlessly

combine couture with comfort. “My family, we’re just as much

high fashion as we are country. I wanted people to get dressed

up, but be comfortable, because when you’re dancing the

night away, no one likes to be in heels all night, your feet start

to hurt. And then, because my husband hosts a show called

Talking Dead, which premieres and plays after Walking Dead

on AMC, Greg Nicotero actually did the special effects makeup

for all of the wait staff at the wedding to turn them into Walking

Dead zombies. Clay Walker, my favorite country performer,

actually got up and sang and performed the whole night. It

was just a big spectacle, and a lot of fun. We just wanted to

make sure everybody enjoyed themselves.”

Pinball & Nintendo Switch Gamer

This pinball-loving pair was even gifted a limited-edition

Halloween pinball machine by close friends Jamie Lee Curtis

and Michael Myers when they announced the gender of their

baby girl. This prized pinball present joined other favorites

including The Walking Dead, The Addams Family, Star Trek

and The Simpsons, even though Lydia makes sure to point out

that those last two are classics, so they are allowed in the

pinball room even though they aren’t part of the usual horror

theme. Lydia has been a gaming lover since she started playing

Nintendo when her grandfather gave her and her sister an

original Nintendo in the 80s. “I grew up on Mario and all those

things and now I am just an avid Nintendo Switch player.”

They now have a four-month-old daughter, Dimity. Dimity


“I NEVER GOT INTO THE

BUSINESS TO BE FAMOUS. I

GOT INTO IT BECAUSE I JUST

LOVED WHAT I WAS DOING.’’

is an old English name referencing delicate fabrics woven

together to become strong, which instantly reminded Lydia

and her husband of their own bond. And yes, the adorable

newborn already has creatures around her nursery, most notably,

a life-sized Mike and Sully figurine from Monsters, Inc.

This movie star and new mom started working just eight

weeks after giving birth, on another horror movie, of course.

“It was definitely a challenge. I didn’t want to have to leave her

every day, but at the same time, I was excited to be back on set

and get back to work. I hope to be able to instill a solid and

good work ethic in her and that she can see that it is possible

to find a balance where you can, in a sense, have it all and do

it all.”

American Boogeyman & LA Film Festival

The haute horror queen previously added producer next to

her name on the popular Netflix show American Boogeyman

which she also starred in, about husband killer Aileen Wuornos.

Next up, fans will be able to catch her in a film she shot prior

to the pandemic, which will premiere at the LA Film Festival,

where she plays a volatile and unstable mother who is emotionally

tortured and addicted to heroin. She also co-executive produced

and co-stars in a film called Slayer with Malin Akerman and

Abigail Breslin, which is kind of a unique, modern re-imagining

of classic vampire lore. Other upcoming projects include

Werewolf Game as well as a movie based off of the well-known

game, Assassin.

“We’re 12 strangers who are kidnapped by a sort of social

media conglomerate company and we’re forced to play this

game where we have to vote amongst each other, and people

get brutally murdered. I’m actually one of the leads, and I’m

co-starring with Tony Todd, which is kind of amazing because

he’s a legend. I’m really hoping that fans like this one. It was

a very challenging film, one because I had just given birth,

and two, because of the circumstances of the characters and

the situation of the film.”

Operation Smile

Lydia is also fiercely passionate about helping others and

has been traveling around the world for the organization

Operation Smile, where she attends charity fundraisers and

launches global offices, in addition to going on volunteer

missions. Intended to help underprivileged children receive

bilateral cleft lip and palate surgeries, she is already excited

at the idea of bringing her own daughter on future missions

when she’s old enough.

South of Hell with Mena Suvari

This former television actress, who appeared in Eli Roth’s

television series South of Hell with Mena Suvari, which she

describes as being “ahead of it’s time for attempting to take

horror mainstream,” has one very special part in mind if she

were ever to come to Broadway: the silent film star in Singin’

in the Rain. She is really into character acting, after all. “I never

got into the business to be famous. I got into it because I just

genuinely loved what I was doing. And I loved being creative

and playing and working with really fascinating, interesting,

fun, nice people.”

Hearst Castle

While she is proud of her Hearst heritage and loved shooting

around Hearst Castle (a 250,000-acre property around San

Simeon, California, which now comprises 123 acres of gardens,

terraces, and pools, as well as a 165-room estate and legendary

art collection), she is also happy to have carved out her own

identity. Never feeling like she fit in as a New Yorker, Lydia

and her husband are looking at purchasing a ranch a few

hours away in Central California. They are also renovating

and restoring a historic home across the street, where Lydia

is already getting her own gardening obsession going.

“I put in a little citrus grove on the hillside where I have

different clementines and kumquats and tangelos and Mandarin

oranges, and even Cara Cara blood oranges. And then there’s

another side of the property that I put in these Heritage apple

trees. I’ve been working on planting everything and sectioning

it off because I’ve done a lot of research into how they should

be planted. I’ve also been trying to dabble in grafting, because

on the property that we got, there are actually these really old

grapefruit trees, that I don’t think it’s even a type of grapefruit

that exists anymore. They’re about as old as the house, which

is nearly 100, which means they’re probably going to die soon,

which is unfortunate. I have to kind of figure out how to save

the trees and graft them onto something else in order to preserve

that species.”

One thing is certain when it comes to Lydia Hearst – she is

always horrifyingly herself. And that’s why we love her.P

instagram.com/lydiahearst


Dress:

TALLER

MARMO

Shoes:

JIMMY

CHOO

Earrings:

HOUSE OF

EMMANUELE

Rings:

EFFY ,

MELINDA

MARIA


FASHION

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CHRISTINA DEO

christinadeo.com IG: @deo_christina

STYLIST: SUTHEE RITTHAWORN

sutheeritt.com IG: @sutheeritt

HAIR & MAKE-UP: NICOLE RIVERA

nicoleriveramakeup.com IG: @nicoleriveramakeup

MODEL: RILEY RODRIGUEZ

@rileyrodriguezz, represented by VNY Models

EAGER TO

DISPLE

ASE

Leather Bra Top

Ericson Davidson

Leather pants

Rick Owens

Latex Gloves

Ines Gloves

Spiked Choker

Hard n Heavy

FASHION

Black Dress

Litkovskaya

Choker

Lasegue Falret

Leather

Bra Top

Tomorrow

_by Michelle K

Tube Skirt

PierAntonioGaspari

Boots

Rossi

FASHION

Black Sheer Dress

Lâcher Prise

Black Bikini

Bottom

By A’Jenae

Boots

Rossi

Black Leather

Corset

Ericson Davidson

Earrings

Erickson Beamon

Tuxedo blazer

with safety pins

Leather bra top

Alexandro Fratelli

Knee Boots

Rossi

Mask

Alexandro Fratelli

ARTS

PHOTOGRAPH: BRIT KWASNEY

Gold

Shira

VANCOUVER’S MOST VISIONARY FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHER

AFTER QUITTING DANCE AS A CHILD BECAUSE

she just wasn’t wired to follow the rules, fine art photographer

Shira Gold decided to make her own rules

and is now one of Canada’s most influential artists.

This rule-defying realization at a young age, compounded

with the fact that her mother was one of the

first administrators of Arts Umbrella, a visual and

performing arts school in Vancouver, contributed to

her now passionate artistic path. “The school had

become a refuge for me as I found academics challenging.

When I first learned photography at the age

of 11, I found myself living in the dark room. Being

behind a lens really allowed me to engage with other

people confidently, and I was able to start to learn the

visual expression of my own thoughts and feelings.

As a child and teenager, I’d always be sitting and waiting

for my mom at the school on Granville Island.

The Island is an artisan hub, full of local artists and

markets, and I would always look out the window at

the artist studios and think how much I would love

to be a photographer and have a space there. Then a

couple of years ago I got a call that one of these studios

that I used to stare at so longingly across from

Arts Umbrella was available.”

BY LAUREN BENS


Head in the Clouds


Caught in the Middle

Pulp Dreams

Years after her mother and muse, Melanie Gold, passed

away in 2003, Shira created Good Grief, a visual articulation

of the profound personal transformations she went

through during that time. When Gold, a former fashion

designer, took her camera out again following her mother’s

passing, she never stopped snapping things that gave meaning

to her visions. “My mom was a huge formative force for

me as a child. She lived and breathed the art world.”

When it comes to describing her work, Shira explains

that she is more interested in capturing the feelings that

she is experiencing in the moment rather than trying to

meet the moment. “I do this using visual metaphors. Ever

since I was a teenager and even as a child I was fascinated

with overlooked objects and how things we just pass by

might carry meaning, become visually

opulent when seen through new

“I WAS HIKING AND STUMBLED

UPON THOUSANDS AND eyes. Whether I’m using a landscape

THOUSANDS OF MOTHS COVERING or falling petals, or a found vase or

THE LAKE LIKE LACE. I WAS REALLY disposable masks, it’s the same process.

Minimalism has been a consist-

TAKEN BY THE EXPERIENCE AND

INSPIRED TO CREATE WHAT I FELT.’’ ent theme which has been honed

and refined as I continue to develop

my practice. I have a busy mind, and when I find something

within my frame it’s one of the few moments when I can

block everything out and focus just on the intention.”

The severity and instability of the pandemic led Gold to

create two independent series of poignant photographs

which related to what we have all gone through these past

few years. In response to all the regulations imposed on

society during the start of Covid, By a Thread deconstructs

the feelings that arise when facing both the tightening and

loosening of rules. It reflects humanity’s need for order in

the face of absolute disorder and chaos, and the sense of

uncertainty we feel as we navigate those conflicting impulses

within ourselves as well as our society. Shira correlated this

to often maligned and misunderstood moths, which evoke

a sense of rebirth and regeneration, with an innate pull

towards liberation through their symbolic and transformative

beauty. She compares how we too were forced to leave

our cocooned worlds after being sequestered for long periods

of time, and how we are drawn to the light of promise

as we reemerge and reimagine our lives. “By a Thread is

about how we choose to come into the light after such a

divisive experience. In constructing the series, I had to deconstruct

my feelings and consider how to find a new order in

the midst of disorder.” The series concluded in synchronicity

with the pandemic restrictions easing away and expresses

a shared experience through visual metaphor. By A Thread

was conceived following a moth outbreak that besieged

Vancouver’s lower mainland. Semi-transparent moths are

delicately suspended while taut, artificial threads delineate

rules and safety orders, a gesture toward our tenuous relationship

with the ever more uncertain future. “I was hiking

and stumbled upon thousands and thousands of moths

covering the lake like lace. I was really taken by the experience

and inspired to create what I felt at that time. I consider

myself to be an emotional person and love being able to

capture what I feel and share it with others.”

Shira’s second pandemic body of work, Bare Essentials,

is a composite portrait series of everyday items including

tissues, paper towels and toilet paper which were treasured

and then disposed of during the early days of the pandemic.

“These works are an interrogation or meditation on our

consumer behavior and the supply chain in those early


Ordinary Possesions


Heart Strings and Soulfull Things

Musings

days. I tried not to order online and hoard items, preferring

to just buy things as we ran out of them, however the search

for essentials became more challenging as they became

quite elusive in Vancouver. When online deliveries arrived,

my children and I were shocked to find even the non-breakable

items wrapped up in bubble wrap. I realized that I

was contributing to the problem of consumerism and kept

the bubble wrap as a memory of the moment and to incorporate

it into my work.”

Getting through the pandemic herself involved being

outdoors a lot and going for hikes with her family. “I adore

travel, and we really just stayed close to our home and

explored our province. My relationships are deeply important

to me, and I was deeply grateful to remain connected

virtually with friends as much as I

“I AM AMAZED AT HOW, IN THESE could. My friendships, music and

MOST CHALLENGING TIMES, art are like therapy for me. Concerts

SEEMINGLY EVERYONE IS FINDING are one of my favorite things to photograph

for fun. I was missing going

THE BEAUTY IN THE ENVIRONMENT

AROUND US.’’ to shows terribly and am looking forward

to seeing live music again.”

Earlier on in her career, Shira was focused on photobased

mixed media, but was unsure that her message was

communicated effectively. She continues to experiment

with different mediums and takes a self-described “messy

mad scientist” approach to create the installations that

become her composite photographs. “I put multiple images

together to present the message and create the overall effect

I’m looking for. I stage those bits and frames, sometimes

well over 20 layers deep, and the compositions evolve to

develop a painterly quality to them.”

Shira is known for presenting her work as contemporary

prints, mounted and laminated so they can be hung without

glass. This visionary and versatile photographer was

also extremely honored to have one of her photographs

featured on the cover of her father’s book called Two Pieces

of Cloth, which is about his parents’ fight for survival during

the Holocaust. “My grandparents were survivors and came

to Canada with next to nothing. Through hard work and

determination, they really built a new life for themselves.”

Currently, this star photographer, who has been recognized

through many different international awards organizations,

including The Fine Art Photo Awards, LensCulture

Art Photography Awards and others, splits her time between

her public and home-based studios. She will be spreading

her creativity – and unique perspective – with an upcoming

series focused on neural diversity. Having been diagnosed

with ADHD in her mid-30s, Shira has wanted to explore

that topic for some time. She is also excited to have pieces

featured in FotoNostrum gallery in Barcelona in the fall.

With artists being forced to find new ways to showcase

their creativity following the hardships of the last few years,

Shira is in awe of the art community. “I am amazed at how,

in these most challenging times, seemingly everyone is

finding the beauty in the environment around us. In the

photography community, this creativity has been continuous,

despite all the pain and sadness and loss, and

there have been many great stories to come out of it.”

Finding her own ways of creating art during these times

resonates with us perhaps most of all because of the vulnerability

and emotion she evokes in each of her very personal

pieces. P

shiragold.com


Shedding Light


ARTS

The Happy Art Movement

Brazilian-American

Artist Romero

Britto - Founder of

The Happy Art

Movement, whose

60,000-square-foot

studio in Miami is

known as “The Palace,” has arrived

in New York. An exhibition of his

work curated by Catherine Davis

featuring 100 original paintings,

limited edition works and sculptures

created during the pandemic

opened at Carlton Fine Arts. A

portion of the proceeds of all sales

will be donated to the New York

Academy of Art.

Romero

Britto

Comes to New York City

BY WHITNEY LOVELL SCHOTT

Absolut Vodka 1989

& Formula One

PARK magazine sat down with

Britto in Miami during Formula

One, where a life-size sculpture

valued at $400,000 was on view

featuring his signature bold,

colorful patterns reflecting the

optimistic view of the world he

wants his work to represent. He told

us he came to America thirty-five

years ago and has worked in many

roles while transitioning from a

street artist to the global star he is

today. He says his journey started

when he was a child painting simple

watercolors and a schoolteacher

bought one of his paintings for $14

dollars, inspiring him to continue. “I

came from a large Brazilian family.

My mother worked and cared for all

of us. To entertain myself, I would

draw. My drawings were always

colorful, happy and fun. It was my

search for happiness and it made

me feel good; happy and safe. I never

wanted to stop!” But his road to

success was a step-by-step process.

“I knew I’d never make it as a waiter,”

he jokes, “but I always loved cars, so I

worked in a car wash, and a pizza

parlor, and in stores and supermarkets,

anything to help support my

passion for creating art. The only

thing I haven’t been is a husband…



ARTS

“I was happy to discover I could help

or a prostitute!” he adds, laughing.

Once Britto had the luxury of working as

an artist professionally, he built an empire,

one collaboration at a time. His first was a

licensing deal with Absolut Vodka in 1989

when he was chosen for their ad campaign

along with Andy Warhol, Keith Haring,

Jean-Michel Basquiat, Damien Hirst and

Robert Indiana. Since then, he’s done

collaborations with such mega brands as

Coca-Cola, Samsung, Mattel Barbie, Disney,

Evian, Wilson, Visa, Apple and Puma, but his

second love remains cars. “I love cars!” he

proclaims. “My collection includes cars from

1968-2022.” He’s done collaborations with

Rolls Royce and Bentley —through Braman

Miami, for Art Basel last year —which he will

continue to do again this year. The sculpture

he created for Formula One “is a McLaren,”

he says. It’s a lot of work and he now has 100

employees on staff in his Miami studio to

assist him in all aspects of his thriving

business, but he needs more space. “I have so

much artwork in storage,” he told us. His

private collection includes Keith Haring,

Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Frank Stella,

Damien Hirst, Jeff Koons, Matisse, Chagall

and Picasso to name a few - all of whom he

finds “very inspiring.”

HRH Charles, Prince of Wales & HRH

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall

“And I love fashion,” Britto says. “I am

grateful to have been able to collaborate with

so many wonderful brands —like my friends

at Dolce & Gabbana, Hublot and Swatch.

Collaborations in fashion, music and movies

are great; the visual arts are a great way to

share my art with more people,” he says.

“NFT’s are also a great way to share art…and

another source of revenue for artists, so I

think they are great,” he says. “Like the

Industrial Revolution, we need to embrace

the Technological Revolution as well.”

Leonardo DiCaprio, Arnold Schwarzenegger

and Martha Stewart are just a few of the

big-name celebrities who collect Britto’s

work, which now ranges from $80,000 for a

commissioned portrait, to $230,000 -

$1,000,000 for a painting and up to

$3,000,000 for a sculpture. Some of his

most famous portraits include HRH Charles,

Prince of Wales and wife HRH Camilla,

Duchess of Cornwall, unveiled at Bucking-


others in this very personal way.

ham Palace in 2021. “Prince Charles is a

watercolorist himself, so it was a real

compliment to learn he was interested in my

work, and a great honor to meet him. I

invited him to visit my studio when he comes

to New York, he invited me to the palace!”

Britto told us. Asked about other celebrities

he has met, Britto said laughing, “When I met

Gigi Hadid’s father, Mohamed, he told me I

should paint her portrait…and charge a lot of

money!”

Britto Palace & JFK

He plans to expand his “Palace” to 200,000

square feet — hopefully in time for his

birthday in October 2022, and will rent out a

10,000-square-foot space for events. “People

love to come to my studio and use the space

for cocktail parties. It’s a happy space and

makes them feel good,” he says. Britto has

given to more than 200 charities. His first

philanthropic experience was with the

American Heart Association. “I was happy to

discover I could help others in this very

personal way. It made me feel good. It’s a great

feeling to help others - especially in your

community, but also around the world. I love

sharing my art and wish I could do more. It’s a

beautiful thing. America is the most charitable

country in the world!” Coming to America

as an immigrant, he found “life to be easier,”

he says. “The mindset is more open than in

Brazil. I have found my friends and collectors

to be so incredibly supportive.”

During the pandemic, Britto took solace in

his artwork. When he paints, he gets into a

“zone.” Like meditation, he finds “inspiration,

optimism and happiness” there. He found

the process of transitioning from painting to

sculpture to be quite “organic.” He says he

was “never scared to create sculpture— like

his big apple at JFK Airport. It can be

challenging to create something 40-50 feet

high, but I found the challenge motivating,”

he says.

If he had one message to give to the world

through his work, with all the primary colors,

hearts, and flowers in his work, what would it

be? “Happiness, hope and gratitude,” Britto

says, “I want my art to represent all the

blessings in the world, not the darkness and

despair.” P

shopbritto.com

parkny.com | 119

ARTS

of

The

Beauty

Imperfect


BY E.E. BRADMAN

PHOTOGRAPHS BY JULIE FLORIO

fROM MULTIPANELED PAINTINGS COMMISSIONED FOR

New York’s dazzling One Vanderbilt skyscraper and big Sony windows

on Madison Avenue to a giant video wall for Sundance and a huge billboard

in Times Square, Linda Zacks deals in big concepts and big energy.

Her canvases, whimsical and vibrant, convey visceral emotions with playful,

primal complexity, which is why it makes perfect sense that she was

chosen to brighten New York City streets with The Greatest City on Earth

public art project after 9/11.

Ever since she began her career in the early days of the web boom, the

Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design graduate has infused

art and lettering into design, honing her distinctive style while working for

clients like Broadway, Adobe, and Target. Her indelible way of seeing the

world inevitably finds itself into her work, whether it’s a mural in Paris’s

Gare Montparnasse station or an installation at an interactive conference

in Barcelona. As a fine artist, Zacks makes imaginative use of materials—

cardboard, duct tape, old wood, Polaroids, and so much more—but the

concise poetry that accompanies each collage gives new meaning to the

term “mixed media.” She’s currently showing at the White Room Gallery

in Bridgehampton, New York and preparing for Art Market Hamptons, in

August 2022, and another showing at SCOPE Miami, in November.

“My work is all about stories close to my heart,” she says. “I collect data

and mash it together into a visual meal.”

When I look at your art, I’m reminded

of the full-body chaos of New York City.

I always say the city that breaks you makes

you. Many intense years of living in the chaos

jumpstarts your brain in amazing ways. I

carry it with me—that kind of crazy energy

is saved inside, and I use it when I need it.

What are the main lessons you learned

from living in NYC?

Hustle. Be aggressive! I’m an athlete, so

life in New York—the most competitive game

you’ll ever take part in—fits my personality

perfectly.

Give me an example of how the city

inspired a particular piece.

“THE STREET” is my take on the street

outside my old apartment in Williamsburg,

Brooklyn. At any given moment, there’d be

a whole bunch of craziness going on around

me; I’d interpret it and metaphorically exaggerate

bits and pieces, letting it transform

into my vision of the moment.

Do you visit museum and galleries for

inspiration?

Walk the streets! Be outside! New York is

a living canvas that’s been painted over a

billion times, leaving evidence underneath

of past lives and stories. It’s a rich urban cake

with human frosting. It’s a treasure hunt!

Sound and sports are important

to you, too.

I enjoy all kinds of music while making

stuff, and sometimes I listen to the room and

the sounds of the studio without music: the

soundtracks of nature and life. Staying in

shape knocks loose the neurons needed to

stimulate my brain for ideas and creativity.

I’ve been boxing for three years, and it’s the

best thing ever!


ARTS

‘‘The studio is alive with the tools of

Tell me about your process.

Do you start with sketches?

I’m more interested in the rawness of the

thinking process than the final product. You

create something and you maybe don’t like it

and paint over it, but then something juicy

pops into your mind and you write something

else. The messiness, second-guessing and overthinking…

that’s the interesting part!

Did you develop that spirit in school?

I’ve always been a fearless creator. I say that

I learned how to think, not draw. My creativity

reared its head in unconventional ways—I often

turned in elaborate books instead of just

papers—and I found that creativity lived everywhere.

“Art” class ended up being the least

creative place for me. The biggest thing school

taught me was creative problem-solving—how

to question the parameters of a project so I

could bend the rules accordingly. There’s a

structured, educated brain underneath the apparent

craziness of my pieces. My work is not

wallpaper; each piece has depth.

And just like New York City, your

canvases are packed with visual stimuli.

I love rich colors and rollers and used paper

and old cardboard—physical materials that

did some living before I found them. A friend

made me huge wooden letters, which I use as

giant stamps. I love letters of all shapes and

sizes, and especially my old Remington typewriter,

which my husband proposed to me on.

I love different viscosities of paint, from liquids

that splat and ooze and spill to really

thick caked-on sludge.

Is your studio as blissfully alive as your

art, or is it organized to a T?

The studio is alive with the tools of creativity,

and creativity is messy! Every time I make

a painting or a book, my studio explodes into

a disaster area. My workspace bends and

changes with each project—I’m forever making

space for new experiments and commissions.

Some of your pieces are huge, too!

Most of my works are very large. They have

evolved to be big because people want them

big. My work is usually the focal point of a room—

see it, feel it.

You moved to Princeton, New Jersey a

few years ago. Is NYC still in your bones?

I will always make NYC-centric paintings,

but my output lately has become about more

universal human themes close to my heart, like

“hustle,” “strong,” “sunshine,” and “THE AN-

CESTORS.” These share some visceral qualities

with other works, but they’re more about


creativity, and creativity is messy!’’

humans than the city. That said, I’m also making

“TEN MINUTES IN TIMES SQUARE,” so

the city is never really that far away. We live

right between NYC and Philly, an oasis amongst

the madness.

When did words become such an

important part of your visuals?

I love word-based paintings; one word is a

full three-course meal of concept and whimsy.

I collect words. I have a journal with lists of

words that spark ideas for future creations.

English was my art class, and I’m deeply rooted

in words and writing. When does a word become

an image, and vice versa? I’m a huge fan

of any kind of letter, any form, and I still handwrite

stuff.

How do you divide your time between

pencil-and-paper and software?

I always say that I have one hand on a pencil

and one on a pixel. I graduated college right as

the web was exploding onto the scene, umbilical

cord still attached. I feel lucky to have learned

the old way of doing things before computers

took over our lives. I am very much analog and

digital, and that combo makes for interesting

crossovers and possibilities.

You worked at VH1 for a while, but were

you also making art on the side?

Yes. I created a treasure trove of personal projects,

paintings, and handmade books, which

a friend finally convinced me to put up on a

website. Since VH1, I have worked on an amazing

bunch of commissions, from editorial illustrations

to integrated advertising campaigns.

Some of my handmade NYC books have been

featured at New York’s MoMA Design Store and

the International Center of Photography’s museum

shop.

Tell me about the new, more universal

pieces you mentioned earlier.

I’m excited about a new series called “THE

ANCESTORS.” It’s all about asking big questions:

Where did you come from? Who made

you? How are we who we are? Genetics, DNA,

hair follicles, stories, moments, recollections,

atoms, protons, magic dust... This series

is about contemplating your existence,

the people who made you, and the people

who made them.

How many pieces will be in the series?

I’ve made the first two “ANCESTORS,”

and I can see it expanding to 20 or more

compelling figures, brimming with words

and history.

What advice would you give to someone

interested in cultivating a body of work

as diverse and energetic as yours?

Enjoy the beauty of slow, the beauty of imperfect.

Record life as it whizzes by your nose.

Take it all in. Inject the vibrancy, the surprises,

the love, the conflict, the conversations. Keep

moving. Keep trying. Keep failing. Don’t stop.

Cultivate your voice—it’s a lifelong song. P

lindazacks.com

@lindazacksart


ARTS

Rick

Friedman

Hamptons Fine Art Fair

Explore World-Class Art in

Southampton

BY BRIAN AKER

Discerning art collectors

need look no further than

the Hamptons to discover

beautiful and beguiling

works of art to enliven

their homes. The

Hamptons Fine Art Fair in

Southampton will celebrate its second year

in the expert hands of its creator, event

producer and art collector Rick Friedman.

Last year the fair launched to tremendous

success, shattering attendance and sales

expectations. This summer the Hamptons

Fine Arts Fair expands in size and scope in a

new location and promises to be the most

exciting high-caliber, luxury fine art event in

the Hamptons. “I am really excited about

offering Hamptonites the chance to see and

purchase exceptional quality art from all

over the world, ranging from emerging


artists to blue-chip paintings, including

Renoir and Picasso pieces, from M.S. Rau

and others,” says Friedman enthusiastically.

The Southampton Fairground

The Hamptons Fine Art Fair will run July

14 through July 17 at the Southampton

Fairground. Friedman shares, “This year we

have 85 galleries from 43 cities in eight

countries, in a new 40,000 square foot

modular museum. We now have more

galleries than last year, specializing in

higher-end pieces that collectors are seeking,

which hasn’t happened before to this degree

in the Hamptons. Over 500 artists are

represented and each piece is curated so that

there is an incredible variety. Prices start at

around $10,000, with some valued into the

millions.”

Pollack Pavilion

Regarding the impressive list of exhibitors

and a taste of what the fair will present,

Friedman offers, “We have uncovered several

famous artists from the 1950s and 1960s

whom collectors here can discover to grow

their collections. Additionally, many of the

galleries feature works that are twentieth

and twenty-first century post-war

contemporary pieces which link to the

Hamptons as a historically important area in

the creation and patronage of art. This dates

back to mid-century with Jackson Pollock,

Willem de Kooning and all of the great artists

who embodied the abstract expressionist

movement. The building that we are

constructing is called the Pollack Pavilion,

which will have a replica of the famous

Pollack paint-splattered floor that will be in

the lobby to greet our guests.” In a timely nod

to connecting politics with art, Friedman

shares, “We recently added a gallery from

Kiev that shut down when Ukraine was

attacked. They moved the art safely out of the

country, so now they are bringing it to our

show, and we are very excited to have them.”

A Passion for Possession

In addition to the deluxe galleries, guests

will have the opportunity to enjoy several

presentations including a panel discussion

with a group of collectors entitled “A Passion

for Possession,” in which they will detail how

they discovered art collecting, the good and

challenging aspects of it, and important

lessons learned from their experiences.

Another useful panel discussion topic will

analyze the process of art philanthropy, with

donors explaining how to donate art, which

isn’t always an easy process. Throughout the

event, many contemporary artists will also

be present to discuss their work.

Opening Bastille Day

The festive opening night celebration will

feature a French theme, as the launch date of

July 14 coincides with Bastille Day, the

national holiday of France. “We coordinated

with the French government and French

agencies to help us create this glamorous

theme. We will showcase well known French

singer Chloe Perrier and her jazz band as our

guests enjoy an array of beautifully crafted

French food, and Perrier water and Pommery

Champagne will flow. Hamptonites enjoy a

bespoke theme party, and this will be a

fitting reflection of the many galleries from

France that we have exhibiting.”

Friedman made his mark on the

Hamptons’ art scene during the decade that

he managed Art Hamptons, the first largescale

fine arts fair in the area. Using that as a

blueprint, he went on to produce art fairs in

affluent communities including Aspen,

Silicon Valley, Houston, and Palm Springs.

