AVENUE March 2014 by AVENUE Magazine

AVENUE THE FASHION ISSUE

MARCH 2014

POWER

OF TWO

The Veronica Beards talk about building their brand, marrying brothers and managing their eight children

NEW YORK始S BEST-DRESSED Wes Anderson, Joanna Baker de Neufville, The Brant Brothers, Cara Delevingne, Amy Fine Collins, Liya Kebede and more

PLUS: Fashion with the New York City Ballet; Past, present and future of the Costume Institute

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AVENUE

MARCH 2014

VOL. 38 NO. 3

FEATURES 41

BALLET SOCIETY

New York City Ballet dancers are springing into style: Troy Schumacher, founder of BalletCollective, and his fiancée Ashley Laracey bring an uptown version of a Manhattan love story to life in the season’s fashion-forward trends.

photographed gina uhlmann

VB SQUARED

Two of the freshest faces in fashion, sisters-in-law Veronica Miele Beard and Veronica Swanson Beard, are both married to nephews of the artist Peter Beard; and together, the two Veronicas have combined their respective backgrounds in fashion and finance to launch one of the city’s hottest brands—Veronica Beard.

by suzanne weinstock klein photographs by keith major

ANNUAL BEST-DRESSED LIST

FASHIONABLE HISTORY

this page VSB wears a Black and White Speckled Tank Blouse with

6 | AVENUE MAGAZINE • MARCH 2014

THE CATWALK COMES TO MADISON Lizzie Tisch and Kim Kassel of Suite 1521 are shaking up the way consumers experience high fashion.

by haley friedlich

COLUMNS 22

on the cover VSB wears a Black and Gold Pearl Cuff by CHANEL;

available in Select CHANEL Boutiques, 800.550.0005. Blue Cotton Sateen Leopard Print Tux Jacket with Black Silk Lapel and Blue Cotton Sateen Leopard Print Skinny Trouser with Black Piping, paired with Black Stripe Cotton Voile Sleeveless Top, all by Veronica Beard; available at veronicabeard.com. Pumps are VSB’s own by Manolo Blahnik. VMB wears a Rust Laser Cut Leather Zip Front Dress by Veronica Beard; available at veronicabeard.com. Three Link Cuff in 18 Kt Gold by Seaman Schepps; available at Seaman Schepps, 485 Park Avenue, 212.753.9520. Orange and Brown Leather Heeled Sandals by Longchamp; available at Longchamp, 713 Madison Ave, 212.223.1500

A look at the evolution of the Metropolitan Museum’s Costume Institute and its ascension to cultural importance.

by christopher lawrence

Sheer Back and Black and White Speckled Trousers, both by Sandro; available at sandro.com. Yellow Gold, Diamonds, and Star Sapphire ring by David Webb; available at DavidWebb.com. Aden Nude Necklace by Nocturne; available at shopbop.com. Blue Snakeskin Pumps by Rupert Sanderson; available at RupertSanderson.com. VMB wears a Black Cotton Scuba Sleeveless Moto Top by Veronica Beard; available at veronicabeard.com. Gladiolus Printed Leather Pants in Multi on Black by Ports1961; available at ports1961.com, 917.475.1022. FALYN Black Leather Gladiator Heels by L.A.M.B.; available at l-a-m-b.com. Two-finger Black Ring, Drop Lapis and Diamond Top Earrings and Diamond Spiked Bracelet, all by Rhodium; available at Wynn Las Vegas. Photographed by Keith Major. Styled by Laura Solin-Valdina, NYCSTYLIST.

Our esteemed panel of fashion-minded judges weighs in on who are the most sartorially savvy citizens of our fine city

CHRONICLES

There’s a new police comissioner in town, and Bill Bratton and his wife Rikki Kleiman are the toast of society.

by debbie bancroft

OBJECTS OF DESIRE

A selection of home items inspired by the late and great British designer Alexander McQueen in honor of Fashion Week; fashion selections from one of spring’s hottest trends—tribal and craft inspired.

by haley friedlich

AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE

COMING IN APRIL

Bird of Paradise The inimitable Iris Apfel opens up the doors to her apartment, models her enviable wardrobe and show us how truly ‘fabulous’ looks.

Heirs and Heiresses Meet the millennials in New York’s most powerful real estate families.

Red Carpet Rocks From awards seasons to gala season—make the latest jewelry trends yours.

Designer Picks Our favorite interior designers weigh in on what home objects you need now.

Hamptons Ready It’s not too early to start getting your house summer–ready. Consult our checklist (and directory) and let the prep begin!

Plus: Michael Gross, Miles Redd and more!

AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE

AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE AVENUE

8 | AVENUE MAGAZINE • MARCH 2014

AVENUE

MARCH 2014 32

VOL. 38 NO. 3

COCKTAIL ON THE AVENUE

Jean Hanff Korelitz, author of Admission talks about her latest novel, You Should Have Known and her new literary venture.

by daisy prince

UNREAL ESTATE

On the eve of the release of his latest book, House of Outrageous Fortune, we catch up with our resident real estate columnist, who confides fascinating details about “the world’s most powerful address:” Fifteen Central Park West.

by haley friedlich

122

POSTCARDS FROM . . .

