MARCH
2011
nyc’s 39 best dressed: carolina
herrera, blake lively, daphne guinness . . .
plus: zainab salbi on women’s rights by holly peterson
chris benz the next great american designer with muse mickey sumner Designer Chris Benz and model Mickey Sumner
AVENUE
MARCH 2011
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this page Here and on the cover, Chris Benz wears a jacket by Brooks Brothers. Jeans by Levi’s. Shirt by J.Crew. Tie by Hermès. Sneakers by Nike. Bold Watch by Movado. Mickey Sumner wears the silk ruffled Petro Dewdrop print blouse and Heirloom Floral Safari trouser, both by Chris Benz. Shoes by Alejandro Ingelmo for Chris Benz. Pearl necklaces with platinum-plated sterling silver “diamond” textured links and pearl, gold and diamond Ball ring by Alex Soldier.
on the cover Mickey Sumner wears the black hand-beaded Eunice gown by Chris Benz. Shoes by Alejandro Ingelmo for Chris Benz. Gold Astra ring with black and white diamonds by Alex Soldier. Photographed by Gray Scott. Styled by Cricket Burns. Hair by Antonio Velotta and makeup by Jenny Alves for Le Métier, both for The John Barrett Salon.
4 | AVENUE MAGAZINE · MARCH 2011
VOL. 35 NO. 3
FEATURES 42
PRINCE OF PREP With clean lines, bold colors and a preppy flair, Chris Benz attracts the fashion powers that be to his shows—Anna Wintour, Hamish Bowles, Joanna Coles—while stylish ladies about town can’t get enough of his clothes. Following in the footsteps of Geoffrey Beene, Michael Kors and Ralph Lauren, the next great American designer has arrived. by peter davis photographs by gray scott styled by cricket burns
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THE ANNUAL BEST-DRESSED LIST Cover girl Mickey Sumner joins her fellow fashion luminaries on our seriously selective list of New York’s most stylish women. Whether a red carpet favorite or reluctant “it-girl,” these stunning head-turners all dress like it’s their job (and for some, it is).
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THE WOMAN WARRIOR Women for Women International founder Zainab Salbi has gotten the attention of Dina Powell, Gloria Steinem, Jennifer Buffett and other prominent New York women—not to mention the Clinton Global Initiative. In this candid interview, she opens up about her childhood in Saddam Hussein’s Presidential Palace and her life’s mission to empower women survivors of war and civil strife. interview by holly peterson
ma xma ra .c om
M A D I S O N AV E N U E 813 Madison Avenue 212 879 6100 M AN H AS S E T 2080R Northern Boulevard 515 365 5567 S H O RT H IL L S 1200 Morris Turnpike 973 912 9003
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AVENUE
MARCH 2011
VOL. 35 NO. 3
COLUMNS 24
CHRONICLES The smart set holds a series of soirées that successfully distracts from the slush.
100 WORLD ACCORDING TO . . . “Mad Men” costume designer Janie Bryant shares her favorite memories and go-to hot-spots in the city she—and the AMC hit—calls home.
By Debbie Bancroft
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PYTS Celebrating Palm Beach’s centennial with an over-the-top birthday party hosted by Lavande. By Luigi Tadini
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DEPARTMENTS
OLD NEW YORK The evolution of Bergdorf Goodman, from humble tailor’s shop to international shopping destination.
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ON THE AVENUE Party pictures from recent events.
CRICKET ’S CRUSH Bold bangles from Hermès.
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ARTS CALENDAR What’s on view at galleries and museums.
By Cricket Burns
this page Zainab Salbi with local women in Rwanda for Women for Women International, the organization she founded to help women survivors of war and civil strife through education and job training.
AVENUEinsider For the latest on people and parties, visit www.avenueinsider.com
letters to the editor AVENUE welcomes “Letters to the Editor” Please address to Editor Peter Davis 79 Madison Avenue, 16th Floor New York, NY, 10016 pdavis@manhattanmedia.com 6 | AVENUE MAGAZINE · MARCH 2011
Fun awaits on Fifth Avenue! Celebrate your stay in NYC with an unforgettable visit to our store. At FAO Schwarz, we always have fabulous fun in store! Enjoy a spectacular selection of exclusive and timeless toys, enchanting exhibits, interactive workshops/studios and, of course, “Big Piano� performances. Stop in for the best in toys and collectibles. Stay for a unique and memorable experience! Call (212) 644-9400 to schedule a private party, personal shopping or off-hour Toy Soldier Tours.
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letter from the editor
Dear Readers,
Editor Peter Davis
HERE AT AVENUE, WE’RE OBSESSED with style—take “Your Daily Daphne” over on our website AVENUEinsider, which features an always-breathtaking photograph of the inimitable Daphne Guinness, a woman of amazing artistry who routinely transforms clothing into a living, breathing piece of sculpture. When it came time to compile our Annual Best-Dressed List, our team pored over thousands of images of the city’s most put-together women. Some choices were easy (the impeccable Anne Bass, for example), while others were shocking (consider the transformation of Courtney Love from sartorial train wreck to haute fashion plate). Style comes from within—I like to call it the chic gene—and you either have it or you don’t. You’ll be tantalized and surprised to see who made the cut and warranted inclusion in our 39 most stylish women of New York. Naturally, we had to know the secrets of these style stars, so we rang up our glamour girls and got them to reveal the stories behind their bold and always beautiful looks. Get ready to take a few notes. Speaking of style stars, our cover subjects—fashion designer Chris Benz and his muse, actress Mickey Sumner (who also happens to be Sting’s daughter)—shine a bright, colorful light on the future of fashion. I interviewed Benz the day before he launched his first collection in 2007, and I am thrilled that his label has grown so big and that the sweet Seattle kid (now only 28) is fast-becoming the next great American designer. Benz’s studio is like a candy factory, and it was a thrill to enlist the talented Sumner to model his unique, forever-chic confections there. In this issue, you’ll also find two new additions. Creative Director Cricket Burns brings her AVENUEinsider column “Cricket’s Crush” to the magazine—trust me, you’ll become OCD-ed with everything Cricket unearths. And elegant young man on the town Luigi Tadini is now helming “PYTs.” Tadini is the perfect guy-on-the-go to cover the beautiful, and of course fashionable, social swirl of New York’s junior set. Dig into our fashion issue and have a very stylish month. And, as always, visit www.avenueinsider.com for the latest fashion, news and parties.
Editor 8 | AVENUE MAGAZINE · MARCH 2011
THOMAS WHITESIDE
Peter Davis
Š 2 011 R EED K R A KO F F L LC
n e w yo r k l a s v e g a s t o k yo r e e d k r a ko f f.c o m ava i l a b l e at s e l ec t saks f i f th ave nu e lo cat i on s
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march contributors
Luigi Tadini
Gray Scott
Behind the Scenes
Holly Peterson
For March’s cover story, AVENUE vet Gray Scott shot designer Chris Benz with model and muse Mickey Sumner. Scott and Benz go way back, as do Benz and Sumner—so the group is one big happy family. The mood at Benz’s workshop off Fashion Avenue was fun and relaxed, with lots of creative energy going around. “I love the way Chris works. I have been shooting his look books for the last few seasons and am never disappointed,” Scott says. “His concepts reveal a depth of understanding of some of the most amazing visual and cultural moments ever.” The stylish duo are only the latest in Scott’s substantial AVENUE portfolio, which includes Richard Johnson, Padma Lakshmi and Ivanka Trump, amongst others. Scott’s work has also appeared in publications such as Vogue Japan, Surface and Picture, to name a few.
10 | AVENUE MAGAZINE · MARCH 2011
This month, AVENUE welcomes Luigi Tadini to its party pages. Our new PYTs columnist will be covering the hottest events and chicest openings, chatting up his pals and assorted night clubbers to find out what’s new “on the avenue.” “I’m thrilled to join the team at AVENUE Magazine,” Tadini says, “and to have the opportunity to showcase some of the best our city has to offer each month. We don’t call New York ‘the city that never sleeps’ for no reason.” A fixture of the New York and Brazilian social circuit, Tadini is involved in several non-profit organizations and is co-founder and co-chair of Riverkeeper’s Junior Council. In the summer of 2007, he produced and hosted a television series in the Hamptons for luxury network Plum TV. He currently oversees Paper Magazine’s fashion content as market director.
Returning to the pages of AVENUE this month is journalist-cum-novelist Holly Peterson. Her probing interview with Zainab Salbi explores the Women for Women International founder and C.E.O.’s work helping women survivors of war and civil strife establish stable, self-sufficient lives. “Zainab Salbi is a rock star in the movement to promote better opportunities for women overseas, which leads to healthier and more fiscally sound communities,” says Peterson. “She also happens to be delightful, brilliant, articulate and gorgeous.” As the Emmy award-winning former producer of ABC News and a contributing editor for Newsweek magazine, Peterson is no stranger to hard-hitting reporting. For AVENUE alone she’s written about Jon Meacham, Karenna Gore Schiff and Fareed Zakaria. But she also has a softer side, and her features on Eliza Bolen and Alexandra Wentworth have run in this magazine as well. And then of course there’s the 2007 chick-lit bestseller, The Manny, soon to be followed up by an undoubtedly much-talked-about sequel.
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AVENUE PRESIDENT Julie Dannenberg jdannenberg@manhattanmedia.com EDITOR Peter Davis pdavis@manhattanmedia.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR Cricket Burns cburns@manhattanmedia.com ART DIRECTOR Jessica Ju-Hyun Lee Ho jlee@manhattanmedia.com MANAGING EDITOR Kari Milchman kmilchman@manhattanmedia.com ASSISTANT EDITOR Jasmine Lombardi jlombardi@manhattanmedia.com CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Janet Allon jallon@manhattanmedia.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Debbie Bancroft
R. Couri Hay Luigi Tadini
Lacey Tisch-Sidney
PALM BEACH CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Ren茅e Morrison PRODUCTION MANAGER Mark Stinson mstinson@manhattanmedia.com ADVERTISING DESIGNER Monica Hsiao-Hsuan Tang mtang@manhattanmedia.com FACT CHECKER Alexandria Symonds asymonds@manhattanmedia.com
EXECUTIVE SALES DIRECTOR Sarah Smith ssmith@manhattanmedia.com SHOW DIRECTOR, THE AVENUE SHOWS Barbara Goodwin bgoodwin@manhattanmedia.com SALES DIRECTOR Susan Feinman sfeinman@manhattanmedia.com FLORIDA REGIONAL PUBLISHERS Maria Lourdes Gallo
Rosemary Winters
ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT Jacqueline Curley jcurley@manhattanmedia.com CONTROLLER Shawn Scott sscott@manhattanmedia.com ACCOUNTS MANAGER Kathy Pollyea kpollyea@manhattanmedia.com CIRCULATION MANAGER Joe Bendik jbendik@manhattanmedia.com
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12 | AVENUE MAGAZINE 路 MARCH 2011
On the
BILLY FARRELL
AVENUE
Lucy Sykes Rellie, Kate Schelter and Chris Schumacher at the House of Lavande dinner in Palm Beach 14 | AVENUE MAGAZINE 路 MARCH 2011
For more parties and events, visit www.avenueinsider.com
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1. Amy Fine Collins and Lizzie Tisch 2. Rosanna Scotto and Donna Karan 3. Liya Kebede and Bethann Hardison 4. Hamish Bowles 5. Ruben and Isabel Toledo and Francisco Costa 6. Elettra Wiedemann and Jason Wu
MODELS AND MUSES Celebrating the Grand Divertissement à Versailles of 1973 at The Metropolitan Museum of Art
The Met hosted a luncheon to commemorate the Grand Divertissement à Versailles of 1973, the infamous fashion show that pitted five French couturiers against five American fashion designers who revolutionized the field by sending a very diverse group of models down the runway. In tribute to the multicultural face of fashion inspired by that day, the museum invited its own crop of fashionable faces. Lizzie Tisch, Donna Karan, Sarah Jessica Parker, Diane von Furstenberg and other stylish guests mingled, and co-hosts Oscar de la Renta and Stephen Burrows (both of whom participated in the original 1973 show) spoke. 16 | AVENUE MAGAZINE · MARCH 2011
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FUN ON FILM Recent luncheons from The Peggy Siegal Company
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The year started with a cinematic bang for Hollywood heavyweights and New York notables. In honor of The Weinstein Company’s much-talked-about The King’s Speech, Sir Harold Evans and Amanda Foreman hosted a luncheon at a private club where star Colin Firth mingled with guests Tina Brown, Amy Fine Collins, Liz Smith, Vicky Ward and others. Then, in celebration of The Town, stars Ben Affleck, Chris Cooper, Jon Hamm and Blake Lively joined Sara Gore, Julian Schnabel, Chuck Scarborough, Dan Abrams and many more at the “21” Club for another midday fête. 2 1
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1. Susan Wall 2. Edward Lee Cave and Duane Hampton 3. Juliet Kinchin and Nonnie Frelinghuysen
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ARTY PARTY Mid-Century Modern event at Bonhams Bard Graduate Center’s fabulous ’50sthemed party drew many bold-faced names from the design world: Agnes Gund, Edward Lee Cave, Duane Hampton, Fernanda Kellogg and others. Guests enjoyed cocktails and an auction styled by Isabel and Ruben Toledo. Proceeds from the evening will support the BGC Scholarship Fund, which provides financial assistance to graduate students of the history of decorative arts and design. 18 | AVENUE MAGAZINE · MARCH 2011
1. Colin Firth 2. Chuck Scarborough, Ellen Ward and Dan Abrams 3. Blake Lively 4. Ben Affleck and Jon Hamm 5. Jennifer Ehle and Harvey Weinstein
ARTY PARTY: ©PATRICK MCMULLAN==PHOTO -- AMBER DE VOS/PATRICKMCMULLAN.COM
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FIT FASHION St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital benefit at Brooks Brothers
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This past holiday season, Brooks Brothers hosted a benefit for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at its Madison Avenue flagship. Since partnering with the hospital back in 2006, Brooks Brothers has raised nearly $3 million for the research and treatment of pediatric cancer and other diseases. Among the many festivities at this annual event was a book reading with St. Jude National Outreach Director Marlo Thomas and a special performance by Wynton Marsalis. 1
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Tea in honor of Jamee Gregory at the Dior boutique
Dior kicked off a new year of fabulous events with a book party for Jamee Gregory. The afternoon tea at the newly reopened Dior boutique on 57th Street drew Melissa Berkelhammer, Somers Farkas, Karen LeFrak, Alexandra Lind Rose, Shirin von Wulffen and many others. The author signed copies of New York Parties: Private Views while guests browsed Dior’s new cruise collection. 20 | AVENUE MAGAZINE · MARCH 2011
1. Wynton Marsalis 2. Claudio Del Vecchio and Marlo Thomas 3. Phoebe Gubelmann, Jesse Palmer, Reed Bergman and Anne Vincent
PRIVATE PARTY: ©PATRICK MCMULLAN==PHOTO - CLINT SPAULDING/PATRICKMCMULLAN.COM
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STARS AND SOCIALS Recent Cinema Society events at Avenue, the Carlyle and the Soho Grand
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Another issue, another slew of celeb-packed movie screenings from Cinema Society. I Love You Phillip Morris brought out star Jim Carrey for the DeLeon-sponsored evening at Avenue. Meanwhile, the Biutiful after-party at the Carlyle—co-hosted by Miuccia Prada, Ingrid Sischy and Sandra Brant—drew Best Actor nominee Javier Bardem (and a pregnant Penélope Cruz), along with Al Pacino, Alicia Keys, Chace Crawford and more. And to celebrate Blue Valentine, Piaget and DeLeon threw a party starring Best Actress nominee Michelle Williams at the Soho Grand Club Room. 3 2
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1. Fabiola Beracasa 2. Ashley Bush and Lauren Bush 3. Olivia Palermo and Johannes Huebl 4. Alina Cho 5. Ashley McDermott 6. Rachel Roy 7. Jennifer Creel, Valesca Guerrand-Hermès and John Demsey 22 | AVENUE MAGAZINE · MARCH 2011
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BIRTHDAY BASH Dom Telesco’s birthday party at Club Colette in Palm Beach
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For Dom Telesco’s 80th birthday celebration, his wife Susan transformed Palm Beach’s Club Colette into the Isle of Capri, the couple’s home away from home. Guests Tommy and Dee Hilfiger, Hilary Geary and Wilbur Ross, Jamee and Peter Gregory, Ann and Joel Horowitz, Mary and Mark Freitas, Michael McCarty and many others danced under lemon trees à la da Paolino. The birthday boy’s 12 children and grandchildren sang a customized rendition of Sinatra’s “I’ve Got The World On a String,” and Vic Damone crooned “Happy Birthday” as the cake was presented. 1
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GATHERING OF GLITTERATI: ©PATRICK MCMULLAN==PHOTO - CLINT SPAULDING/PATRICKMCMULLAN.COM; BIRTHDAY BASH: LUCIEN CAPEHART
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1. Gillian Miniter and Coco Kopelman 2. Jill and Harry Kargman 3. Rory Tahari and Sasha Galantic
GATHERING
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OF GLITTERATI Chanel cocktail party for Jill Kargman at its boutique
Chanel recently hosted Jill Kargman and her family and friends to toast her latest publication, the very funny Sometimes I Feel Like A Nut. Mingling among the usual quilted handbags and tweed jackets were Arie and Coco Kopelman, Alexandra Lebenthal, Gillian and Sylvester Miniter, Rory Tahari, Jonathan and Lizzie Tisch and Shoshanna Gruss. Kargman spent the cocktail party signing copies of her book and chatting with her guests.
1. Wilbur and Hilary Geary Ross 2. Susan and Dom Telesco 3. Vic Damone 4. Manzi Burns and India Burns 5. Dee and Tommy Hilfiger MARCH 2011 · AVENUE MAGAZINE | 23
chronicles
by
DEBBIE BANCROFT
The intellectual set hosts an array of stylish soirees that would make even your tannest pals sorry to miss this frosty New York City winter
Naomi Wolf, Catherine Keener, Claire Buffie and Patricia Duff 24 | AVENUE MAGAZINE · MARCH 2011
©PATRICK MCMULLAN==PHOTO - WILL RAGOZZINO/PATRICKMCMULLAN.COM
Parties for H Smarties
ow do you reconcile living in a slushy, sleety ’hood while less engaged pals phone in party-pooped, poolside, from the sunny(ish) south? Because while snow bound, we get smarter, more enlightened and richly entertained. Beth DeWoody curated January White Sale at the Loretta Howard Gallery. Why white? “I love white—it’s amazing the variations on it, and the shapes and textures that artists can create using the absence of color,” she told me. Artists included Rachel Hovnanian, Alice Aycock and John Chamberlain. Patrons and fans (and bros) included Billy Rudin, Kyle DeWoody, Peter Marino (emphatically not in white) and Susan Stroman, whose work is being performed by the New York City Ballet and who was honored at its annual luncheon. No pikers here. Chris Whittle (of EdisonLearning), Alan Greenberg (the former Esquire publisher) and Benno Schmidt (the ex-president of Yale) introduced 300 of us to their new venture, Avenues: The World School, at a lunch in their gleaming Chelsea flagship. This project in global education for global tots will be coming to you in 20 major capitals around the world—and we will be working for them. Smart enough, yet? Patricia Duff’s non-partisan, political forum brought us Ahead of Time, a film about Ruth Gruber, the 99-year-old former foreign correspondent and photo journalist, the world’s youngest PhD, secret escort of Holocaust refugees to the United States and documentarian of the attack on the refugee boat, Exodus, to mention a few events in a life of accomplishment. Ann Curry presented her with the richly deserved American Spirit Award, and she was cheered by Naomi Wolf, Catherine Keener, Catherine Crier, Barbara Kopple, Rachel Roy and many others happy to be in her presence. Capping off my cerebral month was the acutely smart, unsettling and provocative HBO film The Sunset Limited, shared with us by Andrew Saffir and his Cinema Society. Based on Cormac McCarthy’s play, it stars Tommy Lee Jones (who also directed) and Samuel L. Jackson—and that’s it. Just the two of them, in one room, on one day—but you will surely be transported way beyond those walls.