As one might expect, Friedman has an

extensive collection of his own, and he says, “I

am an avid collector of abstract expressionist

artwork from the fifties and sixties,

specifically female artists, and I have about

300 museum quality paintings in the house.”

At this point, Friedman is a legend in the art

world. He could easily retire and enjoy the

beauty of his personal collection, but he has

no intention of slowing down. “What

motivates me is the excitement of our guests

as they come to experience art in person. I

love to inspire new collectors and for them to

catch the fever of collecting,” he says with a

gleam in his eye.

Friedman says there was no challenge in

attracting exhibitors, as the Hamptons is

widely recognized as one of the premier art

buying markets in the world. “Art collecting

is the new sport of the Hamptons; I don’t

think there is any more vibrant, robust

community of aggressive art buyers than

here.” P

hamptonsfineartfair.com


ARTS

Bill and Rebecca Rau

Bill Rau

Art Dealer Comes to


BY BENNETT MARCUS

The Tower of Katoubia Mosque by Winston Churchill

The Hamptons Fine Art Fair is

back this July, and nobody is

happier about it than Bill Rau,

proprietor of legendary New

Orleans emporium M.S. Rau

that will mark its debut

in-person presence at the

prestigious fair with a selection of

extraordinary pieces.

One of North America’s most respected fine

art, antiques and jewelry galleries, M.S.

Rau joined the fair two years ago,

virtually, thanks to the pandemic. But Bill

Rau finds that meeting clients in person is

much more exciting. “We like being there, we

like speaking with people, and we’d like to

think we have very impressive objects, and

they’re just so much better when you can see

them in person,” says Rau, the third generation

to run the family-owned French Quarter

gallery, which celebrates its 110 th anniversary

this year. Among the treasures Rau will present

at the Fair are works by Picasso, Rembrandt,

Childe Hassam, Dali and Renoir, as well as a

rare Warhol “Last Supper,” to be shown for the

first time, an $8.9 million early Claude Monet,

and several paintings by Frank Sinatra, which

are highly prized

Warhol’s “Last Supper”

Warhol’s “Last Supper” is exceedingly rare; as

it’s his last piece, there was only one set made

before he passed away in 1987. It was Warhol’s

final show, in Milan, across the street from Da

Vinci’s original “Last Supper” mural, and drew

30,000 visitors, including the Pope. A

California client commissioned specially sized

copies of the five-piece series to fit a chapel at

his home. Soon after completing them, Warhol

died following gallbladder surgery.

“Unequivocally, Warhol would’ve made

dozens if not hundreds of them, but he didn’t

because he died,” says Rau. “I can’t think of any

other examples where he didn’t make multiples

of pieces.” If he made one, he made many,

including about 800 Marilyn Monroe’s and

1,000 Campbell Soup Cans. “They weren’t all

the same, there were minor differences, but he

would take the same motif and just do it over.”

So, these were unique, and were

authenticated by the Warhol Foundation just

before the organization stopped offering

authentication service. After 25 years in the

collector’s home, the works were loaned to the

Reagan Library, which held a show and

produced a book on them, after which Rau was

able to acquire them. This is the last one of

those five large originals, about six feet tall.

Claude Monet landscape

The oil by Claude Monet, a depiction of cliffs,

is from the impressionist’s first series of

landscapes done en plein air, for which he is

renowned. It was one of two Monets in

the collection of a museum in Minnesota,

which sold it to M.S. Rau in order to finance the

purchase of another work. “It’s fresh from a

museum and it’s just beautiful,” says Rau,

considered one of the foremost experts

on 18 th- and 19 th -century European and

American antiques and fine art.

Frank Sinatra paintings

At the Hamptons Fair M.S. Rau is offering

three oil paintings by Frank Sinatra, whose

work is highly sought after by collectors of

American pop culture memorabilia.

“Sinatra didn’t sell his works,” Rau says of the


Last Supper Detail: Jesus, John, Peter and Judas by Andy Warhol

Untitled by Frank Sinatra

singer, who passed away in 1998. He gave away

his paintings to friends, including presidents

Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan, and to the

chef at his favorite restaurant, who hung it

above Sinatra’s regular table.

“In addition to being a singer and actor,

Frank Sinatra was an exceptionally talented

artist, and his works are quite rare,” Rau says. He

recalls one of his salespeople showing a client a

Monet in the gallery, and then quipping: “Now

let me show you somebody really famous.”

“They showed him the Sinatra, who, in some

respects, is more famous than Claude Monet.”

Brangelina & The Piece That Got Away

A history buff with broad knowledge in

many subjects, Bill Rau is able to reel off

entertaining stories about the wide variety of

rare objects he has handled over the years. A

collector in his own right, Rau normally does

not ever regret selling something. “I get great joy

out of buying something, and I get great joy out

of selling it, finding a right home for it.”

However, there is one piece that he wishes he

hadn’t sold: a painting by Winston Churchill

that was found in a closet and had an

extraordinary backstory.

Churchill painted roughly 1/3 of his

paintings before World War II and 2/3 after, but

he only painted one during the war, at the

Casablanca Conference with Franklin

Roosevelt in January 1943, a pivotal point in the

war. After the conference, Churchill persuaded

Roosevelt to visit Marrakesh, which he

considered the most beautiful city in the

world. There, they visited a tower overlooking

the city, where they drank, sang songs, and

enjoyed themselves. “Both Churchill and

Roosevelt later described it as their

most favorite night of the war,” Rau says. The

next day, Churchill returned to the tower,

painted the scene they’d looked at, and gave it

to to Roosevelt as a birthday present.

“We bought it and - we don’t give out names

of clients, but because this later became public

knowledge, we’re glad to share it - we sold it to

Brad Pitt,” Rau says. He gave it to Angelina Jolie

and last year, it came up at auction at Christie’s

and brought close to $12 million, about six

times what Brad Pitt paid for it.

“While we were just so pleased that we were

able to discover where it was, I wish I had never

sold it because I’m a World War II buff, and to

have something that was painted by one of my

heroes, given to another one of my heroes at

such a pivotal moment in history, it’s

something that still touches me.”

110th anniversary celebration

M.S. Rau is family-owned - Bill’s daughter,

Rebecca Rau, is the fourth generation involved

in the business - and celebrating its

110 th anniversary this year. To mark the

milestone, they plan a large exhibition of

post-impressionist and impressionist art in

October, in the 45,000 square-foot gallery.

In addition, they’ve approached a highly

important jeweler to create a few special pieces

of unique jewelry with extraordinary gems. “We

don’t make jewelry, we sell antique jewelry,”

says Rau. “But these will be done in the old way

of making jewelry, of high quality, with antique

stones that you can’t buy in the

marketplace, just a handful of 110th

anniversary pieces that I hope will come out

spectacular.”P

rauantiques.com


ARTS

Victoria

Golembiovskaya

with Phillip

Guston and

Barry LeVa

artworks at

C1760 gallery,

New York.

PHOTO/ JAMES SALOMON.

Victorıa

GALLERIST

Golembiovskaya

Time is the Ultimate Luxuryat Colnaghi’s C1760 Townhouse

BY JAMES SALOMON

House of the Nobleman

One of the many things that

makes NYC so special is

that it draws those who are

constantly out to challenge

themselves and bring new

ideas and perspectives to

the community. Enter

Victoria Golembiovskaya, who garnered

attention and acclaim for her House of the

Nobleman in London, an art advisory firm

that produces exhibitions in landmark

locations internationally. Her new energy

manifests itself on the Upper East Side with

C1760, the modern and contemporary art

department of Colnaghi, the world’s oldest

commercial gallery, well known for Old

Masters works.

Artist Getulio Alviani

My first meeting with her was when I caught

the tail end of Getulio Alviani’s exhibition of

reflective aluminum works at the C1760

Townhouse. Alviani was important in the

op-art era, hailed from Udine, Italy, the same

hometown as Leo Castello. They were pals. It’s

an attractive show with chromed and anodized

pieces, some feeling like a carnival house of

mirrors. Alviani was big in the sixties and had

some moments in the eighties, but despite

important, critical work, time forgets things –

until people step in with reminders.

Influences of Time

That brings us to my second meeting with

Victoria and the summer exhibition at the

Townhouse, titled Influences of Time based on

Swiss Art Historian Heinrich Wolfflin’s

“Kunstgeschichte ohne Namen” (Art

History without A Name). We can get heavy

with this but we won’t. All I’ll say is that if you

are into geometric abstraction, this show is for

you. My guidance counselor in high school

once said that I ranked very high in special

relations, so I held onto that praise and

somehow latched onto this type of work from

an early age, searching for signs and symbols.

So, who is this woman? Victoria started

working in the film industry in Moscow in the

late nineties, where she was the manager of one

of the biggest upcoming film stars. “It was a

decisive chapter in my life at a time when

Russia still had hope,” she says. “I realized that I

was no longer able to function there, and I

wanted to do international projects. Because

all my friends were artists, it was natural for me

to start doing projects with them.”

Damien Hirst, Banksy, Alexander Calder,

Yves Klein & Pablo Picasso

When she moved to London, Victoria worked

on a formula for art-inspired projects between

the arts, real estate, and luxury brands. In 2010

she got a big break when the developer of a

beautiful mansion overlooking Regent’s Park

invited her to do a project, where each room of

the house was to have a unique curated

theme. The exhibition was a collaboration with

real estate developers, luxury brands, designers

and private collectors to show their works

including Damien Hirst, Banksy, Alexander

Calder, Yves Klein, Gerhard Richter, Pablo

Picasso and Edouard Manet to name a few.

This has been the first time that a luxury

London residential property has been


transformed into an exhibition on this scale

and with works of such astounding historical

significance. It was very well received and

turned into a series of exhibitions. Now, House

of the Nobleman has evolved from an art

advisory to a private equity firm specializing in

managing a spectrum of investments in the

arts and creative industry.

Marina Abramovic, Velázquez & Christo

In 2019, Victoria joined Colnaghi to

restructure the Gallery and prepare it for future

growth, then began to build the Gallery’s

Modern and Contemporary department, with

projects from Dreamsongs: From Medicine to

Demons to Artificial Intelligence, to Humble

Works featuring Marina Abramovic with

Velázquez, Christo’s wrapped Vespa

motorcycle, and so on.

During the pandemic, Colnaghi further

restructured the company and decided for

London to focus on Old Masters while New

York focused on an immersive program

bringing Modern & Contemporary art

into conversation with Ancient and Old

Masters. This led to Colnaghi Gallery’s launch

of C1760.

“I want to bring quality and curiosity,

something fresh and new, something

compelling. A combination between old and

new art, and sometimes even design, which will

be integrated into our 1880s townhouse of a

Gallery – interesting events, discussions,

happenings – I see all of that existing in this

space,” she states, brimming with confidence.

Fall 2022 will present a group show of

upcoming future stars and artists based in the

Hamptons and NYC. P

c1760.art

Alviani x Ancient” exhibition


Maria Kreyn at her Brooklyn studio.

PHOTO: JAMES SALOMON

SINNERS, SAINTS,

POETS & PAINT

Artist Maria Kreyn

BY JAMES SALOMON


ARTS

‘‘Crack open my shell.

Steal the pearl.

I’ll still be laughing.

It’s the rookies who

laugh only when

they win.’’

Rumi, translated by

Haleh Liza Gafori

The Spaceship

I

was lucky enough to be invited to “the

spaceship” which artist Maria Kreyn

calls her studio in Brooklyn. It was one

of her salon events; an attractive and

exotic crowd—bohemian chic, a

couple of celebrities were present,

though they’ll go unnamed. Smoky

mezcal sits on the kitchen table; I give it a try.

In my periphery, someone says, “Oh yes,

Maria and I met last month in Antarctica.” I

grin and slip away to see the art. Maria paints

in a classical spirit that I find refreshing

because I just don’t see that anymore. I’m

noticing some Velasquez, some Delacroix.

“I’m borrowing, stealing, and remixing

everything,” she later tells me in a matter-offact

way.

The reason for the gathering is literary: her

old friend Haleh just published a book of Rumi

translations. There’s singing and chanting; it’s

enchanting. A discussion follows, whereby a

forum for ideas opens. I don’t think I’ve been to

something like this in a while, then I question if

I ever have.

Maria’s parents are among the guests; her

father gives me some insight into her

upbringing. She moved from Russia to Florida,

then to Philadelphia, Texas, University of

Chicago, Iceland, Norway, and France before

landing in the Big Apple. “Perhaps the nomadic

impulse is a bit hard to shake, but of all of the

places, including many European cities, NYC

seems to be the place with the most dynamic

conversation and most dynamic communities,”

Maria says.

Andrew Lloyd Webber Commission

A white peacock is perched up high on the

wall. I don’t ask about it, but clearly, I need to

take Maria’s picture with it. An adjacent

painting features two dogs fighting each other

atop a pale man (is he dead?), another white

bird hovering in the composition. It’s oddly

whimsical and oddly serious. I later learn it’s a

Saint Sebastian reference from an earlier

series. No shortage of drama. I think I want this

painting.

A couple of years ago, after seeing her work in

Vanity Fair, Andrew Lloyd Webber called her

out of the blue and requested she make 8

large-scale paintings as a permanent sitespecific

installation for his newly refurbished

Theater Royal Drury Lane. The thematic

prompt was: “Maria, let’s do Shakespeare. I’d

like you to make this work dangerous and

apocalyptic, with your soul on the

line. Webber paid her one million dollars for

the commission.

Webber paid her one million dollars for the

Shakespeare Cycle

Upon completing the “Shakespeare Cycle”

she started developing a series of paintings

initially inspired by The Tempest. This past year

has basically been research and development

in that direction. “After spending a decade

working with the figure and the subtlety of the

human facial expression—all of those

emotions, and their vast range—I wanted to see

and feel what happens when I zoom out, when

the human presence is implied, but isn’t

literally present,” she explains. “The Tempest,

and really all of Shakespeare, is a study of inner

and outer turbulence. ‘The Storm’ series

examines the human condition from a

different vantage point— from the movements

and currents of nature, weather, and

atmosphere. I feel like these themes of cyclical

turbulence and resolution speak to our

collective experience, particularly in the recent

past. They certainly speak to mine. It’s all very

autobiographical.”

Her work is currently on exhibit at Colnaghi:

C1760 gallery on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.

The exhibition presents a unique survey of

works investigating the interplay of geometry

and time. The collection juxtaposes various

works in various media spanning over 150

years. Beginning with design innovations of

Toulouse-Lautrec, moving into the

Constructivists, following through to Philip

Guston and renowned minimalists like Sol

LeWitt and Yves Klein, the timeline concludes

with Maria, the youngest living artist in the

exhibition who presents an extraordinary

storm painting inspired by Shakespeare’s The

Tempest. P

mariakreyn.com


ARTS

S TRONG

CUEVAS

A PROLIFIC ARTIST WITH

AN EXTRAORDINARY LIFE


Above: Young Elizabeth wearing

a costume by Pierre Balmain for

her father’s ball in Bearritz

Photo: © Nachlass Madame d’Ora, Museum

für Kunst und Gewerbe Hamburg

Right:

Strong-Cuevas

Photo: Christophe von

Hohenberg

BY CHRISTINA L. MADDEN

STRONG-CUEVAS HASN’T HAD A BORING LIFE. HER PARENTS WERE

poles apart culturally, her family history is replete with intellectuals and

innovators, and she’s been acquainted with the likes of Salvador Dalí, Charles

James, Alfonso Ossorio, Willem and Elaine de Kooning, Louise Nevelson

and other visionaries.

She has no doubt been influenced by the creative and intellectual genius

that has surrounded her since her youth. She began sculpting in the 1960s

when she enrolled at the Art Students’ League of New York and continues to

produce to this day. Her Long Island studio is filled with hundreds of works,

including stainless steel sculptures that stand more than 13 feet tall and ink

drawings that line the studio walls.


ARTS

Below: Running

Heads by

Strong-Cuevas

“STRONG-CUEVAS’S

SCULPTURE IS ROOTED IN

PRIMITIVE ART, WITH ITS BOLD

STRUCTURES, EXPRESSIVE

DIRECTNESS, COMMUNAL

SYMBOLISM, AND CONVICTION

OF COSMIC ABSOLUTES.”

Work Exhibited Across

from the United Nations

The art of Strong-Cuevas explores inner consciousness,

outer space, and communication through space

and time. In the words of distinguished art critic Donald

Kuspit, “Strong-Cuevas’s sculpture is rooted in primitive

art, with its bold structures, expressive directness,

communal symbolism, and conviction of cosmic absolutes.”

The influence of ancient civilizations

– the Egyptians, Aztecs

and Mayans – is particularly evident

in Strong-Cuevas’s abstract faces

and large-scale works, such as her

ten-foot bronze, Arch III, which was

recently exhibited in Dag Hammarskjöld

Plaza across from the

United Nations.

This past year, her work at Grounds for Sculpture

was artfully illuminated as part of the exhibition, “Night

Forms: dreamloop by Klip Collective.” The exhibition,

described as “an after-hours multisensory experience

created between art and nature,” was covered by The

New York Times, Barron’s, PBS, and other outlets.

Greta Garbo & Balls in Biarritz

“A strong personality, very intelligent, opinionated, and

theatrical like her father.” Strong-Cuevas doesn’t mind

this description of herself, culled from the pages of a

letter her late brother once sent to a friend. Her father,

the Marquis George de Cuevas, was born in Chile and

founded the Grand Ballet du Marquis de Cuevas in

Paris, where he met her mother, Margaret Strong, years

earlier. The family spent time between Saint-Germainen-Laye,

where Strong-Cuevas was born, her grandfather’s

house in Fiesole, Manhattan where they hosted

the likes of Salvador Dalí and Greta Garbo, and Biarritz,

where her father threw a costume ball no less grand

or theatrical than the productions put on by the Grand

Ballet.

The Cuevas Ball in Biarritz

“It was more of a theatrical event than a party,” recalls

Strong-Cuevas about the 1953 ball her father gave in

Biarritz. “There was a stage, and all the people who had

been invited had got themselves dressed in remarkable

costumes by the French couturiers — Balmain, Dior,

Lelong.”

Strong-Cuevas was photographed at the ball by

the illustrious fashion photographer Madame D’Ora,

wearing a costume by Balmain with a feathered headpiece.

Some of the photographs from that evening

were part of an exhibition of Madame D’Ora’s work

Below: Marques de Cuevas,

Maria Callas and Salvador Dali

Photo: Salvador Dalí Archives

at the Neue Gallerie in New York last spring and also

appeared in Vogue.

Why the Mind Has a Body

Her mother was highly educated and was one of the

first four women ever admitted to Girton College at the

University of Cambridge, where she studied chemistry.

Her maternal grandfather was Professor Charles Augustus

Strong, the philosopher, psychologist, and author

of Why the Mind Has a Body.

Strong-Cuevas appears in the documentary, “Secrets

d’Histoire,” which exalts the lives and legacies of American

entrepreneurs including Andrew Carnegie, Cornelius

Vanderbilt, and her own great-grandfather, John

D. Rockefeller.

In the documentary, Strong-Cuevas describes a feeling

of indebtedness to her ancestry for having passed

on an ability to think and reflect. She later said of her

art, “Like Balanchine, whose birthday I share, I am an

innovator within a classical tradition.”

Surrounded by Creative Genius

Growing up, Strong-Cuevas and her family spent time

with close friend Salvador Dalí and his wife, Gala, who

would visit them in New York and spend summers vacationing

with them in Wyoming, New Hampshire,

and elsewhere. She can still sing the lyrics to a Catalan

folk song Dalí taught her as a child, and when Strong-

Cuevas began her work in sculpture, Gala commented

at a dinner party, “She always had talent.”

Later Strong-Cuevas counted among her friends

and peers Alfonso Ossorio — the famous Philippine

painter she remembers fondly as her close friend —

Max Ernst, Lee Krasner, Isamu Noguchi, Françoise

Gilot, and Leonora Carrington — the famed surrealist

whose vision inspired the theme of this year’s Venice

Biennale.

A Work Tinged with Mysticism

“I think we are all born with destinies,” says Strong-

Cuevas of how she became a sculptor. “We may think

we are choosing our lives, but I do not believe that. Who

knows why, but maybe our past lives influence the present.

I may have been a sculptor in Renaissance times

or before. Who knows? In any case, I believe I have been

given a mission for which I am so grateful.”

Strong-Cuevas once had a horoscope done by a renowned

astrologer, recommended to her by the graphologist

and master of the Tarot, Mary Steiner-Geringer.

(She’d had her handwriting analyzed by Geringer years

earlier. “She analyzed handwritings brilliantly. I had

sent her mine, as well as that of four other men across


ARTS

Right: Strong-Cuevas

with her sculpture, Space Icon

Photo: Christophe von Hohenberg

Below: Elizabeth with Françoise Gilot

at a solo exhibition of her work at

Leonard Tourné Gallery

Photo: Leonard Tourné Gallery

“I WOULD HAVE BEEN

RESTLESS, UNHAPPY ALL MY

LIFE IF I DID NOT FIND ‘A

WORK, GRATUITOUS, PERHAPS

TINGED WITH MYSTICISM.’”

“EVERY DAY I THANK THE

GODS FOR HAVING GIVEN ME

SUCH A MISSION.”

the Atlantic so there was no possibility of collusion.

She reported back with one-to-one portraits of each of

them. Remarkably accurate.”)

Geringer sent Strong-Cuevas’s dates to the astrologer

without telling him the horoscope would ever be

passed along to Strong-Cuevas. “He thought it was only

for her. So he did not hold back. He said everything he

thought. And of course, as soon as she got his report,

she sent it directly on to me.”

“In that horoscope, he says that

I would have been restless, unhappy

all my life if I did not find

‘a work, gratuitous, perhaps tinged

with mysticism.’” For Strong-Cuevas,

sculpture was that work. “Every

day I thank the Gods for having

given me such a mission.”

Strong-Cuevas: Heads

During her time at the Art Students’ League of New

York, Strong-Cuevas studied under the acclaimed

sculptor John Hovannes. Later, she met through

Charles James the Swiss French sculptor Marcel

“Toto” Meylan. They partnered for the next five years

and worked together on her large-scale sculpture series,

Heads I-V. Their work together is documented

in the book, Strong-Cuevas: Heads, which followed

the publication of two other books on her art published

by Abrams, Strong-Cuevas Drawings: Ideas

on Paper and Strong-Cuevas Sculpture: Premonitions

in Retrospect.

A friendship with Charles James

Strong-Cuevas met Charles James when she was 13

years old and forged a lasting friendship. “I never bought

a dress from him in my life,” she says. “The ones I have,

he gave to me.”

She was also a patron of his work, and often served

as a model for his designs. “He never used a commercial

dummy for his dress-making.” He used Millicent

Rogers to create the first dummy, and Strong-Cuevas

for the second. She recalls being wrapped in bandages

while he pricked her with pins. “He was clumsy

with his fingers… ‘Ouch, Charlie! Be careful!’” She

tells a story of a dinner she hosted that Lee Krasner

and Charles James attended. While Strong-Cuevas

was trying to serve dinner with a platter held high in

the air, Charles James was trying to pin a green satin

bra on her, much too large for her form. Lee Krasner

later said she dined out on that story for years.

“When he went to an opening of his own work, he

would put one of his dresses on me.”


Left: Drawing of Elizabeth

by Antonio Lopez for a

Charles James dress

Photo: Estate of Antonio Lopez and

Juan Ramos, via Homer Layne

Below: Elizabeth in the mid-1970s

with Charles James, wearing

one of his last designs

Photo: © Estate of Antonio Lopez &

Juan Ramos. Courtesy Paul Caranicas

Photographed by Bill Cunningham

Strong-Cuevas was photographed in those dresses

by Bill Cunningham and featured on the front page

of The New York Times fashion section when the paper

covered the “Charles James: Beyond Fashion”

exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume

Institute in 2014.

In a letter he sent to her in the 1970s, Charles James

told Strong-Cuevas, “What counts most in your life is

your work, which is of far more excellent quality than

you modestly think… not only because of an understanding

of beautiful line and volume but because of

an infinite strength which reflects your character at

its best.”

Sotheby’s, Doyle, and Bonham’s. In 2018, her bronze,

“Othello,” sold alongside works by Delacroix, Monet,

and Picasso as part of the Collection of Peggy and

David Rockefeller sale at Christie’s.

She just completed a series of essays she intends

to have published, and an exhibition of her sculpture

and drawings is set to open at the Southampton Arts

Center on July 30th. Strong-Cuevas’s work was the

subject of a documentary by filmmaker Lana Jokel. P

leonard-tourne.com.

The Collection of Peggy and David Rockefeller

Strong-Cuevas’s work has been represented by Leonard

Tourné Gallery since 2014 and is represented in

the collections of Grounds for Sculpture, Bruce Museum,

Heckscher Museum, and the Smithsonian-affiliated

Long Island Museum. It has also been exhibited

at the IIème Biennale de Sculpture in Monte

Carlo, Island Weiss Gallery, and dozens of other solo

and group exhibitions. Her works have an increasingly

active secondary market and frequently beat

estimates at major auction houses including Christie’s,

Elizabeth

with David

Rockefeller at

a gala in New

York in 2017

Photo: Patrick

McMullan


ARTS

SWAN LAKE

ABT PRIMA BALLERINA

Skylar Brandt

The Artist’s Point of View

BY SKYLAR BRANDT

Everyone knows the fantastical

and dramatic movie Black

Swan, but are the experiences

of actress Natalie Portman

preparing for the role of a swan

anything like those of a

professional ballerina?

Absolutely not.

My name is Skylar Brandt, and I am a

Principal Dancer with American Ballet Theatre.

I am about to make my debut as Odette/Odile

in the classic ballet production, Swan Lake.

Considered by world standards as the ultimate

ballerina role, I will portray both the white swan

and the black swan in a single performance,

switching back and forth between acts. As if

ballet as an art form is not difficult enough, the

transformation required to look the part of a

swan feels nearly impossible. Just the aesthetic

of the birdlike creature alone requires twisting

and shaping, stretching and contorting with the

near dislocation of so many body parts in order

to achieve the correct look. Then, factor in

characterization. The white swan must be

gentle and soft, romantic and emotional. The

black swan seduces and destroys, full of

attitude and self-worth. So how is a ballerina,

especially one making a debut, supposed to

accomplish all that is asked of her, both

technically and artistically, in one

performance?

The process takes an enormous amount of

research, hours of practice and lots of thought

and patience. I am fortunate enough to be

guided by such incredible teachers and

mentors as Irina Dvorovenko (a legendary swan

queen herself ) and her husband, Maxim

Beloserkovsky. I watched both of them perform

when I was a young, aspiring ballerina, and

though I may not have known it then, I was

studying their movements on the edge of my

seat, moved by their expressive dancing.

Odette/Odile

As a professional now, I start from scratch. I

begin with the bare structure of the

choreography, learning the steps and trying to

fit each movement into a musical time frame.

As I do this, my teachers point out each angle of

my body, everything from the shape of my back

to the focus of my eyes. Each finger needs

attention. The neck must rotate in inhuman

ways. Every step is precise and calculated, just

in time for me to rip everything apart again to

give room to artistic interpretation.

Though Odette has elements of melancholy,

I cannot furrow my brows. This would not be

attractive. I must speak through my body

language and tell her story through the adagio

(slow tempo) quality that makes her so

vulnerable. Odile is a completely different kind

of animal. She is sexy and cunning, but she

must not look cheap. Her presence is full of

elegance and grace, just like the white swan.

This is what makes the prince confused. He

sees Odette in Odile’s dancing, all the while

succumbing to her seduction.

So much nuance is required in order to play

these parts. Swan Lake entails a lifetime of

work, and I am just beginning. But I hope that

after the performance, someone will

congratulate me on my performance as the

white swan and proceed to ask who played the

black swan. This would be the ultimate

compliment. P

instagram.com/skylarbrandt

‘‘THE WHITE SWAN MUST BE GENTLE AND SOFT, ROMANTIC AND EMOTIONAL. THE

BLACK SWAN SEDUCES AND DESTROYS, FULL OF ATTITUDE AND SELF-WORTH.’’


ARTS

The

Westhampton

Beach Project

Food Festival +

Melba Moore & Parson’s Dance

BY BRIAN AKER

Colucci Musical Mime Theatre

Summer in the Hamptons isn’t just

about catered pool parties,

boutique shopping, and walks

along the beach. The arts have

always played an integral role

in life there among the

residents and visitors. This

year the Westhampton Beach Project

celebrates its third year as a

complimentary two-day presentation of

the arts under the aegis of visual and

performing artist and producer, Steven Colucci,

a long-time Hamptons resident. The event will

be held July 29 and 30 at the Westhampton Beach Great

Lawn, and as dusk fades into starlight, V.I.P. guests will

enjoy handcrafted cocktails and delight in food from

twenty-six of the Hamptons’ finest restaurants. This

highlight of the summer social calendar is organized by

the Colucci Musical Mime Theatre, whose purpose is to

help aspiring young talent by exposing them to

established acts in the performing arts.

Steven Colucci

Funded by sales of Colucci’s visual arts, the

Westhampton Beach Project is a manifestation of the

artist’s passion for the performing arts and sharing that joy

with the general public. It also allows Colucci to give

exposure to younger performing artists. He shares, “The

Steven Colucci and

Crystle Stewart

opening acts will be seen by a who’s

who of the Hamptons, and by opening

for world-class artists, it allows them

to be experienced and heard,

building their artistic performance

credentials.” Colucci goes on to add,

“This is my biggest project; I don’t think I will

ever do anything greater in my life than to be an

artist and promote artists to the community.” In

preparing for this annual event, which was

disrupted by the pandemic, Colucci says, “It is

difficult to find great talent doing something that

should be seen by a larger audience. I am very

discerning, and it takes about eight months to find

the right mix of talent to present here in the Hamptons. I

look domestically and all over the world, because I want the

attendees to be wowed by what they see.”