He designed First Lady Michelle Obama’s gown for the inaugural ball—twice—and is fast becoming a red carpet mainstay among Hollywood’s leading ladies. Here, the New York-based designer takes us along as he travels to Hawaii.

by haley friedlich

124

SOCIAL SAFARI

A whirlwind of soireés including the Fabergé Egg Exhibit, Out of Africa and Chinese New Year festivities.

by r. couri hay

128

WORLD ACCORDING TO . . .

MaxMara’s Maria Giulia Maramotti on running a multi-millionaire empire and what she does on her downtime in New York City

DEPARTMENTS 15

ON THE AVENUE

ARTS CALENDAR

A fashion week flashback and highlights from Matthew Mellon’s 50th birthday party, Emilia Fanjul’s night of great expectations, amfAR and more. Find out what’s happening on the stages, in the museums and galleries around the City.

AVENUE online

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letters to the editor

AVENUE welcomes “Letters to the Editor” Please address to: Editor Daisy Prince 72 Madison Avenue, 11th Floor New York, NY 10016 dprince@manhattanmedia.com

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AVENUE PRESIDENT Randi Schatz rschatz@manhattanmedia.com Editor Daisy Prince dprince@manhattanmedia.com Art Director Jessica Ju-Hyun Lee Ho jlee@manhattanmedia.com deputy Editor Haley Friedlich hfriedlich@manhattanmedia.com associate Editor Mi Mi Chloe Park mpark@manhattanmedia.com Real estate Editor Michael Gross mgross@manhattanmedia.com FASHION DIRECTOR Laura Solin-Valdina nycstylist@manhattanmedia.com CONTRIBUTING Editor Christopher Lawrence Contributing Writers Debbie Bancroft ■

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Peggy Siegal

Alexandria Symonds

palm beach editor Christine K. Schott Special Projects Editor Helena Gautier Contributing photographers Ben Fink Shapiro ■

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Jessica Nash

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Patrick McMullan

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letter from the editor

KEITH MAJOR

Dear Readers,

“While they are truly great designers, that is by no means the only string in their bow.”

BEING A YOUNG FASHION label certainly has its challenges. Rising costs, difficulties breaking into a saturated marketplace and the need to attract the attention of big buyers hardly make for an easy undertaking. When you add the fact that the label’s two principals are both young mothers, with eight children between them, the fact that they’ve already become a hot brand is pretty miraculous. One of the reasons I was drawn to the Veronica Beards is that while they are truly great designers, that is by no means the only string in their bow; what’s impressive is that they face the same problems and concerns so many of us encounter, as mothers and wives. Read about how they handle working together as sisters-in-law and raising their families while simultaneously taking their business to the next level, in this issue’s incisive article by Suzanne Weinstock Klein. March is also the occasion for AVENUE’s best-dressed list, and it’s never without its surprises. Variety and originality seem to be the themes this year. Enjoy the pictures; I always do. Also in this issue is our spring fashion story, in which we’ve collaborated with the New York City Ballet. As a fan of the ballet since I was a small child, I found it unbelievably glamorous to work so closely with dancers; and knowing they are a couple in true life meant the chemistry between them was fantastic. Troy Schumacher and Ashley Laracey discuss leg positions in dance in the same way most couples discuss whether or not to order Chinese or Italian for dinner. Watching these artists work was like having a special backstage pass all day long. We are also celebrating the New York City Ballet’s 50th anniversary at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, the Company’s home since the New York State Theater (now the David H. Koch Theater) opened in April of 1964. (NYCB was founded in 1948.) Designed by the renowned architect Philip Johnson especially for George Balanchine and the New York City Ballet, the theater is widely regarded as one of the world’s greatest venues for dance performances. During the yearlong 2013–2014 season, 50 ballets are being presented over the course of 21 weeks of programming and feature 159 performances by NYCB’s ballet master-in-chief Peter Martins to showcase NYCB’s vast and unparalleled repertory of music and dance. NYCB’s one-night-only Spring Gala, on May 8, will include works from the Theater’s opening night in 1964, as well as a world premiere by choreographer and NYCB Soloist Justin Peck. The music will feature a commissioned score by renowned American composer Sufjan Stevens. Additionally, all readers should know that stores participating in the Madison Avenue BID’s “On Your Toes on Madison Avenue” will be hosting their own promotion for the NYCB from the 15th to the 22nd of March. On March 20th from 6-8 p.m., there will be a series of private receptions, by invitation only, from the participating boutiques hosting these benefit events. NYC ballet dancers will make in-store appearances on that date. Interested parties can get more information and request invitations to “Shop With The Dancers” by going to www.madisonavenuebid.org. Daisy Prince

Editor 12 | AVENUE MAGAZINE • MARCH 2014

new york, 611 FIFTH AVenUe. CALL 212.753.4000, VISIT SAkS.CoM/newyork, DownLoAD THe SAkS APP or FInD US on FACeBook, TwITTer AnD SAkSPoV.CoM. * UP To 3 MSgS/week. TexT STOP To CAnCeL, HELP For InFo. MSg&DATA rATeS MAy APPLy. VISIT SAkS.CoM/PoLICIeS For More InFo.