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chronicles
Top Row: Samuel L. Jackson and Tommy Lee Jones; Josh Lucas; Loretta Howard and Beth Rudin DeWoody; Ann Curry Bottom Row: Cormac McCarthy; Kathie Lee Gifford; Amar Ramasar, Susan Stroman and Ashley Bouder; Michael Bassett and Darren Henault
When I tried to convey this to Mr. Jones, while sputtering and forgetting my words, he asked, “But did you laugh?” Ehhh . . . not so much. I tried a different, celebratory approach with Mr. Jackson. Referencing the film I gushed, “You certainly have earned that wine!” “Well thank you for that,” he said, “but actually I’m drinking ginger ale. I don’t drink.” Arghh. I later learned he famously recovered from drug and alcohol addiction. I think it’s safe to say I’m permanently out of the running for that Social Secretary spot. It’s probably good news that I never met Mr. McCarthy, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The 26 | AVENUE MAGAZINE · MARCH 2011
Road and No Country for Old Men and a notorious recluse (note the pic: very, very rare). I probably would’ve scared him back to his cabin in the woods. I fared better with actor Josh Lucas, who will be playing Lindbergh to Leonardo DiCaprio’s Hoover in the upcoming biopic. Josh is also an investor in the company, Filthy Food—purveyors of olives stuffed with extremely suggestive pickles and other kinky edibles. I was in safer territory here. My pal Laurie Durning and I tucked in with Tamara Tunie and Epatha Merkerson (who told me she learned she had diabetes while taking a staged blood test in a film about
combating the disease!), and enjoyed two of the hundred or so succulent filets served at The Porter House. Richard Meier sat with Kathie Lee Gifford (hmmm), and Tonya Lewis Lee updated me on the just-released children’s book she wrote with her husband Spike. Fern Mallis and Judy Licht enjoyed their last moment of freedom before the onslaught of Fashion Week, and 50 Cent milled among Judd Hirsch, Louise Grunwald, Josh Duhamel, HBO President Len Amato, Jason Reitman, Lee Daniels and Paul Haggis. Uh huh. It’s just fine here in the slush, thank you very much. !
©PATRICKMCMULLAN.COM; RAMASAR AND BASSETT: MARY HILLIARD
It’s probably good news that I never met Mr. McCarthy, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Road and No Country for Old Men and a notorious recluse . . . I probably would’ve scared him back to his cabin in the woods.
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LUIGI TADINI The French cabana set up on Tracy Smith’s waterfront property for the occasion
La Vie en Lavande New Yorkers migrate south to Palm Beach where they toast the island’s 100th birthday at a memorable soiree hosted by the famous jeweler
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Mary Alice Stephenson, Amanda Ross and Billy Farrell
Tracy Smith
othing says winter in New York like a two-and-half hour flight to Palm Beach. When the forecast calls for Siberian temperatures, New Yorkers know to pack a weekender and head south. In addition to the bone chilling, two-degree weather of late, socials, fashion editors and the usual party set were drawn to the glamorous resort town to toast its benchmark centennial anniversary over a waterfront dinner hosted by vintage couture jewelry brand House of Lavande. It’s early one Saturday morning at JFK’s Terminal Five, and I find myself surrounded by 50 of my dearest friends, and friendsto-be, clad in their seasoned furs, sipping their non-fat lattes and hiding behind jumbo-sized sunglasses. Nearly no one could refuse the weekend getaway, especially since it’s being delivered by talented brand consultant Kate Schelter. Add an overnight reservation at the iconic Breakers Hotel, a highly curated and eclectic guest list and a hosting committee that includes the elegant touch of social leading ladies Olivia Chantecaille, Lucy Sykes Rellie, Amanda Ross, Dalia Oberlander and Ann Caruso and you have yourself a party. “We want to celebrate the old-school Palm Beach feeling of Slim Aarons with a modern and chic touch,” Schelter explains. ’Nuff said. I hop on the flight with seatmate Becka Diamond, the Brooklyn-based DJ and (as it turns out) morning person. Young designer Chris Benz shares her early-hours enthusiasm: “This is like New York City summer camp!” he gushes. “I love being with people out of context. Running into Becka amongst insane-looking tourists is like being at an instant photo shoot.” Upon arrival we’re politely herded into a party van that heads straight for the House of Lavande’s flagship store so we guests can pick out some sparkling accessories for the evening. Established seven years ago in Palm Beach by jewelry connoisseur and all around gracious hostess Tracy Smith, the House of Lavande boasts a jewelry collection ranging from 1920s Machine Age Bakelite to blue chip rarities by the likes of Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent and, of course, Chanel.
BILLY FARRELL
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BUILDER | OWNER | MANAGER
GlenwoodNYC.COM
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Paper Magazine Editorial Director Mickey Boardman, who is no stranger to a shimmering accessory, is in heaven. “As a glutton for glamorous bijoux, a trip to the House of Lavande flagship store is a dream come true,” he says. “I need to get in and get out or I’ll be sifting through every piece in the store for hours.” Amanda Hearst opts for a handful of gold bangles and chandelier earrings to complement her Valentino cocktail dress, while casting director Natalie Joos finds charming Chanel earrings fashioned to look like the label’s ubiquitous quilted handbag. A 5 p.m. cocktail hour has guests scrambling to get ready in their best “modern-vintage” attire. A bespoke French cabana set up among the lush gardens of Smith’s waterfront property welcomes thirsty guests to watch the sunset while sipping lavender infused specialty drinks. Barneys Fashion Director Amanda Brooks shares New Year anecdotes while fashion photographer and blogger extraordinaire Garance Doré takes the opportunity to shoot unsuspecting subjects.
“I danced all night with the smoking hostess, my radiant wife Lucy and a hard-rocking New York mob.” —Euan Rellie “I feel a very Halston-esque vibe,” says Lucy Sykes Rellie as guests are ushered into the tent for a luscious dinner. DJ Chelsea Leyland provides the contagious tunes that leads guests like dapper Euan Rellie to the dance floor. “I danced all night with the smoking hostess, my radiant wife Lucy and a hard-rocking New York mob,” he recalls the following morning. “It was fun to hang with not only some of our best pals, but also a younger, edgier gang. I’m 42, but I quite like 24-year-olds.” But back to the party. Dalia Oberlander challenges Andrew Bevan to a vogue-ing competition, while Anne Caruso and celebrity stylist Mary Alice Stephenson belt out the lyrics to Madonna’s empowering anthem. It seems no one can resist the Pop Queen’s allure. “All the waiters changed and joined the party! I guess they saw how much fun we were having and couldn’t resist,” Amanda Hearst recounts later. Next up, an after-party for the truly adventurous at local hangout spot Cucina. Flash-forward to morning and guests—at least those who have foregone their beauty sleep—are heading poolside. It’s a far better scene than JFK, with sunglasses reflecting real sun and delicious, medicinal Bloody Marys instead of lattes. Fait accompli! ! For Luigi Tadini’s latest nightlife coverage, visit www.avenueinsider.com 30 | AVENUE MAGAZINE · MARCH 2011
Meg Carlozzi and Chris Benz
Oliv ia Cha nte cail le
Dalia Oberlander
Am an da Hearst Kate Schelter, Amanda Ross, Dalia Oberlander, Tracy Smith, Olivia Chantecaille, Ann Caruso and Lucy Sykes Rellie
BILLY FARRELL
pyts
T H E S A L O N AT B E R G D O R F G O O D M A N
FIFTH AVENUE AT 58TH STREET NEW YORK 212 872 2700 HAIRCARE COLLECTION AVAILABLE AT JOHNBARRETT.COM
bold-faced names
by
R. COURI HAY
Serious Soirees From health to fashion, these parties are both fun and fabulous
C
Maggie Rizer at the Douglas Hannant parfum launch
Douglas Hannant, Carmen Dell’Orefice, Frederick Anderson and Valesca Guerrand-Hermès at the Douglas Hannant parfum launch
Rachelle Rak in Douglas Hannant at his parfum launch
Janna Bullock, Jean Shafiroff and Sharon Bush at the amfAR New York Gala
Mark Smith and CeCe Cord at the Humane Society of New York event
Joanna Mastroianni at her atelier
Elaine Sargent at the amfAR New York Gala
Virginia Apple, Karen LeFrak and Ansley Apple at the Best in Show book party at Doubles
helsea Clinton’s speech at the 25th anniversary of amfAR (www.amfar.org) is fueling rumors she’ll do what Caroline Kennedy couldn’t: get elected to the Senate. Calling both her parents “my heroes,” she presented her father with a leadership award. The evening also honored Dr. Mathilde Krim, Elizabeth Taylor and Diane von Furstenberg, whose face was still blackand-blue from a skiing accident in Aspen. “I’m not a battered wife,” she quipped. “My husband Barry [Diller] loves me.” Among those laughing were Amanda Hearst, Harvey Weinstein, Anna Wintour, Woody Allen, Sharon Bush, David Lauren, Jonathan Canno, Pierce Roberts, Drs. Robert Grant and Laura Torrado, Emily Smith, Kenneth Cole, Cornelia Guest and Jean Shafiroff, who updated former President Clinton on the Southampton Hospital gala she is chairing on August 6. Elton John, Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder and Gladys Knight reunited for the first time in decades to sing “That’s What Friends Are For” to a standing ovation. The evening raised $1.5-plus million. Joanna Mastroianni’s new collection (www.joannamastroianni.com) was inspired by fashion photographer Lillian Bassman. Mayor Bloomberg named the day of the designer’s show after the legendary lens-man. The black-and-white collection with dollops of reds, coppers and gold drew raves from the ladies. Fans of Mastroianni include Sarah Jessica Parker and Padma Lakshmi. Douglas Hannant (www.douglashannant.com), whose devotees include Beth Rudin DeWoody, Charlize Theron, Valesca Guerrand-Hermès and Pamela Gross Finkelstein, launched his eponymous fragrance by Robert Piguet at the Payne Whitney Museum. Interior designer Geoffrey Bradfield hosted the party, and positioned a chorus line of men in white-tie and tails up the grand staircase to make sure none of the ladies tripped on their trains. Among those congratulating the designer were Muffie Potter Aston, Nina Garcia and Alina Cho. The irresistible parfum will be available at Saks Fifth Avenue and Hannant’s shop in the Plaza Hotel, where his much-talked-about spring collection is also available. Karen LeFrak’s third children’s book, Best in Show (www.karenlefrak.com/bestinshow), may be the closest to her heart as it’s about show dogs and her white standard poodle, Gem. To celebrate, Wendy Carduner held a reading at Doubles where the author explained the fun world of dog shows. Martha Stewart, Joan Rivers and Liz Smith have already scooped up the book. Generous Karen is giving all her proceeds to the American Kennel Club (AKC). Speaking of pups, CeCe Cord, her Yorkshire terrier Tiger and attorney Mark W. Smith toasted the Humane Society of New York at Pacha. Smith, who’s written several books on politics, also celebrated his office’s move to Rockefeller Center (www.marksmithlawgroup.com). Rachelle Rak (www.rachellerak.com), who is featured in the new Broadway show Catch Me If You Can, performed her hit “SAS.” ! For more from R. Couri Hay, visit www.avenueinsider.com
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2/19/10 10:17:30 AM
arts calendar
Feasting the Eyes This month’s selection of art and antiques on view or for sale
auctions BONHAMS & BUTTERFIELDS
March 10: The Art of Rock & Roll 580 Madison Avenue 212.644.9001 CHRISTIE’S
March 3: Fine American Paintings, Drawings and Sculpture Rockefeller Plaza 212.636.2000 DOYLE NEW YORK
Laurie Fendrich’s An Honest Stupid Soul, 2010, at Gary Snyder/Project Space. Oil on canvas; 36 inches by 30 inches.
March 9: Doyle at Home 175 E. 87th Street 212.427.2730
AMADOR GALLERY
Mark Power Through March 26 41 E. 57th Street, 6th Floor 212.759.6740 BONNI BENRUBI GALLERY
Who’s that girl? Georges Dambier: Fashioning the Fifties March 24-May 21 41 E. 57th Street, 13th Floor 212.888.6007 GAGOSIAN GALLERY
Malevich and the American Legacy March 3-April 30 34 | AVENUE MAGAZINE · MARCH 2011
exhibitions
GARY SNYDER/PROJECT SPACE
Laurie Fendrich Recent Paintings Through April 2 250 W. 26th Street, 4th Floor 212.929.1351 JONATHAN LEVINE GALLERY
Gary Baseman: Walking Through Walls March 5-April 2 529 W. 20th Street, 9th Floor 212.243.3822 PACE/MACGILL GALLERY
Harry Callahan and Jackson Pollock: Photographs and Drawings March 3-April 16 32 E. 57th Street, 9th Floor 212.759.7999
MOMA
Standard Deviations: Prototypes, Archetypes, and Families in Contemporary Design Opens March 2 11 W. 53rd Street 212.708.9400 COOPER-HEWITT, NATIONAL DESIGN MUSEUM
Color Moves: Art and Fashion by Sonia Delaunay March 18-June 5 2 E. 91st Street 212.849.8400 !
COURTESY OF GARY SNYDER/PROJECT SPACE
galleries
980 Madison Avenue 212.744.2313
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2/18/11 12:20 PM
books
by
E.F. ULMANN The Chanel three-book set: Chanel Fashion, Chanel Fine Jewelry and Chanel Perfume from Assouline
Fashion in Print T
his month, our favorite New York publishers and booksellers share their latest most fashionable offerings. First off is Assouline, headquartered in New York and founded by the French husband and wife team of Prosper and Martine Assouline. He’s the design dynamo, as French as Roquefort, who loves New York. Martine has a law degree from a French university and is a dead ringer for Anouk Aimeé. Together, they have published more than a thousand books since 1995. Assouline (www.shopassouline.com) is famous for producing stunning, illustrated books on fashion, style, art, architecture, design, the epicurean arts, photography and travel. Its books are objets d’art in their own right. A spectacular example is the Chanel three-book set: Chanel Fashion, Chanel Fine Jewelry and Chanel Perfume. Enclosed in a slipcase produced exclusively for Assouline by Chanel—made of genuine black leather and adorned with a metal Chanel emblem collection is both handsome and comprehensive. Another example of the creative genius at Assouline is Racing Style, a photographic appreciation of the Goodwood Festival of Speed, an English gathering that is to motor sport what Ascot is to horse racing. The deluxe edition comes in a slipcase fashioned
36 | AVENUE MAGAZINE · MARCH 2011
from a rubber racecar tire. Prosper worked this out with the Michelin tire folk. He says, in characteristic Gallic style with a touch of English understatement, that the book has the genuine feel and smell of the racetrack. Like no other, one could say, unless you store your car books at your local Jiffy Lube. Of current interest at Assouline is their bestselling American Fashion Series published in partnership with the Council of Fashion Designers of America. The series includes American Fashion, American Fashion Accessories, American Fashion Menswear, American Fashion Cookbook, American Fashion Designers at Home, American Fashion Travel and Designers on the Go. Each of these titles includes content from more than 100 of America’s top fashion designers, including Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, Donna Karan and, of course, the Council’s current president, Diane von Furstenberg. Speaking of Chanel, The New York Times recently reviewed The Secret of Chanel No. 5: The Intimate History of the World’s Most Famous Perfume (HarperCollins) by Tilar J. Mazzeo. Sadly, the reviewer missed the opportunity to share one of the bons mots associated with the perfume: On being asked what she wore in bed, Marilyn Monroe replied, “Chanel No. 5.” A publishing event much anticipated by New York
ASSOULINE
A selection of scripts for the sartorialist in you
RACING STYLE AND AMERICAN FASHION DESIGNERS AT HOME: ASSOULINE
fashionistas is Hamish Bowles’ Balenciaga and Spain from Skira Rizzoli, due out in March. Mr. Bowles, the European editor at large of Vogue and the subject of AVENUE’s December 2010 cover story, curated the knock-out Balenciaga exhibition at the Queen Sofia Spanish Institute on Park Avenue. This volume crystallizes the exhibition, the first of its kind to consider the influence of Spain’s culture, history and art on one of its greatest designers, the legendary Cristóbal Balenciaga (1895-1972). Cecil Beaton called him “Fashion’s Picasso,” a name some might find a shade Bohemian for a man formally trained in the tailoring arts whose customers before the Civil War were the Spanish royal family and the aristocracy. After Balenciaga moved to Paris, his high and exacting standards drew many of the grandest and most elegant ladies of consequence to his custom, such as the Duchess of Windsor, Gloria Guinness, Pauline de Rothschild, Mona von Bismarck, Princess Grace of Monaco, Doris Duke, Queen Fabiola of Belgium and Diana Vreeland. This book explores the influence on Balenciaga of Spain’s greatest artists and the impact of Iberian religious dress and ceremony, its royal history, its rich regional costume, its dance traditions and the power and splendor of the bullfight on his designs. Fashion is not only a woman’s turf, as Bespoke: The Men’s Style of Savile Row by James Sherwood for Rizzoli underscores. The difference is that no matter what the fashion writers try to sell in Milan, Paris or New York, the highest standards of workmanship, taste and style are still set in London by the custom (English say “bespoke”) tailors in and around Savile Row. This is a beautifully photographed book weighing in, as boxing writers say, at 5.6 pounds and of impressive dimensions (14 inches by 11 inches). In this case, size does matter and Bespoke could not possibly be the same on a Kindle. The history is solid and the presentation of documents and archival photographs is remarkable and fascinating. Mr. Sherwood (or his editors) sometimes gets lost abusing the distinctions between trousers and pants and a waistcoat and a vest. To a London tailor, pants are worn under your trousers, and a vest is what Americans would call an undershirt. He does know that on Savile Row the article with sleeves and a collar is a coat, not a jacket. But then Mr. Sherwood (or his caption writer) goes slightly wobbly when he describes Douglas Fairbanks Jr., certainly a dude of the first water, as “impossibly beautiful.” Let’s just write it off as enthusiasm that suits the subject. !
Clockwise from left: Balenciaga and Spain by Hamish Bowles and Bespoke: The Men’s Style of Savile Row by James Sherwood, both from Rizzoli; American Fashion Designers at Home from the American Fashion Series and Racing Style, both from Assouline.
MARCH 2011 · AVENUE MAGAZINE | 37
old new york
Fashion on Fifth E
Bergdorf Goodman on Fifth Avenue at 58th Street, circa 1930s
IRVING BROWNING (1895-1961), BERGDORF GOODMAN, FIFTH AVENUE AND 58TH STREET, NEW YORK CITY, C. 1930S. COURTESY OF NEW-YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
stablished in 1899 as a humble tailor’s shop in Union Square, Bergdorf Goodman would move to its current space at 754 Fifth Avenue, the site of the former Cornelius Vanderbilt mansion, in 1928. By this point, the store had cultivated an elite following drawn to the high-quality, ready-to-wear garments Edwin Goodman offered as a stylish alternative to custom-made clothing for the busy “modern” woman. Over the years, the store established itself at the forefront of fashion, discovering important European and American designers. In 1972 when Goodman’s son Andrew sold the business for $12.5 million, Bergdorf Goodman was the only independently owned high-end department store in the United States. In 1997, the penthouse atop the store where the Goodmans had lived was converted into the John Barrett Salon and the Susan Ciminelli Day Spa. This, in addition to house wares and many other departments plus a separate men’s store opened in 1990 across the street, has made Bergdorf Goodman the shopping destination it is today. !
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2/15/11 11:44 AM
UNLOCK THE SECRET of Korean herbal medicinal skincare
Visit the Sulwhasoo boutique at Bergdorf Goodman Beauty Level to experience the benefits of Herbal Medicinal Skincare and receive a complimentary deluxe sample trio. For more information, contact 212-872-8726
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© February 2011 AMOREPACIFIC US, Inc.
Bergdorf Goodman brings you exclusive access to beauty traditions of the East with Korea’s number one prestige skincare brand. Sulwhasoo draws from ancient wisdom to balance Yin and Yang energies essential to restore healthy looking skin.