David Parsons

The first night headliner is Parsons Dance, a New York

City-based contemporary American dance company led

by Artistic Director, David Parsons. Dancers will present a

program set to music of various genres including,

Brazilian, electronic, jazz by Miles Davis, and popular

songs of Yusuf/Cat Stevens. The company has developed a

broad, fervent fan base over the course of its 35-year

existence, and is known for its athleticism, unbridled

energy, and technical prowess, earning international

acclaim.

Members of the

Parsons Dance

Company

YOU WANT PEOPLE TO WALK AWAY BEING

MOVED BY THE EXPERIENCE AND KNOWING

THAT THEY HAVE WITNESSED SOMETHING

OF EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY.”

Tony Winner: Melba Moore

Tony Award-winning singer and actress, Melba

Moore, will command the stage the second night,

highlighting The Great American Songbook. Moore

has had an extraordinary career spanning five

decades with many successes on Broadway,

including the shows Purlie, Ain’t Misbehavin’, and Les

Misérables. Music fans know her for her many R&B

hits and a glistening five-octave range. Notably

Moore’s all-star 1990 production of the song “Lift

Every Voice and Sing” has been entered into the

National Recording Registry for its historical and

cultural significance, and she says, “Music is what

God has allowed me to do.” Her Westhampton Beach

Project showcase of classic American songs promises

to be an ideal match of voice and material for a

romantic summer night. Colucci adds, “Melba Moore

knows the American songbook better than most

female singers out there today.”

Marcel Marceau

Colucci developed a keen interest in the arts while

growing up in the Bronx. He says, “I spent a lot of time

in Greenwich Village and went to a private school

there, so I was always around talented people. I was a

visual artist at first, but it wasn’t enough for me to

paint or to sculpt. I became fascinated with corporal

movement and expression.” Eventually, he made his

way to Paris, where he studied mime under Étienne

Decroux, the father of modern mime. Colucci also

worked with Marcel Marceau, who propelled the

artform onto the worldwide stage in the midtwentieth

century and became a household name.

and much-collected painter whose

work has been described as neopost-impressionism.

He enjoys his

lifestyle, imparting, “I have a house on the

bay where I paint and I have a house on the

ocean. I am not one to sit around too much; I

love getting together and going out with friends

for dinner. The Hamptons is such a beautiful area

to explore and be social.”

Colucci takes immense pride in his work and is

modest about his contributions to the local arts

scene, saying, “It just makes me feel great when

people see the show and have discoveries about

the stories being told visually on stage through

dance or enjoying amazing music. You want

people to walk away being moved by the

experience and knowing that they have

witnessed something of exceptional

quality.” P

whbproject.com

Painting & The Performing Arts

Establishing his name in the arts over the last

several decades, Colucci has become a celebrated


FINANCE


Matthew

Bruderman

relaxing in the

‘model room’

of his 1908

boathouse on

Centre Island.

Maple syrup

produced by

Bruderman on

his Long Island

property.

Matthew J.

Bruderman

Living a Legacy.

Looking to Tomorrow.

BY BIBA MILIOTO

In the early weeks of 2022, Long Island native Matthew

J. Bruderman was enjoying pancakes with his family

at their Centre Island home when his son asked, “I

wonder how they actually make maple syrup.” For

Bruderman, that query sparked a curiosity that

instantly became an all-hands-on-deck family

project. He immediately bought a book online about

the sugaring process, which led to tapping the maple

trees on their Beachwood Farm property in Oyster

Bay and finally producing their own syrup, which

ultimately found its way to that same table.

Anyone who knows Bruderman wasn’t surprised

by the way he tackled the challenge. He’s most

comfortable when faced with a problem to solve

or an opportunity to learn something new. Bruderman’s

life has been one guided by his passion for living,

intellectual curiosity and an industriousness borne from a family

legacy whose philosophy, as he puts it, can be summed up in one

word: work.

For Bruderman, life is about those ‘maple syrup moments.’ He

sees every challenge as an opportunity to learn, and to succeed—

but he isn’t discouraged by failure. “The key to a full life is to keep

doing things that you’ve never done —to be bad at something and

work to get better at it. That’s how you “live your best life,” as


FINANCE

The Bruderman Family and special guests on the front porch

of their Manhasset home. From Left back row – John M.

“Jack” Bruderman Jr., HRH Princess Anastasia Löwenstein,

Princess Anna Gabrielle von Habsburg, Princess Lioba zu

Löwenstein-Wertheim-Rosenberg and Patricia Bruderman.

Bottom Row from Left - Mark Bruderman, Michael

Bruderman, Mary Jane Bruderman, James Bruderman,

Matthew Bruderman and John M. Bruderman III.

Pheasant and Chukar hunting in Milbrook New York. From Left – Matthew

Bruderman John Georgiades, ‘Scout’, Michael Bruderman and his son Michael Jr.

Jack Bruderman taking the neighborhood kids for ice

cream in his 1942 Chevy firetruck circa 1970s.

Bruderman says. He believes that has been a key to his success

in business as well.

As the chairman of Bruderman and Co., a legacy financial

services institution with its origins more than 120 years ago,

Bruderman seems to deftly tread the line between past, present

and future. He lives for today, while constantly drawing

inspiration from his family’s rich history to propel him forward.

“After 45 years in business I needed someone I could trust

to sell my business. Matt is a dynamic businessperson, good

listener with great integrity,” remarked John King, JKings

Foodservice.

He may be at the helm of a family company that had its

inception in 1879, but Bruderman is quick to point out that

he didn’t inherit his wealth. “I was a busboy, and a waiter. I

had my first Pennysaver route in second grade. I parked cars

and carried golf clubs. I was expected to work, there were no

hand outs.” He recalls at one point having to start his car with

a screwdriver because he didn’t

have the money to get the

“MATT MOVES

SEAMLESSLY

BETWEEN

SITUATIONS LIKE

FEW PEOPLE I

KNOW. SIT HIM

NEXT TO A ROYAL

AT DINNER, PUT

HIM IN A DUCK

BLIND IN A SWAMP

OR IN A BOARD

ROOM WITH THE

MOST CUT-THROAT

NEGOTIATORS AND

HE’S IN HIS

ELEMENT.”

ignition fixed.

“What I did inherit was my

good name, good guidance

and the opportunity to work

to succeed...the value and the

importance of treating people

with both respect and honesty.

I was taught to never see people

as better or worse because of

money or anything else. We

were all equal.” He also inherited

a sense of vision that goes back

generations, from his relatives

that came here in the 1620’s,

fought in the Revolutionary

War and established the town

of Southampton, NY, to the

family’s early entrepreneurs.

“Innovation is the key to success,” he says. “It’s about taking

the best of what you’ve learned and being willing to pivot

when necessary. Don’t see things as how they are, but rather

how they can be.” He brings that approach to everything

including his passion for redesigning cars, homes, buildings

and even planes. “It’s all about figuring out how to design

something for its best use,” he says.

Bruderman has been an executive or majority shareholder

in dozens of large companies, but that doesn’t mean he’s

tethered to a desk. An avid sportsman, Bruderman spends

more time outside than in. Starting his day going for a run,

wake surfing, hunting or fishing helps him clear his mind

and set his mood for the balance of the day. He’s been known

to invite business associates to share in his activities before

getting down to work.

“I’ve known a lot of investors through the years and Matt


Bruderman

in front of a

depiction of

King Rudolph

von Habsburg

defeating the

Ottomans

originally

painted

in 1828 by

relative Franz

Brudermann.


FINANCE


PROFILE

has a creative mind that others simply don’t. It’s one thing to

understand numbers and how business works, it’s another

to think out-of-the-box and visualize the potential — creativity

is in his DNA,” says Stallion, Inc CEO and longtime friend

and frequent business associate John Georgiades.

Celebrity designer Dennis Basso, a long-time Bruderman

friend, observes that “Matt moves seamlessly between situations

like few people I know. Sit him next to a royal at dinner, put him

in a duck blind in a swamp or in a boardroom with the most

cutthroat negotiators and he’s always in his element. With his

clean-cut good looks and charming personality, he defines the

‘modern but old-school’ businessman. Knowing him for so

many years, it has been an amazing journey both socially and

in business. He clearly has that ‘special something.’”

On the surface, Matthew Bruderman is a man who

is at the top of his game. The committed family man

is a successful businessman, advisor, entrepreneur

and, more recently, a media presence as well. But you

get the sense that he is neither enamored nor comfortable

with it all. For him to live his family legacy, he strives

to help others enjoy life as much as he does.

“I’m living my best life and I want to show you how

to do it, too. You only get one turn,” he jokes.

Charitable work and philanthropy have been part

of Bruderman’s family fabric since he was a child. For

generations, his family has quietly devoted both time

and resources to charitable work. “We’ve done it because

it’s the right thing to do—not for tax purposes, not to

draw attention to ourselves. We do this work because

when you go to bed at night, you know you’ve helped

someone. Nothing feels better. ”

“Matt is a creative businessman with a huge heart.

We do many deals together, and he is always looking

for ways to help under-resourced communities. I truly admire

his passion - both as a businessman and a philanthropist,”

commented James Metzger, Chairman and CEO of The

Whitmore Agency.

As children, Bruderman and his siblings would often join

his grandfather to distribute food to those in need. “He wanted

us to see that even basic food and shelter was a challenge for

some people every day. He felt it was really important to commit

our time and not just our money. Helping isn’t just writing a

check. It’s very easy to write a check, especially when you have

the money. What’s harder – and even more charitable—is

giving up your personal time. It’s a greater sacrifice, but also

a greater gift. Both are important for the soul.“

Today, that sense of purpose instilled in childhood fuels

Bruderman’s commitment to others. He serves as a trustee

for several not-for-profit institutions and has provided legal,

accounting, and strategic planning support to help other

organizations amplify their positive impact on their communities.

Bruderman says he’s just getting warmed up. “I see significant

societal challenges wherever I go, and I have a very definite

idea of how I can best leverage my experience and relationships

to help others succeed. I see addressing those challenges as

being more pressing now than ever.”

While he’s coy about his future plan to take his philanthropic

work to the next level, in typical fashion Bruderman clearly

has an ambitious one in mind.

“I think all people should have opportunity. I was blessed

with it: I was given a good name, a good family in the right

place and in the right country. I learned early on that

entitlements were bad and gratitude was great. If someone

“I LEARNED

EARLY ON THAT

ENTITLEMENTS

WERE BAD AND

GRATITUDE WAS

GREAT. IF SOMEONE

IS WILLING TO

WORK, I WANT TO

HELP THEM ACHIEVE

THEIR POTENTIAL. I

WAS TAUGHT THAT I

WAS ENTITLED TO

NOTHING — I HAD TO

WORK FOR WHAT I

WANTED.”

is willing to work, I want to help them achieve their potential.

I was taught that I was entitled to nothing — I had to work

for what I wanted.”

“You can’t give someone self-worth,” he continues. “They

can only earn it. That sense of accomplishment is the greatest

gift you can give.. It leads to a powerful confidence that

creates greater personal and professional success.”

As Bruderman plots his next big moves, he relishes dropping

his kids off at school in board shorts, running his businesses

at top speed in between quick wakeboard breaks and hosting

friends for hunting trips.

The excitement of the next ‘maple syrup moment’ or NYC

Marathon propels him forward. “Life to me right now is totally

exciting because I’m looking at the next new chapter. I’m

incredibly grateful for the life I have. Like those who came

before me, with faith and hard work I believe anything is

possible.” P

Bruderman

and James

Metzger at a

celebration of

the two millionth

donation to the

Book Fairies

organization.


FINANCE

Inflation

Is Here

What Does that Mean

for Your Investments?

BY PHILIP W. MALAKOFF

There’s no question that we are

in a period of significant

inflation. It’s evident any time

you visit a grocery store, fill up

your car with gas, or dine in a

restaurant. Earlier this year

the Consumer Price Index, a

government measure of inflation, hit a 40-year

high, spooking investors and putting equities

into a tailspin. Of late, we find ourselves

discussing with clients if and how the

resurgence of inflation would impact an

investor’s asset allocation and what

investments might be more attractive given the

surge in inflation.

According to legendary investor Warren

Buffett, investors should focus on companies

that have the ability to increase prices rather

easily, so that inflationary costs are absorbed

by the end user, without the company having to

bear significant loss of either market share or

unit volume. Examples of this would be

consumer staples, such as branded food or

personal care companies. Additionally, Buffett

says that investors should avoid companies

with high capital expenditure requirements,

such as utilities and railroads.

During this inflationary period and in

general, we at First Long Island Investors

recommend that investors look to high quality

dividend paying companies, as they are a good

long-term investment and provide some

measure of safety. These companies are

typically larger, more mature businesses and

have a culture of being shareholder friendly.

Their commitment to paying dividends forces

company management to be disciplined with

their use of cash which contributes

meaningfully to their total return.

Additionally, while history is only a guide, in

higher-inflation environments mid-cap and

small-cap stocks also tend to do well. Sectors

such as energy, REITS, financials, and

materials historically have outperformed

during these periods.

Bond markets tend to get hit hard during

inflationary periods, as fixed coupon securities

will perform poorly during a rising rate

environment. However, there are some types of

bonds that provide inflationary protection. For

example, step-ups have increases in interest

rates at certain points in time and variable rate

bonds provide some inflationary protection.

Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities are

another way for fixed-income investors to

protect themselves from the effects of inflation.

These securities increase the underlying

principal amount by the rate of inflation, so

that there is no loss of purchasing power.

A common question asked by investors in

times when the markets are rocky is how much

cash to hold. The answer is different for each

individual or family based on their specific

situation and can be a difficult one to reconcile.

On one hand, investors may want to try to

reduce cash holdings during an inflationary

period because the value of their cash will

erode over time, perhaps significantly so, as

each dollar will buy less than it could before.

On the other hand, having the appropriate cash

buffer helps investors weather volatile markets

and allows an investor to “sleep at night.”

One should remember that even though

inflation is high now, it will not remain high

forever. The ideas above can be considered by

investors as they evaluate minor portfolio

changes and other diversification strategies,

but for the long-term investor with a well

thought out and time-tested asset allocation

generally staying the course and not acting

emotionally may be the best approach. P

Philip W. Malakoff, Executive Managing

Director at First Long Island Investors, LLC,

a Long-Island based wealth management

firm providing sound financial guidance

for nearly 40 years.


Shimon Okshteyn, After Willem Claesz, Heda Still Life, 1651, 2005, graphite, charcoal, oil on canvas, 110”x 86” (279.4 cm x 218.4 cm) / www.okshteyn.com

BLACK & WHITE GALLERY / PROJECT SPACE

www.blackandwhitartgallery.com | @bwg_ps

FINANCE

Wealth Management

No one in the financial world

starts at the top, and for

Nicolosi, his relationship

with money began when

he was a child working in

the restaurant of his Italian

immigrant family. His

parents taught him the value of earning a

dollar, saving and how to maximize what

had been accrued - all valuable lessons that

would serve him well in his career. Upon

graduating from The City University of New

York in economics, Nicolosi soon entered

wealth management and channeled his

passion and energy into building a robust

clientele and helping others learn to build, or

build upon, their wealth. Beneath the affable

personality and charm, Nicolosi truly

exhibits a care and concern for his

clients’ success and they, in turn,

have maintained long fruitful

relationships with him, often

introducing their associates to his

services. Nicolosi shares, “Clients

come to us through various

channels, but mostly referrals.

Satisfied clients are

exceptionally gracious about

referring their friends to us

because they have been able

to see the results we can help

deliver.”

Risk Means Something

Different to Everyone

Nicolosi is resolute that the

full-service, high-touch

service experience he and his

team provide impacts the durability

of his client relationships and often

their success. “It’s a combination of

caring as if it’s our own money and

digging deep to discover the ultimate

goals of our clients, then leveraging all

of the resources of Morgan Stanley to

Sergio

Nicolosi

The Depth of Real

Financial Advice

BY BRIAN AKER

help yield those results. We educate our

clients, and explain the risks of investing,

which puts them more at ease because risk

means something different to each person.

Even at the start of the pandemic, we

proactively connected with our clients to

explain what might happen to their

investments and offered tailored advice for

them.”

The current financial climate is ripe with

volatility, and Nicolosi explains, “Right now

we are in uncharted territory with 40-year

high inflation rates and 40-year low bond

markets. There’s a lot of market

distortion, but we can see where to go in

seeking to buffer client portfolios and

deliver inline risk adjusted

returns.” He goes on to say that

those dynamics are part of

what he enjoys most about his

job, stating, “I love that the

market is not the same each

day, and the challenge of

solving a problem in any

given environment while

advising the client to create

a strong working

relationship in decision

making.”

One of the biggest

“WHAT CLIENTS

ARE LOOKING

FOR ARE

RETURNS THAT

MEET THEIR

FINANCIAL

NEEDS.”

changes in the financial world during the last

two decades has been the proliferation of

self-service investing online platforms,

which Nicolosi sees as no threat to clients

who value advising services, as there are

more investors in the market than ever

before.

Meditating & Marathons

The intense challenges of financial

services can be stressful, so Nicolosi has

found ways to manage that by engaging in

meditation and long-distance running,

having run several marathons and halfmarathons.

“Meditating for twenty minutes

helps to calm me and to focus, while running

is invigorating and makes me feel like

nothing else. As a family we are big on

athletics; my daughter is on a top lacrosse

team on Long Island that I had the privilege

of coaching for five years. That was one of my

best experiences, because I had precious

time with her during those years. It is an

invaluable experience coaching and

directing your own child to success with a

team.”

As for what’s in Nicolosi’s future? “A goal

of mine is to see all fifty states. There is so

much to see here in this beautiful country

that many of us don’t take advantage of or

take the time to explore. I love traveling to

Europe, especially Italy, and I want to see

much more of the world.” P

advisor.morganstanley.com/sergio.nicolosi

The information contained in this piece is not a

solicitation to purchase or sell investments. Any

information presented is general in nature and not

intended to provide individually tailored investment

advice. The strategies and/or investments referenced

may not be appropriate for all investors as the

appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy

will depend on an investor’s individual circumstances and

objectives. Investing involves risks and there is always

the potential of losing money when you invest. The views

expressed herein are those of the author and may not

necessarily reflect the views of Morgan Stanley Smith

Barney LLC, Member SIPC, or its affiliates.

CRC#4712018 04/2022


Valmont

in the City

Manhattan has a neighborhood

for everyone and everything,

most importantly Valmont.

V-Firm Collection available Fall 2022

From the Upper East Side to

Tribeca or even Williamsburg,

you can find Valmont, the

anti-aging Swiss cellular

skincare expert founded in

1985. Acclaimed as the foremost

cosmetic expert of the decade,

Valmont remains ever true to its roots and

its values. 100% Swiss, its world-renowned

effectiveness stems from the exclusive

union of preserved natural resources and

scientific prestige.

Lavish and addictive sensorial textures

and scents from the creams, serums and

fragrance collections take you into a world

full of art and beauty.

The luxurious and charming opaline jars

can be spotted in some of the city’s most

notable spas from the likes of Rescue Spa

(Flatiron), Aida Bicaj (Tribeca), Atelier Beauté

(Williamsburg), Vicki Morav and Valmont’s

own namesake spa and boutique at

The Carlyle (Upper East Side). Escape to these

city havens, where you can fully experience

the desirable enveloping and regenerating

products from the hands of some of the most

elite estheticians in the United States.

Discover La Maison Valmont at

35 E 76 th St, NY, NY 10021.

www.lamaisonvalmont.com

@lamaisonvalmontnyc

Chagit Leviev

Behind

the Tinder

Swindler

The Real

Diamond

Magnet

BY BENNETT MARCUS


LUXE

CHAGIT LEVIEV IS PRESIDENT AND CEO OF LEVIEV

Group USA, comprised of Leviev Diamonds, the largest

privately held diamond firm to control all facets of

the diamond pipeline, from mine to market, as well

as interests in other industries including real estate,

technology and retail.

“HE WASN’T JUST

PRESENTING

HIMSELF AS A

FAMILY MEMBER, HE

CLAIMED HE WAS

THE CEO OF OUR

U.S. DIAMOND

OPERATIONS”

As CEO, Ms. Leviev has formulated the company’s

response to an unprecedented challenge - that

presented by the “Tinder Swindler,” the con man

who bilked countless companies and unsuspecting

women out of millions by posing as a scion of the

billionaire Leviev family. The bizarre story became

a global sensation after being portrayed in a Netflix

documentary; currently, it ranks as the network’s

most-watched documentary ever.

Tinder Swindler “assumed”

her Corporate Identity

What is not as evident to Netflix viewers is that

Chagit Leviev’s position within her family’s business

empire is the very role that the fraudster pretended

to have. “It’s like I’m an identity theft victim of

his,” says Ms. Leviev. “He wasn’t just presenting

himself as a family member, he claimed he was

the CEO of our U.S. diamond operations,” she

explains. She has seen over 100 fake company

checks made by the con artist – checks that she

would have had to sign as the CEO. “He has definitely

been living his life claiming that he’s the CEO of

Leviev Diamonds in the USA.”

Elegant Response to

“Tinder Swindler” Con Artist

Chagit devised her family’s graceful response

to this disturbing situation, not only initiating

legal action against the scammer, but also by

collaborating with the women featured in the

Netflix show on a product whose proceeds will

go toward recouping their devastating financial

losses.

“These women were courageous enough to go

on Netflix and tell the whole world how they were

deceived,” says Ms. Leviev. “I understood their

pain as women, and I wanted to reach out to

them to offer our support to do something together

that would bring this to an amazing close.”

Stronger Together: Support

for Tinder Swindler’s Victims

Determined to help turn around the unfortunate

circumstances faced by the brave women in

the Netlix show, Chagit took action. “Now they’re

going to be talking to the real Leveiv family,”

she says.

She proposed that the women design jewelry

that will be sold on the company’s website, leviev.

com, with all net proceeds going to the three.

Calling the project “Stronger Together,” the piece

is a bracelet with two rings that are interlocked

within each other, indicating that the world is

round, and things do come full circle. Two genuine

diamonds symbolize that the real diamond family

is now collaborating with the women.

The women, Chagit adds, are

very excited about this venture.

“Stronger Together” also signifies the three

women coming together, speaking up, not caring

if they are judged for trying to fight for justice for

what happened to them.

“Together they can make a change,” says Ms.

Leviev. “If they each would tell a story separately,

no one would believe them. The fact that they

all came together is putting a stop to what this

guy was doing.”

A business executive, mother of four and active

philanthropist, Chagit attributes her compassionate

nature to the morals and values instilled in her

by her parents.

Now that the Lieviev family has piqued the

world’s curiosity by being unwillingly drawn into

this viral story, Park magazine sat down with


LUXE

Chagit, an actual member

of the Leviev clan, to talk

about her life and career.

Life-changing Move to

U.S.

Chagit Leivev’s move to

New York in 2012 at age 25

to take over the company’s

US arm turned out to be the biggest turning point

of her life. The welcome was not quite what she

expected; facing some resistance, she had to gain

control of the company and recalibrate the way

the business had been operating until then. “I

was 25 when I moved to New York, and I couldn’t

believe my strength and the capabilities I found

within myself. It really turned me into the person

that I am today,” she says.

After arriving in New York, she was also CEO

of the real estate firm Africa Israel USA, which

is behind prominent Manhattan residential

projects including District at 111 Fulton Street;

20 Pine - The Collection by Armani Casa; 15

Broad - Downtown by Philippe Starck; The Apthorp;

and 88 Leonard Street, as well as The Marquis

Residences on Brickell Avenue in Miami.

Chagit’s expertise in real estate financing,

investment, development, asset management

and leasing came into play in 2015, as she presided

over the firm’s sale of the former New York Times

building in Times Square.

Chagit Leviev & Family

Corporate Rise

Growing up, Chagit’s family moved often,

between Israel, Belgium and the U.K., and she

is fluent in six languages, something she considers

an advantage in business. “People shouldn’t gossip

next to me in another language because I’m

probably going to understand it,” she quips.

While she always knew she would join the

family business, she didn’t know in what capacity.

One of nine siblings, Chagit observed her older

sisters’ experiences upon entering the company.

“You always get judged when you are the daughter

of the boss. People consider you incapable, not

smart enough, bossy,” she says. After graduating

from Bar Ilan University, she did a round of short

internships at various divisions in the company,

from Zara to the diamond

department. She then

decided to work outside

the family business,

joining the consulting

firm Deloitte, in order to

gain knowledge and

experience.

It was tough, often

requiring long hours and sacrificing time spent

with family. “It really gave me good experience

of what it is to be just another employee,” she

explains.

A few years later, her father offered her the job

as CFO of Memorand Group, a holding company,

ignoring Chagit’s protests that since she was still

quite young and had recently had a baby, she

was unsuited for the position. “You can do it. It’s

yours. Good luck,” he told her.

“This is just who my father is,” she says of her

dad, Lev Leviev, a renowned businessman and

philanthropist, founder of the Leviev Group and

famous for having broken the world’s diamond

monopoly that was once controlled by De Beers.

“He always throws us into the deep water and

trusts us to figure out how to swim out.”

Faith, Family is Central

Raised in an Orthodox Jewish family, Shabbat

was always devoted to family, “My parents have

been together for over 45 years, raising nine kids

and now dozens of grandchildren,” says Chagit.

“Family has always been a priority. No matter

how busy my father was, and how many countries

he was traveling to every week, on Shabbat, he

would be back home with all of us.”

Even with her high-pressure job, Chagit continues

that tradition. Disconnecting completely from

work and being with family provides a separation,

and allows her to regain strength and energy for

the week ahead.

Philanthropy

Her parents have always been passionate about

charity, and through their philanthropic efforts

have established hundreds of schools, community

centers, temples, orphanages and hospitals

worldwide. The Heart Center at Sheba Medical

Center in Israel is named for Ms. Leviev’s parents.

Chagit continues that legacy, striving to make

a difference in the world and help those less

fortunate by working with many charities focusing

on community, education, and women’s

empowerment.

Jewish Woman Entrepreneur

She serves as president of a school in Queens

established by her family, and sits on the boards

of various organizations including the Jewish

Woman Entrepreneur, or JWE, which provides

women with resources, education, mentorship

and connections to achieve their personal and

professional goals, and Batsheva, which offers

motivational support to empower accomplished

career women.

Chagit is on the executive committee and also

serves as a business mentor for Ezras Nashim,

a group of all-female EMTs in the Orthodox

community. “They have saved many lives, delivered

babies. It does incredible work, and is something

that I love to support,” she says.

As a business leader, wife, and mother of four,

she is sought-after as a speaker by women’s

organizations, eager to learn how she juggles

these demanding roles. Many follow her on

Instagram, where - somehow - Chagit finds time

to promote her charitable endeavors.

She also took to the platform shortly after the

Netflix documentary came out in February to

clarify that the Leviev family had had no connection

with the scammer in any way. “I cannot fathom

how our name got entangled with Netflix’s

documentary, The Tinder Swindler,” she posted.

“As it still seems to be unclear to many, I’d like to

clarify that Simon is NOT a real brother of the

Leviev family and has neither been a part of our

company @llddiamonds. Shimon (Hayut by his

real name) is a fraud who stole our identity, and

has tried to exploit our good name to con victims

out of millions of dollars. I feel terrible for his victims

and for what they have been through.” She added

that though her family hadn’t been aware of the

extent of his fraud, they had reported him to the

Israeli authorities on several occasions. P

llddiamonds.com



LUXE

Known just as much for their

personalized service as their

precious timepieces and

jewelry collections, Wempe

has continued to stand out

ever since they first opened

in 19 th century Germany.

If you’ve passed by the New York Wempe

flagship store on Fifth Avenue, you might have

noticed a bit of a crowd gathered by the

windows. That’s because the brand puts major

emphasis on their amazing display windows

which stretch over half a city block at 55 th street

at the ground level of the venerable Hotel

Peninsula – and things only get better when you

walk into the space which features 22 of the

best luxury watch brands flanked by dedicated

showrooms for Patek Philippe and Rolex. This

all makes for an inviting environment where

dazzling displays showcase everything from

statement pieces to everyday jewelry to brands

like Messika and Wellendorff. What might have

started out as a watch repair company after

establishing their headquarters in Hamburg in

1878, Wempe quickly became one of the leading

jewelers of the region, especially famous for

their specialized custom creations.

Hellmut Wempe officially took over the

company in 1963 as the third-generation

Wempe

A Legacy as Dazzling

as their Diamonds

BY BETTY TAYLOR

owner, spearheading the international

expansion 40 years ago, and his daughter,

Kim, became the first ever woman to take the

reins in 2003. Her two children, Scott and

Chiara, have just entered the company to

ensure the brand’s legacy will continue and

stay within the family.

Wempe not only produces their very own

watch brand in Glashuette, Germany, but

Kim’s love for classic jewelry has made her

own thoughtfully designed pieces one of the

biggest contributors to Wempe’s financial

success. Her BY KIM line, which is now in its

22 nd year, has put Wempe jewelry on the map.