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On the

AVENUE photographed by Neil Rasmus

Karlie Kloss and Diane Von Furstenberg at the Diane Von Furstenberg Fall 2014 After Show Dinner

on the avenue

Kenneth Cole and Jane Krakowski

Vanessa Redgrave and Joely Richardson

Alan Cumming

STAR-STUDDED GALA

James Marshall and Elettra Rossellini Wiedemann

Coco Rocha

Fashion’s and Hollywood’s biggest names flock to the annual amfAR New York Gala

M Grace Coddington and Peter Lindbergh

odels and celebrities dressed in their finest gowns and tuxes to celebrate the amfAR gala at Cipriani Wall Street for HIV/AIDS research. Honorees Vanessa Redgrave and Joely Richardson gave speeches alongside Harry Belafonte and Peter Lindbergh while performances from Grace Jones and Jane Krakowski moved the crowd. During the live auction Chelsea Clinton and amfAR chair Kenneth Cole urged supporters to donate. The evening raised over $1.7 million, a great way to kick off Fashion Week. MATTEO PRANDONI/BFANYC.COM

John Demsey

Hannah Bronfman

Blair Lancer and Alexis Lancer

Pat Saxby, Tracy Margolies and Jeanne Chavez

THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH Dr. Lancer celebrates the publication of his debut book

Nicola Guarna and Dee Hilfiger

ileen Guggenheim, Dee Hilfiger, Sue Hostetler, Tracy Margolies, Carole Radziwill and Brooke Wall hosted Hollywood celebrity dermatologist Dr. Harold Lancer’s book Younger: The Breakthrough Anti-Agiing Method for Radiant Skin launch event at Bergdorf Goodman. Bergdorf Goodman recently started carrying his line of Lancer Skincare products, which Oprah Winfrey raved about on air. Younger provides an easy-to-follow at-home consultation with Dr. Lancer, unveiling his breakthrough methods on anti-aging and radiant skin.

Sean Thomas and Donna DiStefano

Dr. Harold Lancer and Dani Lancer

ARIA ISADORA/BFANYC.COM

16 | AVENUE MAGAZINE • MARCH 2014

Tommy Hilfiger

Brooke Wall and Kim Meyer

Vera Wang George Clooney, Cate Blanchett and Matt Damon Judith and Rudy Giuliani

Ellen Barkin

Bill Murray

Bob Balaban and Jean Dujardin

MONUMENTAL MEN OF THE ARTS Larry Gagosian becomes the first gallerist to sponsor a Hollywood film

he art world’s finest showed up to The Monuments Men movie premiere at the Ziegfield Theater for George Clooney’s latest cinematic project. The Gagosian Gallery invited collectors, artists, museum curators and cultural leaders such as Richard Prince, Jeff Koons, Leon Black, Steve Schwarzman, Graydon Carter, Roger Waters, Vera Wang and many more. Hollywood’s finest, including Joel Coen and Alfonso Cuaron, also showed support. DAVE ALLOCCA/STARPIX

Padma Lakshmi

Leelee Sobieski

Alexandra Pappas, Christopher Breck and Tatyana Miron

Gillian and Sylvester Miniter

Barbie Bancroft and Katrina Pavlos

AN ITALIAN TALE

Ram Sundaram and Annie Churchill Jeffrey Scott Kirshner and George Lewis

Anna Pignero

Max Pellegrini launches an exhibition at the Italian Cultural Institute of New York

he opening of Italian artist Max Pellegrini at the Italian Cultural Institute of New York, featured his work from the last ten years of his portfolio. In attendance were Alexandra Pappas, Jeffrey Scott Kirshner, Barbie Bancroft and Katrina Pavlos, while Ram Sundaram and Annie Churchill admired the artwork with Gillian and Sylvester Miniter. Entitled A Tale: Max Pellegrini and Italo Cremona the exhibition was curated by Danilo Eccher, director of Galleria Civica d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea Torino. Caterina Viale and Max MARCH 2014Pellegrini • AVENUE MAGAZINE | 17

on the avenue Justin Patterson and Anna Burke

Prince Alex von Furstenberg and Ali Kay Coralie Charriol Paul and Stephanie Horbaczewski

Milan

LET THEM EAT CAKE Nicole Hanley Mellon holds a birthday bash for husband Matthew Mellon

undreds of guests flocked to the Four Seasons restaurant downtown to drink, dance, and celebrate Matthew Mellon’s 50th birthday. Stacey Bendet and Eric Eisner were seen socializing with Karin and Jennifer Klein and Harry and Laura Slatkin. Other attendees included Prince Alex Von Furstenberg, and Dori Cooperman. The night ended with a vivacious Lindsay Lohan singing a tune to a live band.