2/15/11 11:41 AM
cricket’s crush
CHIC STACK Who says that the house of Hermès has the final word on all things ladylike and delicate? Take a
bangin’ bangle bracelets, the perfect combo of
look at these
restrained minimalism and
exuberant
color. Created from high-sheen lacquer or hand-tooled leather over wood, these
head-turning wrist adornments are on my
obsession list.
Each is
discreetly marked “Hermès” on the inside for posterity (not that I care about labels). Pile them on, starting at $225 a pop, and experience an armful of pleasure!
Ariodante and Assam lacquered wood bracelets and Astral leather bracelets by Hermès, www.hermes.com
For more of Cricket’s crushes, visit www.avenueinsider.com
MARCH 2011 · AVENUE MAGAZINE | 41
Prince of Prep by PETER DAVIS
At only 28 years old, Chris Benz is poised to take his place alongside great American designers like Geoffrey Beene, Michael Kors and Ralph Lauren. Mixing casual comfort with bold colors and sophisticated details, his pieces attract everyone from PYTs to the grand dames of Hollywood. Here with cover girl and muse Mickey Sumner, Benz offers a sneak peak at his new collection—the latest to showcase his fun, modern take on this country’s classic style. photographed by GRAY SCOTT styled by CRICKET BURNS
Hair by ANTONIO VELOTTA and makeup by JENNY ALVES for LE MÉTIER, both for THE JOHN BARRETT SALON
On Chris Benz throughout: Jacket by Brooks Brothers. Jeans by Levi’s. Shirt by J.Crew. Tie by Hermès. Sneakers by Nike. Bold Watch by Movado. 42 | AVENUE MAGAZINE · MARCH 2011
FEBRUARY 2011 路 AVENUE MAGAZINE | 43
F
ashion wunderkind and king of color Chris Benz has just re-dyed his spiky light-brown locks a rainbow of Manic Panic-hued stripes. The 28-year-old Seattle native’s punky hair is in contrast to the navy Brooks Brothers boy’s blazer he sports as he zips around his studio. He’s busy prepping his Fall 2011 collection, which is inspired by regular trips to Savannah, Georgia. Since launching his eponymous line in 2007, Benz has become the boy on the block to watch—designing American sportswear that brilliantly blends bright, bold color and quirky details with both classic and unexpected silhouettes. Following in the fashion footsteps of great American designers like Geoffrey Beene, Michael Kors and Ralph Lauren, Benz is Seventh Avenue’s next big star. Every season, Benz names each piece (mostly separates that can be mixed and matched to create a myriad of looks) after random things. For this upcoming collection, the names are taken from the women who went down on the Titanic—but the looks are far from a downer. Stunning shirts are elongated and flowing, wearable pants are attenuated and dresses and jackets have antebellum details. Benz’s signature is comfort, and while the line is sporty, every stitch is sophisticated and smart. Even the pointy witch hats (a collaboration with milliner Patricia Underwood) and the wild platform shoes by Alejandro Ingelmo are 100 percent Chris Benz: youthful, colorful and, most of all, fun. Being in Benz’s studio, stocked with his eclectic art, pottery and antiques from numerous flea markets and thrift stores, is like being in a candy store. You want to bring everything home with you. “Comfort is a big issue,” Benz explains, slouched on a couch with a Starbucks cup after yet another early morning. “No one needs anything except for a tee-shirt and jeans, really. So I think that with all of 44 | AVENUE MAGAZINE · MARCH 2011
our gowns and evening wear, it is really important to maintain that comfort level; they should be something you can breathe and move around in.” This aesthetic—the opposite of European designers who often make clothes that seem to have the same trapped effect on a woman as bondage—has gained Benz a diverse following of fans. From Kelly Osbourne to first daughter Malia Obama to Susan Sarandon and her own daughter, Eva Amurri, who is one of Benz’s muses, they all adore his pieces. Other girls in the Benz brigade include Elettra Wiedemann, the face of Lancôme beauty and daughter of Isabella Rossellini, and actress Mickey Sumner, the offspring of Sting and Trudie Styler. Benz’s babes are often found sitting on his stoop, just hanging out. He met Sumner through Wiedemann when they all lived in the West Village. “I used to walk past Chris while he was smoking on his stoop,” says Sumner. “There is nothing uptight about the man. And his line doesn’t discriminate between casual and dressy—it’s all there in his collection. You can be everything wearing his clothes. There is an ease to them that reflects who he is as a person.” “All my girlfriends, in one way or the other, fit the mold of my CB girl,” Benz says. “She doesn’t take herself too seriously; she has a sense of humor; she is casual and put together and has that American spirit.” Sumner’s career as a stage actress is taking off, and Benz admits to “bursting into tears” when he
Above: Black hand-beaded Eunice gown by Chris Benz. Platinum and gold plated sterling silver cuffs with patterned “diamond” texturing by Alex Soldier. Opposite page: Silk and cashmere color blocked polo and ginger rumpled linen multi-stripe Rhoda Skirt by Chris Benz. Shoes by Alejandro Ingelmo for Chris Benz. Trinity bracelets and Tank Francaise watch, both in 18-karat gold, by Cartier.
46 | AVENUE MAGAZINE 路 MARCH 2011
This page: Mickey Sumner wears the silk ruffled Petro Dewdrop print blouse and Heirloom Floral Safari trouser by Chris Benz. Shoes by Alejandro Ingelmo for Chris Benz. Pearl and platinumplated sterling silver “diamond” textured link necklaces and white gold and diamond Ball ring by Alex Soldier. MARCH 2011 · AVENUE MAGAZINE | 47
watches her perform. “Mickey is much more humble than anyone could hope to be with her family and background,” he notes. “Her personality is the complete opposite onstage than it is offstage, which is the coolest thing about her.” Growing up with his parents and younger brother on Bainbridge Island, a preppy haven off Seattle, Wash., Benz was constantly drawing with a box of Crayola crayons. “I’ve always been really artistic,” he says. “Both my parents worked, so I spent a lot of time with my grandmother. She was the classic WASP housewife, and she had a sewing machine so I learned how to sew. When it came time to decide where I wanted to go to college, fashion school seemed like a good marriage of all the things I liked.” Benz ended up skipping senior year of high school and enrolled at Parsons in 1999. While there, he interned for Marc Jacobs, roaming from the design department to PR, which he says was invaluable in learning the business of fashion. After graduating in 2004, he became a designer at J.Crew for three years—a period when the company was transforming from a preppy catalogue of basics to a real fashion label. “It was such a good balance for me,” he remembers, “from high fashion to the business of fashion.” In 2007, Benz decided to launch his own line—a big step for someone who was barely 24. “I would rather go for it in my 20s than be an emerging designer at 40,” he reasons. “I keep raising the bar for myself and my team every season.” Looking around the bursts of color and pop art in his studio, one can easily imagine Benz one day doing home décor, accessories and menswear—all areas he promises to explore. A focused and determined workhorse, Benz lets off steam by meeting friends for dinner at Sant Ambroeus (he hasn’t cooked once since moving to New York, literally) and sometimes hitting a nightclub to dance. “I like making plans,” he says. “Like going to the Upper East Side and having drinks at The Carlyle.” Although he still loves visiting his family in Seattle, after 12 years in Manhattan, Benz has become the quintessential New Yorker. “Seattle is completely irritating because everyone seems so nice,” he cracks with a sarcastic chuckle. “I can’t imagine living anywhere other than New York. I would always be having a panic attack, thinking I was missing something.” ! For more on Chris Benz, visit www.avenueinsider.com
Opposite page: Silk Ronda blouse and sweater and citronella Tonne skirt by Chris Benz. Pearl and diamond Chalma ring by Alex Soldier. 48 | AVENUE MAGAZINE · MARCH 2011
MARCH 2011 路 AVENUE MAGAZINE | 49
The Best Dressed New York’s
39 most stylish women
Style: you’re either born with it or you aren’t. Good taste can’t be taught, or bought. In Manhattan, socialites in expensive borrowed designer frocks may crowd the red carpet at every charity event, but the women who stand out aren’t poster girls for the latest fad. Rather, they’re trailblazers who start trends by just being themselves. It doesn’t matter if they’re 25 or 65; the chic gene is just part of certain women’s DNA. Whittling down our list of most stylish New York women was no easy task. But the names in this year’s round-up wowed us not only with a standout dress, but with their originality, distinctive personality and of course personal fabric factories’ worth of the most fashionable fashions we’ve ever seen.
Clockwise from left: Agyness Deyn, Georgina Chapman, Alexa Chung, Rachel Roy, Courtney Love, Linda Fargo, Daphne Guinness, Byrdie Bell, Carolina Herrera, Olivia Palermo, Genevieve Jones, Lauren Santo Domingo, Chanel Iman, Julia Restoin-Roitfeld, Marcia Mishaan and Kate Lanphear 50 | AVENUE MAGAZINE · MARCH 2011
JACKIE ASTIER
GEORGINA CHAPMAN
The Stylin’ Stylist
L
Ruler Of The Red Carpet
H
aving worked as a stylist for years, Jackie Astier’s personal look is perfection, mixing Mercer Street with Madison Avenue. She describes her taste as “late ’70s/early ’80s with a mix of Victorian,” yet Astier’s forward-thinking outfits are next season before it even hits the runway. She remembers her most fabulous fashion find with the fondness of a true collector: “I got the most gorgeous Balenciaga empire ivory gown for a song at 7th on Sale. I’m not sure I will ever wear it, but it’s hanging next to my wedding gown for my daughters to discover when they are older.” Lucky girls!
Jackie Astier
ooking at Georgina Chapman, who designs the lavish movie-star-favorite label Marchesa with partner Keren Craig, it’s hard not to imagine the knock-out being her own muse. But Chapman explains, “Our muse and namesake, Marchesa Luisa Casati, was a living work of art in all respects and was so daring and dramatic in the way she dressed—an ideal we strive to achieve in our collections.” Celebrities scoop up Marchesa dresses, knowing they are a guaranteed “wow” party entrance. Chapman’s own memorable moment was her 2007 wedding to film producer Harvey Weinstein. “I designed my own dress from over 250 yards of pineapple-plated, tulle which was hand-embroidered in India,” she recalls. “Lorraine Schwartz lent me antique diamond brooches to put in my hair. I go to quite a few black-tie events, but this was a once-in-a-lifetime moment.”
“It’s better to be overdressed than underdressed.” —Georgina Chapman
ANNE BASS Always En Pointe
A
Anne Bass
nne Bass, director and producer of the ballet documentary Dancing Across Borders, dances to her own beat. Always refined and pitch-perfect when photographed, Bass recalls a fashion misstep with a laugh. “I wore a Saint Laurent evening dress of vibrant colors to an Armani dinner in Paris where, forecasting, the look of the next few years, everyone else was in black.” Bass’ motto is “less is more” and she warns against “too many accessories.” Right now, she says, “I find Prada very wearable and amusing.” And we find anything Bass wears chic and always on point.
Georgina Chapman
Byrdie Bell
BYRDIE BELL Night Owl
A
ctress and model Byrdie Bell may look like the all-American, blonde, preppy beauty, but this oft-photographed girl-on-the-go is equally comfortable in a punk leather jacket and Kohl-ed eyes as she is in a floor-length evening dress. “I’m not a big fan of ‘the look,’” says the chameleon-like social fixture. “It’s not good when everything from makeup to hair to jewelry to shoes are all considered to the point where nothing looks like it means anything to the person or will ever be worn again.” And don’t be fooled by her wholesome looks—Bell cites rocker Patti Smith as the most stylish New York woman. MARCH 2011 · AVENUE MAGAZINE | 51
TIA CIBANI
The Reluctant It-Girl
Bohemian Rhapsody
T
T
wenty-seven-year-old British transplant girl-of-the-moment Alexa Chung has many sides, including television host, Vogue cover girl, designer (for jeans-obsessed Madewell) and the first celebrity face for Lacoste’s “Joy of Pink” fragrance. Oh yeah, and she moonlights as a D.J. and contributing editor for British Vogue. Whether sexy in sequins, casually cool in French nautical stripes or demure in a Peter Pan-collared blouse and flowered skirt, Chung’s distinctive look is coveted by legions of fans that follow her every stylish, quirky, sometimes tomboyish turn.
Alexa Chung
he former creative director of Ports 1961, Tia Cibani now designs an adorable children’s clothing line called Kico Kids. An avid traveler, Cibani’s eclectic taste stems from her myriad trips around the globe. “The exposure to a multitude of cultures is what excites me the most and gives me inspiration to mix it up,” she explains. Cibani’s hero is Jackie O: “She was always chic, yet effortless. She was comfortable in her skin and it showed, carrying her with an undeniable simplicity and femininity.” Cibani warns women to never wear a gown with a long train, and she says her favorite of her 200-plus pairs of shoes is the simplest: black patent leather Alaïa pumps. Jackie Onassis would approve.
CHIARA CLEMENTE
“Shoes are the one thing that I have very little self control with. Funny how the thing that is the least visible is somehow the most important piece.” —Chiara Clemente
Multimedia Muse
A
s the daughter of painter Francesco Clemente, filmmaker Chiara Clemente grew up around artists in Greenwich Village, but she is most inspired by cinematic images. “My biggest influence would have to be films, especially Michelangelo Antonioni from the ’50s and ’60s. His women were always so strong, beautiful and elegantly dressed,” she says. “Nicolas Roeg’s Don’t Look Now is another one that has inspired me: the tweeds, floppy hats, knee-high boots. I even had a birthday party where red was the theme, and on the invitation there were images of the mysterious little blond girl in her red raincoat.” She refuses to wear fur, preferring everything from Giambattista Valli dresses to Ferragamo ballerina shoes from the ’70s to APC winter riding boots. Clemente’s mother, Alba, has already established herself as a style icon, and it would seem like mother, like daughter. “She has and will always have such a personal and elegant style,” Clemente says of her mom. “Once again, reminiscent of the films that inspire me.” 52 | AVENUE MAGAZINE · MARCH 2011
Tia Cibani
Chiara Clemente
©PATRICK MCMULLAN
ALEXA CHUNG
Poppy Delevigne
POPPY DELEVIGNE In Full Bloom
T
ransplanted English rose Poppy Delevigne cites her fashion influences: Alabama Worley from True Romance, Jean Shrimpton, Jane Birkin and Coco Chanel. “They were all truly effortless in the way they dressed,” she says. But back to Delevigne’s look: her best-dressed moment was “wearing an Alberta Ferretti couture wedding dress for a runway show in Florence, then wearing it to the party afterwards.” And while comfort and effortlessness are important to her, confidence is king. “Wear the dress,” she advises, “don’t let it wear you.”
“Don’t try to be a star, just be yourself.” —Mica Ertegün
“Look to the past or look to the future. Ignore the present.” —Lauren Santo Domingo
MICA ERTEGÜN The Classic
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Mica Ertegün
ica Ertegün, the Romanian-born interior designer whose marriage to the late great Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegün was the stuff of legend, believes that dressing well is a matter of good manners. “I never totally follow fashion,” she says. “I follow the trend, but do not believe in transforming oneself to the cry of the moment. I believe you have to feel comfortable, and not aim to be a point of attraction. One should take into consideration your age, your shape and your surroundings.” A confident dresser, she says, is not a slave to luxury labels. “You can be well-dressed in anything you buy, cheap or expensive. My closet is filled with clothes from way back to clothes of today, big names to no names. I mix old and new.”
AGYNESS DEYN LAUREN SANTO DOMINGO
Frock ‘n’ Roll
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Haute Couture Heiress
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ogue contributing editor Lauren Santo Domingo (her husband is Andrés Santo Domingo) just launched her own website, www.modaoperandi.com, an online trunk show that offers expensive, hard-to-get looks straight off the catwalk. A former model, Santo Domingo’s wedding dress was custom-made by Olivier Theyskens, who literally scissored off the never-ending train post-ceremony so Santo Domingo could dance the night away in Cartagena, Colombia. Her close chums include supermodel Karolina Kurkova, the boys behind Proenza Schouler and Anna Wintour, but she says the chicest woman she knows is her mother-in-law, Beatrice Santo Domingo, and her personal style icons are Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy and Nan Kempner: “They were a bit racy, very daring and never boring.” A lot like Santo Domingo herself.
Lauren Santo Domingo
ot since Linda Evangelista has a supermodel changed her appearance as much as Brit Agyness Deyn, who’s dyed her hair platinum blonde, blue-black and fire-engine red—not to mention shaving her head à la Sinéad O’Connor. Now living in the East Village, the tomboy beauty known for wearing scant makeup is a favorite of designers like Burberry, Armani and Vivienne Westwood, but lately Deyn has started to focus on her burgeoning movie career. “I find acting so liberating and freeing,” she says. “My dream is to work on a film playing a deep, complex character with great people to learn from and have a laugh with.” But don’t count fashion out of the big picture yet—Deyn and her younger sister Emily have collaborated on a line of t-shirts for the label Uniqlo.
Agyness Deyn
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LINDA FARGO Front Row Director
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s the senior vice president of Bergdorf Goodman, Linda Fargo knows what you’ll be wearing before anyone else. With her snow-white hair and red lipstick, she’s never too shy to make a statement. At The Metropolitan Costume Institute’s Anglo-mania ball, she donned a British Union Jack flag skirt emblazoned with the words “God Save the Queens.” “My hair was styled to the sky in a bouffant mohawk,” she remembers. “I am sure that it was my pride that was left on those long paparazzi-lined stairs that night instead of a glass slipper.” Being outrageous is why we love Fargo, so it’s no surprise that eccentric fashion icon Iris Apfel is one of her heroes. “I’m endlessly bowled over whenever Iris Linda Fargo appears. My God! The mix of it all. The daring! The artistry! The individuality! She’s her own creation.” Sounds like Fargo could be describing herself.
DIANE VON FURSTENBERG It’s A Wrap
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FDA President Diane von Furstenberg is also the design world’s comeback kid. After inventing the clingy, comfortable, must-have wrap dress and gracing the cover of Newsweek at age 29, von Furstenberg’s business crashed in the ’80s. Flash-forward to 1997 and she’s reinvented herself, later opening an enormous and modern headquarters in the Meatpacking District near her petproject, the High Line. “I design for a woman who loves being a woman,” she has been known to say. As active and fit as ever, her fashion advice is simple: “Don’t wear anything you cannot move in. Knowing how to move in your clothes is part of being confident.”
Diane von Furstenberg
“Some dresses require no underwear, or you’ll see it. Go commando or don’t wear the dress.” —Anne Grauso
DAPHNE GUINNESS Sartorial Shocker
ANNE GRAUSO The Transformer
Daphne Guinness
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nne Grauso has become one of the most daring women on Manhattan’s style scene. She mixes it up with her radar honed to what will be hot in the coming months. “I look at what young designers like Serkan Sarier for Brood, Christian Cota and Alexander Wang are showing because those trends are coming next. Then I incorporate Anne pieces and ideas from their collections. Grauso I try to stay ahead of the trends.” Grauso also has a few rules: “One, don’t wear a hat indoors, unless it’s very small and you can handle it, or remove it, if necessary. Two, when complimented on what you’re wearing, don’t offer the designer, price or where you found it—unless asked. And three, focus on accessories—make them interesting and fun.”
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eemingly overnight, brewery heiress Daphne Guinness has become the biggest fashion influence in New York, with even Lady Gaga citing her as an inspiration. Designers and bloggers fawn over her. Yet Guinness marches to her own beat, wearing her late friend Alexander McQueen’s creations, Chanel haute couture (Karl is a pal too, bien-sur) and jewelry that resembles armor. No wonder Steven Klein shot her for Vogue Italia, Comme des Garçons created a perfume with her called (what else?) Daphne and NARS Cosmetics has a collection of makeup devoted to her. “I am not an eccentric,” Guinness has said. “And I am not some sort of multitrillionaire just interested in buying clothes.” With her, fashion becomes a living piece of performance art. A true curator, she bought the late Isabella Blow’s complete wardrobe before it was to be sold at auction and soon Guinness’ extensive collection of haute couture will be on display this September at F.I.T. If there were an Academy Award for Best Dressed, it would certainly be called “The Daphne.”