Kim is indeed leading Wempe in an even more

elevated direction while preserving their old

ways. “She’s keeping the traditions of her

ancestors but enhancing the brand moving

forward,” explains Wempe Vice President

Michaela Kesselman. “We are proud to have

state-of-the-art production capacities in our

jewelry atelier in Schwäbisch Gmünd, a

historic city in the South of Germany.”

Many of Kim’s creations have won

international nominations and awards,

including those judged by their peers. Wempe

even created their own diamond cut which is

composed of 137 facets - 80 more than the

classic round brilliant diamond with eternally

flawless clarity, of course. Daily Garden is one

of their latest collections to celebrate the

uniqueness of the individual wearer.


“Wempe has become the go-to place in New

York for watch and jewelry enthusiasts, steadily

attracting new clients in every age group while

maintaining relationships with existing

customers.” says Kesselman. “It all starts with a

consultation, building trust and confidence.

We take great pride in the kind of personal

touch we bring onto the sales floor. Clients

immediately feel the positive energy within the

store. We go all out; ‘no’ is not an option. We

offer special hand engraving, extended

warranties, and personal delivery. And of

course, our well-known service department

featuring four master watchmakers is known to

perform small miracles daily.”

This family company also services

generations of customers within the same

family, and let’s just say that if you can dream

it, they can design it – or redesign it. “If you

have something that is meaningful to you or

has been passed down to you, we will be able

to capture that and create a beautiful piece,”

says Melanie Epstein, who is also a Vice

President at Wempe US. “When it comes to

watch-collecting, the sky is the limit. “We

recently had a client on the Upper East Side

who integrated custom made spy glass into

one of his walls with 200 watch winders. The

possibilities are endless, and anything goes.”

When it comes to wowing watch

connoisseurs, Wempe’s Collector’s Salon,

located on the lower level of the showroom,

presents a wide array of watch winders and

safes featuring James Bond-like gadgets

including bullet-proof, retracting glass and

built-in stereo systems. If you like to take watch

collecting (and storing) to a whole other level,

you must come see, and experience, what they

have to offer.

From the high-end brands they sell,

including Rolex, Cartier and Jaeger-LeCoultre,

to their own bespoke custom collections, as

well as a tightknit and very experienced team,

Wempe’s shining success continues almost 145

years since its inception. Their president,

Ruediger (Rudy) Albers,

“IF YOU

HAVE

SOMETHING

THAT IS

MEANINGFUL

TO YOU OR

HAS BEEN

PASSED

DOWN TO

YOU, WE

WILL BE

ABLE TO

CAPTURE

THAT AND

CREATE A

BEAUTIFUL

PIECE”

who is currently

celebrating his 35 th

anniversary with the

firm, is credited with

pioneering the brand’s

success in the U.S. “It is

due to his dedication,

foresight and

leadership that we have

been able to build the

most successful store

within the entire

company,” says Melanie.

“I met Rudy when I was

just 27 years old in

Hamburg and a simple

handshake back then

led to me now

becoming vice

president. He was

grooming us, leading by example, and always

focusing on the customer experience. He

instilled in us the importance of delivering the

highest level of hospitality and

uncompromising integrity.”

This beloved watch and jewelry brand,

which is represented in 34 locations

worldwide, including London, Paris, Vienna,

Madrid and in all major cities Germany, just

celebrated their e-commerce launch, so

customers can now purchase items through

their online shop 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Experience the dazzling difference when

things are done the Wempe way. P

wempe.com


LUXE

Sudhir

Gupta

Rare Collection

of Factices

BY BENNETT MARCUS

World’s Biggest Collection

of Fragrance Bottles

Over the past 30 years,

Sudhir Gupta amassed

the world’s biggest

collection of fragrance

bottle factices - the large,

exquisitely crafted replicas

of perfume bottles used

for display in department stores. Among the

highlights from his collection of more than

3,000 specimens are a rare 1920s Baccarat

factice for the Caron fragrance Madame

Alexander, estimated to be valued at

$100,000, as well as a rare 1970s Estée

Lauder Aliage factice. An exceptional Parera

factice from 1927 is one of only two in the

world; the other is on display at the Museu

del Perfum in Barcelona.

Baccarat, Lalique & Guerlain

Once made of fine etched glass of the type

utilized by artisans of houses like Baccarat,

Lalique and Guerlain, factices are rarely

produced like that today, and Gupta considers

them significant historical objects. This lifelong

passion was ignited when he spotted a L’Air du

Temps by Nina Ricci factice in the basement of

a perfume shop where he worked as a penniless

grad student in the early 1990s. Captivated by

the classic bottle with its intertwined frosted

glass doves, he was determined to obtain it

despite its $2,000 price tag. “I found this bottle

from the postwar era, collecting dust on the

floor in a corner of the room,” Gupta says. “I get

goosebumps every time I talk about that. I

didn›t know what it was, but I still remember.”

That remarkable discovery in that dusty

basement on Canal Street was the start of what

became a true obsession. It took him a long

time to purchase that bottle. Earning $200 per

week, he saved and saved, and once he had the

money, the store’s owners actually refused to

sell it to him. “They laughed at me and said,

‘What is a poor boy like you going to do with

something like that!’” He eventually snagged his

prize by enlisting the help of a family friend to

buy it for him.

‘‘I SPENT MY

FREE TIME

SEARCHING

FLEA

MARKETS

AND OLD

PHARMACIES

FOR

FACTICES. I

DIDN’T HAVE

A CAR, SO

SOMETIMES I

HAD TO GO

ON THE

TRAIN AND

CARRY THEM

HOME.’’

Guinness World Records

From that day, factices became his passion,

and in the ensuing years, any money he saved

went to buying these special bottles. And now

his collection has made it into the Guinness

World Records as the world’s largest.

An immigrant from India who came to New

York to pursue graduate studies in engineering,

Gupta was from a poor family. “I never had any

aspirations; I was not going to clubs, I don’t

drink,” he says. “So, I spent my free time

searching flea markets and old pharmacies for

factices. I didn’t have a car, so sometimes I had

to go on the train and carry them home. Some

days, I would just walk to make sure they

wouldn’t get broken.”


Eau de Luxe : Inc’s Hall of Fame

Derived from the French word for ‘fake’,

these artistic glass masterpieces were

glamorous advertisements for the iconic

fragrances they represented. Obtaining and

maintaining a factice collection requires

money. “I had to store those bottles,” Gupta

says. “That really inspired me to make money.”

His succinct assessment of his commercial

capabilities: “I was never a businessman.” In

fact, in 2010, he was on the verge of bankruptcy.

By 2008, he’d poured all his resources into a

retail fragrance store in Westchester that

quickly went belly up amidst the financial

crisis. Gupta repositioned the company, Eau de

Luxe, as an online fragrance and cosmetics

wholesaler in 2010, and by 2014, it was named

one of Inc. magazine’s Top 500 Fastest

Growing Companies in the United States. Eau

de Luxe remained on that Inc. Top 500 list for

five consecutive years, a rare feat, achieving

Hall of Fame status in 2018.

Chanel, Dior, Armani, Jo Malone, Tom

Ford, & Lancôme

Offering fragrance and skincare products

from world-renowned brands like Chanel, Dior,

Armani, Jo Malone, Tom Ford, Lubin, Robert

Piguet, Guerlain, Lancôme, Kiehls, By Kilian,

Clinique and Arquiste, in 2017, eaudeluxe.

com was recognized by Crain’s Business as one

of the 50 Fastest Growing Companies in New

York. “It›s my passion for perfume bottles that

landed me there, not my passion for perfume.”

Facticerie - The Factice Collection

It is Gupta’s dream to preserve the vestiges of

the dying art of factices and to keep these

pieces of history alive for new generations of

fragrance lovers. He has long wanted to share

his collection with the public. “I thought, ‘I want

to open a gallery and bring my message to the

people.’” His partner, Mercedes Acosta, a

jewelry designer, surprised him and created a

“museum” to house the collection. Located in

his store in Hackensack, NJ, the exhibition

space houses a meticulously re-created interior

of Lascoff Drugs, an Upper East Side institution

that closed in 2012 after 113 years in business.

Lascoff ’s Tiffany lamps, apothecary jars,

wooden cabinetry and ornate brass cash

register provide a striking and historically

accurate setting for the collection. Maison G, a

perfume store, is also a part of the complex.

The collection is now open to the public by

appointment only. P

facticerie.com


ESCAPES

Atlas Ocean Voyages

EXCURSIONS TO ANTARCTICA

Find Personal Discovery in One of the

Most Private Places on Earth

BY LAUREN BENS

While the

summer

temperatures

are starting to

heat up, cool

off with an

expedition to

Antarctica

with the only luxe-adventure cruise line, Atlas

Ocean Voyages. An immersive expedition to

Antarctica is a bucket-lit experience. Only

those who have dared to take the icy plunge

into these remote waters can add their names

to a century of exploration where few have

gone. It’s time to check the last continent off

your list and seek the ultimate adventure.

Specially designed Antarctica itineraries from

8 to 20 nights are for those who wish to discover

the world in a whole new way, an experience

matched only by the finely tuned indulgences

of Atlas’ unique amenities aboard small ships,

World Navigator and World Traveller. Connect

in new ways with wildlife, the environment,

and your fellow travelers. Here you will indulge

in highly personalized service and indulgences

amidst sleek yet laidback settings. The

leading-edge innovation of their Polar Class

expedition ships makes it possible to get close

to the icy landscapes and Antarctica is known

for.

Begin your expedition with complimentary

private charter service between Buenos Aires

and Ushuaia. Once on board, five dining

options, globally inspired cuisine, unlimited

premium pours, personalized in-room bar

service and more await. After a day of


exploring, relax and renew with a tranquil

treatment at SeaSpa by L’OCCITANE.

Spacious suites feature separate bedroom and

living room, complete with sofa, vanity and

mini fridge, plus marble bathroom and butler

service. All guests will enjoy complimentary

excursions ashore and free use of binoculars

and knee boots.

Get up close and personal with sea life from

Water’s Edge, just 39-feet above the water. You

might even catch a whale or two while you

drink in the snow-white horizon as the Seventh

Continent comes into view upon your arrival.

Offering 270-degree and overhead views, take

in the undeniable beauty of glaciers and

icebergs from the observation lounge. Learn

about your serene surroundings with their

knowledgeable expedition leaders, guest

lecturers, and scientists who will guide and

educate you through this remarkable journey

across your deeply moving discovery of

Antarctica.

As you explore the bottom of the world, you’ll

truly understand the endurance of these strong

vessels which have been perfectly engineered

for navigating safely around the beautiful and

icy waters beyond the mostly undiscovered

Antarctic Circle. Both Antarctica bound ships

are Polar Category C and Ice Class 1B ships,

meaning they are built with materials intended

to withstand low air temperatures and can

operate at polar surface temperatures. With

these polar code categorizations, they offer

safety and stability when intact and navigating

‘‘YOU MIGHT EVEN

CATCH A WHALE OR

TWO WHILE YOU DRINK

IN THE SNOW-WHITE

HORIZON AS THE

SEVENTH CONTINENT

COMES INTO VIEW UPON

YOUR ARRIVAL.’’

waters with mild ice conditions.

With fewer than 200 guests aboard each

vessel, this boutique style cruise brands allows

you to make new friends amongst intimate

settings. Find yourself in awe of mother nature

with your resplendent views of up to 11 possible

landings amid the Antarctic Peninsula and

surrounding regions, where you will see and

find something new each and every expedition

day. Spot Fur Seals, Gentoo Penguins and

other wildlife when your captain stops at the

best viewing areas.

As part of an elite fellowship of explorers

who can say they have ventured to the

southernmost reaches of the world and

crossed the Antarctic Circle, you will have

serious bragging rights, even amongst other

well-traveled friends. Exciting excursions

include kayaking across calm and clear waters

through channels of floating ice, where you

will become fully immersed in the otherworld

beauty of this wondrous spot. You can also

embark on a Zodiac Cruise – get ready to feel

the splash of calving glaciers – and later toast

to your expedition onboard with an Antarctic

Old Fashioned made with glacial ice. Take the

polar plunge to new heights – literally – when

you dive into the frigid and magical waters of

Antarctica, or paddleboard alongside seals and

whales. Just beware – going back to your

normal life might require some rethinking!

Forget Après Ski – it’s all about Après Sea!

That’s right, after an unforgettable day in

nature, toast to your memorable time with

other guests onboard with creative cocktails,

either in the ship’s Mud Room, or right above

the waves at Water’s Edge.

Dig into deliciousness after a day fit for a

daydream with options including Porto, their

signature restaurant and 7-AFT Grill and Pool

Bar, featuring a mix of both elevated fare and

classic comforts such as 100% Angus beef

burgers. The Dome Observation Lounge offers

light and late lunch bites while Paula’s Pantry is

perfect for a grab-n-go breakfast or snack.

Named after the Portuguese word for “Soul”,

Alma, a Portuguese-inspired menu with

homestyle dishes like grandma used to

prepare, pays homage to Atlas Ocean Voyages’

heritage.

With COVID-19 insurance and emergency

medical evacuation included in the cruise fare,

all you have to worry about is having the time of

your traveling life. P

atlasoceanvoyages.com


ESCAPES

Hotel Californian

Connecting with My Inner California Girl

BY JULIE SAGOSKIN

For my first trip to

California, I knew there

was only one city and,

more importantly, one

hotel that I wanted to

explore: Hotel Californian

in Santa Barbara. Recently

acquired by the Foley

Entertainment Group and

part of Preferred Hotels &

Resorts, the hotel features indoor-outdoor

Spanish Colonial and Moroccan-inspired

architecture, a five-star spa, upscale dining

options and a new wine tasting room. I certainly

felt like I stayed in laidback royal luxury, much

like the area’s famous real royal residents,

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

Surrounded by the stunning scenery of what

is often referred to as “the American Riviera,”

and nestled in the heart of Santa Barbara’s

vibrant Funk Zone, filled with stores, art

galleries and restaurants, this family-owned

hotel is the perfect mix of both effortless

coolness and comfortable chic.

This 121-room hotel, spread out amongst a

few downtown buildings across the street from

each other, and just a short walk up to the

beach and Wharf, hosts Hollywood elite and

guests from around the world. Celebrity

designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard adds a

distinct Moroccan ambiance, with special

attention given to the décor and unique

ceilings. Combining history with real

California vibes, Hotel Californian is ideal for

staycations, romantic getaways, spa stays,

weddings, and yes, California virgins! Their

variety of rooms and suites are all spacious and

of course, stylish, with special touches and

textures throughout. Most rooms also offer

oversized balconies, while their A-list Alcazar

Suite encompasses over 1700 square feet of

stunning furnishings, original artwork and


even your own kitchen. Privately situated and

with your own staircase, feel like the celebrity

you are sure to bump into for drinks at Djinn

later in the night.

The Santa Ynez mountains of Santa Barbara

serve as a most impressive backdrop for the

outdoor activities available, from sailing to

horseback riding on the beach, plus winery

tours, and celebrity home sightings just a short

drive away in Montecito. The hotel also has a

wellness-inspired building, with a fitness area,

an outdoor pool overlooking the beach, and a

five-star Majorelle spa, where you are instantly

transported to serenity upon being welcomed

with distinctly Moroccan blue tiles typically

found in the windows, tiles and doors of

Marrakesh. Feeling your best is, after all, a key

component of Hotel Californian, where you

should leave more refreshed and balanced than

when you arrived. Indulge in a range of

customized massages, facials, men’s services

and blowouts. The spa is also introducing a

members-only spa experience, where frequent

visitors can get monthly treatments, food

options and special pricing.

They also take their food and beverage

programs seriously, with unique events which

are popular amongst locals and visitors alike.

Get in touch with your supernatural side – and

some seriously creative cocktails - at the

recently reintroduced HOWL @ Djinn fullmoon

event series, where the hotel’s eccentric

library, named after genies from Moroccan

folklore, offers mystic libations, a Tarot card

and Runes reader, and vinyl spun by Val-Mar.

Legendary mixologist master Devon Espinosa

unveils a new full-moon-inspired beverage at

every event that reflects that particular month’s

lunar cycle. Whenever you decide to stop by,

Djinn always has must-try cocktails, including

the Bright Idea and Puff, Puff, Pass, all served up

with fun presentations.

This urban luxury resort is excited to welcome

guests to their newly opened wine tasting room,

The Society: State & Mason. Well, almost as

excited as I was to try a tasting of some of their

popular selections paired with exquisite bites.

This intimate space, where you can stop by for a

glass – or three - or book their private tasting

room, has dedicated programming including

wine education classes, exclusive events and

more. They also showcase labels from across the

Foley Family Wines portfolio, something the

Foley daughters take pride in. With deep roots

in the Santa Barbara area, Foley Entertainment

Group Chairman and hotel owner Bill Foley

brings a local feel and taste to the area which

serves his own neighbors.

Wake up to California’s freshest cold-pressed

juices, matcha tea and coffee drinks, plus

pastries and casual (but super tasty) brunch

bites at Goat Tree. Named for real Moroccan

goat trees, literal ones - where real goats stand

on the trees – the café offers all-day fare and

indoor and outdoor seating.

Savor the best of the Santa Barbara culinary

scene with seasonally-inspired plates at

Blackbird, where you will find sustainable fish,

meat and vegetables, plus regional beers and

an extensive wine menu. Newly available this

summer, the hotel has just launched a new

monthly Winemaker Dinner series at

Blackbird, featuring exquisite wines paired

with a four-course meal curated and prepared

by Hotel Californian Executive Chef Travis

Watson for a contemporary upscale dining

experience like no other.

After my Hotel Californian getaway, I don’t

want to be anything but a California girl. P

hotelcalifornian.com

‘‘LEGENDARY

MIXOLOGIST

MASTER DEVON

ESPINOSA HAS

UNVEILED A NEW

FULL-MOON-

INSPIRED

BEVERAGE THAT

REFLECTS THE

PARTICULAR

MONTH’S LUNAR

CYCLE’’


ESCAPES

Loews Atlanta

Poshness on Peachtree Street

Take a bite of the sweet life

when you settle into Loews

Atlanta Hotel, the poshest

spot on Peachtree Street.

Blending stylish modern

design with welcoming

Southern hospitality, this

iconic Loews property is

conveniently located within

walking distance to the city’s

most desirable destinations,

including The High Museum, Fox Theatre and

the famed Piedmont Park, which is just up the

street. From their own Exhale Spa to delectable

dining options and stunning suites, live like an

A-lister during your stay in Atlanta.

With floor-to-ceiling windows meant to take

BY THOMAS LAU

in views of Midtown Atlanta, all rooms are designed

in sleek style, from the workspace to the

bathrooms which feature a separate tub. Live the

sweet life in a Lifestyle Suite where you will find

chic interiors and views of the iconic sites of the

city. With kitchen facilities and stunning surroundings,

you can just sit back and relax - or keep

up with your wellness routine, especially with free

Peloton classes. Whether you have come for business

or pleasure, the glamorous Grand Suite lets

you do both. With a separate living area, you can

enjoy extra space to work and enjoy an in-suite

business lunch or dinner. Cheerful interiors in

the Grand Luxury Suites, another of their most

popular suite types, will add to your overall mood

in this modern spot.

Savor your trip even more when you stop by

Saltwood Bar and Lounge, known for serving up

reimagined bar bites amidst a dramatic background

with a gorgeous bar on one side along

with scenes of the city. Enjoy cocktails paired with

some mouthwatering plates including their Smoked

Salmon Flatbread served with garlic and herb

spread, plus pickled onions and capers, or dig

into a delectable 12 oz Grilled NY Strip with threecheese

potato gratin and broccolini. Offering

shareable small plates and a charcuterie bar,

Saltwood Charcuterie and Bar showcases local

ingredients and is open for breakfast and brunch

bites. They can also host social gatherings and

larger catered events.

Take the tastiest bite out of Atlanta with a curated

culinary experience, Flavor by Loews Hotels.

The best part? You don’t even have to leave the


lobby! Loews has partnered with the best hyperlocal

culinary and beverage artisans so that you

can live like a local during your stay with the most

authentic eats that Atlanta has to offer. This palatable

partnership currently includes the sustainably-focused

Hunter Cattle Farm ASW Distillery

whiskey.

Workout after your meal or sign up for a barre,

cardio or yoga class to enhance your overall wellbeing

at Exhale Spa. While they also have a stateof-the-art

gym, this spa is most famous for their

barre classes which combine their signature approach

of sustained holds and micromovements

with decades of innovation and the latest movement

science. Leave no muscle untouched in this

effective total body workout that will tone your

muscles and make you shake. They also have a

serene spa menu featuring massage offerings,

plus acupuncture, needle-free cupping, glow body

scrubs and luxe manicures.

True Southern hospitality, which is taken seri-

ously at this haute hotel, is reflected through the

personalized attention which can be felt throughout

your entire stay. They can also make sure your

meeting meets your high standards. Featuring

recently refreshed rooms, an array of event spaces

with oversized windows, over 40,000 square

feet of indoor function space and curated menus,

you can host a board meeting or corporate retreat

of any size in style. Say ‘I do’ to walking down the

aisle in their Mercer Ballroom overlooking Piedmont

Park, or on their outdoor terrace surrounded

by Midtown’s sleek cityscape.

For your next glam getaway in Atlanta look no

further than Loews, where you can enjoy stylish

flair and local flavor. P

loewshotels.com


ESCAPES

Loews New Orleans

A Stylish Hotel with Southern Hospitality

BY THOMAS LAU

hether you want to take it easy in the Big Easy or

enjoy its bustling streets – or both – you can do it

bigger and better at Loews New Orleans Hotel,

conveniently located in the heart of the city’s Art

District. With 21 stories of style, the Crescent City

has never looked so chic.

New Orleans is known for its culture, nightlife,

French and Spanish influenced architecture and

of course, food, and Loews wants to make sure

your stay is as unique as the destination. From

dining experiences to must-see spots, they can

customize your trip to you and your interests.

With an attractive location in the Art District, you

are in walking distance to major attractions including

the French Quarter, the Riverfront, the

Audubon Aquarium, the National WWII Museum,

and the New Orleans Morial Convention Center.

As you are in close proximity to some of the greatest

golf courses in the world, they can also help

you take a swing during your stay.

Each room type in this haute hotel known for

laidback luxury guarantees either breathtaking

views of the Mississippi River, the iconic French

Quarter, or the New Orleans urban skyline. In

your own quarters, you can enjoy wall-to-wall

windows, original artwork, and sleek décor. For

an even sweeter stay, book one of their stylish

suites, all of which offer elegant spaces and décor.

For a truly regal getaway, The Presidential Suite

provides postcard-perfect river and city views,

as well as your own pantry and private dining

room which seats up to eight guests. Amenities


THIS HAUTE

HOTEL KNOWN

FOR LAIDBACK

LUXURY

GUARANTEES

EITHER

BREATHTAKING

VIEWS OF THE

MISSISSIPPI

RIVER, THE

ICONIC

FRENCH

QUARTER

include a full-service gym with lap pool, whirlpool

and sauna.

In the spirit of striving to refine the art of togetherness,

Loews provides amenities for the

youngsters in the group with baby bathtubs, cribs

and even a children’s game tablet. Many luxury

guest rooms also provide accessibility features

such as hearing facilities and roll-in showers.

Aside from catering to human guests, they make

sure pets get the same posh experience during

their stay. For the VIPs (very important pets), they

offer special treats, dog-walking route maps for

owners, gourmet fare and basic comforts such

as collars and leashes.

Don’t just experience Southern hospitality, dig

into it. Located right in the hotel, Bar Peters pro-

vides Cajun-inspired entrees and hand-crafted

cocktails, including our all-time favorite, the locally

made Old New Orleans Rum. Wake up to

authentic breakfast bites at Poydras & Peters,

which serves Southern plates made from locally

fresh ingredients, bringing you an authentic taste

of the Big Easy.

For a memorable meeting, a unique outdoor

venue located adjacent to the hotel is an ideal

spot for receptions and themed parties for up to

400 guests – if there’s one thing they know how

to do in this town, it’s throw a party! This special

space, known as The Piazza d’Italia, is an awardwinning

Charles Moore-designed outdoor Romanesque-style

Piazza which was created in 1978

as a tribute to the contributions of the Italian

community to the development of New Orleans.

Whether you’ve been to the Big Easy many

times before or it’s your first time, staying at Loews

New Orleans will have you seeing this exciting

city with new eyes. P

loewshotels.com


ESCAPES

Miraval Berkshires

An Unrivalled Resort and Spa Experience Awaits

BY W.A. MULLER

Balance is not something

you find. It is something

you create.

Amid 380 acres of rolling

New England hills, Miraval

Berkshires helps guests

create a more balanced life.

Our inclusive packages and

experiences harness the

transformational energy of the seasons, with

amenities and activities that include challenge

courses and equine experiences, the Life in Balance

Spa, and Mindful Golf to foster balance and

discovery through mindfulness. Miraval Berkshires

blends Miraval’s signature mindful offerings with

the historic character of New England. Restore

and rest in winter, rejuvenate and renew in spring,

connect and create in summer, and reflect and

reset in autumn. Explore our many routes to wellness

under clear, starry skies. Identify your strengths

and challenges with techniques and tools that

help you create a purposeful path forward.

Hundreds of life-enriching experiences—

including exercise physiology, integrative wellness,

and outdoor adventures—are yours to explore.

From snowshoeing to sound bathing, our activities

let you bundle up for exhilarating outdoor adventures

or stay in your robe for mindful indoor exploration.

Our experiences combine yoga, meditation, and

wellness offerings with spiritual journeys, culinary

workshops, and outdoor adventures to build

resilience and shift perspective.

Evoking the understated elegance of a New

England country house, our accommodations

are a welcoming retreat for reflection and restorative

sleep. Seven two-story cottages with 100 guest

rooms and suites feature Clodagh-designed

interiors. Inspired by the Berkshires’ rolling hills,

soft clouds, and bright sunlight, peaceful palettes

of warm cranberry, amber, and blue encourage

relaxation, meditation, and sleep. Walk from

your room on winding outdoor paths or wander

through the cozy warmth of our indoor passages

to explore the whole resort without ever changing

out of your robe.

For the best view of the Berkshires and our most

luxurious rooms, stay in our gilded-age mansion

or it’s accompanying carriage houses. As the

centerpiece of Miraval Berkshires’ 380-acre property,

Wyndhurst Mansion features a stately brick exterior

and opulent interiors and embodies the history

of the Berkshires. Exuding timeless elegance, our

beautifully restored mansion features interiors

designed by award-winning interior designer

Clodagh.

The mansion is also home to a glass-walled

sunroom, private boardroom, a grand ballroom,

and sprawling Great Lawn. For a truly unique

event, we host everything from intimate gatherings

to large-scale celebrations or the newly launched

Miraval Mindful Wedding. The mansion houses

six venue spaces, enchanting indoor and outdoor

ceremony sites, an expansive lawn, and a charming

outdoor terrace that can match any intention. P

miravalberkshires.com


DINING


AUTHENTIC ITALIAN FARE SHOULD TASTE

AS simplistic as the short walk to Il Gattopardo

in Midtown Manhattan, where you will indeed

find the most delicious and authentic Southern

Italian delicacies outside of Italy. Owners Gianfranco

Sorrentino and Paula Bolla-Sorrentino take pride

in their palatable plates, as well as their entire

staff, catering business, and charitable efforts.

They might have faced their challenges during the

pandemic, but the team behind Il Gattopardo got through

it after many lessons learned – after all, this is not the first

hardship they have had to handle and rise above. In fact,

this gastronomic gem had originally opened just a week

after the 9/11 attacks, and Gianfranco and Paula were

forced to postpone their wedding which was also set to

take place that week. Though her family was stuck in

Brazil and his in Italy, they went through with the wedding

Il Gattopardo

AN ITALIAN DINING DYNASTY

BY LAUREN BENS


DINING

just two days later – with the help of findapriest.com (yes,

that’s a thing) and potluck style dining concept – because

as Gianfranco says, “we are resilient, we’re New Yorkers.”

It is this mindset which has pulled them through the

most difficult of times and allows them to focus towards

an even more fruitful and flavorful future”.

In addition to Il Gattopardo, this dynamic dining duo

also owns and operates The Leopard at des Artistes and

Mozzarella & Vino. They might have built a famed

restaurant empire, but this husband-and-wife team

continue to run everything like one big family. Gianfranco,

the patriarch of that family, grew up in Naples, Italy and

started working as a busboy at a hotel in Capri when he

was just a 14-year-old boy. It was at the tender age of 17,

upon working at the Dorchester Hotel in London, that

he realized just how big his restaurant dreams really

were. “I understood then that this was going to be my life

and passion.” This hardworking hospitality entrepreneur

started working around the world until getting a contract

at Disney World’s Epcot in 1984. He finally moved to New

York ten months later where he worked at the well-known

restaurant Bice and eventually got the chance to bring

the flavors of his homeland to his new home.

Gianfranco made his first real – and mouthwatering

- mark in 1990, when he opened his own restaurant at

MOMA. The museum’s board of trustees felt that it was

time to try something new, allowing him to introduce a

real fine dining restaurant called Sette MoMA in the

iconic institution. “MoMA was really the first museum

of its kind to understand the concept of incorporating a

high-end dining establishment,” says Paula. “If you go to

other museums now there is usually a cafeteria in addition

to a nice restaurant, but this wasn’t the case in the 90s.”

Perhaps the sweetest thing to come out of this story, aside

from the desserts they served, was that Paula, a secondgeneration

Italian who grew up in her mother’s home

country of Brazil, met Gianfranco while she was a graphic

design student at FIT and earning extra money as a

hostess at Sette MoMA. This former international model

now likes to joke that she went from “eating salads every

day to selling spaghetti!”