Richard Johnson and Sessa von Richtofen

PATRICK MCMULLAN/PATRICKMCMULLAN.COM

Nicole Hanley Mellon and Matthew Mellon

Brad Collins and Amy Fine Collins

Dixon and Arriana Boardman

Emilia and Pepe Fanjul, with Emilia Pfeifler

Vanessa Mulroney and Mila Mulroney

Helena and Roman Martinez

A NIGHT OF GREAT EXPECTATIONS Emilia Fanjul hosts a sold-out gala to benefit the Glades Academy Foundation

alm Beach’s elite and notable philanthropists alike gathered at Café Boulud to benefit the construction of a charter middle school in Pahokee. Emilia Fanjul and Lillian Fanjul de Azqueta mingled with guests Judith and Rudy Giuliani and Dixon and Arriana Boardman. Supporters Mei Sze and Jeff Greene were spotted in The Brazilian Court for cocktails. Pepe Fanjul underwrote the entire event. Towards the end of dinner, Sotheby’s chairman Jamie Niven guided a live auction that raised over $1 million.

Jerry Seay and Pauline Pitt

Pepe and Lourdes Fanjul

LUCIEN CAPEHART PHOTOGAPHY

Mei Sze and Jeff Greene

on the avenue Carolina Herrera

Natalie Joos, Hannah Bronfman, Kate Foley and Lauren Remington Platt at the Jason Wu Fall/Winter 2014 Show

FASHIONABLE FLURRY Jewel tones, ball gowns and contemporary streetwear invaded NYFW this season

Dion Lee Fall/ Winter 2014 Runway Keren Craig and Georgina Chapman at the Marchesa Fall/Winter 2014 Show

N Olivier van Themsche and Julia Restoin Roitfeld at the Rodarte Fall/Winter 2014 After Party

either snow, nor sleet, nor storm stopped fashionistas and bloggers from fashion week presentations, shows and parties. From Lincoln Center to dare we say, (Brooklyn) this year’s designers showcased a plethora of innovative designs. There was a prankster who crashed the Prabal Gurung show and many such as Alexander Wang chose to showcase outside of the city. Yet the more fascinating trends were seen and immortalized in the snapshots of street style and with New York City having just been crowned Top Global Fashion Capital of the world by the Global Language Monitor, it’s easy to see why. PATRICKMCMULLAN.COM AND BFANYC.COM

Prabal Gurung at his Fall/Winter ??? 2014 After Party

Stefano Tonchi at the Michael Bastian Fall/ Winter 2014 Show

Athena Calderone outside Dannijo’s Fall/ Winter 2014 Performance

Hanneli Mustaparta at the Michael Kors Fall/Winter 2014 Show Leandra Medine at the Peter Pilotto for Target Celebration

Betsey Johnson Fall/ Winter 2014 Show

Anna Wintour at the Reed Krakoff Fall/Winter 2014 Show Altuzarra Fall/Winter 2014 Runway Show 20 | AVENUE MAGAZINE • MARCH 2014

Beca Alexander at Peter Som Fall/Winter 2014 Presented by MADEFW

Ann DexterJones at the Tory Burch Fall/Winter 2014 Show

Manolo Blahnik and André Leon Talley at the Manolo Blahnik Fall/Winter 2014 Presentation

Gwyneth Paltrow at the Hugo Boss Fall/Winter 2014 Show

Hamish Bowles at the Marc Jacobs Fall/Winter 2014 Show

Prabal Gurung Fall/Winter 2014 Show Liliana Nova

Phillip Lim at his 3.1 Phillip Lim Fall/Winter 2014 After Party Harry Brant and Peter Brant Jr. at the Jason Wu Fall/ Winter 2014 Show Soo Joo Park, Anna dello Russo and Giovanna Battaglia

Diane von Furstenberg at her show

Betsey Johnson at her show

Rebecca Minkoff Fall/ Winter 2014 Runway DJ Stiletto, Street Style outside Milk Studios

Miroslava Duma at the Rodarte Fall/ Winter 2014 Show

Erin Fetherston Fall/Winter 2014 Presentation

Rodarte Fall/Winter

2014 After Party MARCH 2014 • AVENUE MAGAZINE | 21

chronicles

DEBBIE BANCROFT

Meet the Enforcers New Yorkers toast police commissioner Bill Bratton and wife Rikki Klieman