CHANEL IMAN
CAROLINA HERRERA
Catwalk Queen
The Icon
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ith a name that references a famed designer (her mother’s favorite) and a pioneering supermodel, Chanel Iman (née Chanel Iman Robinson) was born to strut the catwalk. The child of a Korean and African American mother and an African American father, Iman wanted to model since she was a toddler. She even named her dog Louis Dior. From luxury brands like Valentino, Ralph Lauren (whom she considers the most stylish New Yorker) and Bottega Veneta to the Gap and H&M, this Victoria’s Secret Angel makes everything look good. When not posing, Iman helps out with the L.A. boutique she opened with her fashionobsessed mom. As for her personal collection, her shoes are “uncountable” and her closets (yes, plural) are bulging. “Don’t limit yourself,” she advises. “Wear what makes you feel good.”
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arolina Herrera has dressed countless movie stars and socialites, but it is her own classic image that is the most indelible. Known to wear a simple white men’s style shirt with her own long skirts, Herrera defines simple chic. “Style is not about clothes, it is how you live, what you read and the things you love,” says the Venezuelan beauty. A onetime staple amongst Warhol’s “beautiful people,” Herrera is never seen at discos anymore—but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t like to have fun. “I never wear a watch at night,” she confesses. “So I don’t know when midnight strikes!”
Chanel Iman
“Don’t wear anything that doesn’t fit you and don’t show your flaws.” —Carolina Herrera
GENEVIEVE JONES Downtown Jewel
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ewelry designer Genevieve Jones races from uptown black-tie benefits to rock ‘n’ roll den Don Hill’s and still stands out as the coolest girl in the room. The key to her success (besides being best buddies with countless designers) is all in the shoes. “I keep about 10-to-15 pairs in my closet per season. I like to wear shoes of the moment because shoes and accessories can really make an outfit,” she explains. “No amazing new dress will look good with old worn-out shoes.” Jones, who grew up in New Orleans, would watch “Style with Elsa Klensch” as a little girl. “I was obsessed with her. I would absorb everything she said. She definitely played a big role in my love affair with fashion.”
Carolina Herrera
DELPHINE KRAKOFF Designing Woman
Genevieve Jones
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Delphine Krakoff
hough interior designer Delphine Krakoff prefers to keep the spotlight on her high-profile husband, Reed Krakoff—president and executive creative director of Coach and his own self-titled line—she still shines bright. Before starting her firm, Pamplemousse (“grapefruit” in French), the Parisian-born-and-educated businesswoman worked for luxury design houses Vuitton, Dior, Coach and Polo Ralph Lauren. But Reed remains her primary fashion influence, and her best-dressed moment is, she says, hands down, “the first time my husband made me a dress.” For vintage, she swears by Scarlett on rue Clément Marot in Paris. “My absolute favorite!” she gushes. Her cautionary advice: “Don’t dress head-to-toe in the latest collection of a given designer to try and look like a page in a magazine.” MARCH 2011 · AVENUE MAGAZINE | 55
MARIE-JOSÉE KRAVIS
BLAKE LIVELY Style Starlet
The Powerhouse
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arie-Josée Kravis and her billionaire financier husband Henry Kravis sit among the top of the heap in New York, donating tens of millions of dollars to cultural institutions like MoMA, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Lincoln Center (not to mention medical facilities like the recently opened Mount Sinai Cardiovascular Research Institute). “First and foremost, Marie-Josée Kravis is a truly substantive woman and an inspirational philanthropist Marie Josée who has greatly enriched the Kravis cultural landscape of Manhattan— among so many other things,” says Vogue European Editor at Large Hamish Bowles. “In style terms she is also an enduring inspiration, and one grasps for superlatives to capture a sense of her preternatural poise and chic. Suffice it to say that she is the possessor of superb good taste, never less than impeccable, the essence of distinction. She sets the bar very high indeed.”
“Don’t pay any mind to someone else’s don’ts.” —Kate Lanphear
Red Hot
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Blake Lively
STEPHANIE LACAVA
KATE LANPHEAR lle Style Director Kate Lanphear has droves of devoted followers. Street style photographers snap her every outfit—and Lanphear, with her signature pin-straight blonde hair and edgy clothes (think rocker t-shirts with Givenchy), never disappoints. Although routinely seated in the front row at fashion shows, Lanphear finds inspiration all over the city. “I am fascinated by how real women dress,” she says. “I think you’d be hard-pressed to find many women in New York who aren’t stylish. I am endlessly inspired here.”
ossip Girl” glamazon Blake Lively has risen from T.V. star to a favorite of Vogue and everyone from Karl Lagerfeld to Christian Louboutin, who named a strappy shoe “The Blake” after meeting her in Paris. The Californiabred blonde manages to balance youthful cool with a sophisticated twist, like when she wore short shorts and a sequined Chanel jacket to meet Lagerfeld. “Chanel is my favorite,” Lively has gushed on numerous occasions. “Just classic black-andwhite outfits that are sheer Audrey Hepburn.” Lively’s looks are always head-turning and often provocative— helped by the fact that she has longerthan-long legs and a bod that has made her a sex symbol. “Everybody has such different bodies,” she’s said. “You have to think of your favorite few outfits and say, ‘What is it about these outfits that I like on my body?’” Well, Blake, we can’t think of anything that wouldn’t look beautiful on your curves.
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Kate Lanphear
tyle scribe Stephanie LaCava certainly knows her Fashion 101, and it shows. The flame-haired (now bleached blonde) LaCava always looks good, whether dressed down or done up for the front row. “On a recent trip to Paris, I felt so at ease and at home wearing a Balenciaga motorcycle jacket, navy V-neck jumper, jeans and camel heels,” she recalls. “That’s my Cinderella moment. Sometimes when you’re too dressed up, it’s too preening stepsister.” LaCava sees clothes as works of art, like a vintage floor-length Lanvin cape her father found on eBay and gave her for her 22nd birthday. “He’s taught me everything about treasure hunting,” she says. Amongst LaCava’s treasures? “A pair of red-andwhite polka dot Manolos I wore when I first met my husband.” Stephanie LaCava
Courtney Love
COURTNEY LOVE
JENNA LYONS
The Makeover Maven
The Mix-And-Match Maker
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rom diving into mosh pits in tattered baby-doll dresses to showing up at fancy charity events with an Upper East Side coif and an evening dress, Courtney Love has miraculously left behind punk princess to become a pristine Park Avenue society staple. A social networking, twittering cyclone of ideas and opinions, Love is so in love with clothes that she created a blog detailing her everyday outfits called “What Courtney Wore Today.” Although she just released her fourth album with her band Hole, Love has ditched her rocker duds for high fashion. “I got my first Birkin at age 45,” she says of the Hermès status bag. “It’s kind of tragic when you think about it. For my next Birkin, I’ll go to Paris and order it myself.” Love may still chain smoke cigarettes and swear too much, but now she does it in Lanvin, Marchesa and Chanel.
uring her two-plus decades at J.Crew (she became president in July 2010), Jenna Lyons has re-invented the brand—taking it from a back-to-school catalogue for boarding school kids to a real fashion label with new specialty stores (J.Crew Bridal!) sprouting up on Madison Avenue. “I have a hard time with the word ‘preppy,’” Lyons has said. “To me, it’s a way of styling.” Lyons is a master of creating unusual looks that work, mixing sequins with paint-splattered pants. Her knack for mixing and matching has landed her on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and influenced First Lady Michelle Obama, who famously wore a J.Crew cardigan with an Alaïa dress. To get Lyons’ look, go to J.Crew’s website where “Jenna’s Picks” has a cult following.
Jenna Lyons
©PATRICK MCMULLAN
“For years, despite having impeccable taste, I didn’t understand how to convey it.” —Courtney Love
Julie Macklowe
JULIE MACKLOWE The Prom Queen
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orn in Aspen and raised in Arizona, hedge fund manager Julie Macklowe is putting her funds (and flair) into clothing, having just launched a company that will make seed investments in fashion businesses. Macklowe, who has an easy smile and loud laugh, likes to take risks. She caused flashbulbs to go crazy when she arrived at the 2009 Costume Institute Gala in an enormous, floor-sweeping Oscar de la Renta dress. Macklowe’s the antithesis of a wallflower, standing out wherever she goes, whether in the vintage Alexander McQueen she scored on eBay or a Jason Wu gown. And she pays for it all, too—no borrowing dresses for this belle of the ball. Macklowe’s advice to aspiring style daredevils? “Don’t wear what you’re not comfortable in since it’s ultimately reflected in how you wear it.” MARCH 2011 · AVENUE MAGAZINE | 57
MARCIA MISHAAN
SHALA MONROQUE
The Trendsetter
Work Of Art
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etween curtain calls at a benefit concert, Elton John gazed at Marcia Mishaan from the stage and exclaimed, “I like your dress.” Despite countless compliments for her impeccable, fearless globetrotting style, the Canadian-born beauty admits, “That was pretty special.” The wife of interior designer Richard Mishaan counts Yves Saint Laurent and Vivienne Westwood as her go-to designers and feels like the belle of the ball any time she dons Oscar de la Renta or Naeem Khan. She likens her closet to the United Nations: “It’s filled with items from my travels—objects of desire and adornment,” she explains. “Dress to please yourself and have a bit of humor and fun experimenting with looks. After all, its only fashion, not open-heart surgery,” Mishaan says.
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earless, youthful and totally individualistic, Shala Monroque, the girlfriend of art world kingpin Larry Gagosian, has become an overnight fashion and social it-girl. St. Lucia-born Monroque counts Diana Ross, Miuccia Prada, Nina Simone, Bob Marley and Bob Dylan as her idols, and once defined her personal style as, “Ummm . . . moody.” Expect the unexpected with Monroque: in a sea of charcoal grey, she’ll be the one wearing bright banana yellow. When she isn’t shopping in her favorite city, Marrakech, you might spot her at her beloved Prada on Broadway or else blogging about art, life and inspiration for Pop magazine.
Shala Monroque
Marcia Mishaan
Empress Of Elegance
Show Stopper
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nderstated and elegant and atop one of New York’s most prominent fashion dynasties, Annette de la Renta is the city’s own first lady. Not one to talk about style—her passions lie elsewhere—she simply exudes it. She sits on the boards of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York Public Library, Rockefeller University and the Morgan Library, and became the guardian of the late social doyenne Brooke Astor. Besuited or bejeweled, or just the right combination of both, she is the perfect complement to husband Oscar de la Renta, the favorite designer for many a first lady.
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Olivia Palermo
he may have played the mean girl on MTV’s defunct reality show “The City,” but Olivia Palermo is the sweetheart of the style set, both in New York and overseas, where Tatler crowned the Greenwich/Manhattanbred beauty “Girl of the Year.” Influenced by classic Hollywood movies, Palermo effortlessly blends streetwear from Topshop with clothes by friends like Rachel Roy and Georgina Chapman of Marchesa. And like any PYT, she covets shoes and jewelry (she even designed a small line of baubles for Roberta Freymann in 2010). Always busy, Palermo is currently working on a new reality show that will focus on the development of her own fashion line. Her advice to her tens of thousands of fans: “A great accessory is always important,” Palermo says. “I have quite a few pairs of shoes, but my favorites would be my Stubbs and Woottons and French flat soles. For a fabulous heel, Charlotte Olympia is No. 1 in my book.”
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Annette de la Renta
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OLIVIA PALERMO
ANNETTE DE LA RENTA
RACHEL ROY
KATE SCHELTER
Beauty By Design
Preppy Party Princess
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t doesn’t hurt that stunner Rachel Roy is the perfect model for her ultra feminine creations. Roy designs for powerful females like herself who value making bold statements when they enter a room. “I love strong, creative women who are not afraid to be trailblazers and individuals,” she says. “They dress for the mood and spirit that they are in, as opposed to the trends.” Roy describes her look as “classic with a twist.” Don’t expect any plain Janes wearing her designs. “If you want the girl next door, go next door,” she advises.
ashion stylist and brand consultant Kate Schelter lives for visuals. She says her biggest influences, in addition to friends and her mom, are “books, blogs and, most of all, pictures from the past. Images are indelible.” Schelter, who is getting married this summer in Tuscany, is reminiscent of a Fitzgerald character—a carefree blonde beauty dancing barefoot in a ball gown. And her unfussy, yet bold and colorful clothes reflect her fun, free attitude. “Only buy something you would wear this instant, today or tonight out on the town. Otherwise you won’t ever really want to wear it,” she advises, adding, “Less is more. Buy better, buy less.”
“Being trendy is already being fashion-behind.” —Julia RestoinRoitfeld Kate Schelter
JULIA RESTOINROITFELD French Fatale
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Rachel Roy
Julia RestoinRoitfeld
eing the daughter of former French Vogue Editor in Chief Carine Roitfeld means that le chic runs through your veins and Julia Restoin-Roitfeld has carved a niche for herself as the French girl who won over New York. The graphic designer has modeled for Tom Ford and was just named the face of Lancôme, with ads shot by family pal Mario Testino. A graduate of Parsons School of Design, Roitfeld walked in Tom Ford’s super secret, celebrity-studded women’s fashion show alongside Beyoncé and Julianne Moore. “The outfit was designed for me, made to measure, and looked amazing. I got to wear it for only 10 minutes. As soon as I was done with my walk, I had to strip out of it and give it away—what a big, quick and amazing moment.” Roitfeld remains close with her brother Vladimir, a gallerist, and her mother, who she looks up to. “She manages to be sensual and sexy, yet always elegant.” Julia is definitely a chip off the block. MARCH 2011 · AVENUE MAGAZINE | 59
EUGENIA GONZALEZ RUIZOLLOQUI Menswear’s Muse
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ugenia Gonzalez RuizOlloqui, who hails from Mexico, is the public relations princess of menswear designer Michael Bastian, and also the muse for his first collection of women’s clothing for the Swiss label Gant. A fashion glossy favorite, Gonzalez says her two grandmothers “provide Chloë endless inspiration” and Sevigny that she has so many shoes (heels by Thakoon are her current favorite) that she keeps a back stock in her parent’s house in Mexico. A fashion moment she will never forget? “Wearing a vintage Bill Blass gown to the CFDA Awards—pulled straight from the archive.”
CHLOË SEVIGNY Downtown Diva
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hen she was a teenager, actor/clothing designer Chloë Sevigny was dubbed the new “itgirl” by author Jay McInerney in a seven-page article in The New Yorker. Modeling gigs and a role in photographer Larry Clark’s controversial film Kids followed. Sevigny, who grew up in preppy Darien, Conn., but rebelled against the country club crowd by skateboarding and shaving her head, now says she’s most influenced by elaborate Victorian fashion. When not acting, Sevigny’s attention is turned to (what else?) fashion. She’s designed three collections for Opening Ceremony, the epicenter of cool kid clothes. No surprise here: As a child, she sewed her own outfits. And although she sports designer dresses to premieres and awards shows, Sevigny’s quirky style is more second-hand than haute couture. “I still prefer to buy vintage over spending it all on one designer,” she has said.
“Beauty without intelligence is a masterpiece painted on a napkin.” —Mary Alice Stephenson Eugenia Gonzalez Ruiz-Olloqui
MICKEY SUMNER The Sting Of Style
Mickey Sumner
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xotic Mickey Sumner, the daughter of Sting and Trudie Styler, is an actress—and her ability to assume different roles shows in her ever-changing looks. “My mum was a pretty big influence when I was growing up,” she says. “And then I got rebellious and went through a very grungy moment, and then had a hippy moment and now I like to buy clothes that feel as if I’ve always owned them—timeless. I dress depending on my mood; some days very girly, others more tomboyish. I love anything made by the designers Isabel Marant, Lanvin, Rodarte, Chris Benz and the gorgeous French line Heimstone.” A muse (and best friend) of Chris Benz, Sumner won’t reveal how many shoes she owns, but will admit that her favorite is “a pair of studded moccasin boots that I stole from my mum who wore them in the ’80s. They are amazing. I have to get them repaired every year because the leather is so thin.”
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MARY ALICE STEPHENSON Charitably Chic
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s a stylist to the stars, television personality and philanthropist, Mary Alice Stephenson barely has time to strap on her Alejandro Ingelmo shoes let alone manage to look amazing every time she leaves the house—but she does. It helps that she’s always smiling. “Nothing looks good on a bitch,” she says. Stephenson uses her love of clothes to help others. “As the National Fashion Ambassador for the Make-AWish Foundation, I get to harness my love for fashion and beauty to make fashion dreams come true for kids who have battled life threatening illnesses,” she reports proudly. When asked what women she finds truly chic, Stephenson is very democratic. “I admire all the women on this list and anyone who wears sequins in the sun and their heart on their sleeve.”
HARLEY VIERA-NEWTON D.J. Doll
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hen not modeling (she is a beauty ambassador for Dior), photography buff and D.J. Harley Viera-Newton can be found spinning tunes at the most fashionable parties in town. Accordingly, she’s inclined towards rocker looks—her British father is the president of Columbia Records and her mother is a co-founder of Tom Binns’ haute-punk jewelry line—spliced with some fancy labels. “I tend to gravitate towards black boots with a massive heel,” she admits. Harley Viera“I’m obsessed with my new Charlotte Newton Olympia Gothika boots.” But just because she may dress more Bunker than Bilboquet doesn’t mean the California native doesn’t like to glam out. “I wore an incredible Versus dress I’d been pining after forever to a Chanel event in the fall,” she remembers fondly. “That was really fun.”
“Don’t force a trend.” —Harley Viera-Newton CLAUDE WASSERSTEIN Casual Chic
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Mary Alice Stephenson
all, willowy and effortlessly elegant, Claude Wasserstein is as modest as she is chic. The ex-wife of late billionaire Bruce Wasserstein says her style influences are many. “I get inspired everywhere, from designers like Schiaparelli and Chanel and, right now, Nina Ricci to a fabulous piece of art that makes you think of colors in a different way,” she explains. One thing Wasserstein can’t abide: “Dressing for who you are not.” Her closet, like that of the late, great fashion plate Nan Kempner, is obsessively well organized and color-coordinated. “I love having my clothes all in order,” Wasserstein says with a smile.
Claude Wasserstein
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The Woman Warrior After fleeing Iraq in 1990, Zainab Salbi left behind her oppressive childhood in Saddam Hussein’s Presidential palace for a new beginning that eventually landed her in the power seats of Washington, D.C., and New York City. Since then, she’s spent her life helping other women across the globe make their own fresh starts. The founder and C.E.O. of Women for Women International talked with Holly Peterson about the gender wars, war-torn countries and how empowering women may just be the key to peace and prosperity for all.
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Zainab Salbi grew up witnessing Saddam Hussein’s mercurial power plays not from the sidelines with the rest of the Iraqi nation, but from a seat at his dinner table at the Presidential palace. Her father served as Hussein’s pilot and her family remained in his inner circle throughout her childhood. “Being close to the devil did not mean we were safe from danger,” Salbi says thoughtfully. “It meant we were actually that much closer to it.” Luckily, Salbi escaped Iraq in 1990 and now keeps company with the likes of Dina Powell, Gloria Steinem, Jennifer Buffet, Pat Mitchell and many other prominent New Yorkers. As founder and C.E.O. of Women for Women International, she has devoted her life to teaching women in conflict areas to remain silent no longer: to find their own footing and gain independence in the most war-torn countries of the world, from Afghanistan to Congo to Sudan. Her powerful organization has helped more than a quarter of a million women obtain an education and career development guidance—and a million families thrive. Now, the State Department, the Clinton Global Initiative, on-the-ground NGOs and the entire policy community is catching on to Salbi’s orthodoxy: that women reinvest a whopping 90 percent of their income in their families and communities, while men reinvest closer to 30 percent. Helping girls in conflict areas with education and helping mothers with micro loans to start businesses has a profound ripple effect—more stable local economies, lower HIV rates, delayed pregnancies by several years, lower infant mortality and better all-around health. But these problems are best addressed by including everyone in the solution, which is why Salbi describes her work as supporting a “global movement for women,” rather than a more restrictive global women’s movement. In her memoir, Between Two Worlds: Escape from Tyranny: Growing Up in the Shadow of Saddam, Salbi recalls a harrowing world where her family didn’t feel safe, even in their own home. In her current day life, Salbi transcends worlds, transforming people’s lives across the globe with her inspiring work. Here, she shares the moving stories that have shaped her life and those of the women she so tirelessly works to empower.