Now a midtown food mecca located on West 54 th Street,

Il Gattopardo, located across from MoMA, is known for

its regional and authentic fare with the freshest, most

seasonal ingredients. Their chef and partner, Vito Gnazzo,

incorporates products from Italy as well as local and

sustainably focused purveyors to create a culinary journey

that will bring you back to Italy with every bite. Vito knows

a little something about finding the best variety of all

things Italy as he hails from Felitto in the province of

Salerno, part of the Campania region of Southwest Italy,

where our very own Christopher Pape’s grandmother

also comes from!

“Everything here is based on the human touch,” says

Gianfranco. “We love when people say that this is the

closest thing to a real Italian experience. It’s a sense of

great pride for us that we can reproduce so far away the

same kind of passion about Italian food. We change

menus seasonally, about twice or three times a year, and

according to the market. This includes items that are

only in season for a short time, like white and black

truffle. We must be very careful now with pricing because

everything is skyrocketing so logistics are complicated

for distributors. For us this means that we have to make

sure everything can be delivered every day, because if

it’s on the menu, we must be certain that everything will

arrive. Our menu showcases dishes from the South of

Italy, which means mostly fish and vegetables. For us,

vegetables aren’t just a side dish. We use shellfish with

pasta, rice and couscous, which is part of a daily

Mediterranean diet. The fish we use is from a company

in Italy and are raised in an environment better than the

ocean! We come from a culture where the normal way

of doing things was to get vegetables several times a week

and cook everything from scratch. Modern life took us

away from that philosophy, but we tend to look back. We

also emphasize the importance of food not just tasting

delicious, but also the necessity of eating something

healthy.”

In addition to this sought-after spot, they also have a

successful catering company that regularly works with

Italian fashion houses including Cuccinelli, Kiton and

Gucci, as well as the Italian Embassy, Consul, Ambassador,

and Cultural Institute, plus Italian entrepreneurs and

art galleries due to their deep relationship with MoMA,

which remains strong. They especially host many postscreening

receptions and after parties for the museum

in their private downstairs room which feels like an oasis

in the midst of a bustling city.

In 2011, the growing restaurant group opened The

Leopard des Artistes on the charming, treelined 1 West

67 th Street in an equally charming and historic building.

This pricey project turned out to be a worthwhile risk –

just ask their loyal clientele who are very pleased with


“WE LOVE WHEN

PEOPLE SAY THAT THIS

IS THE CLOSEST THING

TO A REAL ITALIAN

EXPERIENCE. IT’S A

SENSE OF GREAT PRIDE

FOR US’’


DINING

this tasty and tastefully done space, which features original

murals from the 1920s that were restored to their original

splendor. “We have so many great stories from this place,

which is a true landmark, but I will always remember

when someone asked to bring their mom to the restaurant

for her 102 nd birthday,” says Gianfranco. “I wanted to do

something special so we prepared a cake and had a table

right next to the door so that this lady wouldn’t have to

walk much but she insisted on sitting next to the mural.

Well, it turned out that she was the woman in the mural!”

Despite the difficulties of the pandemic, Gianfranco

and Paula were able to find as many scrumptious silver

linings as possible. They decided to renovate Mozzarella

& Vino which is located just up the street in Il Gatopardo’s

original location, and are currently working on adding

65 more seats to the space which serves the same quality

of product but at a different price point. Instead of the

same fancy setup and flatware, they put everything into

the food cost. According to Paula, “You can order a panino

or a salad, you don’t have to feel obligated to have a two

to three course fine dining meal experience. A lot of our

customers started to go there about five times a week

and still come here so they aren’t competing, which was

our fear in the beginning. It’s just two completely different

concepts. During the six months that the whole company

had to close down gave us more time to look at everything

from the outside. We were so caught up in the day-to-day

operations that we stepped back see to what we could

improve on, especially with new technology and personal

training. We are very thankful that we were able to continue

providing healthcare benefits for all 160 employees during

the shutdown.”

Another appetizing addition to Il Gattopardo thanks

to the pandemic – and lots of time and money? Their

stylish outdoor patio which is reminiscent of a European

street somewhere in Paris or Rome. “I thought, if we do

this, let’s do something nice and go on the roadway with

dignity,” exclaims Gianfranco. A father of a friend of our

son who do big installations in Vegas as well as at The

Javits Center helped us create something extra special.”

They also remained a tightknit family through it all.

“We still like to think of ourselves as a small business

even after all these years,” explains Paula. “Our son, who

is now a student at the business school at Boston University

– and is in charge of our social media program - and our

13-year-old daughter Sophia, have grown up in the business

rolling around on tablecloths. Many of our staff and

managers followed us from Sette MoMA and started out

as kids. “We make sure that they reap a lot of the glory

of our success,” adds Gianfranco. One thing is for sure

– you are also guaranteed to become a part of this family

once you experience their friendly service, decadent

dishes and extensive wine and cocktail menu.

Right now, they are witnessing a Roaring 20s comeback

and are ready to welcome both old and new customers.

In addition to creating memorable plates, they are also

passionate about the non-profit organization called

Gruppo Italiano, which promotes Italian culinary culture

and products symbolizing the Italian lifestyle. “We try

to help restauranteurs, especially now with the pandemic,

by helping them with public relations, business, marketing,

etc. We have worked hard for what we have achieved and

believe in helping the community and sponsoring causes.

We also enjoy working with kids from Food and Finance

High School to educate them about the business aspect

of the restaurant industry, and host classes on the basic

principles of Italian culinary ingredients.”

Gianfranco also believes that people in America are

now understanding the importance of living day to day

and enjoying life because as he says, “We don’t know

what tomorrow is going to be, you don’t have to go crazy,

but why don’t you go to a concert, or travel ,or enjoy a

nice glass of wine or dinner with friends and family? We

see that millennials are the ones who really understand

this concept.”

Let’s just say that at Il Gattopardo, you will indeed be

living la dolce vita – only more deliciously. P

ilgattopardonyc.com

theleopardnyc.com


‘‘ANOTHER

APPETIZING

ADDITION TO IL

GATTOPARDO

THANKS TO THE

PANDEMIC – AND

LOTS OF TIME

AND MONEY?

THEIR STYLISH

OUTDOOR PATIO

WHICH IS

REMINISCENT OF

A EUROPEAN

STREET

SOMEWHERE IN

PARIS OR ROME.’’


DINING

Here’s a

toast to the

legendary

restaurateur

Jean-Marc

Houmard

this year

celebrating 38

years since the

dawn of his

perennially chic

Indochine and

surrounded by

the latest exotic

polyglot staff

the brand is

famous for.

PHOTO BY

PATRICK MCMULLAN

122 | parkmagazineny

The early adaptors

- Warhol & Haring

made Indochine their

hang from the very

first night it opened.

PHOTO BY

ROXANNE LOWIT

WELCOME

TO THE

UNGLE

THE TIMELESS ALLURE OF INDOCHINE

BY GEORGE WAYNE

The fashion imperials still

keep coming back: Tom Ford, Anna

Wintour, and Edward Enninful.

PHOTO BY PATRICK MCMULLAN

ON THE MAGICAL NIGHT THAT INDOCHINE

first opened its doors in October of 1984, Andy Warhol

showed up looking like the coolest Hell’s Angel

Daddy on the planet.

Although sporting one of his 100 or so signature fright wigs

and familiar horn-rim spectacles,Andy upped the va-va-voom

that night with a classic thick black turtleneck jumper and a

racy leather motorcycle jacket.

He took along his new discovery. The still very much wideeyed,

pre-dreadlocked, Jean-Michel Basquiat sheepishly looked

like he’d just left classes at Dalton Prep School to sneak downtown

to party with Andy Warhol.


DINING

The iconic image from

Indochine opening night in

1984 when Warhol led the

charge with Jean-Michel

Basquiat, Jacqueline and Julian

Schnabel and Kenny Scharf.

PHOTO BY ROXANNE LOWIT

‘‘THE ‘90S WERE ALL ABOUT NAOMI,

LINDA, KATE, KARA, GAIL, CHRISTY AND

STEPHANIE CAROUSING OVER BASKETS

OF SUMMER ROLLS AND LYCHEE

MARTINIS AT INDOCHINE.’’

Yet another iconic image- Grace Jones

demanding attention at the Don’t Bungle

The Jungle benefit, May 1989, hosted by

Madonna and Kenny Scharf.

PHOTO BY ROXANNE LOWIT

Julian Schnabel was still with

his first wife Jacqueline, and

Kenny Scharf looked crazier

than Caddyshack Bill Murray

in a florid patchwork red shirt,

an equally garish paisley jacket

and chartreuse green pants that

clashed with the now-iconic

Inodchine wallpaper that opening night.

Almost 38 years to the date that Brian Mc-

Nally and John Loeffler staged that unforgettable

opening night party to debut Downtown’s

then hot new restaurant across from The Public

Theater,Indochine is still popping!

And still at the height of being the coolest

face-place in New York City.

So, there was GW at the bar one breezy summer

night a few weeks ago and quickly realized

that I couldn’t have chosen a better night for

reconnaissance. Yes, that was Calvin Klein dining

with a group of three from Banquette #1.

It was as if he hadn’t left since opening night!

‘’As soon as Indochine opened we made it

our hangout,’’ he blithely quipped in the eponymous

Rizzoli book ‘Indochine Stories: Shaken

and Stirred (2009).

And true to form, here was Calvin still causing

the room to stir.

The night before, another legend, Faye

Dunaway drew admiring glances all night

from Banquette #3.

And two nights after that, Christie’s staged

a fortuitous boisterous celebration the night

before Andy Warhol’s Shot Sage Blue Marilyn

portrait shot to fame as the most expensive

20th Century work of art ever sold at auction.

It just seems that once again Indochine is the

place to eat, drink and see and be seen.

So, to say that Indochine remains the coolest

restaurant hot spot in New York City, now 38

years on, would be a mere understatement.

It also remains the definitive Downtown

stomping ground now for two generations and

counting.

Pop Culture historians could do a doctoral

thesis on NYC onThe Generation of Cool and

not visit anywhere else.

From that opening night in 1984 through

their deaths in 1987/1988, the Warhol/Basquiat

cabal practically ate and drank and made

merry every night at Indochine.

And where Andy went-- everyone else followed.

‘’It’s a fashionable restaurant that has never

been subject to the vagaries of fashion.’’

Who else but Dame Anna Wintour to sum

up the Indochine mystique.

It was Anna and the original ‘supers’ (supermodels)

who burnished the legend and the joie

de vivre of dinner at Indochine all through the

post-Warhol/Basquiat era.

When Anna staged the 50th birthday party

for her Vogue peer Grace Coddington she made

sure that every supermodel in the world was

at Indochine to kiss her ring.

The ‘90s were all about Naomi, Linda, Kate,

Kara, Gail, Christy and Stephanie carousing

over baskets of Summer Rolls and Lychee Martinis

at Indochine.

The red-light district boudoir you feel on

entry still sets the mood as you lift off from

Astor Place and into that timeless decor and

aesthete here, from the Martinique green ba-


The full flourish

of this inimitable

boudoir with

its signature

Martiniquais

banana frond

wallpaper and the

host with the most

(JMH) at the helm

of the still-thehottest

restaurant

in NYC since 1992

and still runs the

show 30 years and

counting.

PHOTO BY

PATRICK MCMULLAN

nana frond applique wallpaper to the classic

lacquered aubergine-green banquettes. The

rattan furniture and potted palms are still

everywhere, as arethe exotic staff and the legendary

owner Jean-Marc Houmard, who is still

very much in his own unassuming fashion -- the

master of all he surveys. He was the one who

led the troika that bought Indochine from

Brian McNally in 1992.

Chef Hui Chi Le was a Vietnamese refugee

who put down his total life savings to get that

lease from Brian McNally in his name and to

create the now-signature menu.

And the busboy-cum-restaurant manager

from Switzerland, who Brian first hired in 1985,

found a third investor in Michael Callahan.

The astute troika then corralled a franchise

now fully certified as one of the most iconic

restaurants in New York City.

From the ‘Aughts through the 2010sIndochine

was the roost of the celebrated Paris fashion

emigre diva Carine Roitfeld and her cabinet.

She muscled in and amped up the chic and

heightened the snob appeal.

And through it all, the Downtown legends

like Joey Arias, Amanda Lepore, Dianne Brill,

and Susanne Bartsch have made sure to keep

the love and loyalty flag flying high.

‘’It only gets cooler as it ages,’’ was the fashion

designer Anna Sui being prescient from way

C.T. Hedden (far

left) manns the

front of the room

with panache and

professionalismand

is the one to

know to get the

best banquette!

He gathers his

gorgeous and

professional staff

for team meetings

every afternoon

where they are

often quizzed on

the inner workings,

and machinations

of brand Indochine.

PHOTO BY

PATRICK MCMULLAN

back in 2009.

Indochine was born with an aura and chic

and glamorous celebrity and it couldn’t have

a better Daddy to keep her flawless and wellmaintained

as it does in Jean-Marc Houmard.

He first discovered Indochine in 1985 when

his roommate and best friend, Belinda Becker,

took him there for the first time.

‘’It was a revelation!’’ He is fond of exclaiming.

And clearly, it had to have been because he

has remained ever since!

‘’Indochine is still ripe--like a great movie

star,’’ some blogger quipped online recently.

And now- more than ever-- it is once again

the hardest restaurant to get a table in Greenwich

Village.

So, what better time to celebrate the timeless

allure of Indochine.P


DINING

A Pasta Bar

THE CHICEST TRATTORIA IN SOHO

BY GEORGE WAYNE


‘’I WANT YOU TO

WALK IN HERE AND

FEEL AS IF YOU

ARE IN MILAN

EATING THE BEST

TRUFFLE PASTA

AND SUCH THAT

YOU HAVE EVER

HAD IN YOUR LIFE ’’

It’s a fabulously lively Friday night and the

coolest trattoria in Soho is popping with

attitude and sprezzatura. Every table is

taken and it’s obvious after a quick scan of

the room that A Pasta Bar is clearly a haven

for the hipster New York creatives, fashion

types that tend to congregate in Soho. And

with one of the sexiest and best-dressed

bachelors in town in its owner Simone

Tinaglia as the maestro orchestrating the

magic, it is hardly surprising that the crowd

is equally on point.

‘’I want you to walk in here and feel as if

you are in Milan eating the best truffle pasta

and such that you have ever had in your life,’’

he says whilst dressed to the nines and in the

sexiest mangled Milanese/American accent.

And you wonder why the restaurant is packed.

It must be this guy.

The food is more than up to par. One could

easily imagine the next Fashion Week

Donatella stopping in for the perfect fusillade

of orgasmic pasta dishes as her fellow

designer from Paris Olivier Rousteing is wont

to do. Take up a seat in this chic, fast formal

pasta oasis paces away from the Soho Grand

Hotel. The long, rectangular brass bar

surrounds the entire kitchen and it’s all

happening right there in front of you. The

rippled stone backsplash competes to be the

center of attention of the past whipping team

of the noted Italian restaurateurs Andrea &

Marc Pedrazzoli with the famous matriarch

chef and Mum, Esther Pedrazzoli and her

classic recipes emanating from the kitchen.

Instant classics as recommended include

their famous truffle pasta dish which is simply

sublime!. The twisted curly white ragu pasta

dish dubbed - The Fusillone is another house

favorite with the fashionista crowd that flock to

A Pasta Bar. And the rectangular marble and

stone kitchen bar become theatre in the

square now every night of the week. Settle in

with a cilantro lemongrass Tequila concoction

and feast on the Tagliatella Al Tartufo Nero

which is another house specialty or the Raviolo

Ripieno or the Ziti ai Fruti Di Mare.

‘’We try to stay humble and let the food

speak for itself,’’ continues Simone the

sexy. ‘’And these dishes are all from recipes

passed down from generations by Chef Esther

and her family. The pasta is scratch-made

right here and ingredients such as our truffles

and prosciutto and even the figs for the fig

salad are flown in from Italy every week.

I highly recommend the Pasta Tasting

Ensemble for $100.’’

There is no denying that another perfect

date night in Soho this season begins with a

visit to this chic Soho trattoria. P

apastabar.com


DINING

Ankush

Punhani

FINE INDIAN DINING

BY JAKE DRESSLER

By the late eighties, when most

American kids were spending their

childhood perplexed by Rubik’s cubes

and obsessed with calculator watches,

Ankush Punhani, a New Delhi-born

entrepreneur who came to America when he

was three years old, was more interested in

management and financial modeling for his

father’s gas station in New Jersey. He

remembers being intimately involved with

the family business, helping his father with

Excel sheets and other administrative work

when he was just a child. After late nights

helping at the gas station, Punhani would

come home to the welcoming aromas of his

mother’s authentic North Indian cooking;

some of his favorite dishes were Chicken

Biryani, Paneer Lababdar, Saag Paneer, and

Butter Chicken. “We’re definitely a foodie

family,” said Punhani.

Nine Indian Restaurants

The examples of hard work and

perseverance set by his parents instilled in

Punhani a drive to succeed. After earning a

degree in criminal justice at Rutgers and a

J.D. from John Marshall Law, he would go on

to open his own practice specializing in

immigration law and manage and launch

nine Indian restaurants. “I always had that

entrepreneur drive,” Punhani told PARK.

“Being involved with my parents’ various

businesses for so long taught me a lot and I

always felt as though there was no other path

than being an entrepreneur.”

A Law Practice

In 2013, Punhani opened his own law

practice. His familiarity with Indian culture

and vernaculars segued into a busy

immigration practice. Punhani’s practice

specializes in real estate closings, contracts,

and business transactions. Additionally,

Punhani said, “We also are able to help

people with family immigration issues, such

as those applying for an immediate relative

and filing for citizenship.”

Nine Restaurants: NYC & NJ

Having established a successful firm just

two years out of law school, Punhani roused

his father from retirement and invested in

Indian restaurants as a silent partner. When

Punhani’s not at the firm, he’s managing his

restaurant group that oversees eight

locations, five of which are in Manhattan.

Currently the group is working on opening

its 9 th location, the fourth in New Jersey.

Punhani’s restaurant group, “Fine Indian

Dining,” manages a lineup of some of New

York and New Jersey’s most acclaimed


restaurants. In Kips Bay, there’s Wok in the

Clouds, an Indian- inspired, Asian fusion

restaurant. The concept was the brainchild

of the Fine Indian Dining Group, whose

beloved portfolio of restaurants includes

Sahib, Dhaba, Chote Nawab, Malai Marke,

Dhaba Express, Jashan by Dhaba and the

newly opened Kebabs & Kurries. The

restaurant’s menu features classic dishes

with playful twists complete with bold flavor

profiles that aim to surprise and excite guests

as they gaze up at the playful clouds that

hang above. Some restaurants are fine

dining, others are a mix between fine dining

and fast-casual. Punhani and his family

learned how to manage restaurants through

a lot of trial and error and first-hand

experiences.

A Sweeping Variety of Foods

The restaurants offer a sweeping variety of

foods that are suited to please any palate.

Punhani says that when it comes to Indian

food, having talented chefs and the right

ingredients such as spices and masalas are

crucial for authenticity. “I would say our food

is very authentic to what you get in India.

Indian food has a lot to do with the right

touch of spices and masalas, it can make

dishes very diverse even if they’re from a

similar gravy base.”

Master Chefs from India

If there’s anyone who knows the right

equations to create perfect Indian dishes, it’s

the master chefs that Punhani and his family

personally scouted from India. Punhani said,

“We have personally sourced and legally

sponsored master chefs and executive chefs

from 5-Star Hotels in India, to come to the

US, to work at our different restaurants to

help provide our customers with both

authentic and fusion Indian cuisine. My

understanding of immigration law helped in

legally bringing these talented chefs to the

US.”

Authentic Indian Cuisine

In addition to serving premium and

authentic Indian cuisine, Punhani also

focuses his business on giving back to the

community. “Community is definitely an

important part of my upbringing.” Punhani

added, “My dad was always involved in

community events growing up.” Today,

Punhani carries on the tradition of

community involvement instilled in him by

his father. His restaurants have hosted

community events and supported patrons

and community members during the

pandemic. When he’s not managing nine

restaurants or servicing clients at his

bustling law firm, you might catch Punhani

enjoying some of his favorite Indian dishes,

or some of his American favorites too: pizza

and pasta. P

fineindiandining.com


DINING

Hawksmoor

A LEGENDARY LONDON RESTAURANT TAKES NEW YORK

BY JULIE SAGOSKIN

Finding the most in-demand dishes no

longer requires a trip across the pond,

now that the beloved London transplant

Hawksmoor has found a home in New York’s

historic United Charities Building. Located just

steps from Gramercy Park, the iconic building,

which was closed from public view for over a

century, invites guests to enjoy an awe-inspiring

dining experience in an equally decadent

setting boasting a 26-foot vaulted ceiling, as

well as a sleek bar which can seat up to 35

patrons, and two private dining spaces.

These two special spots have serendipitously

merged together to create both a

mouthwatering and memorable experience.

Since opening over 15 years ago in London,

Hawksmoor has acquired devoted diners who

appreciate the restaurant’s now legendary

dry-aged steaks, innovative and carefully

curated cocktail list, and sustainable practices.

Savor the deliciousness – and love – in each

bite. After all, this renowned dining destination

was inspired by the desire of founders and

childhood friends, Will and Huw, to find the

best possible beef to be used within the

seemingly simple art of cooking steak. After

seven years dedicated to planning, touring and

tasting, their delectable dream finally came to

life with the opening of Hawksmoor NYC. This

philosophy is now an intrinsic part of the menu

at the American outpost, which is focused on

the freshest fare including all-natural beef from

family-owned farms, most based in upstate

New York, Pennsylvania and New England, all

of which are then seasoned with their signature

flaked sea salt and seared over live-fire charcoal.

Hawksmoor’s mantra of ‘buy the best and let

it shine’ has become part of its homestead

heritage. They continue to work with likeminded

farmers, ranchers and fishermen in

order to serve regional small farm produce,

pasture-reared beef and farmstead cheeses. All

meats are hormone-free, naturally reared and

properly free-range, while their seafood is

sustainably fished from North American

waters. They truly love supporting these local

producers who uphold the highest possible

animal welfare and environmental standards.

If you find that their employees don’t have a

strict dress code, it’s because the founders

wanted to bring their relaxed attitude to the

entire space, including the staff, who truly

embrace the Hawksmoor mission. Their main

goal is just to ensure that all visitors are able to

relax amidst a unique and elevated yet

comfortable space featuring food which has the

purest and indeed, most palatable intentions

parkmagazineny.com

HAWKSMOOR HAS

ACQUIRED DEVOTED

DINERS WHO

APPRECIATE THE

RESTAURANT’S

NOW LEGENDARY

DRY-AGED STEAKS,

INNOVATIVE AND

CAREFULLY

CURATED COCKTAIL

LIST, AND

SUSTAINABLE

PRACTICES.

behind it. With a maximum three-star rating

from the Sustainable Restaurant Association,

their one piece of advice for when it comes to

deciding on your diet and impacting the planet

is: when it comes to meat, eat less, but eat better.

Start your tasty tour with natural, dressed or

bone-marrow oysters, plus starters including

Steelhead Crudo made with citrus, ginger and

chili, Charcoal Roasted Scallops seasoned with

white port and garlic, or Steak Tartare with

dry-aged rump and pickled shitake. Whether

you dig into a Filet, Strip, Rib-Eye, Rump,

Porterhouse, T-Bone or Chateaubriand, you are

sure to find sustainable scrumptiousness. Other

enticing entrees include East Coast Halibut

made with bone marrow sauce, Maine Lobster

and Veal Chop with fried oysters and tartare

sauce. Your own Hawksmoor tale can end on an

extra tasty note with their take on the chocolate

and hazelnut Grand Rocher as well as other

delectable desserts.

Cheers to your new favorite restaurant as you

sip a cocktail on their wraparound brass-topped

bar. You can even go back in time to the 1970s

with the Wallflower, a sweet and sharp

concoction of tequila, orange, jasmine, lemon

and clarified milk punch. Executive Head Chef,

Matt Brown and Executive Chef Matt Bernero

have created a bar menu which is more casual

but maintains a fine dining flair with perfectly

paired flavors. They also pay homage to classic

New York with the Ruben Nuggets while giving

a nod to their English roots with the Potted Beef

made with Bacon Yorkshires and onion gravy.

Just breathe in and enjoy a sacred experience

within the walls of this steakhouse sanctuary. P

hawksmoornyc.com

parkmagazineny.com

DINING

Il Mulino

Prime

SAME CLASSIC NAME.

SEXIER STEAKHOUSE SPACE.

BY THOMAS LIU

Combining the Il Mulino brand’s

high-quality standards with a sexy

downtown spot on West Broadway

serving up succulent steak, Il Mulino Prime in

Soho has all of the restaurant group’s allure

– now it’s just a bit more hip.

The restaurant’s locally-sourced menus were

all curated by Executive Chef Michele Mazza,

while their cocktail and wine menu offers an

extensive selection of libations to get your lively

dining experience started. Apart from the usual

selections, Il Mulino Prime also offers a

wonderful selection of whiskey as well as

mezcals and tequila. Their main

mouthwatering focus is definitely the dry-aged

prime cuts. Il Mulino Prime spotlights the best

classic steaks, including filet mignon, ribeye,

wagyu (American) and Tomahawk, a

recommended favorite which can be ordered

bone-in or off the bone. Pescatarians can also

find fresh seafood and shellfish selections.

On Sunday to Thursday evenings, Il Mulino

Prime provides a family-style tasting menu

called the “Alla Griglia Menu.” The whole menu

is comprised of four courses in addition to

three sides from multiple options. Start with a

choice between three salads, then your choice

of appetizer, and finally the famous T-bone

steak with your choice of sauce – definitely go

for Chef M’s signature sauce which is Michele’s

own secret recipe. Authentic Italian desserts

will put the final touch to a satisfyingly tasty

evening.

Describing themselves as “sun-dappled by

day and sophisticated by night,” this premiere

spot for prime steaks and other delicacies can

also customize menus for any occasion. The

all-white simple, modern interior design adds

to the calm atmosphere, which allows

customers to focus on their food experience.

Enjoy a more casual happy hour from Monday

to Thursday, and on Fridays and weekends, you

can stop in between shopping for lunch.

Dig into prime steaks in a prime Soho space

without sacrificing the classic Il Mulino

touches. P

ilmulino.com


©2021 Imported from Italy by Enovation Brands, Inc., Aventura, FL 33180

PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY

Prosecco DOC, Pinot Grigio DOC Delle Venezie

SPORT & DINING

The

Yankees

PARK GOES TO THE

BALLPARK IN TRUE

SUITE STYLE

BY JULIE SAGOSKIN

Yankees hats have become synonymous

with being a true New Yorker, so after

being adopted by my current city, I

decided it was time to take in a game at Yankee

Stadium. Having only been to one baseball

game – yes, ever - with the home team being

one which shall not be named, I geared up for

something similar: balls, bats, hot dogs and

maybe even my very own hat. Let’s just say that

I might have walked away with much more.

The scene was set as the sun shone and I could

almost hear the ‘take me out to the ballgame’

tune while walking into Yankee Stadium in the

Bronx. Sporting Yankee colors, all

serendipitously unplanned of course, I was

immediately struck by the enthusiasm that

abounded, from the private suite corridors to the

top of the stands. These fans always make sure

to pay homage to their favorite players from the

past, which is made possible with the stadium’s

own museum and remains open to all visitors.

Even I appreciated the rich legacy of this team

which is as New York as New York itself.

Having the flexibility to watch the game

comfortably from the two floors of the Legends

Suite, while also getting to take in the

experience with seats just a few rows behind

the players, I am proud to say that I am their

biggest fan – at least of the suite life! Featuring

seafood selections, including lobster and fresh

fish, to Mediterranean fare and even a Glatt

kosher buffet, as well as a full delectable

dessert area and snack wall with candy,

popcorn and peanuts, this night out hit one

very satisfying homerun. Ordering milkshakes,

fries and other finger foods from our outdoor

seats was yet another authentic ballgame

feeling that I could not miss out on. Even if the

Yanks don’t win, you will have a winning

experience – though they most likely will, of

course. This is, after all, the home of the 27-time

World Champions. See, I learned something!

The Delta SKY360° Suites Audi Club also

offers indoor dining options and great views of

the game. All of the suites were redesigned to

ensure that the clean, elevated spaces made the

field the main focal point. These intimate and

sleek suites, which can accommodate from 16

to 100 guests is the most private and posh way

to watch a game. Your suite is also designed for

the ultimate guest interaction, with plush

leather furnishings and sliding glass doors

overlooking two rows of exterior cushioned

suite seats.

While they certainly won me over, and yes,

the Yankees took it home (hope that’s the right

lingo!), the pride of this team was palpable. And

as Mr. Sinatra would say, I wanted to be a part

of it. I can safely say that if your friend, family

member or significant other has not enjoyed a

game from one of their suites, you will want to

treat them to tickets this season.P

yankees.com


UNRIVALED ACCESS,

UNPARALLELED SERVICE

LEGENDS SUITE

LEGENDS PREMIER

CHAMPIONS SUITE

DELTA SKY360° SUITE

FORD FIELD MVP SEATS

LUXURY SUITES

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON PREMIUM SEASON TICKETS

718.508.3955 • PREMIUM@YANKEES.COM

WWW.YANKEES.COM/PREMIUM

PREFERRED BY

EVENTS

Equestrian

Paradise

BY LAURIE NEWKIRK

A Polo match at

The Greenwich Polo

Club in Greenwich,

Connecticut

PHOTO BY HARLAN ZEERIP


To some, summer means blooming flowers, warm

weather and open seas and yet to others, it means

the world comes alive with the unparalleled pleasure

of riding or watching one of the most majestic

of animals in motion. To some, there is no

greater companionship than that of a horse, and

to others, no stronger camaraderie than that of

Nobel Laureate,

fellow horse lovers.