love a man in uniform, especially when its insignia says “City of New York.” And when that man comes with a partner whose uniform has included a microphone, the Scales of Justice and a Chanel suit, I say, all the better. Bill Bratton, New York City’s new (and returning) police commissioner, and his wife and partner (emphasis on “partner”) Rikki Klieman, a criminal defense lawyer and TV personality, were fêted, day and night, by an enthusiastic group of pals and colleagues. Diane and Stephen Volk hosted a cocktail to welcome their old friends back to New York. Rikki called their generosity boundless and remembered recuperating from surgery in their home on a private island in Oyster Bay, imagining that twinkling green light across the bay. Bill talked about his commitment to New York and to Rikki. Truly—they reflect each other’s positive glow: optimistic, dedicated. We all looked a little matte in comparison. Rikki told us: We believe in transparency in the department, and the door is always open to creative ideas about keeping people safe and secure. This is your police department. Bill talked about collaboration among sectors of the community, his commitment to New York and to Rikki; and he closed, saying he couldn’t do it without her. More glowing. Other great citizens saluting them, including Bill Rudin, Cy Vance, Lynn Sherr (who just finished her bio of Sally Ride), Beth Rudin DeWoody, Nancy Silverman, Chuck and Ellen Scarborough, Tom Lee, Peter and Brooke Cohen and Eddie Hayes. 22 | AVENUE MAGAZINE • MARCH 2014

What would a homecoming be without a ladies lunch? Somers Farkas and Judith Giuliani invited 60 women, most of whom hadn’t met Rikki before, to do just that. Somers had gotten to know Rikki through the New York City Police Foundation, on whose board she serves, and Judith’s and Rikki’s husbands of course worked together, highly successfully, in Mayor Giuliani’s administration, 1994–96. Judith’s legendary hostess/decorating talent was on full display in the 60 hand-decorated (by Judith) goody bags festooned with badges, police cars and little policemen with bubbles and an invitation to the State of the NYPD breakfast (not to be used together). Bill made a surprise visit, which Rikki called the male equivalent of popping out of a cake. Judith presented them both with a picture and headline from 1994, lauding their miracle turnaround on NYC crime. Rikki told us we’d be hearing more about the Police Athletic League, whose board she’d just joined, continuing the work she did in L.A., to give kids a safe haven where they can stay active, play sports, get tutored, dance—and feel loved, she told us. Other law lovers and abiders included: Barbara Walters, Serena Boardman, Tonya Lewis Lee, Karen LeFrak, Daryl Roth, Gianna Palminteri (who, later that day, with husband Chazz would present the Commissioner with a check for the Child Reach Foundation, supporting families of injured police officers), Suzanne Johnson (thinking about security, with hubby Woody co-hosting the Super Bowl last month), Kathryn Chenault, Amy Fine Collins, Nicole Miller and Lally Weymouth. We will all sleep a little better. ✦

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CONTACT US Barry L Jacobson, DMD, FAAPD Diplomate, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry Helen Weinberg, DDS Orthodontics and Crainofacial Orthopedics 949 Park Ave NY, NY 10028 212-997-6453 (212-99-SMILE)

arts calendar

Feasting the Eyes This month’s selection of art and antiques on view, for sale and on stage TILTON GALLERY March 3: Brenna Youngblood 8 East 76th Street 212.737.2221

AUCTIONS BONHAMS NEW YORK March 17: Chinese Art March 17: Indian, Himalayan, and Southeast Asian Art March 19: Fine Japanese Works of Art 580 Madison Avenue 212.644.9001

EXHIBITIONS MUSEUM OF MODERN ART March 8–June 8: Gauguin: Metamorphoses Until Oct. 5: A World of Its Own: Photographic Practices in the Studio 11 West 53rd Street 212.708.9400

DOYLE NEW YORK March 17: Asian Works of Art April 2: American Paintings, Furniture, and Decorative Arts 175 East 87th Street 212.427.2730

SWANN AUCTION GALLERIES March 6: 19th & 20th Century Prints & Drawings March 27: Printed & Manuscript African Americana April 3: Astronomy & Science Books from the Library of Martin C. Gutzwiller 104 East 25th Street 212.254.4710

Man Ray, Laboratory of the Future, 1935, Gelatin silver print, on view at the MoMA

GALLERIES BARBARA MATHES GALLERY Through April 26: Karen Wilberding Diefenbach: La Costanza 22 East 80th Street 212.570.4190 CASTELLI GALLERY Through April 5: Robert Morris: Red and Black Black and Red 18 East 77th Street 212.249.4470 HAUSER & WIRTH Through April 12: Re-View: Onnasch Collection 511 West 18th Street 212.790.3900

Michele Gordigiani, Cornelia Ward Hall and Her Children, 1880, Oil on canvas, on view at The Museum of the City of New York 24 | AVENUE MAGAZINE • MARCH 2014

REHS CONTEMPORARY GALLERIES March 15: Heroes, Villains, Myths, Legends 5 East 57th Street, 8th Floor 212.355.5710

JENS ZIEHE

PHILLIPS March 6: Contemporary Art & Design Evening March 7: Under the Influence April 1: Photographs 450 Park Avenue 212.940.1200

Pawel Althamer, The Neighbors Exhibition, 2013, on view at the New Museum of Contemporary Art