Right: Zainab Salbi, founder and C.E.O. of Women for Women International (WFWI)
HOLLY PETERSON: Isn’t there a historical religious figure associated with your name: a woman who spoke out against oppression? ZAINAB SALBI: Yes, I love her. When I
was a kid, I hated my name! I wanted to be Jasmine. And I was so upset at my parents for calling me such an old woman’s name. HP: You’ve spent half of your life so far speaking out against oppression of women. Why are you on this mission? ZS: Well there is the personal and the political. I think my grandmother planted it. She was orphaned at the age of 9, and married at 13 to a much older man. His was a very wealthy family, and the mother-in-law was the powerhouse so my grandmother was subservient to her. My grandmother made sure that all three of her daughters finished at least high school. The eldest was then married off, but the other two, my mother and her sister, finished college. My grandmother insisted that they work. So my mother was a working mother. She always talked to me about the oppression of her own mother and of other women. I also witnessed it myself living under Saddam Hussein’s regime— seeing my mother’s friends crying and whispering. Rape and violation of women were common under Saddam. My mother made me read Arabic women’s rights books and anti-slavery books like Roots. HP: So she was indoctrinating you. ZS: I never got it until much later in life. She would shake me
and say, “You’ve got to be strong and independent. You should never let anyone touch you or talk to you the wrong way. You should never learn how to cook or clean because no man should expect you to know that just because you’re a woman.” So at the age of 15 I decided to dedicate my life to helping women. Over the years, I came to America to study and then decided to do something through Women for Women International. What I have learned in my travels to Bosnia, Congo, Afghanistan and back to Iraq is that issues for women are the same: We are trying to break our silence. HP: What would breaking the silence mean?
ZS: Only if we break the vicious cycle of silence, do we have a chance to stop it. I learned that, ultimately, it’s about having the choice to stay, leave, work, not work, have kids, not have kids. When we don’t have economic opportunities, we don’t have choice. I see myself in all the women I interview, honestly. HP: What was the specific injustice that made you devote
your life to this? ZS: Growing up in Iraq, my father was Saddam Hussein’s
pilot. It wasn’t just a job—it was a friendship. The whole family was ordered to serve, not only my father. I called Saddam “uncle.” MARCH 2011 · AVENUE MAGAZINE | 63
Left: WFWI program participants reading sponsor letters in Congo
ZS: Yes. HP: And would then kill you? ZS: Not necessarily. But whether he killed you or not, you were destroyed as a woman if he touched you—socially destroyed, if not physically. His history of never being stopped when he wanted a woman terrified my mom. She needed to get me out. By the time she got the chance HP: What was life like so close
to Saddam? ZS: Saddam was like a poison gas
“Saddam was like a poison gas leaked into our house. We breathed him slowly and we resisted slowly and we died slowly in different ways.” —Zainab Salbi
leaked into our house. We breathed him slowly and we resisted slowly and we died slowly in different ways. But the devil is also a fallen angel, so there were a lot of normal aspects—we would dine with him. And then in the midst of what seemed to be a normal situation, he would mention that he just killed his best friend the night before or just bombed a place or raped a woman or killed his mistress. HP: How did you come to leave Iraq? ZS: My mother made that choice for me in 1990. She came
home one day and said, “There’s a marriage request for you and I ask you to accept it.” It was very weird because my mother was the liberal woman that I described, and she believed that I should fall in love and choose my husband. So I asked her, “Why?” She shook me and cried and said, “I beg you to accept it.” I didn’t understand. The marriage ended up being very abusive and I left after three years with $400 in my pocket and two suitcases full of designer clothes! [Laughs]. I resolved never to tell anybody about my past because I was so afraid that it was so associated with Saddam that people would not be able to see who I am. I also resolved to start a new life. I was very angry at my mother and felt betrayed by her. HP: Why did she do what she did? ZS: It took me nine years to have a conversation with her again. And it took her death by Lou Gehrig’s disease to understand that she just panicked. She had seen Saddam staring at me and heard him making remarks about me. HP: She was worried that he fancied you? 64 | AVENUE MAGAZINE · MARCH 2011
to tell me the truth, I had started Women for Women International and realized that my mother was no different than the mothers I had been meeting through my work in Bosnia and Congo and Afghanistan who were constantly offering me their daughters and telling me, “Take her. Maybe you’ll give her a better life than we could.” She did that through the only means that was available to her: marriage. HP: It seems that feminism in America has become passé. Many of the challenges have been overcome in this country, although there’s certainly still a lot of suffering. I feel very strongly that the women’s movement here should start focusing some of its energies overseas. Do you think American women can bond with all the issues that you’re talking about and be active in a way that will garner a lot of attention in this country? ZS: American and European women have accomplished a great deal, but we still have a long way to go. Marginalization, lack of access to a voice or resources and under-representation are global issues, as are violence and women being disproportionately impacted by poverty. I was meeting with a Sudanese government official not too long ago, talking about how to include more women in their government. He said, “Until and unless the U.S. delegation, the U.N. delegation, the European delegations come with 50 percent of their delegations women, stop talking to us about our own inclusion. You have work to do.”
But I do think that we are living in an evolving time. We’ve moved out of the national women’s movements of the ’70s and the ’80s, which really achieved a lot of legal changes. It felt different in different countries, but there was a lot of accomplishment worldwide. And now we are embarking on a new phase, which I would categorize as a global movement for women as opposed to a global women’s movement.
ZS: It’s a very common story: Rebels came, raped her and her
daughters. Her son was forced to spread his mother’s legs open. They asked him to rape his mom. He refused. They shot him in the feet. She talked about how she had hid under the bed when they first came, she was so scared. And she talked about how she doesn’t remember how many men raped her or her daughters; they surrounded them.
HP: What’s the difference? ZS: We need more men engaged in the discussion, to develop solid partnerships with them. It is not as simple as women being the victims and men the aggressors. This is really about balance. The issue now is women’s full economic role and participation. That’s because we now have data that directly correlates their economic contribution to economic growth and progress and stability in general. This discussion appeals as much to an American woman as an Afghan woman because all of us have experienced exclusion from full economic participation. HP: How does helping women help entire
communities in more impoverished places? ZS: For example, women reinvest 90 percent
of their income in their families and communities, compared to men who reinvest 30-to-40 percent. When women start a small or micro business, their first hire is usually their husbands. It’s a very smart move—they know they need to stabilize the family. HP: Tell me about the women you help. ZS: They have been my best teachers in life; they
have taught me humility. I started my work with Women for Women thinking I know it all, but every time I stood in front of these women I thought, God, I don’t know half of it. When a woman in Congo told me about the rape of her and her daughters, she said, “I’ve never told anybody that story but you.” I asked, “What do you want me to do?” She said, “If I could tell the story to the whole world I would, but I can’t. You can. You go ahead and tell the story.”
Above: Salbi in Rwanda
HP: She said go tell the story, just don’t tell the neighbors. ZS: Exactly. A year later, she was on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” telling the whole world, and the very neighbor she had been afraid of was greeting her officially and with respect because she had become a popular woman and a landowner. HP: What had happened to her?
When I met her, she was homeless. It’s an interesting case because she’s since stayed in what I call the “victim loop.” She would start a business and she would begin to stand on her feet, but then something would happen, re-trigger her trauma, and she would go backwards to point zero. It’s almost as if she believes that if she stays a victim, she will keep getting help. Even so, she made sure to push every one of her children forward in a positive way. MARCH 2011 · AVENUE MAGAZINE | 65
Right: Women on CIFI Farm in Congo Below: Registering a woman for the WFWI program in Nigeria
Her nine-year-old daughter wanted to be a nun because she believed no one would ever marry her. We got her on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” when she was 15 years old, going to school, she had a boyfriend. She now has hope that she will fall in love and get married. She wants to be a teacher. When I visited the son many years ago, there were a few pigs and chicken and goats and things like that, which means wealth.
in the world is to sponsor one woman at a time by sending her $27 a month and exchanging pictures and letters with her to help her get through that one-year program. HP: And how many women have you served? ZS: Over the past 17 years, 271,000 women. On average they have about five family members each, so over a million family members. HP: And will you spend your whole life doing this? ZS: Yes, my loyalty is to the cause of women’s rights. I don’t
believe the world will be a better place if women lead, but I think the world will be a better place if there are as many women as there are men leading it.
HP: Which countries do you work in? ZS: In Africa: Rwanda, Congo, Sudan, Nigeria; plus Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia and Kosovo. HP: And what exactly do you do there? ZS: We have women centers in conflict and post-conflict areas with the goal of helping women move from victims to survivors to active citizens and rebuild their lives—achieve a maximum level of self-reliance. We offer a 12-month program based on the idea that access to education plus access to resources leads to lasting change. Every woman in our program first learns about their rights, then vocational and business skills that help them get resources. HP: Then they graduate and become more self-sustaining members of society. ZS: Absolutely. The one thing that we ask every single person 66 | AVENUE MAGAZINE · MARCH 2011
HP: Do you feel like you’re roaming the earth because the Iraq you grew up with is so different, or do you agree with Mohammed who said, “Your real country is where you are heading, not where you are living”? ZS: I would say my home is where I am heading. So I’m not a nationalist by definition, nor am I loyal to one structure or one thing. It’s a cause. It’s about making this world a better place. HP: How are you going to get American women to
understand what you do? ZS: By tapping into our own silence. I remember sitting in a airport terminal in Chicago one day and an American woman said, “Are you with Women for Women?” She began crying and said, “I’m a sponsor. Her letters triggered my own story: My father was abusive. I never told anybody. Through communicating and learning about another woman’s horrible story, I was able to tap into my own pain and deal with it.” So I really believe American women have the most beautiful hearts. We have access to resources in this
“I don’t believe the world will be a better place if women lead, but I think the world will be a better place if there are as many women as there are men leading it.” —Zainab Salbi ZS: He took the men and the boys duck hunting once. They
surrounded a flock in two helicopters. I remember him opening the door of the helicopter and shooting. The ducks were screaming—they scream like us—and falling. And I remember him laughing. I cried and lost control in that moment, screaming that this was a massacre. And I forgot there were rules—we were never supposed to express our feelings at all. We were supposed to cry when he cried and laugh when he laughed. And I remember my mom running towards me, literally grabbing my head, shoving it in her chest and hushing me and looking nervously around at the soldiers lest they hear us. Another memory is of my husband talking with my parents about a man in prison whose wife had asked him for help. She begged him to release her husband, who was a very good friend of Saddam. And my husband said, “Don’t worry, tomorrow he will be at your front door.” The next day, he sent the body home in a box. And the third story is of Saddam yelling at my mom and her crying. So I grew up seeing that, seeing her try to commit suicide even though we were close friends with Saddam Hussein, in the elite of the elite of Iraq. That’s why I wanted to write my memoir [Between Two Worlds: Escape from Tyranny: Growing Up in the Shadow of Saddam, Gotham], because being close to the devil did not mean we were safe from danger. It meant we were actually that much closer to it. HP: How did you feel when he was executed?
Above: Salbi in Congo
country—not everyone, but a lot of people do. By connecting to another woman from another country, we’re doing something for American women and for America. At the minimum, it helps American women appreciate their lives better. It’s a humbling experience. HP: How do you feel when you look back at your life before coming to America?
ZS: There is part of me that hates him politically—I really think he’s the devil—but another part of me saw him as Amu, as an uncle. I would be lying if I told you I don’t have those personal feelings towards him. When I saw him come out of that hole, I was in a group of Iraqis and they were all cheering and laughing. I remember telling myself, I do not want to be someone who laughs at someone else’s misery, even though he is my enemy. And when I saw him executed, I cried because he was executed without a complete trial—and his trial would have been historically important for Iraq. It was a way to tell the history . . . HP: . . . to have justice. I agree.
ZS: I grew up in a dictatorship. Our house was bugged.
My parents would whisper in their own beds. There were no rules to the rules, and that’s very scary. HP: Tell me, what’s the worst thing you saw under Saddam?
ZS: And it was politically relevant to our future. I also cried because I knew him. This love/hate relationship with him is so interesting to me. I’m not too shy to talk about the complexities of both. ! MARCH 2011 · AVENUE MAGAZINE | 67
health
Good Night Dr. David Volpi of Manhattan Snoring & Sleep Center on Central Park West offers individualized treatment to ensure a restful slumber
W
ith 20 years of experience as an ear, nose and throat doctor, premier Manhattan physician Dr. David Volpi opened Manhattan Snoring & Sleep Center on Central Park West a year and a half ago. “I wanted to offer patients one place where they could be evaluated completely for snoring and/or sleep apnea,” he explains, “and then be offered multiple different treatment options that address the whole person.” Here, Dr. Volpi discusses the Center’s approach to comprehensive care, describes warning signs everyone should be aware of and dispels some common myths about what sleep disorders really indicate in terms of overall health.
What distinguishes the Center’s approach from that of others? Dr. Volpi: All too often what I heard from patients was that they’d go to their doctor with a complaint of snoring or sleep apnea and they’d send them for a sleep study and tell them to loose weight. I think what distinguishes the Manhattan Snoring & Sleep Center from a lot of other places is that we try to completely evaluate the patients and determine the exact cause of their problem and then come up with some treatment options that range from non-surgical to surgical. We try not to just tell someone one thing and then let them go away without really comprehensively trying to come up with a solution to their problem.
sleep apnea—to more comprehensive hospital procedures, including nasal and oral surgeries.
What are some warning signs that might indicate a sleeping disorder? Dr. Volpi: One of the obvious ones is that if someone complains about their loud snoring, but other problems associated with sleep apnea are chronic fatigue or daytime fatigue. Morning headaches, lack of concentration and decrease in libido are all common symptoms.
What types of treatment do you offer?
What can someone seeking help with their sleeping issues expect from an experience at Manhattan Snoring & Sleep Center?
Dr. Volpi: The treatment we offer ranges from minimally invasive office procedures—including a procedure called the Pillar Procedure, which is for snoring and
Dr. Volpi: The first thing they can expect is a complete history and physical examination to determine exactly what their problem may or may not be, and after that the
appropriate testing to pinpoint the diagnosis would be recommended to the patient, which can range from a consultation with another sleep professional to a sleep study. It may include an evaluation of the nose and sinuses with a CAT scan to determine if their airways are obstructed. Those are the initial evaluations to determine what’s going on with the patient.
What’s a common myth about sleep disorders? Dr. Volpi: The biggest myth that I’ve always found is when patients say: ‘Well it’s not affecting me.’ Life insurance companies place patients with sleep apnea in similar categories as two-pack-a-day smokers because their life expectancy is 5-to-10 years less than patients without sleep apnea. The incidents of heart disease, hypertension and stroke are significantly higher in patients with untreated sleep apnea. The myth is that it doesn’t really affect your life—but it affects your longevity. !
MANHATTAN SNORING & SLEEP CENTER 262 Central Park West I 20 E. 66th Street 212.873.6036 www.nycsnoring.com 68 | AVENUE MAGAZINE · MARCH 2011
Extraordinary back lit 4 door cabinet with exquisite figural inlays in exotic woods on sculptural base, Italy 1950s from Lobel Modern.
Defined by Quality & Design
THE SPRING SHOW March 9–13, 2011 March 9, Private VIP Preview Honoring Mario Buatta
March 10–13, Open to the Public March 11 & 12, Royal Oak Foundation Lectures Park Avenue Armory | 643 Park Avenue at 67th Street | New York City For details, show information and tickets, please visit avenueshows.com or call 646.442.1627
avenue shows *
March 2011 Exhibitors Antique American Wicker
Lynda Willauer Antiques
A Camilla Dietz Bergeron
The Manhattan Rare Book Company
Dallas W. Boesendahl
Marilyn Garrow Fine Textile Art
David Brooker Fine Art
Marion Harris
Dinan & Chighine
Michael S. Haber Ltd.
Domont Jewelry
Michael Pashby Antiques
FraMonT
Milord Antiques
Gallery 47
Moylan-Smelkinson/ The Spare Room
Gallery Afrodit
Newel, LLC
Gary Rubinstein Antiques
Ophir Gallery
Gavin Spanierman, ltd.
Pat Saling New York
Giraffics Gallery
Percy’s Silver
Glen Leroux Antiques Inc.
Robert Lloyd Inc.
Hamshere Gallery
Robin Katz Vintage Jewels
Hollis Reh & Shariff
Rumi Galleries
Il Segno Del Tempo
The Silver Fund
Jeff R. Bridgman American Antiques, LLC
Stephen Kalms
John Atzbach Antiques
Steven Neckman Inc.
Joyce Groussman Estate and Fine Jewelry
Sue Brown
John Jaffa Antiques
Waldmann Van Lennep
Linda Bernell Gallery
Yew Tree House Antiques
Lobel Modern
*Current as of February 16, 2011. Please check www.avenueshows.com for updates.
70 | AVENUE MAGAZINE · MARCH 2011
Show Schedule and Events Wednesday, March 9
Royal Oak Foundation
COURTESY, NATIONAL TRUST FOR SCOTLAND PHOTO LIBRARY
Private VIP Opening Night Preview Cocktail Party for AVENUE readers 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. RSVP to 646.442.1628 or preview@manhattanmedia.com New York School of Interior Design Benefit Honoring Mario Buatta at The Metropolitan Club 8:00 p.m. One E. 60th Street Tickets: 212.472.1500 x430 or gala@nysid.edu
Thursday, March 10 Show Hours: 11:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 11, continued
Mario Buatta
©PATRICK MCMULLAN
Designer Breakfast Panel Discussion 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Royal Oak Foundation Lecture 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
“The Influences of Mario Buatta” Legendary designer and honored guest Mario Buatta will join The New York School of Interior Design’s Judith Gura as she moderates a discussion of his incomparable work and legacy and how it has inspired the careers of panel members such as Ann LeConey, Barbara Ostrom, Guy Regal, Todd Romano, Susanna Salk and Scott Salvator.
“Tartan Tales: Stories from Historic Scottish Houses” Curt DiCamillo, Executive Director, National Trust for Scotland Foundation, USA, will lead a romping, fascinating tour through Scottish history.
Saturday, March 12 Show Hours: 11:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Royal Oak Foundation Lecture 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Friday, March 11 Show Hours: 11:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
“Mirror, Chrome, and Gin Fizz: Art Deco in Britain” Emily Evans Eerdmans, author, design and decorative arts historian, will discuss highlights of British Art Deco.
Designer Breakfast Panel Discussion 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
“Decorating with Antiques in the Modern World” In this signature program, TODAY Show contributor, author and design expert Susanna Salk will discuss the contemporary use of antiques with Alex Papachristidis, Alexa Hampton, Campion Platt and Maureen Footer.
Susanna Salk
JOHN GRUEN
To RSVP to Breakfast Panel events, please email full contact information as well as name and date of panel to designerbreakfast@ manhattanmedia.com.
To RSVP to Royal Oak Foundation lectures, please call 646.442.1626 or email royaloaklecture@ manhattanmedia.com with full contact information as well as name and date of lecture. Please note, space is limited and reservations are accepted on a first-response basis. You will receive a confirmation of your attendance, which must be printed out and presented to gain entrance to Royal Oak lectures.