John Galsworthy.

In northern states, June starts the season of

shows and competitions. There’s Hunter Jumping

with its accuracy and elegance, Show Jumping

with its speed and precision, and Polo with its

thrilling pounding hooves and unity of rider and

horse creating unmatched powerful moves.

For the uninitiated, Hunter Jumping is a subjective

event with the judges considering everything

from the impeccable dress of the rider to the

horse’s braided mane to how gracefully the two

glide over a series of jumps.

Show Jumping, on the other hand, is about

speed and faultless execution. It’s also a series of

“I am still under

the impression that

there is nothing alive

quite so beautiful

as a horse.”

Showjumping the Fairfield

County Hunt Club in

Westport, Connecticut

PHOTO BY GREERSHOTZ

jumps but the objective of horse and rider is to

leap them as quickly as possible without any missteps.

And then there is Polo, the sport of kings, a

competition between two teams of four riders

each galloping on horses across a 300-yard field

using a mallet to try to strike a ball across a goal

line. Due to the intensity of play, with speeds of

up to 35 MPH and a typical match lasting up to

two hours, the players change their horses every

seven and one-half minutes.

Amazingly, less than an hour outside of Manhattan

in Fairfield County, Connecticut, there

are two top tier horse destinations where one can

revel in all things equestrian — the Fairfield

County Hunt Club and the Greenwich Polo Club.

Celebrating its 100th anniversary next year,

the Fairfield County Hunt Club, located in Westport,

Connecticut, is prized for its tradition and

small but mighty horse show in June. “It’s a boutique

Hunter Jumper show. It’s not the largest in

the country but it has the same high caliber

competitors,” explained the club’s GM Mario

DiPreta. “We’re proud it was named one of the

top ten shows of 2021 by The National Show

Hunter Hall of Fame.” This fact is not surprising

given the club was home for decades to the late,

hunter pony trainer, Emmerson Burr, known

affectionally as “Pony Man.” He was the recipient

of an American Horse Show Association Lifetime

Achievement Award.

Nestled in the beautiful backcountry of Greenwich,

Connecticut, the Greenwich Polo Club is

recognized as one of the elite polo venues in the

world. Their home team, White Birch, has won

more high-goal tournaments than any other team

for the last 25 years. The club has hosted some of

the world’s best players including Mariano Aguerre,

Facundo Pieres, Hilario Ulloa, and Nacho Figueras,

and in 2013 was the site of Prince Harry’s annual

charity polo event, the Sentebale Royal Salute

Polo Cup. It’s no wonder on Sundays from June

through October, each match is attended by more

than 2,000 spectators gathering from New York

City, Fairfield and Westchester Counties.

Whether you’re a rider, jumper, player, spectator,

a long-time horse lover or just now falling in love

with the equestrian world, I think we can all agree

with this famous saying, “Ask me to show you

poetry in motion and I will show you a horse.” P


FOOD

Yumble

EMPOWERING KIDS

TO MAKE HEALTHY

MEALTIME CHOICES

BY LAUREN BENS

Getting kids to eat healthy is not always

easy. A mom’s “healthy” can be a kid’s

“yucky.”

Supermom Joanna Parker became acutely

aware of this when she decided that she wanted

to spend more time at home following the birth

of her second child. So, she set out to find a

solution, to make mealtime a bit more yum and

fun, and created Yumble, a kid-approved food

delivery platform. Yumble not only encourages

kids to eat better, but it also rewards them for

changing their habits.

Yumble began with a post on a Facebook

group for Upper East Side moms and

continued to grow from word of mouth. The

“panda plates” were a big success. “Our

desired results. Kids have minds of their own

and rejecting mom’s meal choice is a way to

express their independence. So, Joanna pivoted,

introducing what she calls “child-led eating.”

The concept is a follow-on to baby-led

weaning, which involves not spoon-feeding

your baby before you start giving them table

food. “The baby-led weaning idea is to let your

child be in charge by listening to their bodies

and controlling their eating. With Yumble,

children choose their menus and are rewarded

for making healthy choices. Our goal is to

ensure children eat

“MY GOAL IS TO

healthy at every meal

EMPOWER

and learn how to eat

CHILDREN TO

healthy for the rest of

MAKE HEALTHY, their lives,” Joanna

SMART CHOICES said.

IN FOOD AND IN

“My goal is to

GENERAL. WE

empower children to

WANT OUR

make healthy,

KIDS TO BECOME smart choices in

INDEPENDENT,

food and in general. We

THRIVING ADULTS.’’ want our kids to

become independent,

thriving adults. As

parents, we often deprive our children of

control, especially at mealtime. Studies show,

though, that the more involved kids are in their

choices, the more likely they are to follow

through on those choices and put up less

resistance. These children grow to be

more independent, better problem solvers, and

have stronger self-esteem.”

Yumble is also introducing a new prize

platform which earns kids points when they

choose healthy meals online, try new foods at

home, and engage in numerous other healthy

activities. The points are intended to

make Yumble extra palatable to both kids and

parents. Serving kids from 2-12 with more

than 70 different menu

customers were my beta group as I wore many options, accumulated points can be

hats while working to build the company,”

redeemed for attractive

Joanna said. She also went from edible

valuable prizes, while teaching kids how to eat

experiments with moms and their kids to

healthy at every meal. “There are countless

taking a bite out of the big time when she

studies about the value of positive

appeared on Shark Tank. This experience

reinforcement,” Joanna said. “And so

allowed the entrepreneurial mom to expose the at Yumble we empower kids by rewarding

brand to a much larger audience.

them for making healthy choices.”P

But it soon became apparent that Joanna’s

best intentions did not always produce the

yumblekids.com


George Duran

If you want to serve the most refreshing

summer recipes for your next soiree,

celebrity chef and Good Morning America

culinary correspondent George Duran has

some tricks up his very scrumptious-filled

sleeve using his favorite products, which he

describes as always innovative and of course,

delicious.

For a convenient cooking shortcut this

season, this TLC and The Food Network host,

who studied at culinary school in Paris,

describes Dorot Gardens, known for flashfrozen

herbs, as his go-to for all things fresh

and flavorful. “There’s no need to grow

anything in or around your house. It’s so easy

– you just pop it out of the frozen cubes right

into your dishes. During the summer, I really

like to make pasta salad or tomato salad, and

now you can have an instant herb flavor in

every dish you can imagine. I especially

love to add roasted garlic by just

popping a few cubes into a bowl with a

little olive oil then put it in the microwave

for a minute, and boom, you’re done.

There’s no need to mince, peel and fry.

It does it all in a fraction of the

time. You can do anything from

hummus to salad dressing

to babaghanoush.

George is also a long-time

fan of Mighty Sesame’s

squeezable tahini. “Mighty

Sesame has just one

ingredient, the finest Sesames

Seeds from Ethiopia, which gives

this a wonderful and creamy texture with the

CELEBRITY CHEF’S SUPER SUMMER

CELEBRATION FAVORITES

BY LAUREN BENS

added value of nutritional benefits, such

as being antioxidant, vegan, and a great

source of protein with anti-inflammatory

properties. Most people don’t know how

versatile and easy it is to use and because

it is creamy and squeezable, I use it for

salads and sandwiches. It is great to add

to sweet foods and be infused with

granola and even used with brownies

and cookies as it adds a great nutty

flavor. It’s my new go-to everythinghealthy

condiment”.”

Add a refreshing spritz to your summer with

Wonder Melon, an

organic, cold-pressed juice

drink which George

describes as “a healthy

game changer. Aside from

fun flavors such as

watermelon cucumber

and basil, or watermelon

lemon cayenne, you can

also use Wonder Melon

juices to make creative

cocktails or even

mocktails. “I love making a

watermelon sangria and

it’s just so convenient. It’s all natural, there is no

concentrate or added sugar, and you can mix it

with any ingredients to make the drink you

want.”

For the season’s sweetest beverage, you can’t

beat Beetology, which offers juice flavors

including beet and berry, tropical fruit, and

lemon and ginger. “It doesn’t taste like beet

juice and is by far one my favorite summer

drinks,” says the dynamic Duran.

When it comes to mastering your next dinner

party, this master entertainer enjoys matching

the fruit with the drink itself – think

watermelon slices with a Wonder Melon drink

– as well as decorating the table with bare fruits

or vegetables, or whatever ingredients you are

already cooking with. “After all, you can’t eat the

flowers afterwards!”

Mighty Sesame, Wonder Melon, Beetology

and Dorot Gardens are definitely making

seasonal entertaining healthier and more

simply delicious than ever before. P

‘‘THE FINEST

SESAMES

SEEDS FROM

ETHIOPIA GIVES

THIS A

WONDERFUL

AND CREAMY

TEXTURE WITH

THE ADDED

VALUE OF

NUTRITIONAL

BENEFITS’’

mightysesameco.com

wondermelon.com

dorotgardens.com


HEALTH & WELLNESS

‘‘WE HELP WITH THE OLD

ADAGE THAT AN OUNCE

OF PREVENTION IS WORTH

A POUND OF CURE.”

NasalGuard

PREPARE FOR SUMMER WITH NASALGUARD

AIRBORNE PARTICLE BLOCKER

If you want to be in the know for protecting

yourself during summer allergy season as

well as summer cold and flu days,

summer travel and all airborne pollutants,

NasalGuard® Airborne Particle Blocker’s

products protect you from the virus-sized

particles that are always ready for battle.

Kanika Wahi, Co-Founder of NasalGuard®, a

division of Trutek Corp where she serves as

Executive Vice President, is a girl boss with a

biomedical engineering degree who is helping

to create ancillary new products and

expanding the line horizontally to be more

BY LAUREN BENS

than just a topical gel.

NasalGuard®, makers of the revolutionary

NasalGuard® Airborne Particle Blocker Nasal

Gel, announce the launch of a brand-new

product, NasalGuard® Mask Spray – a unique

spray that uses patented ionic particleblocking

technology and is applied on the

outside of a face mask. It reduces the inhalation

of airborne particles and blocks virus-sized

and nanoparticles.

The NasalGuard® Mask Spray is sprayed on

the outside of the face mask, reducing the

inhalation of harmful particles for an extra

layer of protection which filters out dust and

pollutants, blocking two times more airborne

particles than a mask itself. NasalGuard®

Mask Spray is safe for daily use, has no side

effects, and has a refreshing cool menthol

fragrance.

The NasalGuard® Mask Spray joins the

award-winning, Patented NasalGuard®

Airborne Particle Blocker Nasal Gel line of

invisible gel, applied around the nostrils and

above the upper lip, that uses electrostatic

technology to reduce the inhalation of harmful

airborne virus-sized particles, plus pet dander,

ragweed, and any other harmful bacteria in the

air. All of these over-the- counter, drug-free

products are easily applied and perfect for

those wanting to find their own ways to stay

safe, especially while traveling this summer.

When it comes to staying safe, there is

nothing quite like NasalGuard®. “The

pandemic has made it clear that nasal hygiene

is super important, but this is also a very

year-round lifestyle choice, not just because it’s

in response to a pandemic or allergies.

Nasalguard® addresses every angle of nasal

hygiene. We help with the old adage that an

ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

NasalGuard®’s gel and mask spray can be

found on Amazon and at Walmart, as well as

on their Shopify website. They are currently

expanding into other pharmacies and

independent shops as they are on their way to

becoming a household name. After all, harmful

particles are never going away!

NasalGuard® gel can be purchased online

nasalguard.com, on Amazon, or by calling

855-627-2548. Follow @NasalGuard on

Facebook and Instagram P

nasalguard.com


Philadelphia Luxury

Specializing in Center City to the Main Line

4584 Riverside Way

Philadelphia

4 Bed 3.1 Bath

$1,525,000

1351 Bobarn Drive

Penn Valley

5 Bed 4.1 Bath

$1,425,000

Damon Michels

Owner and Realtor®

Office | 610-668-3400

Damon@DamonMichels.com

www.DamonMichels.com

The

DAMON MICHELS

TEAM

Each Office Is Independently Owned and Operated

REAL ESTATE & SHELTER

Anelle

Gandelman

Founder of A-List Interiors

Designs Things Her Way

BY BETTY TAYLOR

hen it comes to designing, decorator and founder of New

York design firm A-List Interiors Anelle Gandelman does

things her own way – something which has garnered her

status as a rising star in the design world and participation

in designer show houses in the Hamptons as well as the

2018 Holiday House.

With a background in both art and design, Gandelman,

who is originally from South Africa, earned her Bachelor

of Fine Arts from Parsons School of Design in addition to

being an alumna of DwellStudio, a New York-based home

furnishings company, where she served as Head of Design

before leaving to start her own design firm and contemporary

Art Gallery in 2007.

Her projects might range in style and scope, but according

to Anelle, she is a classicist at heart and possesses a great

love of neoclassical design. “There is an elegance to the


proportions and a timeless quality to these design styles.

Everything from Directoire to Maison Jansen is perfection

in my opinion. I am also inspired by travel and art. I may

walk into a hotel across the world or a historical building

and see something that sparks a design idea. I also think

that research is important; for an upstate renovation of

a 19th century farmhouse, I looked to period rooms in

the American wing at the Met when designing some of

the architectural details. Likewise, when designing a

recent Hamptons home, I referred to books on both

Belgian interiors and classic American style to create

the perfect space for our clients. More and more, I try

not to find inspiration on Instagram and the internet;

ideas are constantly being diluted and mimicked there.

I believe clients look to a designer to problem solve and

create something truly special for them rather than

parroting what they see on the internet.”

She has also noticed that the majority of her clients,

most of whom are referred by word of mouth, have a

new perspective on the meaning of home post-pandemic.

“People realized how important the design of one’s home

is once they were forced to spend so much time inside.

Home offices were certainly not a priority, many people

felt that they could use a dining table or kitchen counter

to do some work. Now a dedicated office space is essential.

Even though people are returning to the workplace,

clients still want a dedicated workspace because there

is a general unease that we could be forced into quarantine

in the future again.”

Recently, a Connecticut couple who was looking for

a designer to decorate their pied-á-terre reached out

after seeing one of A-list Interiors’ projects reposted on

Designer, Anelle

Gandelman,

blends both comfort

and high style

in the main living

area of the apartment.

Statement

lighting defines the

living and dining

spaces, and luxurious

textures and

materials are used

throughout.



Study: Custom

lacquer and brass

cabinetry was

designed to allow

this home office to

do double duty as

both a workspace

and a den.

Foyer: A vintage

chandelier, handmade

textured

wallpaper and

sculptural sconces

set the tone for all

the bespoke details

that can be found

within the apartment.

Instagram. Following a phone call during Covid to ensure

homeowner and decorator were a match made in haute

décor heaven, Anelle took on the project at the Beckford

House, a new development by Studio Sofield located

on the Upper East Side.

This decorated decorator who works with many highprofile

and celebrity clients, is also working on a handful

of new construction projects in the Hamptons for clients

in the city. Currently, her team is finishing up a loft

renovation in Soho as well as another pied-á-terre on

Central Park South. When dealing with well-known

names, Anelle uses an alias for the client when

communicating with vendors to protect their privacy

and typically sign a non-disclosure agreement. Besides

that, her full-service approach and personalized care

applies to each and every project.

Her take on the trend right now? Well, to avoid trends

and have your home custom designed to reflect your

personal style and particular needs. “Designers are

mixing various styles and “trends” to achieve this. That

said, there are still a few big trends that we cannot escape.

At the moment, these include curved furniture, boucle

fabrics and a return to more traditional interiors. Some

of my favorite brands include de Gournay, EJ Victor,

The Bright Group, Baker Furniture, Holland & Sherry,

The Rug Company, Holly Hunt, Stark Carpet, and several

brands under the Kravet umbrella. We also design a lot

of custom furniture. A major tip I suggest is to complete

one or a few rooms rather than doing small updates

across several rooms. It makes a much bigger impact to

renovate or redecorate a single space entirely than

spreading your efforts across several rooms.”

This boss lady who currently lives in Westchester with

her husband and two young boys and maintains an

office on the Upper East Side says that many women

have a tendency to be people pleasers which can keep

them from creating their best work. “It’s important to

remember that clients hire a designer for their expertise.

Making compromises on the design simply to be more

accommodating can end up diluting the design of a

space which doesn’t serve anybody.”

Wherever and whatever kind of space it is, Anelle

always applies her A-list touch to make any home a bit

more stylish. P

alistinteriors.com


A dramatic de

Gournay wallpaper

leads you from the

foyer into the main

living space.



Susan

Vanech

Here to Help You Win

the Real Estate Trifecta

BY LAUREN BENS

When it comes to finding someone who knows her home

buying, selling and investing stuff, both personally and

professionally, Susan Vanech, a real estate strategist and

founding member of COMPASS Coastal, is the real deal.

With over two decades of experience navigating both

the New York and Fairfield County, Connecticut markets,

from buying to reimagining to reselling, Susan can help

you win the real estate trifecta.

“I decided to make my passion my work and my work is

my passion,” says Susan. “I care about it in a way that I’m

not just checking boxes. I pour myself wholeheartedly into

my business as a developer and the business for my clients,

as there is a natural synergy between the two,” says Susan.

In addition to being a founding member of COMPASS,

she is also the co-founder of COMPASS Coastal, which

adds another layer of helping her buying and selling

audience find what is most important to them. COMPASS

Coastal offers a unique real estate experience with access

to the top 1% of real estate strategists and analysts worldwide.

With COMPASS Coastal in particular, Susan is able to

tap into an audience who have homes and yachts around

the world by partnering with the yachting, car and art

industries. “We serve our clients through this vast network

of relationships and are able to meet client needs no

matter where they want to purchase a first, second or

third home or their next big boat, classic car or significant

art piece. There is a level of trust because they know we

understand them and their needs.”

This model agent and developer has been making real

estate magic happen since she realized that people were

willing to pay a premium for updated apartments while

living in New York with her husband. Before long, they were

selling units and making money, even in down markets.

“When servicing a luxury client base, they want ease and

convenience,” she explains. This continued to be true even

when Susan moved her family to the Connecticut suburbs,

where she would live in a home and make modifications

before making a profit.

Susan’s talent for integrating elevated features into a

home at any price point was a major differentiating factor

and gave her a stellar real estate reputation. This energetic

real estate entrepreneur also took her home investing to

new heights when she purchased her first foreclosure,

which gave her more insight into flipping – and real financial

success. Twelve years later, she is now known as the Million

Dollar Flipper with her latest project securing a sale price

of $4,100,000.

While the pandemic put a pause on many businesses,

the housing market around Connecticut, the Hamptons,

and surrounding areas of Westchester just got hotter due

to the influx of renters and buyers. “There was a major

shortage of inventory and a massive need to find housing

for all of these people, so creating inventory really tapped

into the three branches of my business,” says Susan. “I

realized that we have a client base out there who is looking

for luxury, not just in real estate, but in their overall lifestyle.”

With exceptional expertise across various real estate

ventures, Susan was compelled to share her perspective

as an investor with a wider audience and was even known

as the Real Estate Matchmaker. “I was connecting hearts

with homes and realized that nobody needs help falling

in love with a house, but you do need an expert to understand

if it’s a smart investment and it is my role to provide that

expert guidance.”

She soon started to see herself as a true real estate strategist

for having the foresight of knowing how to position a home

to make the most money in the shortest amount of time

for her own investments as well as for clients. “It’s all about

how to strategize on both the buy and the sell side. I help

clients re-envision a space that can meet the needs of the

widest possible audience which results in more opportunities

open to them. Most people have aphantasia, which is the

inability to see something with the mind’s eye. But I can

see it for them and I help clients make good investments

which are not based solely off of an emotional decision.”

Susan continues to watch both her own as well as her

clients’ real estate development dreams come true. P

susanvanechproperties.com


‘‘THERE IS A

LEVEL OF

TRUST BECAUSE

THEY KNOW WE

UNDERSTAND

THEM AND

THEIR NEEDS.”



Robin Wilson

Pioneer in Healthy Home Design

BY BENNETT MARCUS

obin Wilson has built a successful lifestyle

brand in a stellar 20+ year career while

breaking barriers along the way. Her

company, A BLUE EGG CORPORATION

has a design and licensing division. The

licensed brand, CLEAN DESIGN HOME®,

focuses on educating consumers on the

power of a wellness-focused interior home

ecosystem.

INC’s Top 100 Female Founders

Wilson was the first Black woman with a

licensed, global textile line, the first woman

with a licensed line of custom cabinetry sold

nationwide, and the third Black woman with

a Bed, Bath & Beyond line of merchandise. In

2020, she was named to Inc. magazine’s “Top

100 Female Founders” list.

An entrepreneur, best-selling author,

lifestyle maven, real estate developer and

interior designer, Wilson laughed when asked

how she would characterize her professional

life. “I’m a poly-hyphenate business

entrepreneur,” said this busy mom over Zoom

on a snowy evening in March, “And I call

myself a lifestyle brand that focuses on

everything for the healthy home.”

Allergy & Asthma Sufferer

An allergy and asthma sufferer since

childhood, Wilson grew up in Austin, Texas,

where she had a holistic pediatrician who

advised her parents to make modifications

to diet, interior design and exercise, instead

of using steroid medications. This lifelong

knowledge led her to build her lifestyle

brand. She is now considered an expert to

guide the 1 in 5 Americans - 60 million -

affected by allergies or asthma.

Three-pronged Company

Her business has grown into a multichannel,

cross-category entity focused on

‘everything home’ with three prongs: Robin

Wilson Home (design), Clean Design Home®

(licensing) and a real estate development arm.

“My vision has created a firm that

compliments each division. We develop a

subdivision, I design the home concepts, and

then our branded products are placed in the

model homes! As a pioneer in eco-friendly

design, we focus ‘from the foundation to the

furnishings’ with eco-conscious,

hypoallergenic, and sustainable products. It

makes absolute sense,” she says.

parkmagazineny.com

parkmagazineny.com


AS A PIONEER IN

ECO-FRIENDLY

DESIGN, WE FOCUS

‘FROM THE

FOUNDATION TO THE

FURNISHINGS’ WITH

ECO-CONSCIOUS,

HYPOALLERGENIC,

AND SUSTAINABLE

PRODUCTS.

Along with residential, the design arm has

begun to work in the hospitality sector –

including design and textiles for the famed

Esalen Wellness Institute since 2020 – with

the lodging team working with her firm on

sheets, comforters, robes, bath rugs and

towels.

WestPoint Home’s Martex Division

In 2020, Wilson licensed the CLEAN

DESIGN HOME® brand in a deal

with WestPoint Home’s Martex division.

Incomplete sentence: The textile collection,

Clean Design Home® x Martex, for a line of

premium hypoallergenic luxury products.

“In the 1970s, you could rarely find

hypoallergenic pillows as feather was most

common – and today we have changed the

lexicon for hypoallergenic products with a

focus on a solution-based luxury brand for

consumers,” Wilson says. She’s excited about

the brand appearing in every room of your

home, with a deal for mattresses launched

this Spring 2022. She says the brand will soon

have products for every room of your home.

Macy’s & Belk’s

Clean Design Home® x Martex textiles are

sold at Macy’s and Belk’s nationwide and

online, in addition to an eponymous website,

cleandesignhome.com – and the brand has

been picked up internationally in the UK

and Japan.

During the early months of 2020, as the

pandemic gripped the nation, Wilson’s book,

Clean Design: Wellness for Your Lifestyle,

(Greenleaf, 2015) saw sales surge

dramatically. At that moment, Wilson says,

“As people were sheltering in place, everyone

was being told to be ‘clean’ and virtual calls

and classrooms required ‘design’ and a

healthy, wellness ‘home’ became the primary

focus. And at that moment, I realized we

were at the zeitgeist of a solution-based

opportunity,” she says.

parkmagazineny.com

Rule of 3’s: For Pillows

She created a few solutions including the

“Rule of 3’s” for pillows, which involves three

layers of protection for achieving healthier

sleep: wash the zippered pillow cover every

three weeks, wash the pillow itself every

three months, and replace the pillow every

three years.

It is important to remember that Wilson is

a pioneer in the hypoallergenic wellness

lifestyle sector. And she has sometimes been

overlooked, but after two decades in

business, Wilson is thrilled that her expertise

is being recognized. “It’s just wonderful that

people are catching on to what we’ve been

teaching all this time.”

Social Justice mission supports

Domestic Violence Survivors

The CLEAN DESIGN HOME® brand has

partnered with legendary Yankee Joe Torre

and his Safe at Home Foundation. This

organization has a network of safe spaces in

schools to educate youth, and safe houses for

families. The philanthropic initiative is

called Project Lilac. Like Bombas socks,

where they sell colorful socks but give away

black socks to the homeless – the Project

Lilac program allocates lilac sheet items for

every Clean Design Home product

purchased. These sheets might be the only

thing a domestic violence survivor owns in a

safe house – except their clothing, and it

provides a reminder that they took a step in

the right direction. Lilac is the color of

domestic violence awareness and survivors

have already started to see donations arrive

in safe houses around the country.

Robinwilsonhome.com

Wilson had a meteoric rise in the corporate

world. She was recruited to Boston by the

prestigious Mercer Management Consulting

firm upon graduating from the University of

Texas at Austin, followed by stints at

Houghton Mifflin publishing and a boutique

executive search firm – along with a

consulting role on the city’s Olympic bid. She

joined the global executive search firm,

Heidrick & Struggles in the Boston office and

was transferred to New York in 1997 – and

she was fortunate to benefit from their IPO in

1999. When they went public, Wilson sold

her shares. She chased her dream and

enrolled in a master’s program at NYU,

obtaining a master’s in real estate finance

while working full time.

The Hamptons & Manhattan

Fiscal inequality in real estate

development, due to race and gender, limited

her ability to get funding to utilize her

master’s degree. So, in 2000 she pivoted to

become an entrepreneur, establishing herself

as a project manager for high-end clients in

Manhattan and the Hamptons – calling

herself ‘the busy homeowner’s best friend’.

Oprah and Maya

Five years later, a person from Oprah

magazine called – and she thought it was a

prank so she ignored them until they told her

in a voicemail that they would be going to

the next person on the list. After an interview,

they asked her about the reason for her

company name. In response, she started to

say, “…If I fail, then…” That person

responded by saying, ‘You’ve done pretty

well, your clients rave about you, so when are

you going to believe in you? Put your name

on it or we’re not going to write the

story.’” That person changed her direction

and she leaned into the ‘affirmation’. We all

need a wow moment like that...

Within a few years, she was doing more

than renovations and pivoted into design –

with invitations to concept and showhouse

projects such as the high-profile projects

including the Esquire ‘Ultimate Bachelor

Apartment’ and the Good Housekeeping

Harlem ‘Greenest Brownstone’.

Maya Angelou

In 2004, she was invited to Maya Angelou’s

North Carolina home for Thanksgiving

festivities. At some point during the day,

Maya pulled her aside and gave her words of

wisdom in front of Cecily Tyson telling her,

“Keep focused…what you are doing will help

people. It is not a job. It is what you do.”

Since the pandemic, Robin remains

committed to her vision – and is thrilled that

she has another opportunity to build a

brand, work with design clients and guide

clients toward solutions for a luxury,

hypoallergenic lifestyle.

She recently created a crowdfund so that

she could hire a strong team member and

create a strong marketing platform. She

remains stymied by the fact that her

business has an idea that generates revenue

(and is profitable!), but fiscal inequality

continues to rear its head – she learned

recently that women entrepreneurs receive

only 2% of all the venture capital funding

globally.

She believes that her history-making

efforts as the FIRST Black woman with a

global, licensed hypoallergenic brand, plus a

design project in New Orleans for a 6,500-sq

ft ground-up build will create an ecoconscious

showhouse designed for a

multi-generational family. And the pending

Austin subdivision with almost 70 acres will

be a game-changer – and she hopes that

venture people take notice

Resilience is the one word that comes to

mind to describe Robin – and at the end of

the day, she remains focused on providing

hypoallergenic options to help families. P

cleandesignhome.com

parkmagazineny.com


Klar

WINDOW

STUDIO

WINDOWS

+DOORS

Creating Windows

that Wow

BY LAUREN BENS

When you need your

windows to wow,

KLAR Window

Studio

Windows+Doors

has just the

personalized panes

– or any other specialized window - to

complete your dream home. Unlike other

window companies that simply import

products from Europe, KLAR, based in

Norwalk, Connecticut, has its own

manufacturing facility in Poland,

guaranteeing unparalleled quality and

service.

They might have officially opened in 2017,

but KLAR’s founder, a famed builder himself,

has been importing these windows from their

factory for over 20 years. What truly sets them

apart is that while their windows are made in

Europe, KLAR windows undergo special

testing to be certified for the US market.

This award-winning window design

company specializes in servicing high-end

residential homes mostly throughout Southern

Connecticut, greater New York, the Hamptons,

and even Florida as demand rises. Their

products aren’t just stylish, but can also sustain

severe weather and winds. In fact, KLAR

windows are impact rated and were even the

only window company to create a glass

sufficient enough to meet the standards of the

first net zero hotel in the U.S. called Hotel

Marcel and are already getting calls from other

net zero hotels.