MUSEUM OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK Until March 31: Rising Waters: Photographs of Sandy Ongoing: Gilded New York 1220 Fifth Avenue 212.534.1672 NEW MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART Through April 13: Laure Prouvost Through April 13: Report on the Construction of a Spaceship Module Through April 20: Pawel Althamer: The Neighbors 235 Bowery Street 212.219.1222

B E NE F I TI N G

arts calendar ART FAIR THE ARMORY SHOW March 6–9 Piers 92 & 94 212.645.6440

PERFORMANCES

Jindrich Polák, Ikarie XB-1 [Voyage to the End of the Universe], 1963, still, on view at the New Museum of Contemporary Art

WHITNEY MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART Mar. 7–May 25: 2014 Whitney Biennial 945 Madison Avenue 212.570.3600

March 5, 6, 7, 8 Saturday Matinee Concert: Debussy, Ravel, and Gershwin March 22 Gustavo Dudamel Conducts Bruckner and Vivier March 27, 28, 29 Avery Fisher Hall 10 Lincoln Center Plaza New York 212.875.5656 ✦

METROPOLITAN OPERA HOUSE The Enchanted Island March 1, 5, 8, 12, 15, 20 Wozzeck March 6, 10, 13, 17, 22 La Sonnambula March 14, 18, 21, 25, 29; April 1 Andrea Chénier March 24, 28, 31; April 5, 8, 12 10 Lincoln Center Plaza 212.362.6000 NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, A Musical Thriller

The Enchanted Island starring Placido Domingo as Neptune, at the Metropolitan Opera

AVENUEmagazine.com brings you all the society news you need from Madison Avenue to Meatpacking. Find out who was where, get recaps of the week’s hottest parties, stay up on gallery openings, gala schedules and when and where our favorite brands are opening their doors around the city. We make it our mission to keep tabs on the AVENUE, so sip up all the style and society gossip we are serving with your morning latte. Register at avenuemagazine.com to get your digital AVENUE in your inbox every month!

26 | AVENUE MAGAZINE • MARCH 2014

objects of desire

HALEY FRIEDLICH

3 1. District Link Cuff Bracelet in Tiger’s Eye by MADYHA FAROOQUI, $2,825. Available at madyhafarooqui.com 2. Aida Natural Tussah Silk Dress by VALENTINO HAUTE COUTURE, price and availability upon request. 3. Island in the Sun Necklace by VENESSA ARIZAGA, $395. Available at venessaarizaga.com 4. Marco Sunglasses by TOMS x JONATHAN ADLER, $160. Available at TOMS.com 5. Macramé Clutch by FIGUE, $125. Available at Figue, 268 Elizabeth Street, 212.380.7970, figue.com 6. Leopard-Print Scarf by SAINT LAURENT, $850. Available at Barneys New York, 660 Madison Avenue, 212.826.8900, barneys.com 7. Robinson Zig Zag East West Tote by TORY BURCH, $595. Available at Bloomingdale’s, 1000 Third Avenue, 212.729.5900, bloomingdales.com 8. Circle Cutout Ankle Boot by GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI, $1,395. Also available at Barneys New York

5 THE TRIBE HAS SPOKEN

Delve into one of spring’s most fun trends with all things fringed, hand-dyed, woven and crafty

28 | AVENUE MAGAZINE • MARCH 2014

objects of desire

HALEY FRIEDLICH

FIT FOR MCQUEEN Take a home décor cue from one of the fashion greats

1. Red Nuh Pillow by MISSONI, $195. Available at ABC Carpet & Home, 888 Broadway, 212.473.3000, abchome.com 2. Forged Scissors by MICHAEL ARAM, $89. Available at Michael Aram, 136 West 18th Street, 212.461.6903, michaelaram.com 3. Gray Mineralia Vase by ARCADE AVEC, $2,500. Also available at ABC Carpet & Home 4. Coral Bookend by L’OBJET, $850. Available at L-objet.com 5. Dinner Plate from the Boundless Sea Collection by BERNARDAUD,, $1,215 for set of 12. Available at Bernardaud, 499 Park Avenue, 212.371.4300, bernardaud.fr

6. Black Peacock by TAMAR MOGENDORFF, $295. Also available at ABC Carpet & Home 7. Kawali Red Champagne Flute by CHRISTOFLE, $305. Available at Christofle, 846 Madison Avenue, 212.308.9390, christofle.com 8. Mini Black Orchid Box by MICHAEL ARAM, $99. Available at Bloomingdale’s, 1000 Third Avenue, 212.729.5900, bloomingdales.com

30 | AVENUE MAGAZINE • MARCH 2014

Art by renowned illustrator Christoph Niemann.