MARCH 2011 · AVENUE MAGAZINE | 71
President Christopher J. Cyphers THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE NEW YORK SCHOOL OF INTERIOR DESIGN
Hilary & Wilbur Ross • Anne Eisenhower • Bunny Williams & John Rosselli BENEFIT CO-CHAIRS
request the pleasure of your company at a benefit honoring legendary designer
Mario Buatta and the establishment of the Mario Buatta Materials Atelier
Wednesday, March 9, 2011 Celebrate the opening of the AVENUE Antiques & Art at the Armory Show Cocktail reception from 5:00 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Park Avenue Armory at 67th Street Followed by dinner at The Metropolitan Club One E. 60th Street 8:00 p.m. promptly
Image credit: Mario Buatta Bedroom, Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse, 1980, Illustrated by Jeremiah Goodman. Image courtesy of Dean Rhys Morgan (www.deanrhysmorgan.com). 72 | AVENUE MAGAZINE · MARCH 2011
A Benefit for the New York School of Interior Design honoring Mario Buatta Wednesday, March 9, 2011 BENEFIT CO-CHAIRS
Hilary & Wilbur Ross • Anne Eisenhower • Bunny Williams & John Rosselli
Patrons Circle
Judith & Peter Price
David Scott
Patricia & Michael I. Sovern, Chair
Todd Alexander Romano
Terry Kleinberg, Faculty Trustee
Michael Bruno
David Scott
Arthur King Satz, President Emeritus
Dienst + Dotter
Stephen Sills Associates
Elliot & Janet Greene
Stark Carpet
Charles & Ann Johnson
Stephanie Stokes
Advisory Board
Richard Mishaan
Adam D. Tihany
Stanley Abercrombie
Charlotte Moss
Ilene Wetson
Christian P. Árkay-Leliever
The Shubert Organization
Robin Klehr Avia
Lynn & Robert Wankel
Jeannie Bochette Junior Committee
William N. Breger
Nina Morton, Chair
Michael Bruno
Benefit Committee
Amanda Essex
Mario Buatta
Bunty & Tom Armstrong
Georgia Howe
Clodagh
AVENUE
Ryan Lawson
Birch Coffey
Lars Bolander
Drew McGukin
Murray B. Douglas
John T. Christensen
Ana Meier
David Anthony Easton
Camilla Dietz Bergeron, Ltd.
Elizabeth Pyne
Anne Eisenhower
Alexander C. Cortesi &
Caroline Rafferty
Mica Ertegün
Louisa Ryan
Mariette Himes Gomez
Wendy Mackenzie Christopher J. Cyphers
Michele Safra
Michael Graves
Kathleen M. Doyle
Ashley Stark
Albert Hadley
Mr. & Mrs. Rodman Drake
Lilly Weekes
Gerald A. Holbrook
James P. Druckman
Thomas Jayne
ELLE DECOR
Wolfram Koeppe
Florian Papp
Board of Trustees
Jack Lenor Larsen
Ross & Austin M. Francis
Patricia M. Sovern, Chairman
Michael Manes
Kris Fuchs
Christopher J. Cyphers, President
Charlotte Moss
Gensler
of NYSID
Barbara Ostrom
Laura Hunt
Thomas N. Armstrong III
Sylvia Owen
Fred & Marcie Imberman
Elaine Wingate Conway
Charles Pavarini III
Robert & Ellen Israel
Alexander C. Cortesi
James Stewart Polshek
Lynn & Noel Jeffrey
Jill H. Dienst
John Saladino
Jodie W. King
Kathleen M. Doyle
Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill
Anne Korman
James P. Druckman
Alexandra Stoddard
Margo M. Langenberg
Ross J. Francis
Adam D. Tihany
Nicolas Luchsinger
Elliot Greene
Bunny Williams
Susan B. Nagle &
Jodie W. King
Vicente Wolf
Peter Bentel
Anne Korman
Thomas Pheasant
Susan B. Nagle
MARCH 2011 · AVENUE MAGAZINE | 73
avenue shows
March 9 Mario Buatta Benefit Committees FOR THE MARCH 9 benefit taking place at The Metropolitan Club, The New York
School of Interior Design has asked more than two dozen designers to create their own signature dinner table themes inspired by Mario Buatta’s prolific work.
JUNIOR COMMITTEE Amanda Essex A.T. Essex Interiors LLC A Play on a Fariy Tale . . . Prince of Chintz
Victoria Hagan Victoria Hagan Interiors www.victoriahagan.com Four Seasons Spring in Bloom by Victoria Hagan
Drew McGukin Drew McGuckin Interiors www.drewmcguckin.com Hintz of Chintz
Malcolm James Kutner Malcolm James Kutner Inc. www.malcolmjameskutner.com Testimony to the Tastemaker
Nina Morton NVM Interiors www.nvminteriors.com The Beauty of Blue and White
Amy Lau Amy Lau Design for 1st Dibs www.amylaudesign.com A large, contemporary wire tree by French Flowers is this table’s focal point
Louisa Ryan Stephanie Stokes Inc. www.stephaniestokesinc.com Library Chintz in Honor of the Printz
Michele Safra Michele Safra Interiors www.safradesigns.com Prince of Chintz Mario Buatta Loves Chinoiserie
Valerie Mead, Allison Davis, Elsie St. Leger and Michael Harold New York School of Interior Design Alumni Association www.nysid.edu Exuberance!
DESIGN COMMITTEE Keith Carroll Keith Carroll Design www.keithcarrolldesign.com Beauty, Color and Fun: A beautiful print, chic chinoiserie and whimsical monkeys
Richard Mishaan Richard Mishaan Design www.homerdesign.com www.richardmishaan.com A manly floral creation in the style of Mario Buatta
Eric Cohler Eric Cohler Design www.ericcohlerdesign.com
Susan B. Nagle Bentel & Bentel www.bentelandbentel.com Glitter, Glamour and Grandeur—but hold the Chintz
Julia Noran & Kevin Isbell The Editor at Large www.editoratlarge.com Inspired by the Mario Buatta bed sketch by Konstantin Kakanias for The New York Times Alex Papachristidis AP Interiors www.alexpapachristidis.com A whimsical, exotic tribute to the mix-master Campion Platt Campion Platt www.campionplatt.com A live model in color and flowers Todd Alexander Romano Todd Alexander Romano www.toddalexanderromano.com A riot of colour and floral chintz to honour the Prince of Chintz!
A Ellie Cullman & Tracey Pruzan Cullman & Kravis www.cullmankravis.com Homage to Mario Phillip Gorrivan Phillip Gorivan Design www.phillipgorrivan.com Les Printemps
74 | AVENUE MAGAZINE · MARCH 2011
David Negri & Bruce Sutka for DN Concepts Stark Carpet Corp. www.starkcarpet.com I’m Just Mad for Chintz: Andrea Stark and Ashley Stark
David Scott Davis Scott Interiors, LTD. www.davidscottinteriors.com Zest for Life! Timothy Whealon Timothy Whealon Inc. www.timothywhealon.com A Lifetime of Color . . . A Tribute to the Prince of Chintz Ilene Wetson Ilene Westson Art & Design, Inc. www.ilenewetsonartanddesign.com Dinner at Mrs. Springer’s Table Vincente Wolf Vicenete Wolf Associates www.vincentewolf.com Prince of Chintz Michael Zabriskie & Scott Salvator Scott Salvator Inc. www.scottsalvator.com Buattaful!
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ask hall f. willkie
The real estate expert shares his wisdom on . . . the importance of Fair Housing laws
A
s New Yorkers, we know that diversity is what makes our city so vibrant and productive. To protect everyone’s rights in housing, there are Fair Housing laws that apply to residential real estate transactions. There are federal laws (based on the Civil Rights Act and the Fair Housing Act) and there are New York State laws and New York City laws that govern Fair Housing. In New York City, we are required to adhere to all three. Specifically protected categories are Age, Citizenship, Familial Status, Handicap/Disability, Marital Status, National Origin, Occupation, Race, Religion, Sex, Sexual Orientation and Lawful Source of Income. The purpose of Fair Housing laws is to make certain that everyone is treated fairly and equally and not discriminated against. Although real estate brokers serve their clients in a fiduciary capacity, these laws supersede their obligation to clients. These laws are noble and good, and real estate agents are trained to ensure that customers and clients are treated according to law, which benefits all of us. !
Hall F. Willkie, President, Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales; hwillkie@bhsusa.com
76 | AVENUE MAGAZINE · MARCH 2011
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TAKES YOUR BREATH AWAY. Union Square Excl. Soaring S, N & E expos, prvt balc. 3BR, 2.5Bth, open loft-style chef’s kit, limestone MBth, fit ctr. $2.55M. Web#1176821 F. DeChabris, SVP/J. Kleinman, VP 212.381.6513/6563
HI FLR LRG 3BR W/VIEWS. 80s/Fifth Ave Excl. PW,1,728SF, LR/DA, large EIK, huge MBR with dress rm, maid’s rm. DM, lobby & elevator attendants, pets ok. $2.495M. Web#1874203 Eloise Johnson, EVP 212.381.3224
GORGEOUS 3BR/2.5BTH W/OPEN VIEWS. 74th/E Excl. Foyer leads to beaut LR/DR w/planted terr, open gourmet kit, gorg views, beaut mstr suite, hi flr. $1.999M. Web#1871751. Monica Podell, EVP 212.381.3231
AMAZING LOCATION. 70s/E Excl. Charming 5 rm, double height ceils in LR and great northern light. Newly renov 3BR, 3 bath and lrg vestibule. Don’t miss. $1.8M. Web#1922413 Louise Phillips Forbes, EVP 212.381.3329
SPACE AND ELEGANCE. Midtown E Excl. F/S condo w/ stunning city views from every rm. Gourmet open island kit, spa-like bath and wonderful amenities. $965K. Web#1242590 June Phillips, SVP 212.381.6511
n Halstead Property Connecticut, LLC We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin.
Halstead Property, LLC
How Luxury Real Estate Gets Real
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Go to halstead.com for the Full Luxury Portfolio Collection
2/18/11 12:19 PM
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RO G E R E R I C K S O N
DISTINCTIVE P R O P E R T I E S
PIERRE HOTEL: 5th Avenue & 59th Street. Own an entire Tower floor with ±5,000 square feet and be pampered by the hotel’s legendary service. Spectacular Park views. $25,000,000. WEB:H0016598
CARRIAGE HOUSE: A “WOW” from the moment you enter, this newly renovated 25’- wide home is spectacular. +10,000 square feet on 5 floors, garden and 2 “great” rooms with 20’ ceilings. $19,000,000. WEB:H0017249
WEST 69TH STREET TOWNHOUSE: Renovated 19 foot wide, 5 story
PREWAR PENTHOUSE: 79th Street, Lexington/Third. ± 3,000 sq ft duplex with ±1,000 sq ft planted and sun-flooded terrace. Wood burning fireplace, 3 bedrooms, full service. Superb value. $3,950,000. WEB:H0017375
23’ TOWNHOUSE OFF FIFTH AVENUE: 80th Street. Grand, 5 story home rich in detail on one of Manhattan’s finest blocks. 14’ ceilings, renovated, residential or commercial use. $18,500,000.WEB:H0017305
house steps to Central Park, 5 bedrooms, eat-in kitchen, sunny planted garden, even a professional recording studio. $8,450,000. WEB:H0017323
EAST SIDE MANHATTAN BROKERAGE I sothebyshomes.com/nyc 38 EAST 61ST STREET NEW YORK, NY 10065 T 212.606.7660 F 212.606.7661 ROGER ERICKSON SENIOR MANAGING DIRECTOR I T 212.606.7612 I www.roger-erickson.com Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. is owned and operated by NRT LLC. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a registered trademark.
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REPRESENTING MANHATTAN’S P R E M I E R P RO P E RT I E S
NIKKI FIELD
NIKKI FIELD, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT: 212.606.7669 KEVIN B. BROWN, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT: 212.606.7748 HELEN MARCOS, ASSOCIATE BROKER: 212.606.7747 JEANNE BUCKNAM, ASSOCIATE BROKER: 212.606.7717 ZOE HAYDOCK, SALES ASSOCIATE: 212.606.7727
CURRENT MARKET UPDATE AND EXCLUSIVE LISTINGS:
www.nikkifield.com
EAST RIVER COOP:
$15,000,000
RIVERFRONT DUPLEX:
$11,000,000
45 WEST 67TH STREET:
$8,700,000
1 WEST 67TH STREET:
$6,950,000
870 UN PLAZA:
$4,500,000
205 WEST 57TH STREET:
$4,500,000
535 PARK AVENUE:
$3,600,000
417 PARK AVENUE:
$3,600,000
860 UN PLAZA:
$2,750,000
860 UN PLAZA:
$2,650,000
870 UN PLAZA:
$1,775,000
505 WEST END AVENUE:
$1,650,000
SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY I EAST SIDE MANHATTAN BROKERAGE 38 EAST 61ST STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10065 I sothebyshomes.com/nyc NIKKI FIELD SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, ASSOCIATE BROKER I T 212.606.7669 I nikkifield.com Operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a registered trademark.
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Local Experts Worldw ide
MANHATTAN PROPERTIES
22 E 71ST ST: Spectacular 45’ wide limestone mansion designed by CPH Gilbert. 21,000± sq ft. $50,000,000 WEB: A0015884 Serena Boardman, 212.606.7611, Meredyth Hull Smith, 212.606.7683
116 EAST 70TH STREET: Triple mint 5-story
TOWNHOUSE OFF SUTTON SQUARE: Private
townhouse on celebrated block. 11 rooms, 12’ ceilings, 5 bedrooms, elevator, 2 terraces and garden. $26,000,000 WEB: A0017310. L. Beit, 212.606.7703
gated cobblestone street with own parking space. River views from all rooms. 4 bedrooms. $15,500,000. WEB: A0017423. Lee Summers, 212.606.7789
485 PARK AVENUE: Sun-flooded, high floor, 11-room prewar co-op offering a versatile layout. $10,000,000 WEB: A0017028. Serena Boardman, 212.606.7611, Brucie Boalt, 212.606.7702
15 CENTRAL PARK WEST: Extraordinary 5-room condo with spectacular landscaped terrace at NY’s most celebrated address. 2 bedrooms, 2½ baths. $8,500,000 WEB: A0017291 L. Beit, 212.606.7703
121 EAST 23RD STREET: Views, Lights, Location.
GREAT INVESTMENT PROPERTY: 21’-wide, 6-story mixed use building near Columbus Circle. $8,000,000 WEB: A0017416. M. Landegger, 212.606.7665, C. Mouterde-Berk, 212.606.7642
232 EAST 61ST STREET: Beautifully renovated 20’wide 5-story plus roof deck townhouse. 7 bedrooms, 6½ baths, 6,675± sq ft. $8,750,000. WEB: A0017411. Eva Mohr, 212.606.7736
511 E 82ND ST: Enjoy townhouse style living in an
400 E 67TH ST – THE LAUREL: Gorgeous 2 bedroom, 2½ bath with high ceilings and luxury features. World-class condo. $1,499,000. WEB: A0017431. Austin Schuster, 212.606.7797
303 E 57TH ST: Panoramic views from every room. 44th floor, 2-bedroom (convertible 3-bedroom), 3 baths, balcony. $1,250,000 WEB: A0017400. W. Hilliard, 212.606.7689, D. Senko, 212.606.7785
170 EAST 88TH STREET: Mint 2 bedroom, 1½
Gracious 3 bedrooms, 2½ baths condo with 2 terraces and floor-to-ceiling windows. $2,495,000. WEB: A0017442. Stan Ponte, 212.606.4109
intimate prewar co-op. Beautiful triplex with garden. $1,895,000 WEB: A0017465 Juliette Janssens, 212.606.7670, Allison Koffman, 212.606.7688
bath loft duplex with soaring ceilings and towns of warmth and character. $1,150,000 WEB: A0017453 Michele Llewelyn, 212.606.7716
MANHATTAN BROKERAGES I sothebyshomes.com/nyc EAST SIDE 38 EAST 61ST STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10065 T 212.606.7660 F 212.606.7661 DOWNTOWN 379 WEST BROADWAY, NEW YORK, NY 10012 T 212.431.2440 F 212.431.2441 Operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a registered trademark. Les Bords de l’Epte a Giverny, used with permission.
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PA L M B E AC H E X T R AO R D I N A RY P R O P E RT I E S
CRISTINA CONDON
MAGNIFICENT OCEANFRONT | $34.5M. WEB: 0074658
EXQUISITE LAKEFRONT ESTATE | $42.5M. WEB: 0075170
REMARKABLE IN-TOWN VILLA | $8.85M. WEB: 0075384
BREAKERS ROW CONDO & CABANA | $4.9M. WEB: 0075092
MIZNER MASTERPIECE | $29.5M. WEB: 0075280
PALM BEACH BROKERAGE | sothebyshomes.com/palmbeach 340 ROYAL POINCIANA WAY, SUITE 337, PALM BEACH, FL 33480 T 561.659.3555 F 561.655.2359 CRISTINA CONDON T 561.301.2211 | cristina.condon@sothebyshomes.com www.cristinacondon.com Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. is owned and operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, LLC. Sotheby’s International Realty® is a registered trademark.
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luxury
A Great Escape Just a short drive away in the heart of Pennsylvania’s lake region, find respite for mind, body and spirit at The Lodge at Woodloch
A
t the luxury spa resort, The Lodge at Woodloch, relaxing, restoring and rejuvenating the mind, body and spirit is both easy and attainable. With its 95-mile proximity to New York and Philadelphia, guests can escape from the hustle and bustle of the city by taking a short, scenic drive to northeastern Pennsylvania’s lake region. Set amidst stunning views of the Pocono Mountains, The Lodge has been recognized as one of the “10 Most Luxurious Spas in the U.S.” by Forbes.com. With fireplaces throughout and 58 spacious guest rooms and suites, The Lodge evokes the tranquil atmosphere of an intimate country estate. Enjoying a sunset and the quiet hum of the Rock Garden Waterfall is just one of the little luxuries city-dwellers can appreciate. Others include an array of body, face and couples spa treatments. To achieve true relaxation, guests are encouraged to take advantage of the luxurious 50-100 minute treatments, such as a Soothing Body Wrap, European Deep Cleansing Facial, Caviar Facial and Reflexology. For active visitors and nature lovers, The Lodge features an 18-hole
82 | AVENUE MAGAZINE · MARCH 2011
championship golf course, trails for activities such as biking, bird watching and snowmobiling and a lakeside dock for kayaking and fishing. Additionally, guests are offered a variety of classes held at the full gym, including yoga, t’ai chi, Pilates and kickboxing. Among the treetops, visitors are treated to a dining experience at the aptly named Tree, where the award-winning cuisine features organic and locally grown vegetables and naturally raised meats and fish. Tree also offers a full bar with an impressive selection of fine wines, spirits and ales. Recently, SpaFinder.com ranked The Lodge’s educational cooking demonstrations No. 1. With no minimum stay required, guests can experience The Lodge for an overnight or weekend getaway—or an extended vacation—depending on how harried the city has them. !