When it comes to windows, let’s just say that

if you can dream it, KLAR can design it. From

swinging glass doors for wine cellars which are

usually made with thermally broken steel or

aluminum frame and double glass, to a

gorgeous garage with two sliding doors on each

end, and even a man cave with a 25-foot steel

doors and aluminum windows, there is no

project they can’t perfect.

As everything is completely custom

designed, the team at KLAR remains fully

engaged at every design stage. In addition to

working with the most prestigious architects in

Connecticut, they also have engineers both

here and overseas who are responsible for

meeting metrics and certain energy efficiency

numbers. Their professional installers, service

crew and project managers also work

exclusively for the company, meaning they

don’t have to outsource to a third party. Their

technicians oversee that installation is done

property and clients are thus encouraged to

advantage of their services from the very

beginning to end of a project.

With a massive color palette and hardware to

choose from, KLAR can create magical modern

masterpieces or more classic colonials.

Whether you want an edgy steel look, glass

walls to open up a particular space, walls with

French doors, or anything in between, you can

live in the luxurious lifestyle you have always

imagined. If you’re in the market for a new look,

current trends include using a mix of both

wood and aluminum on the outside –

aluminum made from recycled product that is

– which protects the wood from elements such

as rain and snow while retaining a modern

edge with steel.

KLAR’S small but dedicated team all care

deeply about the people and projects they work

with and word hard to ensure that your

windows not only sustain weather impacts but

also positively impact your life. P

Klarstudio.com


PALM BEACH NEW YORK HAMPTONS

RESIDENTIAL + COMMERCIAL

INTERIOR DESIGN

AND LUXURY PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT

326 Peruvian Avenue, Palm Beach, FL 33480

palmbeachdesignmasters.com | @pbmasters

561.318.8142


Unlimited

Earth Care

Designing the Summer

Garden of Your Dreams

For a truly lush and luxe

background this summer,

Frederico Azevedo, founder of

Unlimited Earth Care based in

Bridgehampton, can design the

garden of your dreams. Growing

up, Azevedo, who studied

landscape design in Brazil, the US and the UK,

fell in love with tending to his own vegetable

garden which he was originally given in order

to curb his fascination with rearranging

planters.

In addition to garden and landscape design,

Unlimited Earth Care offers installation,

BY LAUREN BENS

maintenance, lawn care, irrigation, and other

services. You can get all the products required to

get your garden going with their two stores in

Bridgehampton, including the Garden Concept

Store, which carries a curated selection of

planters, outdoor furniture, and garden

accessories, and The Garden Market, which

features native and well- adapted plants as they

are well-suited for the conditions in the

Hamptons.

When it comes to combining his expertise in

both architecture and the environment to

design a special outdoor space for his clients,

this landscape whisperer who makes gardens

that wow, explains that hardscaping is very

important. “I try not to leave jarring transitions

between the natural and the constructed

elements of a landscape. Things like mossy

planted paths, or limestone steps framed in

overflowing hydrangeas, are some of the ways

I’ve blended hardscaping to not disturb the

mood of the plantings. To design spaces for

leisure and entertainment outside, I aim for a

modern but distinctly Hamptons look.”

He also designs in a site-specific way to

complement his clients’ lifestyles. “I try to plan

natural spaces that invite people outdoors

year-round - evergreens at different heights and

colors to bring texture to winters, and careful

palettes of bulbs to follow in spring. Maybe

herb or veggie gardens for

those who love cooking or have

children, and warm but

modern entertaining spaces by

the pool for talented hosts.

Color has become my

signature. I’ll always design in

a way that uses color to

enhance the emotion of a

garden.”

People are now living a true

outdoorsy lifestyle more than

ever before, something which

Frederico has always

encouraged with his designs,

especially through his lighting

choices and furniture in

unique materials.

In a place like the

Hamptons, which is home to

many varying environments,

Frederico uses native plants

wherever possible, or at least

well-adapted plants, and does

his best to invite hardworking

pollinators. “The monarch

butterfly population is dwindling, so I plant

their favorite snacks, like verbena bonariensis.

I’ve also been designing meadows as an

alternative to lawns as they require less

maintenance and irrigation and are reseeded

by birds. It doesn’t hurt that they’re beautiful to

look at - golden wheat speckled with soft

flowers swaying in the wind makes for a lovely

view and feels right for the Hamptons.”

Read all about Frederico’s tips and tricks for

the perfect summer garden in his book, The

Luminous Gardens of Frederico Azevedo. P

Unlimitedearthcare.com


Mint Prewar Park Ave. Condo

823 PARK AVENUE, 10

Triple Mint 5,000’ Duplex with Views from the Kitchen

Fifth Ave. Corner with Stunning Views

50 CENTRAL PARK WEST, 8/9A 1035 FIFTH AVENUE, 14C

Triple Mint Views and a Terrace Exceptional Prewar Fifth Ave. Penthouse Huge View Condo with New Renovation

300 CENTRAL PARK WEST, 16B 993 FIFTH AVENUE, PENTHOUSE 160 WEST 66TH STREET, 39CDE

Lisa K. Lippman

Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker

1926 Broadway, New York, NY 10023

O: 212-588-5606 E: llippman@bhsusa.com


A Treehouse

in Manhattan

Exceptional Outdoor Spaces in NYC

BY ASHLEY BRENNAN

One must maintain a little bit of summer,

even in the middle of winter

~ Henry David Thoreau

There is no better feeling than celebrating

the onset of summer after a long, dark,

cold winter. Memorial Day weekend

signals a time to shed layers, hit the

beach, and dine al fresco. Some people

will brave hours of traffic heading from

NYC to Eastern Long Island, while others

may decide to take the trek Upstate or abroad. Even if

you can’t get out of town, there are plenty of worldrenowned

outdoor parks and spaces to cool off in the Big

Apple. Fortunately for city dwellers, some of the most

beautiful oases are found attached to NYC’s most

exceptional properties.

Our journey begins at a 19th century townhouse in

Greenwich Village where beauty meets whimsy right

in the backyard. It’s not often one sees a treehouse in the

middle of Manhattan, but that’s exactly what is found

outside this beautifully restored 12th street manse. A

landscaped garden with bluestone seating reveals an

enchanted round cedar treehouse suspended 10-feet off

the ground in a towering 90-foot London Plane tree. The

townhouse boasts more than 5,000 square feet of interior

space with high ceilings, beautifully proportioned rooms,

five wood-burning fireplaces, and a private roof terrace.

Fun fact: the home was formerly home to musician David

Byrne and is currently owned by an acclaimed artist.

Price: $17,000,000

Agent: Richard Orenstein

Web ID: bhsusa.com/21796808


Looping around to Upper

Manhattan, one will find one of

the most breathtaking outdoor

spaces in all of NYC. Located on

Central Park North, this fourbedroom,

four-bath triplex trophy

penthouse boasts 5,500+ SF of

indoor space and unparalleled

direct views of Central Park and

the entire Manhattan skyline from

two huge planted terraces

connected by an outdoor

staircase. One can look south to

Billionaire’s row from the outdoor

hot tub, allowing for the ultimate

indoor/outdoor living experience.

There are numerous seating areas,

a pergola, and something for the

senses at every turn. With space

like this, who needs a beach

house?

Price: $18.000.000

Agent: Jill Sloane


Just a few minutes away across the East

River in Carroll Gardens is a marvelous

2,900 SF duplex with the benefits of a full

service building and the privacy of a

townhouse setting. Designed by Gluck+

Architects, this home boasts oversized

windows overlooking a private 1500+ SF

garden terrace. This space is perfect for

entertaining, sipping summer cocktails, taking

in a sunset, or firing up the grill for an outdoor

dinner party. Residents can also exercise their

green thumb in the 5,300 square foot

landscaped rear garden with vegetable

garden and communal bocce court.

Price: $3,499,000

Agent: Harkov-Lewis Team



Further Uptown, in the Riverdale section of the

Bronx, there’s a grand estate that practically

comes with its own park! This lush property with a

Greek Revival style six-bedroom, five-and-a-half

bath home with two wood burning fireplaces and

soaring ceilings sits majestically above the Hudson

River. The verdant lawn gently slopes toward the

water allowing for panoramic views and amazing

sunsets. With plenty of room to roam, this estate

brings the best of country living to the City - and

all just 25 minutes from Grand Central Terminal!

Price: $4,988,888

Agent: Sandhya Tidke Team

If you are

interested in

learning more

about these

properties,

please

contact

Brown Harris

Stevens by

visiting

bhsusa.com



Location

Is Forever

The Cooperative

Renaissance

ADVICE FROM #1 BROWN HARRIS

STEVENS AGENT LISA LIPPMAN

The motto that the three

things that matter most

about real estate,

“Location, location,

location!” still reigns as

the quintessential

summation of luxury

real estate. When working with a buyer,

proximity to a child’s school, a favorite

lifestyle amenity, or a favorite park or

playground often tops their wish list.

Rightfully so, location is arguably among

the most influential factors in

determining a property’s enduring value

– you can customize and create the

kitchen of your dreams or update dated

décor, but a location is forever.

Despite this, Park-front properties

took a momentary backseat during the

pandemic as many buyers shifted from

prime locations to shiny new buildings

chock-full of amenities or homes that

offered private outdoor spaces that

provided a much-needed respite.

However, as life returns to a new normal,

buyers are coming back to Park-front

properties with an increased sense of

enthusiasm, interest, and appreciation.

Simultaneously, I am also seeing a

marked return to cooperatives.

Representing roughly 75% of New York

City’s housing inventory, a co-op

building is run by a board of directors

that make decisions and govern over

bylaws that protect the building’s value

and the quality of life of its residents. In

order to compete with their

condominium and new development

counterparts, many co-op boards are

relaxing their once stringent policies in

favor of flexibility specifically allowing

buying in trusts, not just summer

renovations, and pied-a-terre use.

Cooperatives have proven to be better

value in this market as well, with many

new condominiums not in A+ locations

selling for more than co-ops on Central

Park. Not surprisingly, a co-op in a prime

location is back at the top of the wish list

with the realization that a Peloton with a

Park view checks all of the boxes too! P

bhsusa.com/real-estate-agent

/lisa-lippman

‘‘AS LIFE

RETURNS TO A

NEW NORMAL,

BUYERS ARE

COMING BACK

TO PARK-

FRONT

PROPERTIES

WITH AN

INCREASED

SENSE OF

ENTHUSIASM,

INTEREST, AND

APPRECIATION’’


Where peace

of mind lives.

Where your financial well-being is priority one, backed by integrity,

ethics and a passion for helping clients for nearly 40 years.

Where sound financial strategies create a solid basis

upon which to grow wealth, for today and generations to come.

Where we take a side-by-side approach,

building our own assets alongside yours.

Where relationships grow with your assets,

because you’re so much more than just your portfolio.

First Long Island Investors. Where you belong.

516-935-1200 • fliinvestors.com


Palm Beach

Design Masters

Firm Makes its Way to

Manhattan and Hamptons

BY LAUREN BENS

In 2016, Carl Vasile and Joy Jalaeikhoo

partnered to establish Palm Beach

Design Masters, a full-service design

studio and luxury property development

firm that pays homage to the culturally

rich communities where they thrive.

With over 30 years of combined design

industry experience in Palm Beach, New York

and Atlanta, they bring their approach to

making every design project reflect the

individual taste, personality and vision of their

clients, always with a clear understanding and

respect for their expectations and timeline.

From a penthouse apartment to a posh

summer estate, their personalized designs,

custom-made furnishings, window treatments

and home accessories are designed to enhance

every environment. The style of these true

design masters is best described as a mixture of

textures, lighting, curated art and classic

designs, all with thoughtful ingenuity and

innovation.

Born and raised in West Palm Beach, after

graduating from college, Carl moved to New

York City where he collaborated on design

projects for the city’s most iconic landmarks,

such as the Lincoln Center for the Performing

Arts, Metropolitan Museum of Art and social

events at the Carlyle, Stanhope and the Four

Seasons. He then opened one of Atlanta’s most

successful and sought-after retail design

studios. Carl’s work has been featured in

several national and regional magazines,

including Veranda, House Beautiful, Victoria

Magazine, and Atlanta Homes and Lifestyle.

Joy brings an extensive background in

space planning, commercial and residential

property development, budget planning,

purchasing and design project management.

She spent 20 years as a healthcare executive

focusing on growing multi-specialty healthcare

groups by building and designing medical

clinics from the ground up. Joy loves restoring

historic structures and overseeing architectural

design and construction efforts to achieve the

desired project goals from start to finish.

Watch for this talented duo as they bring

their talent and extensive expertise to

Manhattan and Hamptons. P

palmbeachdesignmasters.com


View without Limits

View without Limits

KLAR STUDIO WIND OWS + DOORS

241 WESTPORT AVE

NORWALK, CT 06851

(203) 908 58 33 | info@klarstudio.com

w ww.klarstudio.com

BEAUTY

0Berenice

Electrolysis

& Personal

Beauty

Center

Celebrating

40 Years of

Making Your

Skin More

Beautiful

BY BETTY TAYLOR

If you want to get smooth for the summer,

and beyond, Berenice S. Rothenberg of Berenice

Electrolysis & Personal Beauty Center

has you covered – so that you can uncover

on the beach this season! This beauty guru

has been helping clients get out of their hairy

situations for decades, and she’s not done

yet!

Walking into the calm oasis of her East

60 th street space, you are enveloped into a

soothing experience and are instantly treated

like part of the family, which only makes

sense since many clients bring multiple

generations of their own families for treatments.

This June 2022, Berenice, a leader

in both laser and electrolysis, is celebrating

40 years of building confidence and helping to change

lives. “It’s been 40 beautiful years, and I can still say

that I love what I do, which says something,” explains

this boss lady who has made it her mission to make

others feel beautiful from the inside out. “I think it’s

a combination between the clients and the environment

that you create to do the service and it feels

good. Our dedication after all these years shows that

we are still loving what we do, and it’s all because of

our clientele and making things better for them that

we care so much. I always feel like a woman has their

own beauty. When something bothers you, even it’s

the simplest hair, intimidation sets in. I ease that

factor and assure them that they will be hair free in

no time.”

When it comes to treating hair growth, it’s important

to remember that not all hairs are created equal,

which is why Berenice always suggests a complimentary

consultation. She also explains that tweezing

and shaving at home leads to ingrown hairs which

ultimately makes the hair removal process much

worse and less effective in the long run. Seeking professional

services is crucial when it comes to achiev-


BEAUTY

ing the results you are looking for, which is why Berenice

is sought after for her personalized methods and precision.

In fact, most of her clients are referred to her by

doctors including dermatologists and surgeons, or by

word of mouth.

“Many people, especially young millennials, don’t

realize that even from doing something so small, they

can create a big problem both on the face as well as on

the entire body. I started years ago taking pictures and

doing the research. The only method we used to have

was waxing, but waxing created even worse problems.

It’s important to remember that we are all born with

different patterns of hair growth, from strong to light.

Not touching your hair and getting it done by a professional,

is the perfect solution. When I say beauty from

the inside out, it’s because I feel like everyone has their

own beauty, much like a painting. A painting is not a

masterpiece until you don’t work on it, so that’s the way

I compare a woman or anyone who needs improvement,

as a masterpiece. If you have something that bothers

you, take care of it and don’t wait until it gets worse

because it’s double the time and aggravation and intimidates

you in a way that takes your confidence away.”

Let’s just say that Berenice, who does not look old

enough to have been doing this for 40 years, has been

beautifying most of New York City one hair at a time.

She also plans on continuing her work for years to come;

after all, her clients are relying on her. “They are always

telling me how they feel more beautiful now and that I

helped build up their confidence or thanking me for

working on their daughter who was feeling ugly and

being made fun of. I just say there’s always a solution to

every problem. It really comes down to the fact that

when you’re dedicated, you do the work and pass that

on to your staff, which strengthens them to do even

better work. I’m beyond grateful to have such a dedicated

team who truly gives personalized service and

care for each client that they assist.”

After being forced to close for four months during the

pandemic, Berenice, the best in the hair removal business,

was busier than ever. She also felt much satisfaction

knowing that people felt safe enough in her space

even prior to the launch of the vaccines. Many of her

clients were able to repay her for the comforting experience

by following the Berenice Hair Bible rules - not

touching their hair via tweezing or cutting during the

shutdown, which led to results that even surprised Berenice.

“I say that when you start a process, it’s a commitment

and it’s money and it’s my time and my dedication

as well as my eyes, so don’t ruin it because if you touch

a hair, it’s going to delay the results.

You might not be able to change your genes, which

dictate whatever hair pattern you are possessed with,

but Berenice and her staff can change how you feel about

yourself. Berenice strongly believes it is so important to

go to a person that is qualified. She also ensures that

the journey to smooth skin is as smooth as possible,

even if there are some bumps along the way. It’s also

important for people to remember that this process is

different for each person.

“Everybody as an individual is completely different.

Your experience is going to be different than that of your

friend’s. We’re going to talk about reality and expectations

and hair follicles and the size of the cells. We can’t

do one to two treatments and fix what you might have

done yourself in 10 or 20 years. I make sure to explain

things to my client in a language that makes sense so

that they understand the process. Every single place


has its own way of doing things, but when it’s your place,

you do things a certain way because you know it works.”

It is because of this decades-long dedication and

trustworthiness amongst her clients that Berenice has

been servicing families for so many years, sometimes

even four generations, from teenagers to their grandmothers.

“Forty years of experience and maintaining

such a steady clientele doesn’t come fast,” explains Berenice.

“We have nice people who are happy for us, and

so we give that in return through our caring and outstanding

work.”

When it comes to handling unwanted hair growth,

Berenice staunchly believes that it’s important to understand

the science so that you can successfully achieve

your own individual skincare goals. For instance, we all

have different kinds of hair follicles, and it can take

longer to destroy certain follicles if they’re continually

tweezed. Straight hair follicles are the most ideal follicles

to work with since the hair papilla gets all the nourishment

from the blood vessels to make it grow. We make

a new cycle of hair growth every 28 days, and there is a

division of cells in our bodies. The same goes for hair

0

and follicles, so there is new hair, but it’s early

on hair growth, and the old hair that you see

on the surface has been stimulated.

Berenice’s consultation is intended to guide

you in the right hair direction whether it is

laser or electrolysis, or both. The only difference

is that the laser light can destroy more

than one hair, while electrolysis requires

having to wait until the hair comes to the

surface to treat it because you first must see

if there is a strong enough hair pattern. You

always must go according to cycles of hair

growth until eventually you destroy the hair

papilla so that no additional hairs can grow

no matter how much stress or stimulation

is present. Once the hair papilla is gone, mission

hair removal is accomplished. Using a

revolutionary long pulse, high energy alexandrite

laser, a gentle beam of light passes

through the skin to the hair follicle where it

is absorbed. Transformed into heat, the laser

energy can disable the follicle, leaving the

surrounding skin unchanged. This technology

is both quick and comfortable, making

it popular for problem areas on large parts

of the body such as the legs, back, bikinis

and underarms. They are also known for other laser

beauty treatments.

Men typically have twin papillas’, which means that

hair follicles have more than one hair. Any temporary

hair removal will stimulate the dermal papilla, making

hair grow faster, even hairs that aren’t quite ready to

come to the surface yet. Thinking of shaving? It might

feel satisfying, but it’s nothing but a quick fix. “When

people shave and tweeze, it creates ingrown hairs, resulting

in double work for us. The more you touch your hair,

the more it’s going to damage the upper layer of the skin.”

Let’s just say that the proof is in the progress! “I haven’t

touched my legs in 18 years!” exclaims Berenice. “The

younger you are, the faster the hair is going to grow. Circulation

is different, depending on your age.”

No matter what type of hair you might have, Berenice

and her staff have just the right service to keep your body

– and attitude – at their best. P

bereniceelectrolysis.com

“Forty years of

experience and

maintaining

such a steady

clientele

doesn’t come

fast,” explains

Berenice.

“We have nice

people who are

happy for us,

and so we give

that in return

through our

caring and the

good work.”


LIFESTYLE

Your

Best

Self

TV

With

Dr. D

Spreading

Success with

Lifestyle Tips,

Celebrity

Guests and

Wellness

Advice

BY JULIE SAGOSKIN


e might be a Celebrity cosmetic and facial

aesthetic dentist, but Dr. Steven Davidowitz

is known just as much for making people

smile as he is for creating smiles with his hit

show, “Your Best Self TV” with Dr. D, which

airs on WLNY-1055. From fashion to food,

celebrity guests, and of course, medical

advice and experts, this television

personality wants to bring joy into the lives of

his viewers so that they too can live their best

lives.

Having grown up with an affinity for health

and wellness, as well as an appreciation for

television as a medium, Dr. D is now able to

combine these positive passions. “I love binge

watching things on Netflix and HBO, but

usually everything is very dark, and I get that,

but I like things that make me feel good. I

watched daytime television when I was lucky

enough to be home during the day and saw

shows that really educated people and were

intended to spread happiness. I also enjoyed

shows about medicine which were amazing

and educational but very procedural driven

like Dr. Oz or Dr. Phil, and they all still had a

dark or uninspiring tone to them. I thought a

great solution would be to provide a show that

can make viewers feel good and learn while

also being entertained. Why not try to

encompass everything?”

Though he had originally planned to go into

medicine, Dr. D followed in his father’s dental

footsteps and now runs a successful practice,

Luxury Dentistry NYC, on the Upper East Side.

His dream to be in front of a camera remained

as strong as his desire to become a dentist,

though it wasn’t until the start of the pandemic

that he had time to re-envision this goal.

Known for keeping patients comfortable and

less anxious when they come to his office – not

an easy feat for a dentist – Dr. D began to plan

just how to bring this feeling to a whole new

audience during these uncertain times. “The

show is really meant to give joy through a

diverse mix of useful lifestyle tips and

inspirations. It’s two polar opposite kinds of

shows where we mix celebrities and medicine.

It’s the type of show where you can learn

something from everybody. It’s about finding

out what’s going on in somebody’s life but also

figuring out how we can all live our lives better.

We aim to give tips across the spectrum, from

preventative measures and the world of

changing medicine, and then extending to

fashion and pop culture. It’s anything that gives

people a purpose.”

Since the launch of the show, he’s had

celebrity guests such as Dr. Andrew Ordon,

Host of “The Doctors”, Suzanne Somers,

Designer Nicole Miller, Caroline Aaron of “The

Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”, Margaret Josephs of

“Rich Housewives of New Jersey” and many

more! Each guest has something to share and

learn from to help Dr. D inspire viewers to live

their best life.

This dedicated dentist and positive

television personality, who has been so

humbled by the tremendous response he has

received between the viewership numbers and

emails from avid watchers and fans, will be

coming back into your homes for a second

season in the fall after a successful first season.

According to this down-to-earth dentist, he just

tries to be super relatable while trying to go

along on the journey with his viewers.

“I am with you as we all try to see how we can

navigate our lives to realize how we can enjoy

every moment. Together we learn how to

destress like an entertainer as well as the

importance of proper nutritional advice and

cooking advice in the kitchen. My goal is that

after every episode, viewers will come out with

at least one thing they learned or has positively

affected them. The philosophy is that we can all

learn something as long as we treat everyone as

an equal and teach each other as much as we

can. I just feel comfortable opening others up to

a lifestyle that I live myself and enjoy bringing

that to the show. I describe it as a 360-degree

approach to being your best self by learning

how to be healthy in mind, body, and soul. I feel

so fortunate that we have such a great crew of

producers, directors, doctors and guests.”

Wanting to make others feel good has been a

part of Dr. D’s DNA ever since he was a child. As

a teenager dealing with obesity, he learned to

modify his outlook by reading books and trying

to learn from the behavior of others. “This is the

biggest thing when it comes to being your best

self. It’s so crucial to have the ability to learn

and change through being educated so that

you can feel good and be encouraged. You have

to keep striving to be better for your family and

friends, and of course, for yourself.”

With a television platform and well-known

practice, Dr. D, who enjoys spending time with

his wife and children, is hoping to take his

wellness and lifestyle show to a whole new

feel-good level – and a national market. P

yourbestselftv.com


DAVID J. PINCUS, MD, FACS

BOARD CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON

BREAST REDUCTIONS | BREAST AUGMENTATIONS |

MOMMY MAKEOVER | NON-SURGICALS

PINCUS PLASTIC SURGERY

50 Route 111, Suite 300 | Smithtown, New York 11787 | Call: 631.352.3556 or Text: 516.672.8279

Smithtown – Southampton – New York City – Boca Raton

PINCUSPLASTICSURGERY.COM

Empowering You Through Physical Change

By: Ekaterina Ward

Dr. David J. Pincus, MD, FACS

The road to plastic surgery success is paved with

names that have been in the industry for decades,

revered for their craft, and labelled as innovators.

However, with the onset of an evolving social time

follows an evolution of beauty and idealism. The next

generation of visionaries are making their mark with

the understanding that beauty is no longer coupled

with the concept of perfection or fits a mold, that of a

"model." As the next generation takes the helm of

plastic surgery royalty, Dr. David J. Pincus has soared

into stratospheric success by being at the forefront of

innovative, impeccable work that has been catered to

the most important component of any plastic

surgeon’s career-- his patients.

Dr. David Pincus conceived Pincus Plastic Surgery in

2018 and has since risen to colossal accomplishment.

His patient clientele has increased over 700%. He is

one of the most sought after surgeons in New York

with a fully booked surgical schedule through May

2022 and an extensive waiting list eagerly

anticipating a cancellation.

Many have questioned how it is possible to sky-rocket to such a level of success in this short period of time when Pincus

Plastic Surgery is a practice where one surgeon does it all. The answer goes back to the most essential and simple way of

practicing medicine- sheer talent and individualized patient care.

The secret to his success is not linked to the most talked about phenomenon of visual social media nor the new concept of

doctor shopping online. It is quite the opposite. His secret is the rudimentary practice of individualized patient care without

the current trend of outsourcing care to other surgeons under his umbrella nor any visual social media phenomenon. These

new age concepts that the current literature speaks to only gets you so far as a surgeon that relies on visual results.

The intent and care of Dr. David Pincus can certainly make an impression on a patient at their consultation, but the true

talent of a surgeon can only speak to you through the results of their work. As the saying goes, his results speak volumes.

Dr. Pincus does not believe in a mold or ideal of the human shape. His objective is to empower his patients by helping them

achieve their individualized concept of beauty and confidence.

The success of Pincus Plastic Surgery is due to the unfiltered, unadulterated talent of a surgeon that was cultivated by 18

years of training in Miami, Boston, and Paris in order to achieve the expertise needed to be extraordinary. For Dr. Pincus, it

most certainly did not take a decennary to become a trailblazer in his area of expertise. But as we all know, giving yourself

the title of an expert in any field is completely different from proving your brilliance and talent. Dr. Pincus has most

certainly proven his title as an innovator and continues to persevere. After three successful years of practicing in

Smithtown, Long Island, Dr. Pincus is now opening up his second and third office in Manhattan and Boca Raton, Florida.

PROFILE

Andy Sabin

Environmental Activist

If you are looking for the modern

definition of a “Renaissance man,” you

could find it in a dictionary — or, you

could read about Andy Sabin.

Andy Sabin is a metal mogul,

renowned benefactor and philanthropist

for hundreds of causes. He is a

Republican kingmaker, an environmental

activist and among the most visible figures in

the East End community. Sabin’s contributions

to Long Island, this nation and the world,

including the Ukraine, cannot be overstated

His company, Sabin Metal Corporation, the

world’s largest, privately owned precious metal

refining company, refines and recycles gold,

silver, platinum and palladium. These

materials, which are in high demand for

state-of-the-art technologies, help make

everything from your smart device to highgrade

military technology. They are also used

by pharmaceutical companies and oil

refineries. Sabin has made a career and a

fortune in the industry — but sees his role in

society as much larger.

Sabin’s Rolodex is a who’s who of America’s

most influential leaders, but the only elected

officials he supports are those who share his

values. His goals are simple: By supporting

responsible leadership, humankind and the

Earth may provide future generations with

climate-minded elected leaders. While one

may not automatically assume that a

significant Republican power player would

propel the candidacies of the environmentally

conscious, it is Sabin who is changing the

modern definition of what it means to be a

“Republican.”

Chairman of Conserve America

“I am the chairman of Conserve America, a

conservative conservation group, as well as the

Roosevelt Conservation Caucus, which has 11

Republican senators, who meet with 11

Democratic senators, sharing the same values

on environmental responsibility,” Sabin

says. Senators Tom Cotton, Rick Scott, Tim

South Fork Natural History Museum

BY TODD SHAPIRO

Scott; representatives Michael McCaul,

Virginia Fox; North Dakota Governor Kristi

Noem and George Pataki visited the East End

upon his invitation.

“When the leaders come to the East End,

they are amazed at the amount of protected

open space. In East Hampton, we have been

able to designate 38% of the town’s open land

as permanent conservation. It is an

accomplishment that I have been involved in

and I am very proud of,” Sabin continues. “A lot

of these elected officials are also happy to learn

of what we are doing for the ocean, with

sustainable fishing and other similar issues.”

Yale, UCLA, Columbia & Sloan Kettering

Sabin sits on the boards of some of the nation’s

most prestigious institutions. He has held

leadership positions on the Law Advisory

Board of the Columbia School of Law, the

UCLA School of Law, and the Yale Center for

Business and the Environment. In addition, he

has helped underwrite and fund the

development of medical institutions, including

the M.D. Anderson Care Center at the

University of Texas, and has funded cancer

research at Sloan Kettering. “I’ve just completed

a cardiac research center, and a men’s wellness

center at Columbia-Presbyterian that will

shape medical care for future generations,”

Sabin says.