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cocktail on the avenue

DAISY PRINCE

Live Literature Jean Hanff Korelitz explains, over a Sidecar, how she came to connect authors and readers

have always been a sucker for a good letter. Recently I got one from Jean Hanff Korelitz. Korelitz emailed me out of the blue to say she’d been a fan of the magazine since the “magical” night she’d tagged along with an old friend of hers who was our then-“Young Society” columnist at AVENUE. But it was the other things she said that made her sound like an interesting person: Her new service, BOOK THE WRITER, which enables book clubs in New York to invite any one of 80 listed authors to join their discussions sounded just up my alley, too. The author of four previously published works, Korelitz mentioned that her latest book was coming out this month—it’s titled You Should Have Known (Grand Central Publishing)—and is set on the Upper East Side. My curiosity mounted; I suggested meeting for a cocktail. But it wasn’t until I did a quick Google search and found out that she was the author of Admission, about a college admissions officer, that I got really excited. As a mother going through the trials and tribulations of getting her son into nursery school, I consider anyone with insight into the world of education definitely worth seeing. Meeting writers is a funny business. The temptation is to hope that somehow their insight into human nature will emanate from their physical presence. More often than not, a measure of their vulnerability finds its way into their books and it’s fascinating to see if the prose and personality match. I was pleased to find that COMMERCE Korelitz is an amazing conversationalist who is as accurate and funny about her own life as 50 Commerce Street she is about the lives she documents around her. She’s as much anthropologist as satirist and New York, NY 10014 her understanding of the highly glamorous world of the Upper East Side is very accurate. 212.524.2301 She told me her choice for our meeting was Commerce Street, a restaurant in the http://commercerestaurant.com/ West Village that looks more like London’s West End than New York City. Arriving for our meeting, I noted that the restaurant’s wooden beams, and painted murals on the walls, together with the old-fashioned wooden bar, gave the place something of a saloon feeling that was quite inviting. Korelitz and I opted for a booth so we might have something to nibble on while discussing books (literary discussion needs fuel). Korelitz told me she chose the place because in one of her earlier books, The White Rose (a contemporary retelling of Strauss’ Der Rosenkavalier, now being republished), one of the characters lived in the house up the street. We ordered our drinks, a white wine spritzer for me, a Sidecar for Korelitz, and I asked her, a seasoned author, about her writing process and her thoughts on writing fiction. “It’s like a boulder—like you’re carrying a boulder around, because I don’t write short stories, they can’t be little ideas,” she replied. “It has to be big enough for 400 pages. There are usually some very intense periods that last about two, two-and-a-half years. When I’m writing, it’s very much a sort of middle-of-the-day thing, and I think that probably has been ordained by the fact I’ve had kids at home. I don’t have any special rituals or anything. “I built myself a beautiful writing studio in our old house in New Jersey, and then I wrote my books on my bed. That made it easier to give up the beautiful writing room now that we’re in the city, with far less space.” Korelitz and her husband, Paul Muldoon, poetry editor of the New Yorker, recently moved from New Jersey, where he was a professor at Princeton, to the Upper West Side. They have two children, a boy and a girl. It was while she was living in Princeton and overhearing playground conversations all geared toward getting small children into Harvard that her interest in the hyper-competitive world of college placement was piqued enough to write Admission. She recalled one conversation (which actually went into the book) in which one mother was commiserating to the other about her daughter’s project for the seventh-grade science fair: As the mom put it, “I’m really upset about her choice of project because it doesn’t constitute an original contribution to science.” 32 | AVENUE MAGAZINE • MARCH 2014

cocktail on the avenue

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Korelitz frowned at the memory. “I mean, really? You are comparing a seventh grader to the level of the American Medical Association? And that was how we were all starting to think.” Now, with her and her husband’s Princeton sojourn over, the couple has returned to Manhattan, where she’s embarked on her newest adventure: BOOK THE WRITER. “For years in Princeton I ran this thing called the Meet the Author Book Club. I ran it as a benefit for an organization I was on the board of, so all the book group members made a donation to it. We had ten authors a year; they mainly came from New York. I thought, ‘I’m going to try and see if this can work on a fee-based model,’ because in New York, people are used to paying for unique experiences, really special ones, and it just doesn’t get any more special than this. “I’ve seen 12 years of this now, and there have been nights when people just walked out on clouds because it was so profound. I’m this evangelist for this experience; it’s a profound and beautiful thing to read a book, to love a book, and to sit down with the author and talk about the book. There are not many times in society when we get to do that.” Sipping her cocktail, Korelitz warmed to her subject. “Even if you love Michael Cunningham [The Hours, A Home at the End of the World], and he’s reading at Barnes & Noble and you get in line after the reading to say, ‘Michael Cunningham, I love your work!’ That’s all you are going to get. You should be able to sit down with Michael Cunningham and for two hours talk about why Whitman is so important to him, or why Claudia Roth Pierpont decided to spend five years of her life writing about Philip Roth and what she got out of that; what attracted her to him, what she learned from him. It goes so much deeper than the normal interaction we have with writers.” Korelitz has gathered an impressive list of names on the roster, including everyone from Zoë Heller to Rick Moody to A.M. Homes; and no doubt the list will grow in time. I asked her if, after a large dinner with wine involved, some of the authors end up revealing more than they meant to. Is there a confidentiality policy? “No, the most I ever did was when Steve Martin came—I told people, “We’re only here to talk about the book; we’re not here to talk about The Three Amigos. Do not bring anything to sign, except the book. And no cameras.’ He was great. He loved to talk about his work.” Korelitz said that choosing the price was one of the most difficult aspects of starting BOOK THE WRITER. The fee is $750 and the author gets $400. “When I started to talk to society people about the right number, all I heard was ‘too high’ or ‘too low.’ I never heard, ‘That’s just right.’ Finally, I had to stop waiting. To make it less makes it not viable for a writer, and not viable for me. To make it more makes it stupid, because nobody would pay more. Well, they would, but they shouldn’t have to.” Interestingly, Korelitz set the same price for each author. Once the cocktails had long since been drunk and the snacks scarfed up, Korelitz said she needed to head out, and so did I. As we parted ways, I couldn’t help thinking that this project sounded like a heavenly way to spend the evening, and I reflected on how I’d love to be a part of it. Now, I just need to find the right book club to go with it. For more information visit bookthewriter.com ✦