THE LODGE AT WOODLOCH
109 River Birch Lane I Hawley, Pa. 18428 866.953.8500 I www.thelodgeatwoodloch.com
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luxury
Industrious Design Whether renovating or building from the ground up, the distinctive designs and superb execution of Elias Associates Inc. creates an ideal place to call home What is unique about Elias Associates? We’re a full service design/build firm with extensive experience in creating and building distinctive and functional designs for projects of all sizes. Our ability to realize the creative vision of our design team places us in a select category of firms that are able to construct what they have designed. We build long-term relationships with our clients and with those whom we direct to execute our designs. We bring the entire dream to fruition, guiding, managing and delivering it on time and on budget. How long have you been in business and what do you offer? We’ve been providing exceptional service to a devoted clientele for more than 20 years. Projects have included city apartments, residences, corporate offices, hospitality and liturgic projects. We are a one-stop boutique where you will be shown the wonder of choices the design universe offers: the newest innovations, the greenest building materials, the most sumptuous fabrics, the most dazzling stones, exotic woods, the sexiest of leathers and so on. What is your process? Every space is analyzed for future function and customized to fit the client’s needs. We listen closely to our clients so the spaces they will ultimately call home are a reflection of their own style and personality. Every space is planned and executed to coordinate with each other and to exceed the client’s expectations. We don’t work with middle men, so we can be more efficient (and therefore less expensive) without compromising quality. We work with an open book system wherein the client is directly privy to all the hard cost bids and can participate (if they so choose) in the selection process. Our collaboration with state-of-the-art consultants and a guild of old world craftsmen produces the
A luxurious living room by Elias Associates Inc.
most memorable projects. From conception to completion, we are committed to overseeing every element of the design and construction process. What kind of style are you known for? The design vocabulary of our team encompasses classic, traditional, eclectic and contemporary styles. We strive to respond to the oftentimes conflicting demands of the architecture, the function and the personal preferences of our client. We create excitement, tension and balance through the juxtaposition of the various period styles, with modernism always a constant. Please describe what a “ground up” project by Elias is like. A “ground up” project means a clean slate
to work from. Unlike a renovation, a ground up project offers a multitude of design possibilities—creative optimization limited only by surrounding architecture, local ordinance and budget. Is there a recent job you’re particularly proud of? We designed a modernist addition to a turn-of-the-century shingle-style house. The scale, proportions and sleek material selections of the new all enhance the rugged beauty of the old. ✦
ELIAS ASSOCIATES INC. 105 Madison Avenue New York, N.Y. 10016 212.685.1550 elias@eliasinteriors.com
MARCH 2011 · AVENUE MAGAZINE | 83
real estate
Graham Spearman, Aidan Sullivan, Melissa Ziweslin, Lynne Brown and Lena Nusimow of The Rushmore sales team
At the Height of the Market
O
n a snowy Friday evening, the Rushmore sales team is gathered in a sprawling residence on the 38th floor of the building. The Midtown lights are colorful and intense, even through the flurries. The Rushmore has closed nearly $180 million in deals in 2010—more than any other new building in the city—and the Corcoran Sunshine sales team is being recognized for their record-breaking year. But between smiling and posing for the camera, they can’t help talking shop, and the photographer has to remind them a number of times not to look so serious. This is the second year in a row that they have been named No. 1, but working in the present market, there isn’t a lot of time for
84 | AVENUE MAGAZINE · MARCH 2011
self-congratulation. In December, StreetEasy.com and The Real Deal Magazine jointly named The Rushmore “the top-grossing Manhattan development of the year,” and the momentum doesn’t seem to be slowing. At one point during the fourth quarter of 2010, the team was averaging $1 million in deals per day. Current sales figures, however, only tell part of the story. “Buyers see the long-term potential of the area,” says Sales Director Melissa Ziweslin. The Rushmore is set upon Riverside Boulevard, an area bordering Hudson River Park that in recent years has been transformed by development and new green spaces. It’s already blossoming with services, but a more significant investment is in the works.
JOSH LEHRER
For the second year in a row, AVENUE and Corcoran Sunshine have named The Rushmore the top-selling sales team
“Riverside Center is poised to change this location in many of the same ways that Time Warner Center changed Columbus Circle.” —Beth Fisher, Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group A few blocks south of The Rushmore, Extell Development Company has received zoning approval for Riverside Center, an 8-plus-acre parcel of waterfront land that will include residential buildings, 3 acres of green public space, an elementary school, shopping, dining and a movie theater. “Riverside Center is poised to change this location in many of the same ways that Time Warner Center changed Columbus Circle,” says Beth Fisher, senior managing director of Corcoran Sunshine Marketing Group. “Our purchasers recognize the benefits of living in an area that continues to appreciate.” Still, the Rushmore team’s focus remains in the here and now. As they drift into conversation about a deal in play, the photographer calls to get their attention: “Guys, look here and smile!” !
EVAN JOSEPH
Above: The Rushmore (center) on Riverside Boulevard
Right: The expansive lobby
MARCH 2011 · AVENUE MAGAZINE | 85
CASTLE IN THE SKY 3URVSHFW 3DUN :HVW ǧ Sweeping views of the world, 4,400 sf of pre-war elegance. Premier full-service building on the park, mesmerizing trophy home with palatial proportions, ďŹ replaces and more. Web# 1335917. 0DUF :LVRWVN\ -DFNLH /HZ
PERRY STREET )DU :HVW 9LOODJH Built 1909. Converted to residential condo 1997. 2,700Âą sf main level. 1,500Âą sf lower level, 16 ft. concrete beamed ceiling, large wood burning fireplace. Residential with live/work. Web# 1328318. -DQ +DVKH\ (93 6WHYH +DOSULQ
PERFECT LOCATION (DVW WK 6WUHHW 0DGLVRQ $YHQXH ǧ Incredibly gracious renovated 2 bedroom, 2.5 baths in full-service building steps off the best shopping, restaurants the city has to offer. Pied-a-terre buyers welcome. Web# 1297819. $QQH = (DVWRQ
LONG ISLAND
MANHATTAN
BROOKLYN
ELEGANT PRE-WAR ROOM CONDO :HVW V ǧ ǧTasteful renovation combines classic elegance with contemporary design. Open loftlike layout. Great light. Full-service building. Best WEA location close to everything. Web# 1318806. 1DWDVKD 6LQNRY (93
RIVER TO RIVER VIEWS ON UES (DVW QG 6WUHHW ǧ ǧHigh-oor, elegant 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom home, perfect for entertaining. Windowed kitchen with separate butler’s pantry. Bayard House is a full-service/white glove building. Web# 1272665. -RDQ 'XQQH $OH[DQGUD %HOODN
VIEW PARK AVENUE FRONT (DVW UG 6WUHHW 3DUN $YHQXH ǧ ǧ Price slashed on classic, high oor 5. Big reception space. Corner master, paneled library/2nd bedroom, 2.5 baths. Roof deck, gym. 50% ďŹ nancing. $3,170 month. Web# 1282678. /LVD %URZQ (OL]DEHWK %URZQ
HENDERSON HOUSE (DVW (QG $YHQXH (DVW WK 6WUHHW ǧ This elegant ďŹ ve room home has magniďŹ cent river views from every room. Gallery leads to sprawling living room, formal dining, eat-in kitchen and two master bedroom suites. Web# 1332361. $UOHHQ :LQLFN 693
ELEGANT HOME IN TOWN (DVW V ǧ ǧ 0LQW VSDFLRXV VXQQ\ WZR bedroom, two and half bath home features separate dining room, eat-in kitchen, washer/dryer, lovely built-ins, terriďŹ c location, full-service building. Web# 1307338. 1DQF\ 6PLWK
PERFECT PIED-A-TERRE 3DUN $YHQXH (DVW V ǧ ǧ 3HUIHFW SUH ZDU pied-a-terre. Elegant with all services, charm and dĂŠcor. Large 1 bedroom, working ďŹ replace, great light, marble bath, 5 day maid, top gym, concierge. Web# 1309646. $GULHQQH &OHHUH
QUEENS
THE HAMPTONS
Š An independently owned and operated member of the Prudential Real Estate AďŹƒliates, Inc.
THE NORTH FORK RIVERDALE/BRONX is a service mark of Prudential Insurance Company of America.
WESTCHESTER/PUTNAM Equal Housing Opportunity.
SF CONDO MEDICAL SPACE (DVW UG 6WUHHW QG IORRU วง 'HVLJQHU UHQRYDWHG 0HGLFDO 2Iศ FH ZLWK URRPV 3 entrances, elevator, 2 private waiting rooms, 3 bathrooms and a kitchen. Great layout, possibilities for multiple practice. Web# 1330907. (OLVVD 6ODQ
GRACIOUS TOWNHOUSE (DVW V RII )LIWK $YHQXH 5 story 20 ft. single family. Formal dining room. Sunny parlor floor, high ceilings & PRXOGLQJV 0DVWHU suite with 2 marble baths. 4-6 additional bedrooms. New 6LH 0DWLF NLWFKHQ Web# 1257776. 0LOODUG 'L[RQ 693 %LOO 3IDII
CHELSEA ENCLAVE PENTHOUSE &KHOVHD วง SHU PRQWK วง Incomparable. 3,400+ sf of tranquil living encased in a 10 ft. wall of glass. With 2 vast private terraces. 3-4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, library. Full-service condo building. Web# 1333485. -DQ +DVKH\ (93 6WHYH +DOSULQ
SALES
RENTALS
RELOCATION
MAJESTIC RIVERDALE MANSION 5LYHUGDOH วง วง (XURSHDQ HOHJDQFH DQG American craftsmanship abound in this 14,500 sf mansion on Riverdaleโ s highest hill. 7 bedroom, 7 bath, 12-14 ft. ceilings, breathtaking views. Web# 1129749. 7UXG\ 6FKODFKWHU
MAJESTIC PIERRE HOTEL LIVING )LIWK $YHQXH วง วง $PD]LQJ KRPH for the discerning buyer in the most desirable location. Brilliant views of Central Park from all rooms, 3 bedrooms, 3 baths with hotel services. Call for appointment. Web# 1288186. $QQH = (DVWRQ
UNRIVALED TROPHY PENTHOUSE $VWRU 3ODFH วง วง *ZDWKPH\ 6LHJHO masterpiece with stunning 360 degree views. Dramatic space with serious wow factor. Bright, airy, pristine DQG XQLTXH 7RS IXOO VHUYLFH OX[XU\ EXLOGLQJ Web# 1131505. 3DPHOD +XVRQ
TOP OF THE CLASS )LIWK $YHQXH (DVW V วง วง 6 room into 5. 0LQW UHQRYDWLRQ LQ D ZKLWH JORYH FR RS %HDXWLIXO 3DUN views from 3 rooms, elegant living room, formal dining room, eat-in kitchen with butlerโ s pantry. 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, closets, built-ins. Web# 1303405. 5HEHFFD 6WHLQGHFNHU ,
JANE STREET )DU :HVW 9LOODJH วง วง 5DUHO\ GR KRXVHV come available with this sense of warmth & family enjoyment. Surprisingly spacious & open for a 15.8 ft. wide house. South facing garden, original wood ๏ฌ oors, 5+ bedrooms. Web# 1322806. -DQ +DVKH\ (93 , 6WHYH +DOSULQ
JEWEL IN THE CROWN- PENTHOUSE 3DUN $YHQXH วง วง 5DUH WULSOH[ WHQ URRP pre-war home: double-height 31 ft. living room, wood burning ๏ฌ replace, library balcony, 3 bedrooms with baths en suite, two solariums and a wrap terrace. Web# 1225217. 'LDQH 'LFNLQVRQ
NEW DEVELOPMENTS
RETAIL
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
MORTGAGE
TITLE INSURANCE
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 outlines and square footage in property listings are approximate.
luxury
In Full Bloom
At Dawn Melanie Designs, a passion for flowers and personal touches has blossomed into a thriving business Dawn Mittman
A
fter a part-time job working for a florist in high school, Dawn Mittman decided to pursue her passion—the floral business. Today, Mittman is a leader in her field, and her cutting-edge design company, Dawn Melanie Designs, is in high demand. A native New Yorker, Mittman aims to add beauty to any home, office or event by hand-selecting flowers daily from the world’s best growers. Over the years, Dawn Melanie Designs has evolved to include a full range of services. “We worked only with flowers for the first 10 years,” Mittman explains. “Now we have become a full-service flower and plant design company.” Dawn Melanie Designs does everything from arranging fresh-cut flowers to interior/exterior plant installation and maintenance to designing roof decks and terraces to holiday décor. With years of experience involved in all aspects of the business and a natural creative spark, Mittman has become known for her distinctive style and personal touches. Whether it be designing flowers for a big event or designing the layout of plants in a lobby, she never loses sight of what’s most important: the client’s needs. To ensure they’re met, Mittman is very hands-on every step of the way. “I always speak directly with my clients so I can better cater to their specific needs,” she says. “And I’m always there to make sure that the flowers or plants look up to par.” This special attention has given Dawn Melanie Designs a solid reputation with a broad range of clients—her customers include some of the city’s biggest developers, professional athletes and social leaders. The floral design company also sponsors artistic benefits, like AVENUE’s own Antiques and Art at the Armory and a gala benefit for the Yale Center for Dyslexia and Creativity. Whether working on a corporate event or someone’s private party, Mittman focuses on two major components: finding inspiration and executing her vision. The best part? Adding beauty to the world and watching it brighten her clients’ lives. !
DAWN MELANIE DESIGNS
646.584.0867 I info@dawnmelaniedesigns.com 88 | AVENUE MAGAZINE · MARCH 2011
New York Style
GRAND SCALE LIVING
CENTRAL PARK WEST’S GRANDEST MASTER
PRISTINE BEAUTY
Beekman Place. Maisonette. Duplex, mint condition TH, PW white glove building. 5,550 SF+/- home with a 750 SF+/- riverfront terrace. 3 WBFPs. Garage, gym, indoor pool, squash ct. $11.9M WEB# 1999331
75th St/CPW. Rare San Remo 8-room. Grand, classic prewar. 4 major rooms (LR, library, lux master suite, & 2nd BR) face Central Park. Rich details. Beyond white glove. $9.995M WEB# 1849889
East 60s. 5-6 BR townhouse. Move-in condition, 2 gardens, 2 terraces, 5 full/2 half baths, 12.5’ ceils, elevator, 5 zone heat/AC/humidification, alarm system. $9.75M WEB# 2040716
Patricia Cliff 212.836.1063
Sherry Matays 212.875.2831
Helen Strilec Schatiloff 212.941.2580
BREATHTAKING CENTRAL PARK VIEWS
ARCHITECTURALLY DISTINCT HOME
CHELSEA MEGALOFT
CPS. 9 rms, 4-5 BRs, 6 baths. Triple mint hi flr co-op with condo rules. Unparalleled Central Park views. Grand and spacious. 9 ft ceilings. N & S exposures, white glove bldg. Pets OK. $7.995M WEB# 2105229
East 73rd St. Elegant 20’ single family townhouse with front court and veranda. 6 bedrooms, 5.5 baths. Dramatic living room and Zen garden. $7.85M WEB# 2131810
Chelsea. 3,272 SF+/- mint condo, recent conversion bldg w/century old exp brick & wood columns, open LR, DR, Kit, 3 BR, 2.5 baths (2 en-suite), den/office, laundry rm, closets & storage. $3.89M WEB# 2129558
Carol Shainswit 212.848.0490
R. Browne 212.893.1728, M. Pashby 212.893.1436
A. Sands 212.444.7802, P. Montes 212.444.7803
PRISTINE THREE BEDROOM CONDO
SPACIOUS MADISON AVENUE HOME
LOVELY SOUTHGATE PREWAR
East 51st St. 5 rooms. Gorgeous, triple mint 2-3 BR/3 bath condo w/10’+ ceilings, exquisite wood floors, skyline and river views. F/S luxury building w/all amenities. $2.75M WEB# 2129088
East 60s. Cumberland House, 2 BRs, 2 baths. Bright & spacious 1,600 SF+/- unit with gracious entrance foyer that leads to an oversized LR, sep DR, W/E expos, W/D, low Mt. $1.7M WEB# 2119041
Beekman Place. Gorgeous 2 BR, 2 baths, new master bath, LR w/WBFP & sep dining alcove. N & S expos, HW flrs, new windows, WICs, W/D, dishwasher. F/S co-op. Mt includes utilities. $1.05M WEB# 2123527
Gilda Shani 212.979.7844
Gabriel Bedoya 212.893.1734
J. Gasdaska 212.821.9138, J. Conlon 212.508.7162
Search by WEB# on Equal Housing Opportunity. The Corcoran Group is a licensed real estate broker. Owned and operated by NRT LLC.
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John Burger
Rebecca Daniels
Wolf Jakubowski
ONE OF A KIND PENTHOUSE
MAJESTIC GRANDEUR
SAN REMO-FRONT SOUTH CORNER
CPW. Excl. Jetliner views of Central Park and the River. 14 ft ceilings, 4,350SF, 9 rooms, 5BR plus a library, 6.5 marble bath in top rate whiteglove condo building. $38.5M. WEB# 1081333. Elizabeth Lee Sample 212-906-9299 Brenda S. Powers 212-906-9237
Fifth Ave. Excl. Fifth Ave’s best white-glove Co-op. Amazing CP views w/3 terraces. LR w/ wbfp, libr, FDR, EIK. 3 MBRs each w/bath. 2 SVTs each with bath. $24.9M. WEB# 1050640. Ann Jeffery 212-906-9232 Daniel J. Kessler 212-906-9330
70s/CPW. Excl. Located on a high floor, this 11-room residence has magnificent scale. 60’ fronting Central Park. Gracious layout. 3 bedrooms plus library. Excellent light. $20M. WEB# 1158568. John Burger 212-906-9274
THE BEST OF THE PLAZA
VIEWS OF CENTRAL PARK AND BEYOND
PARK AVENUE CONDO
CPS. Excl. Two high floor 2 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom apartments at the Plaza with views of Central Park from every room. F/S building with 5 star amenities. $11.555M. WEB# 940895. Burt Savitsky 212-906-9337 Jessica Savitsky 212-906-9273
CPS. Excl. Direct views of CP, full-floor 11 rm apt. Mt incl all utils & basic cable. Pieds-a-terre ok. Pets allowed w/board approval. Apts can be sold separately. $8.999M. WEB# 1054504. Maria Torresy 212-906-9317 Richard F. Ferrari 212-396-5885
Park Ave. Excl. On the 25th floor this apt has 4 exposures and large scaled rooms. 3BR, 4 bath, eat-in kitchen, formal dining room/library. Pets and pieds-a-terre ok. 3,550SF. Premier building in midtown location. $7.3M. WEB# 1082846. Elese Reid 212-396-5861
BEST CONDO IN CARNEGIE HILL
MAGNIFICENT RENOVATION
SENSATIONAL PARK VIEWS
UES. Excl. Sun-filled high floor 4BR, 4 bath in premier condo. Open city and Central Park views, approx 2,612SF, LR/DR, EIK, libr, lndry rm. Garage in bldg. $3.95M. WEB# 1166672. Cathy Franklin 212-906-9236 Alexis Bodenheimer 212-906-9230
80s/Madison Ave. Excl. Prewar 7 room (2BR) apt. Bright and open expos. CAC, eat-in cook’s kitchen, maid’s rm & home office. 3 full bath + W/D. Full service bldg. $3.6M. WEB# 1190293. Mary Rutherfurd 212-906-9211 Leslie Coleman 212-906-9387
Fifth Ave. Excl. 2 bedroom plus ample staff room, 3 bath with sweeping park views from a high floor. Full service building with first rate gym and garage. Washer/dryer. $3.5M. WEB# 1167250. S. Jean Meisel 212-906-9209
Jill Mangone
Roger Gillen
Paula Schott
Gregory Roache
Julia Hoagland
Jessica Ushan
Rosario G. Baldwin
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin.