Kenya &Tanzania

He has helped advance women’s health in

Kenya, and he has a new project planned in

Tanzania. His contributions have afforded

countless women access to essential

healthcare. And, despite such a portfolio of

giving and philanthropy, Sabin is far from

finished. “My favorite saying is: Every day above

ground is a good day. I give out thousands of

bracelets that people wear as a reminder that

when they wake up in the morning, they are

blessed. Just be thankful that you woke up and

you’re healthy,” Sabin says.

South Fork Natural History Museum

Year-round, Sabin resides in Amagansett

with his family, and his commitment to the

East End has been on display. His efforts


helped fund and develop the East Hampton

YMCA, which has afforded local youth the

ability to play and learn and has serviced senior

citizens. He is also a co-founder and president

of the South Fork Natural History Museum,

which funds conservation education.

“One of my favorite things in life is to take

young kids in the field, to hike in the woods and

see the smile on their face when they see the

beauty of nature. I have taken over 100

underprivileged youth and their families into

the forest — it was so heartwarming to help

inspire the next generation to help save the

planet,” Sabin says. On his environmental

expeditions, Sabin has gone around the world.

From Papua New Guinea to Australia, and 104

other countries, Sabin has been involved in the

discovery of new species, with a particular

affinity for reptiles and amphibians.

Sabin has more than 14 different species

named after him, including the Peruvian frog

— the 7,000th known amphibian species —

which is also known as the Sabin glass frog.

This month, a new shark species was

discovered in Madagascar and named after

Sabin. The dwarf lemur of Madagascar also

bears his name.

“When you name an animal species, it is

forever. It is the only thing that will exist in

perpetuity,” Sabin says. “I’ve also started to find

lost species and name them for very dear

friends. If you want to ensure that you give a

unique gift, name a species after someone.” All in

all, if there is one word that Sabin wants to be

defined by, it is “compassionate.” He adds, “I am

on Earth to save lives and the planet. I don’t want

to be the richest man in the cemetery,” said the

billionaire who just celebrated his 75 th birthday

at the Museum of Natural History. “I don’t care if

I die poor, just so long as I have done something

to save lives and save the planet.” P

Editors Note : This year’s SOFO gala will be held on

August 6th in Bridgehampton. Honorees include Brock

Pierce, Sylvia Earle, Greg Manocherian,

Richard Grasso, Jim Ash, Jeff Keil and Carl Safina.

sofo.org


PROFILE

Challenging Cases

Jason Flores-Williams is one of

America’s highest-profile defense

attorneys. He has taken on a wide

array of challenging cases that

have been covered by the New

York Times, L.A. Times, the

Washington Post, and media

outlets around the world.

Established in Denver in 2009, The Law

Office of Jason Flores-Williams is an

international law practice with a branch in

Mexico City and a presence in Washington,

D.C. where many international U.S.

federal cases are tried.

Jonathan Wall & Maryl

and Marijuana Case

Most recently, Flores-Williams took on the

case of Jonathan Wall, charged with conspiracy

to distribute marijuana in Maryland. “Weed

is now this multi-billion-dollar industry, yet

the U.S. government in Baltimore chose to

prosecute Jonathan Wall in which the federal

sentencing guidelines, if convicted for pot, are

10 years to life in prison. So, it’s

unconscionable,” he says.

Among Flores-Williams’ clients are death

row inmates, political protesters, and the

Colorado River, on whose behalf he sued the

state of Colorado to establish the river’s

Jason Flores-

Williams

Criminal Defense Attorney

BY BENNETT MARCUS

“personhood” and thereby its right to exist and

flourish in order to allow the overtaxed natural

resource’s replenishment. “There’s a bigger

interest that should be recognized in the law

than simply just, ‘I have the property

rights,’” Flores-Williams explains.

He represented the homeless population of

Denver, Colorado whose belongings were

confiscated by the city under a “camping ban”,

which he called a “systematic evisceration of

constitutional rights.”

“We defend your liberty,

your assets, your rights”

Often referred to as a “civil-rights” or “human

rights” attorney, Flores-Williams insists that he

is neither. He is a federal criminal defense

attorney specializing in conspiracy and asset

forfeiture defense.

“This makes me sound like I’m a big social

justice guy,” he says. “I’m really not. I’m not

wandering around with a big bleeding heart, to

be honest. I’m proud to say I’m a criminal

defense attorney.”

Essentially, he serves in his legal practice as

the “firewall” between power and the

disempowered and, he emphasizes, that comes

in all forms. Flores-Williams also defends those

facing charges of white-collar crime. His firm

specializes in “impact” litigation, defending

those accused of serious felonies.

“We defend your liberty, your assets, your rights,” is


his law firm’s motto. He knows how to win the

most challenging cases, so that you walk away

with your life intact.

Pushback Against Government

Interventions & Asset Seizure

What all these various cases have in

common is pushing back against government

power. The U.S. government seizes assets from

people under indictment, and this affects not

only the person on trial, but their family. Your

bank accounts and credit cards are frozen, your

business relationships suffer, and you have no

way to put food on the table or pay your rent, let

alone pay for your legal defense. This, Flores-

Williams explains, undermines the

presumption of innocence.

That’s why he focuses most these days on

federal conspiracy cases and white-collar

crimes, because that’s an area where the

government crushes people without

even having set foot in

court to defend themselves. “It’s what I’ve

become a specialist in,” he says.

Background Informed

his Practice – It’s Personal

These issues are personal to Flores-Williams

because he experienced such hardships as a

child in New Mexico. His father, a prosperous

businessman, was convicted on drug

trafficking charges and sentenced to prison.

He, his sister and mother faced such a scenario,

the family’s assets were seized. “You normally

would not find an attorney who takes white

collar crime personally,” he says. “I take it

personally when the government steps into

court and points at someone who has actually

made something out of their life with their

family sitting behind them and says, ‘We’re

taking you down’. Because I’ve lived through

that.”

After his father’s conviction, Flores-Williams’

life took a number of turns. He dropped out of

school, studied on his own at the Library of

Congress, obtained his GED and graduated

from Hunter College with honors in

philosophy. He moved to Prague, Czech

Republic, to focus on writing, and later to San

Francisco, where he published two novels. After

moving to New York City, he wrote for High

Times, and became an activist involved in

protests against the Iraq war and the 2004

RNC convention.

Injecting Humanity into

an Inhumane System

Eventually, Flores-Williams decided that law

was the most effective route to making a

difference in society and enrolled at Rutgers

Law.

His first job out of law school was in post-

Katrina New Orleans, defending death row

inmates at Angola Prison. “That was my

introduction to law, and it was pretty

challenging and neat,” he says.

He later settled in Denver and opened his

firm, although he practices nationwide. His

Mexico City office specializes in extradition law

since many people there end up being charged

in U.S. federal courts.

In his practice, Flores-Williams takes a small

number of cases, 10 to 12 per year, and gives

them his all. “I approach them not just as an

attorney, but in finding some way to inject

humanity into an inhumane system. And that

comes in the form of everything ranging from

storytelling to relating to the community, which

in the law is expressed in the form of the jury.” P

nolo.com


PROFILE

Molly

DeVoss

The Cat Whisperer

Whose Secret Weapon is

Vitakraft Cat Treats

BY LAUREN BENS

IRINA ARKHANGELSKAYA, PETANGEL.BIZ

As a Certified Feline

Training and Behavior

Specialist and Cat

Behavior Consultant, Molly

DeVoss is fluent in meow,

and knows just what it

takes to turn a fussy feline

into a compliant cat companion. While she

began following this purr-fectly suited path

for her cat-loving ways in 2017, DeVoss

originally started volunteering with large cat

rescues almost 30 years ago and with

shelters that have high euthanasia rates and

continues today.

Molly realized just why so many cats have

behavioral issues and end up in shelters. “It’s all

due to nuisance behaviors such as aggression

or peeing outside the litter box. A lot of people

also feel better about letting a cat loose rather

than taking them to a shelter but that’s not a

solution.”

Molly has made it her mission to enlighten

other cat owners on her weekly Cat Talk Radio

podcast where cat parents can find tons of free

resources to keep their cats a part of a happy

feline family.

Molly explains that nothing worked to help

tame unruly kitties like Vitakraft Cat Treats.

“With cats, there is no social hierarchy, so it’s

important for them to feel motivated. After

trying Vitakraft with shelter cats, I realized

these fabulous treats can change a cat’s

perception, I wouldn’t use anything

else ever again.”

Molly says cats go bonkers

over the Vitakraft Lick ‘n Lap

products in particular. “This is

my go-to treat. It’s thick so you can

dispense it in tiny increments, to

ensure that cats won’t get too full

which will make them stop

cooperating. It’s a game changer.”

Vitakraft Cat Treats are not only a

great complement to regular meals, but

also introduce bonding, training, and

foraging into their feline friends’

routine. For over 180 years, Vitakraft

has been making high quality cat treats

that are low in calories, and offer

multiple textures to meet the needs of

different cat personalities. Vitakraft

truly knows ‘What Cats Are Really Into.’

Vitakraft has a new Lick ‘n’ Lap

Snack Line, including Smooth Jelly

and Meaty Gravy,

an in-between meal treat, training tool, or a

scrumptious saucy topper for food. The line

offers convenient, single-serve pouches that

provide cats with flavor-boosting treats made

with real chicken and salmon. All varieties

can be enjoyed straight from the

tube, squeezed directly into a

bowl, or used as a tasty food

topper.

The Lick ‘n’ Lap Smooth

Jelly is a smooth gelatin treat with a

texture ideal for handfeeding, and a

wonderfully interactive bonding

treat. The Lick ‘n’ Lap Meaty

Gravy is a delicious squeezable treat

made with pieces of meat. Other

products in Vitakraft’s ever-popular

lineup of high-quality cat treats

include Gourmet Jelly Snacks,

Meaty Morsels, Purrsticks, and

Souprise Snacks.

Vitakraft is now represented by

local sales companies in twenty

countries worldwide. P

vitakraft.us


PROFILE

“AT BLOCKBOARD

WE ARE TRYING TO

RESET THE SYSTEM,

ONE ADVERTISER AT A

TIME BY ELIMINATING

DIGITAL FRAUD

THROUGH OUR

BLOCKCHAIN-

POWERED

TECHNOLOGY.”

Matt

Wasserlauf

Founder of Blockboard is Pioneering the

Wild West of Digital Advertising

As a digital advertising

pioneer Matt is founder

and CEO of

BLOCKBOARD, the

company that brings

confidence, efficiency and

transparency to marketers

in the CTV/OTT space. Matthew Wasserlauf

and his team of Blockboarders continue to

reinvent this rapidly changing industry

Founded in 2019, Blockboard was created

out of a need for marketers to have confidence

in their CTV/OTT video investments.

Blockboard provides proven results to

BY BETTY TAYLOR

advertisers who demand accountability and

assurance in media efficiency spend for their

business needs. Built on blockchain

technology, the Blockboard platform provides

transparency and validation to each

impression for a cookieless world. Bringing

decades of experience in linear TV, digital video

and mobile platforms to the development of

Blockboard, the company is the only of its kind

to deliver verified business performance

results.

BLOCKBOARD also create original

programming from BLOCKBOARD

STUDIOS—a high-quality, boutique

production studio focusing on original,

compelling brand content and collaboration

with such original programming as the The

American Table, hosted by Noelle Nikpour;

Feel Ageless, with host Jennifer Pate and

Laughter is The Best Medicine.

“It’s a $50 billion dollar industry and

companies like Trade Desk and Facebook prey

on the lack of transparency. We at Blockboard

stand up against that and It’s a daunting task,”

says Wasserlauf.

Matt and his team of Blockboarders have

made it their mission to make the industry

more trustworthy. “At Blockboard are trying to

reset the system, one advertiser at a time by

eliminating Digital Fraud through our

Blockchain technology.”

How remarkable is BLOCKBOARD? Let’s

just say that according to FourSquare,

BLOCKBOARD delivered over a million

dollars’ worth of sales for a campaign that a

company paid just $50,000 for. And this is not

an anomaly for them. Another creative

campaign involved a customized commercial

with the chance to win a washer and dryer with

each click – the company was blown away at

the 80,000 email registrations and overall

performance they received in return.

BLOCKBOARD might already be making

tremendous advances in helping advertisers

win in this wild west of the digital age, but this

is just the beginning. P

myblockboard.com

@Blockboardco



SOCIAL SAFARI

Duke & Duchess of

Windsor , Megan

Markel, Balenciaga,

NYC Ballet, Friars

Club & Hamptons

Fine Art Fair

PHOTO CONTRIBUTIONS

BY PATRICK MCMULLAN

Couri

BY R.COURI HAY

Gigi & Bella

Hadid

Prince’s Trust

The Prince’s

Trust Global

Gala attracted a

star-studded

crowd

to Manhattan’s

Cipriani 25

Broadway. Prince

Charles

founded the

organization 55

years ago to bring

employment

opportunities to

disadvantaged young

people. Bella and Gigi

Hadid, Lily James, Phoebe

Dynevor, Naomi Campbell

and Karlie Kloss all donned

their best bib and tucker in

support of the Prince. Lionel

Richie, Global Ambassador

and Chairman, co-hosted

the event. Richie spoke

about bringing the UKbased

organization to

America. “We are so grateful

to everyone who has

supported our ambition to

help more young people

here in the United States

realize their dreams and I

am proud to be part of this

vital work.” Richie also

performed by

singing “Dancing on the

Ceiling” and “All Night

Long.” princestrust.us

Duke and Duchess

Megan Markle &

Wallis Simpson

The Prince of Wales married

notorious divorcee Wallis

Simpson, the forerunner to

Megan Markel, 85 years ago

in France. The former King

of England gave Simpson

what was called “the

alternative Crown Jewels”

that brought in over 53

million when it was

auctioned off in 1987.

Elizbeth Taylor even bought

one of her diamond pins;

now M.S. Rau in New

Orleans is selling an emerald

and tourmaline brooch

owned by the Duchess of

Windsor for $388,500 and a

pair of cufflinks owned by

the Duke for $88,500. The

dealer will be at the


from July 14 th to the 17 th .

rauantiques.com

Maria Kreyn

Maria Kreyn @ Colnaghi

Andrew Lloyd Webber gave

artist Maria Kreyn one

million dollars to create

eight monumental paintings

inspired by Shakespeare’s

writings for the lobby of his

Theatre Royal Drury Lane in

London. Kreyn is showing

new work at the “Influences

of Time” show at C1760, the

modern art department of

Colnaghi, the world’s oldest

art gallery on East 70th St.

c1760.art

Kanye West

Balenciaga Show

Megan Thee Stallion and

Kanye West led the

fashionable pack to

Balenciaga’s show

in the big apple

at the New York

Stock

Exchange, the

venerable

financial

center.

Oversized

clothing

contrasted with

the skin-tight

body suits to

make a

statement on the

R.Couri

Hay & Libbi

Mugrabi

mundaneness of corporate

culture and American

money and power. In

flowing dresses, large trench

coat, and bathrobe coats,

models followed one after

another, bearing no

individuality outside of their

faux neon pigtails. Through

his own lens, Balenciaga

designer Demna has put a

twist on streetwear

for commuters, although it

remains to be seen how

many brokers will adopt

these avant garde street

looks. The show also

included a Balenciaga x

Adidas collab. Guests

included designers Marc

Jacobs and Libbie Mugrabi,

club goddess Susanne

Bartsch, the inimitable

Amanda Lepore and Alexa

Demie. Pieces were available


for purchase

right after the

show, ranging

from $210 to five

Tracy

Morgan

& Arthur

Aidala

figures. The after-party at

88 Palace rocked until the

wee hours.

balenciaga.com

New York City Ballet

Michael Bloomberg’s

better half Diana Taylor

co-chaired The New York

City Ballet (NYCB) Gala

at the David H. Koch

Theater in Lincoln

Center. The night

celebrated the 50th

Anniversary of the

Stravinsky Festival. Just

as at the original festival

in 1972, the program

featured Jerome Robbins’

whimsical Circus

Polka and George

Balanchine’s

masterpiece Stravinsky

Violin Concerto. The

night also

showcased

students of the

School of

American Ballet

and NYCB

dancer Silas

Farley’s debut

as a

choreographer.

Guests

included Lili

Buffet, Zac

Posen, Jean

Shafiroff, Fe Fendi, Jill

Kargman, Tonya Lewis

Lee and Carol Mack.

Mayor Eric Adams and

Senator Chuck Schumer

both spoke about how

important the arts are to

NYC. The night raised

$2.6 million.

nycballet.com

Jean Shafiroff

The Friars Club

Attorney Arthur Aidala,

who also serves as The

Dean of the Friars Club,

organized a tribute to

SNL’s Tracy Morgan at

the Ziegfeld Ballroom. In

the black-tie crowd were

three mayors including

Rudy Giuliani, Bill de

Blasio and Eric Adams,

who presented Morgan

with the Icon Award, the

Club’s top honor. Past

recipients include Tom

Cruise, Tony Bennett,

Robert DeNiro and Frank

Sinatra. When accepting

the award, Morgan

said, “Never give up. Fall

down seven times, get up

eight. Unless you get

hit by a Walmart

truck and then you

can lay down and

wait for your

lawyer.” After

Morgan’s

speech, there were

performances

by Joe Piscopo

and CeeLo

Green. Among

those

applauding

were Ben

Vereen, J.B. Smoove

and three NY Knicks

stars Obi Toppin, Allan

Houston and Immanuel

Quickley. Also in the

room were Geraldo

Rivera, Alan Dershowitz,

Imran Ansari, Judge

Jeanine Pirro, Jean

Shafiroff, Eugenia and

Janna Bullock. The event

for 500 raised $500k

with a portion of the

proceeds going to Stand

Up to Cancer.

friarsclub.com

Sutton

Foster

Sutton Foster

Humane Society

of NY

Two-time Tony winner

Sutton Foster (Younger &

Anything Goes) who is

starring with Hugh

Jackman in the hit

Broadway show, The

Music Man, has launched

a social media campaign

called “Sutton’s Spotlight”

to help dogs from the

Humane Society of New

York to find forever

homes. Big-hearted

Sutton is featuring older

dogs and animals with

special needs on her

Instagram, for pets who

might otherwise be

overlooked. The star

publishes photos and

each dog’s personal story

on her Instagram @

suttonlenore.

Elizabeth Hurley

Breast Cancer

Research Foundation

Elizabeth

Hurley returned to NYC

to host the Hot Pink

Party to benefit the

Gretta Monahan honors

June Jacobs and

Rochelle Jacobs with

the Roslyn and Leslie

Goldstein Unsung

Hero Award

Breast Cancer Research

Foundation at the

Glasshouse. Sir Elton

John and his husband

David Furnish Judy, and

Leonard Lauder were the

event’s co-chairs.

The night’s honorees

were skincare mavens

June Jacobs and her

daughter Rochelle Jacobs

of Naturally Serious.

Committee members

included Michael Kors, Jo

Carole and Ronald

Lauder, Donna Karan,

Vera Wang and Lizzie

and Jonathan Tisch.

bcrf.org

Miss World

Peter Thomas Roth was a

judge at the Miss

World contest in

Puerto Rico. Peter

asked the

contestants

key questions

and helped

present the

crown to the

winner Miss

Poland,

Karolina

Bielawska,

and runner-up

Miss USA,

Shree Saini.

Peter was

surprised

when another

Miss USA Shree

Saini, Peter

Thomas Roth,

& Miss World

Karolina Bielawska

man approached the

judges’ table wearing the

exact same Tom Ford

white dinner jacket as

he was wearing.

His double turned

out to be Roberto

Pickering, a former

U.S. Marine Corps

Sniper with 37

confirmed kills.

One wag whispered

to one of the

contestants,

“There’s the sniper and

the lady killer.”

peterthomasroth.com

Elizabeth

Hurley

Please join

me on a

Social

Safari of

NYC’s top

events on

the

following

pages.


SOCIAL SAFARI

Martha

Stewart

Caterina Heil Stewart, Margo Nederlander, Mary Moran, & Katherine Birch

The Event

THE HAT LUNCHEON

FREDERICK LAW

OLMSTED AWARDS

The Story

The highlight of the spring season is always The Central

Park Conservancy’s Women’s Committee Hat Luncheon

which also gives guests time to admire the tulips, lilac

bushes and blooming wisteria in the Conservatory Garden.

Checking out everyone’s extravagant chapeaux is the day’s

ad hoc entertainment. The event, which celebrated its

40th anniversary, rang in nearly $3.9M for the maintenance

of the Park. This year’s co-chairs included Katherine Birch,

Mary Moran, Margo Nederlander, and Caterina Heil Stewart.

The day honored JPMorgan Chase and Alexia Leuschen.

In the mix were Michael Bloomberg, Diana Taylor, Kate

Davis, Lauren Santo Domingo and 1,000 others of that ilk

and stripe. “As the stewards of the Park, the Central Park

Conservancy is grateful for the hard work of the Women’s

Committee in raising critical funds to keep the Park clean,

inviting and open for everyone,” said CEO Betsy Smith.

centralparknyc.org

Dayssi Olarte

de Kanavos

& Shelley Carr


Yesim Philip, Nelle Miller & Alexia Leusche

Kristin Briner & Katherine Birc

Stephanie March Susan Lucci Ali Wentworth


SOCIAL SAFARI

Brianna Lance

& Rebecca Dayan

Dayssi

Olarte de

Kanavos,

Adelina

Wong

Ettelson &

Alexandra

Lind Rose

Huma

Abedin

The Event

SAVE VENICE

“UN BALLO IN

MASCHERO”

The Story

Sienna

Miller

Princess Maria-Olympia, Alex Rodriguez, Ivy Getty, Huma Abedin

and Wes Gordon lead the perfumed pack to Save Venice’s annual

black-tie extravaganza “Un Ballo in Maschero” at Cipriani. The organization,

which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, is dedicated

to preserving the artistic heritage of Venice, Italy. Although the ball

was mask-optional, thankfully enough people donned bejeweled

and feathered concoctions to make things visually interesting.

The night’s theme was “Enchantment by the Sea,” and Bronson

Van Wyk ran with the idea and crested an underwater paradise

featuring a highly instagrammable sea shell. Many of the guests

incorporated the theme into their ensembles, sporting seashells,

oyster platters, and undersea creatures hither and thither on their

gowns and jackets. Who else would tell you these things? One of

the organization’s hosts, Frederick Ilchman, declared, “By being

here, all of us acknowledge the fragility of artistic and cultural

treasures — not just in Venice, but in the world over.” The night

raised $2.1 million. savevenice.org

Ezra J. Willaim,

Di Mondo, &

Alexander

Hankin

Ivy

Getty &

Brooke

Wise

Nicky

Hilton


R. Couri Hay &

Libbie Mugrabi

Andrew Rossi

& Kate Novack

Vincent Fremont &

Shelly Fremont

Will Cotton &

Rose Dergan

Amy Fine

Collins

Anh

Duong

Mariah

Strongin

Sophie

Sumner

Brooke

Shields

The Event

NEW YORK SPECIAL

SCREENING OF

THE ANDY WARHOL

DIARIES

The Story

The Andy Warhol Diaries are particularly relevant given the

recent record-breaking sale of his “Shot Sage Blue Marilyn”

painting for 195 million dollars. Andy gave me my first job and I

am featured both in the actual diaries and in his brilliant six-part

Netflix series from executive producer Ryan Murphy and the

insightful director Andrew Rossi. Andy was intensely tight lipped

about his personal life except to a few of us that witnessed the

ups and downs of his love life. This was among the reasons why

Warhol only wanted the diaries published posthumously. Andy

loved gossip and used it in the end to talk about his own secret

life. A cross-section of friends, from John Waters to Rob Lowe,

all dished about life around Andy. The Diaries deftly validates

Warhol’s belief that the idea is not to live forever but to create art

that will. Brooke Shields, Theodora Richards, Laurie Anderson,

Will Cotton & Rose Dergan, Cynthia Rowley, Francisco Costa &

John DeStefano, Anh Duong, Amy Fine Collins, Justin Wilkes,

and Libbie Mugrabi were among the first to see the series that

had its premiere at The Whitney Museum. In a controversial

but compelling decision, director Rossi uses cutting-edge AI

techniques to insert Warhol’s own voice into the documentary:

“To fully appreciate the radical vulnerability that Andy shares in

The Diaries, I felt that we needed to hear the words in Andy’s own

voice,” said Rossi. netflix.com

Pritika

Swarup


SOCIAL SAFARI

Amory McAndrew,

Betsey Pepe, & Julie King

Jennifer Oken,

Helena Martinez,

Jamee Gregory,

Caryn Zucker Brent,

Neale Winston

& Nina Carbone

Julie Seok &

Kyungha Song

The Event

TEFAF NEW YORK

SOCIETY OF

MEMORIAL SLOAN

KETTERING

David Oking

& Kirkham

The Story

Amanda Taylor, Jennifer James, Betsy Pepe, Hope

Geier Smith, Mary Dillow, Stephanie Loeffler

and Carolina de Neufville were among the chairs

of The Society of Memorial Sloan Kettering’s

(MSK) opening night of TEFAF NY, one of the city’s

most important fairs. The preview offered the city’s

most notable collectors and philanthropists an

exclusive peak of the fair that included Isabelle

Bscher’s Galerie Gmurzynska whose booth was

the talk of the town with its Picassos, Wilfredo

Lams, Otto Pienes and work by Anh Duong. MSK’s

current president Kate Allen greeted the guests and

noted that next year’s President will be longtime

supporter Muffie Potter Aston. In the mix were

Susan Burke, Jamee and Peter Gregory, Fiona

Druckenmiller, Amy Griffin, Starrett Ringbom,

Lavinia Branca Snyder, Nina Carbone, Shelley and

Michael Carr, Eleanora Kennedy, Heather and Tom

Leeds, Philip Gorrivan, Ryan Nessing, Scott Nelson,

Alex Papachristidis, and Kathleen Hay. mskcc.org

Veronica Speck

& Tanya Cavallo

Kat

Fonseca

Nicole Miller &

Helen-Lee Schifte


Gillian Hearst

Lilah Ramzi

LauraKim, Pom

Klementieff

& Fernando Garcia

Paul

Arnhold

& Wes

Gordon

The Event

NYBG

ANNUAL ORCHID

DINNER

The Story

Arguably, The New York Botanical Garden’s Orchid Dinner is

the city’s prettiest benefit. The evening celebrated The Orchid

Show: Jeff Leatham’s Kaleidoscope. Top florists transformed

the Plaza’s ballroom into an orchid oasis, inspired by Leatham’s

own bold, artistic floral creations. The night kicked off with the

sale of rare orchids and a tour of the dazzling tabletops. Guests

included Gillian Hearst, Wes Gordon, Fernando Garcia, Laura

Kim, and Broadway’s Adam Perry. Among the night’s chairs

were Martha Stewart, Julia and Edward Weld, Maureen Chilton,

Whitney and Jonathan Clay, Jeff Leatham and Cecile Lochard.

Proceeds from the 19th annual Orchid dinner dance support the

Garden’s programs in horticulture, botanical research, and children’s

education – central to preserving and protecting the plant

world. Among the 25 designers were Rudy Saunders of Dorothy

Draper, Jeff Leatham, Calvert Crary, Fleurs BELLA, Grace Fuller

Marroquin, Michael Gonzalez, and Joy Williams. nybg.org

Cecile

Lochard,

Grace Fuller

Marroquin,

Ann

Caroline

Prazan &

Laura Durr

Adam Perry

Leigh

Lezark


LOOK BACK

Isabella Rossellini with dog Lou

Robert Wilson & Lady Gaga

The Watermill Center

2004 to 2011

Director Robert Wilson founded The Watermill Center in 1992. Every year he hosts a performance-focused

gala at the center’s 10-acre campus. Over the decades Wilson has brought

hundreds of artists from around the world for a summer residency that culminates in this

not-to-be-missed “happening” that’s attended by a who’s who of Hamptonites. This year

Wilson celebrates the Center’s 30th anniversary on July 30th. watermillcenter.org

PHOTOGRAPHY BY PATRICK MCMULLAN

PRODUCED BY R. COURI HAY


Delfina Blaquier & Nacho Figueras

Lou Reed

Annie Leibowitz, Sarah Cameron Liebowitz, & Emily Post

Campion Platt, Tatiana Platt, Peter Gregory & Jamee Gregory


LOOK BACK

Alice Judelson, Moet Meira, Patrick McMullan & Gwen Bokine

Martin & Audrey Gruss

Bill Cunningham

Christophe de Menil & Roberta Myers

Anne Hearst McInerney & Jay McInerney


Marina Abramovic & Paolo Canevari

Tinsley Mortimer

Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos

Countess Luann de Lesseps

Performance by Dita Von Teese


AND FINALLY...

Cartoon Corner

By Anthony Haden-Guest


PR

WORKS!

143 West 81st Street NYC couri@rcourihaycpr.com 212.580.0835 RCouriHay.com

SENSUAL COCOON

Sensuality in perfect form.

700 FIFTH AVENUE & 55TH STREET • NEW YORK • 212.397.9000 • wempe.com

Hamburg Berlin Duesseldorf Frankfurt Munich London Madrid Paris Vienna

Park Magazine_Summer Issue_Berenice Electrolysis

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?