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,
d
Lisa Lippman
Richard Wallgren
FULL FLOOR W/WRAP TERRACE ON WEA
PALACE ON THE PARK
STUNNING OLCOTT DUPLEX
UWS. Excl. New condo with fab terrace. Huge LR, DR, library, chef’s kitchen, 6BR, 6.5 bath and staff. CAC, big windows, garage, gym, pool and playroom. $19.9M. WEB# 1175789. Lisa Lippman 212-588-5606 Scott Moore 212-588-5608
CPS. Excl. The best views of Central Park through 75 feet of windows in approx 5,200SF, 6 bedroom, 7 bath. Mint condition palace with separate studio. $16M. WEB# 757276. Craig Filipacchi 212-452-4468 Jacques Foussard 212-452-4475
UWS. Excl. Spectacular 5BR, 4.5 bath, 4,666SF, open city views, media room, chef’s eat-in kitchen, gas fireplace and 794SF private terrace withhot tub perfect for entertaining in full-service condo. $12.5M. WEB# 1142684. Shlomi Reuveni 212-396-5801
Elaine Clayman
Thomas Hemann
Stephanie Rappoport
PEERLESS PARK AVENUE
ENCHANTING PREWAR PENTHOUSE
FIVE BEDROOM CONDO PENTHOUSE
Park Ave. Excl. Spectacular residence in prime prewar Co-op. 13 grand scale rooms with 34ft corner LR, 4+BR, 5.5 baths, 100 linear feet on Park Avenue, wbfp. $7.5M. WEB# 1051049. Lynn Sullivan 212-588-5604 Haley C. Venn 212-588-5695
Park Ave. Excl. A completely appealing penthouse surrounded by magical planted terraces. Living room with wbfp, 2BR, 2 marble bath, gourmet stainless steel kitchen, high ceilings. CAC. $5.5M. WEB# 1107863. Caroline E. Y. Guthrie 212-396-5858
UES. Excl. Enjoy 360 degree views from 5BR, 5 bath condo PH just off Park Ave. 14 ft ceils, renov kitchen, FDR, laundry room in F/S bldg w/garage, gym & pool. $4.55M. WEB# 1170829. Angela Latigona 212 906-9240 Edward Joseph 212-588-5646
Sonny Thadani
Jaclyn Neustein
William Grant
SPECTACULAR PARK VIEWS, 6 ROOMS
2 BEDROOM CONDO WITH RIVER VIEWS
RARE 2 BEDROOOM IN HISTORIC BLDG
67th & 68th St/CPW. Excl. Enjoy amazing views over Sheep Meadow & the skyline, living rm & master BR on the park. Wbfp plus views from second BR, dining rm, eat-in kit & md’s, 3 bath. Mint condition. $5.775M. WEB# 1153437. John A. Sheets 212-906-9359
UES. Excl. Sweeping N, E and W views of city skyline and river from 22nd floor of the full service building, the Impala. Immaculate 1,476SF apartment has 2 bedrooms, 2 baths and custom finishes. $1.675M. WEB# 1166679. Kyle Blackmon 212-588-5648
Off Fifth Ave. Excl. Gracious, pristine, with arch details, 2 bath, decorative fireplace, circle dining. Herringbone floors, lots closets/storage. 24 hour doorman. $1.425M. WEB# 1120647. Corinne Vitale 212-906-9249 Linda De Luca 212-906-9208
Alice J. London
Nancy J. Elias
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin.
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paula del nunZio
Senior Vice President, Managing Director Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker 212-906-9207 pdelnunzio@bhsusa.com 445 Park Avenue New York, NY 10022
R p B
• RepResented the highest selling Residential townhouse in 2010 at $44,000,000 • highest selling Residential townhouse foR thiRd time in past fouR yeaRs • sinCe 2007, paula has sold 43 townhouses foR a total Value of neaRly $700,000,000
the ReCoRd speaks foR itself Of the eight largest residential townhouse sales, Paula had represented the seller of seven, the seller and buyer of one, and sold one twice.
sold $53,000,000 – oCtobeR 2006 Highest townhouse sale ever. Highest townhouse sale for 2006 and highest residential sale ever for any property type. The Harkness Mansion. At approximately 22,000 square feet and featuring grand fourteen foot ceilings as well as elegant, expansive living spaces, this residence has retained all of the grandeur and breadth which originally drew so many notable names throughout the years. Spanning 50 feet in width, this property presented the ideal opportunity to create an unparalleled private residence in New York.
sold $49,000,000 – febRuaRy 2008 Highest townhouse sale for 2008 and highest residential sale in 2008 for any property type. The Milbank Mansion. Created by Jeremiah Milbank who combined 14 and 16 East 67th Street in 1919, this 48 foot-wide 21,000 square foot residence features a 30 foot swimming pool in a double-height space, numerous outdoor spaces, a suite of staff quarters on top, and superb entertaining spaces.
sold $44,000,000 – July 2010 sold $40,000,000 – maRCh 2006 Highest townhouse sale for 2010 and highest residential sale in 2010 for any property type. Resold for 10% more than owner paid in 2006. The Duke-Semans Mansion. An incomparable corner location on Fifth and 82nd Street, with 103 feet of frontage on the side entry and 27 feet in width, the extraordinary living and entertaining spaces of landmarked Duke-Semans Manison.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin.
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• • • • • • • •
Recognized as one of the top-producing brokers in New York City, Paula Del Nunzio has specialized in townhouses, penthouses and townhouse equivalent spaces for more than 20 years. A senior vice president and managing director at Brown Harris Stevens, her encyclopedic knowledge of the townhouse market is a unique benefit to both buyers and sellers.
• • • • • • • •
No one else has sold 43 townhouses since 2007, for a total value of nearly $700 million. Paula has achieved 96% of the listing price in her last 43 townhouse sales. Paula holds the record for the highest price paid for a 50-foot wide home with the sale of 4 East 75th Street. Paula holds the record for the highest price paid for townhouse at $53 million. Paula has sold a 44-foot wide townhouse with garage twice. Paula has closed 18 townhouses measuring 25 feet or wider. Paula holds the record for the highest price paid for a 25-foot wide home with the $37.5 million dollar closing of 18 East 80th Street. In her 20 years as a townhouse specialist Paula Del Nunzio has sold 83 townhouses.
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We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin.
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S T R I B L I N G
Grand Apartment on Fifth Avenue with Private Address. 5BR home exquisitely renovated with highest quality workmanship in the finest Italian-Renaissance-style bldg by McKim, Mead & White. Elegant & comfortable living, soaring 14 foot ceilings, light, 2 wood-burning fireplaces, state-of-the-art systems. $19M. Web #1204578. C.Eland 212-452-4384
Move Right Into This 10 Room Exquisite Prewar, Triple Mint Park Ave Home. Bright corner apt with 3 expos. Enormous gallery, LR with WBFP, library/media rm, DR, gourmet eat-in kit, 3-4 MBRs including grand MBR. Home office, maid's rm, 4 bths, laundry rm & full service bldg. Co-exclusive. $5.95M. Web #1213934. Doris Benedek 212-452-4455
Luxurious Skytop Full Floor Condo. East 65th. Glamorous 4000 square foot 8 room apt with floor-to-ceiling windows, sweeping views, 4 terraces, 3 entertaining rooms, service + chef’s eat-in kitchen, grand MBR suite with spa-bth & sauna + 3BRs with bth & 2 powder rooms. Full service building, gym + pool. $12M. Web #1194949. B.Evans-Butler 452-4391
STRIBLING A Privately Held Brokerage Firm
Is Now In Association With
Mint Upper East Side Condo. 2500 square foot 4BR, 4 bth, sunny & quiet with lovely views of tree-lined East 77th Street, step-down double LR with wall of windows, study & chef’s eat-in kitchen. Gut renovated with top fixtures & appliances. Full service doorman bldg with gym & roof terrace. $3.55M. Web #1188055. M.Scott 585-4564/A.Cannon 585-4531
Fabulous Prewar Six. Lexington Avenue. High floor corner apartment in excellent condition with open city views and flooded with sunlight. The living room with wood-burning fireplace has lovely French doors opening into the formal dining room. $1.895M. Web #1214416. A.Collins 212452-4374/E.Crawford 212-585-4524/R.Parachini 212-434-7081
Stribling.com
AVE0311_Stribling.indd 1
Distinguished Residences Worldwide 200 Offices and 48 Countries Globally
Perfect Pied-a-terre. Mint Prewar Condo. E 63rd. 1BR/1.5 bath. Corner, S & W expos, AV system, Valcucine kitch, gracious MBR suite with marble bath, 2 walk-in closets, powder rm, W/D, HW floors & hi ceilings. FS condo with 24-hour doorman. Pied-a-terres & sublets okay. $1.195M. Web #1199304. C.Van Amburg 646-613-2683/A.Hall 212-452-4421
STRIBLING
Exquisite Five Bedroom. East 72nd. Wonderful 9 room apartment has a spacious MBR suite & 3-4 additional bedrooms. The elegant double living room & sophisticated library both have wood-burning fireplaces & the formal dining room is perfect for larger-scale entertaining. $5.49M. Web #1166068. K.Henckels 212-452-4402/J.Callahan 646-613-268
Rare Prewar Condo on WEA at 92nd. Classic 6.5 rooms, 1838 square feet, flexible layout with designer potential. Light from 3 exposures through 14 windows, 3 baths, 3 entrances, large foyer, formal dining room & living room. Full service building, investment potential. $2.237M. $2235 CC & taxes. Web #1189369. Dan Critchett 800-759-0029
The Right Broker Makes All the Difference
2/18/11 12:27 PM
S T R I B L I N G
High Above Central Park on CPS. This stunning corner prewar condo boasts Central Park views from LR/DR with 22 ft ceilings & WBFP. North & east exposures. Impeccable renovation, chef’s eat-in kitchen, study with fireplace, MBR suite with dressing rm, 2BRs, 3 baths + powder rm & laundry. $10.2M. Web #1123146. Catherine Harding 212-452-4367
New Price! Amazing Views. Trophy full floor tower with panoramic views in all 4 directions. Truly stunning prewar co-op with LR, DR, MBR, library, 2-4BRs (flexible plan) & 4 bths. At the Majestic, a white glove co-op at CPW/72nd Street with a gym, gardens, solarium & terrace. Asking $16.9M. Web #1183380. R.Arons 212-452-4360/C.Taub 452-4387
Exceptional CPW 14 Room Duplex. Elegant 32 foot LR has superb Central Park views. Formal DR, powder room, library/den adjoins the new eat-in kitchen with Central Park views. Upstairs: 6 bedrooms, 5 baths, informal LR & DR, second kitchen & gym. Perfect for gracious living in a legendary building. $21.5M. Web #1161694. C.Kurtin 212-452-4406
STRIBLING A Privately Held Brokerage Firm
Is Now In Association With
West Side Shopping List. Open city & street views, an oversized 19x19 foot living room that is perfect for entertaining, 10 foot high ceilings, tall windows, a renovated kitchen, 2 comfortable bedrooms, great closet space & on-site super & porter. On one of the West Side’s most beautiful blocks. $1.075M. Web #1207309. Jeffrey Stockwell 646-613-2615
Penthouse J at 456 West 19th Street is architect/developer Cary Tamarkin’s newest masterpiece. Almost 3000 square feet, 3 bedrooms and 3.5 baths with a 1800 square foot roof terrace. Double-height drama! Views of the Hudson River, Empire State Building and High Line Park! File #CD08-0140. $7.9M. Web #1159488. Millie Perry 646-234-3240
Equal Housing Opportunity
Stribling.com AVE0311_Stribling.indd 2
Distinguished Residences Worldwide 200 Offices and 48 Countries Globally
GORGEOUS 3BR Full Floor Condo Loft on Prime Historic East Village Block. 3BRs, 2.5 bths, chef’s kitchen. Absolutely perfect condition. Exposed brick, 10 foot ceilings, wide-plank farmhouse floors. Sunny south expos. Terrace off living rm. Private elevator landing. Approx 3000 square feet. Low monthlies. $4.5M. Web #1207280. C.Taub 452-4387
STRIBLING
Gold Coast Village Townhouse. First offer. Grand, state-of-the-art, triple mint, newly renov 28 foot wide, 5 story Italianate residence. Offering 9000+ square feet of sophisticated & chic living. Trophy property featuring an elevator, screening room, gym, wine cellar, garden & staff quarters. $28.5M. Web #1210957. L.Melnick 452-4425/A.Lambert 452-4408
Stunning Simplicity. East 20’s. Gut-renovated, spacious junior four in a doorman cooperative building. There is a luxurious bath, amazing closet space, beautiful kitchen with custom cabinetry, stainless-steel appliances and durable stone-look counters. Roofdeck with city and river views. Pet friendly. $699K. Web #1193501. Helaine Winograd 917-509-6479
Uptown: 924 Madison Avenue / 212-570-2440 Downtown: 340 West 23rd Street / 212-243-4000 Tribeca: 32 Avenue of the Americas / 212-941- 8420
2/18/11 12:28 PM
profile
S Tax Law
& Order
Eminent attorney Sanford J. Schlesinger shares his knowledge of trusts and estates
anford J. Schlesinger is a nationally recognized expert in the areas of estate and tax planning, estate administration, family-owned business planning and charitable planning. He also litigates estate and tax matters. He has lectured extensively and authored numerous publications on these topics. For years, he has been named one of the “Best Lawyers in America.” He considers estate matters a very personal area of life. “You must be extremely sensitive to an individual’s needs,” says Schlesinger. What distinguishes your firm from the competition? Our approach to Trusts and Estates is a broad-based one. Trusts and Estates is a very exciting area of law because of contact with many different types of clients. We represent individuals from almost every walk of life: real estate, closely held business owners, corporate executives, sports, theater and professionals. In numerous instances, the firm has acted as the overall “consigliere” to clients by advising them on a wide range of issues. Has any recent legislation impacted your area of law? The Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 (the Act), enacted on Dec. 17, 2010, has had a huge impact on federal estate, gift and generation-skipping transfer taxes. For 2011 and 2012, the federal estate tax exemption is $5 million (indexed for inflation from 2010, but starting in 2012), with a maximum tax rate of 35 percent and a full “step-up” in basis for income tax purposes of assets acquired from a decedent. Many states, however, have their own laws concerning inheritance and estate taxes, and state laws are not always “coupled” with federal laws. For gifts and generation-skipping transfers made after 2010 and before 2013, the federal exemption amounts and the maximum tax rates are the same as those for the estate tax. The Act also contains a “sunset” provision so, without further legislation, the federal laws will revert on Jan. 1, 2013, to the laws as they existed prior to June 7, 2001.
Sanford J. Schlesinger
SANFORD J. SCHLESINGER, ESQ. SCHLESINGER GANNON & LAZETERA LLP 535 Madison Avenue, 17th Floor New York, N.Y. 10022 212.652.3800 212.652.3789 sschlesinger@sglllp.com 96 | AVENUE MAGAZINE · MARCH 2011
In general, when or how often should a person review his or her estate plan? Generally, we try to meet with our clients at least every three-to-five years—unless there is a precipitating event such as death, birth, marriage or divorce. However, clients should also review their estate plans when tax laws change. If a person has substantial net worth, but no estate plan, then planning can provide significant tax savings. Often times, however, a client’s primary issue has nothing to do with taxes—instead there are family concerns, such as a disabled child, a dependent parent or children from multiple marriages. Sanford J. Schlesinger is a founding partner of the law firm of Schlesinger Gannon & Lazetera LLP, which is recognized as a leading firm in the area of Trusts and Estates.
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AVENUE OUR PAGES DISPLAY THE FINEST IN SUBURBAN, COUNTRY AND VACATION HOMES. For more information on how to connect with a privileged readership, please contact Susan Feinman, sfeinman@manhattanmedia.com
real estate
Broker Portfolio One of those who holds the keys to the most coveted real estate in New York
WOLF JAKUBOWSKI Brown Harris Stevens 212.588.5630 wjakubowski@bhsusa.com Notes: Since starting in New York real estate in 1979, Senior Vice President, Managing Director Wolf Jakubowski has sold in excess of $1 billion worth of townhouses. For eight of the last nine years, including 2010, Wolf was recognized for selling the most townhouses among all Brown Harris Stevens brokers.
Property of the Month A deluxe New York City residence Brown Harris Stevens
WAVERLY PLACE TOWN HOUSE This spectacular 22-foot-wide renovated 5-story single family home features a beautiful garden and a rooftop terrace with stunning views of the Village. Built in 1839 in the Federal Style, its interior—which currently houses a stellar folk art collection—includes 11 rooms, 5 master bedrooms, 7 baths, a generous double living room, 2 libraries and a spacious formal dining room off of the splendid eat-in kitchen. $13.2 million. Please call Edith F. Tuckerman at 212.906.9228 or Katharine Tuckerman at 212.906.9222.
98 | AVENUE MAGAZINE · MARCH 2011
GREENWICH VILLAGE TOWNHOUSE TREASURE Built sixty-one feet deep on a plot of land measuring 22â&#x20AC;&#x2122; x 97â&#x20AC;&#x2122;, this renovated house on Waverly Place is approximately 6,000 square feet with over 2,000 square feet of outdoor space. It is truly unique with beautifully proportioned rooms and exceedingly high ceilings throughout. The sunny landscaped garden and patio offer an oasis of tranquility, and from the rooftop terrace, one can enjoy the overview of New Yorkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s historical Village. The house has eleven rooms, including an eat-in kitchen and large GLQLQJ URRP Ă&#x20AC;W IRU DQ\ PDMRU FRRN 7KHUH DUH IRXU ZRRG EXUQLQJ Ă&#x20AC;UHSODFHV LQ WKH OLYLQJ URRP JDPH URRP DQG WZR RI WKH Ă&#x20AC;YH PDVWHU EHGURRPV 7KHUH DUH Ă&#x20AC;YH IXOO EDWKV DQG WZR SRZGHU URRPV D ODXQGU\ URRP FHQWUDO DLU FRQGLWLRQLQJ QHZ YLGHR VHFXULW\ V\VWHP DQG WHUULĂ&#x20AC;F FXVWRP FORVHWV and storage space. This townhouse is located in the heart of Greenwich Village, making it extremely accessible to all transportation, while retaining the privacy offered by its Sixth Avenue and Waverly Place locale. *Ă&#x20AC;Â&#x2C6;ViĂ&#x160;1ÂŤÂ&#x153;Â&#x2DC;Ă&#x160;,iÂľĂ&#x2022;iĂ&#x192;Ă&#x152;Ă&#x160;Ă&#x160;UĂ&#x160;Ă&#x160;7iLÂ&#x203A;Ă&#x160;ÂŁÂŁxĂ&#x17D;ÂŁÂ&#x2122;Ă&#x2C6; Edith F. Tuckerman Senior Vice President Managing Director 212-906-9228 etuckerman@bhsusa.com
Katharine Tuckerman Sales Associate 212-906-9222 ktuckerman@bhsusa.com
AVENUEinsider.com brings you the best blogs on who was where (and what they wore) at last nightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hottest parties, the latest shocking social scandal, the must-buys of the moment, the Chic of the Week and of course Your Daily Daphne (Guinness, of course). Sip up all the style and society gossip we are serving up with your morning latte.
the world according to . . .
JANIE BRYANT
Q&A
AVENUE’s back-page column asks New York notables our version of the questionnaire made famous by Marcel Proust “Mad Men” costume designer Janie Bryant and author of The Fashion File
WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO NEW YORK?
The dream of becoming a fashion designer and working on Seventh Avenue. WHEN DID YOU FIRST FEEL LIKE A NEW YORKER?
I was returning to the city and as the plane landed at JFK, I took this big sigh of relief and said to myself, “Ahhh, I’m home!”
the world. Least favorite: New Yorkers are mean. WHAT PART OF THE NEW YORK LIFESTYLE CAN’T YOU LIVE WITHOUT?
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE NEW YORK SOUND?
The clip clop of horse hooves on the pavement.
Dark restaurants with only one candle lighting the table.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE TRANSPORTATION MOMENT IN THE CITY?
WHAT IS THE HARDEST PART ABOUT LIVING IN NEW YORK?
Driving over the Brooklyn Bridge into Manhattan.
AT WHAT ADDRESS WOULD YOU LIKE TO LIVE?
Relaxing and decompressing!
Gramercy Park with a view and a key.
WHO DO YOU MOST ADMIRE?
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE WAY TO GET AROUND NEW YORK AND WHY?
Mary Gleason, president of Adrienne Vittadini. She’s an amazing business woman who builds great brands and, in doing so, is incredibly generous and gracious.
Walking because you can look up and see all the buildings, car service because I love the black leather seats and it’s always nice to get in the car and have a bottle of water waiting for you.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE DINNER PARTNER?
WHAT’S YOUR MOST MEMORABLE NEW YORK MOMENT?
My boyfriend because we have very similar tastes in food and we like to share—and it’s romantic, too!
Accepting the Edith Head Award from Fashion Group International and, when leaving the event, meeting Pierre Cardin.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE NEW YORK LOGO?
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
WHAT NEWSPAPER COLUMN DO YOU READ FIRST IN THE MORNING?
The Style Section in The New York Times. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WATERING HOLE FOR LUNCH? FOR DINNER?
Lunch: Balthazar. Dinner: Gemma at the Bowery Hotel. And my fave brunch cocktail is Belcourt’s Tomatillo Bloody Mary! WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE NEW YORK CLICHÉ? LEAST FAVORITE?
Favorite: Once you live and work here, you can live and work anywhere else in 100 | AVENUE MAGAZINE · MARCH 2011
I “heart” NY.
Patient. !
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