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unreal estate

HALEY FRIEDLICH

Inside the House of Outrageous Fortune This is your third real estate book; how did you become interested in the topic? After 740 Park, I didn’t want to be known as the “apartment house guy.” I decided I wrote books about institutions of American wealth. I made a list, and number seven was the Metropolitan Museum of Art. My editor said, “That’s the one.” Part of me has regretted that decision because that book [Rogues’ Gallery] got me into so much trouble! My then publisher next said, “Why don’t you write about real estate in Los Angeles?” So I did Unreal Estate, which is also the namesake of my column. Then, seven to eight years after I wrote 740 Park, I realized everything had changed in New York. Suddenly, I thought I could be the “apartment house guy” again and decided to do a book on 15 Central Park West, and here we are! How did you go about collecting all this information? It’s extremely detailed; where do you even begin? That’s why they pay me the medium-sized bucks! I had to do two things: figure out what story I was telling, and figure out who lived at 15 Central Park West. I read every article that had been written in the preceding four years about who lived at 15 Central Park West, and who had recently purchased an apartment at the address. Some of the information was right, but much of it was wrong . . . there was definitely some sloppy guesswork. At the same time, some of the guesswork was right on. To be fair, many condos are purchased by trusts, corporations and limited liability companies and entities that have been specifically instructed to hide real ownership. So, after looking through newspapers, I went to the deeds, which are public record. I did a spreadsheet of the whole building. At a certain point, I was back to human intelligence; I just started taking to people. Most of the people who identified building residents are confidential sources; but suffice to say, they were people who have intimate knowledge of who lives in that building. Simultaneously, I was trying to figure out what the book was going to be. It would be the story of a gigantic paradigm shift, not only in New York real estate, but in what constitutes wealthy society in New York. There was the shift from the East Side to the West Side, from old money 36 | AVENUE MAGAZINE • MARCH 2014

to new money and from industries Michael that were traditionally the engines Gross of wealth in New York to the new industries of wealth in New York. There was also the shift in co-ops, which were mostly owned by local people who lived in their apartments year round, to condos owned by foreign investors, only there to stay a few days of the year. So how do you tell that story? I decided that it had to be a series of connected stories, starting with the story of the West Side, specifically the massive farm that used to surround today’s 15 Central Park West, and progresses until the time Lincoln Center was developed. Then I told the story of the Zeckendorf family because they did a lot of development; it’s a three-generation real estate saga, with father working for grandfather, and sons working for father. Then the third story I had to tell was that of luxury condos in New York, which is not as recent as people think. Most assume Time Warner, 15 Central Park West and the towers of 57th Street are the first ones. But, in fact, the story of luxury condos of New York begins in the ’70s with Aristotle Onassis, the Olympic Tower and almost immediately afterwards, Donald Trump. Now we are up to story number four, the development of Columbus Circle, which has been continuously redeveloped over hundreds of years. The first person to think he could transform it into something great was William Randolph Hearst, in the late 1800s; so, there is another story. Someone I interviewed likened the process to building a bird’s nest. You take a piece of string, a twig, a bead, another twig and a little bit of newspaper. Eventually it becomes a beautiful bird’s nest, or in this case, a very expensive bird’s nest. Why do you think the people who live in 15 Central Park West were more amenable than the Met board members? I think with those residents who came from very little, there’s a real sense of pride in their accomplishments. In particular, stories of the foreigners who came to America in the 1970s and now live at 15 Central Park West make you “well–up” with American pride. In the case of the people who didn’t want to talk, they were like the people at 740 Park who didn’t want to talk. At the time I was reporting this book, Occupy Wall Street had an encampment across the street. There was clearly a growing alternate reality that many of the people who live at 15 Central Park West might have found threatening. Dan Och didn’t talk to me; Dan Loeb didn’t talk to me; Barry Rosenstein didn’t talk to me; Lloyd Blankfein didn’t talk to me. To their credit, it took months and months, but most of the other Goldman Sachs people finally talked to me. But just within the cadre

SOPHIE ELGORT

A Q&A with AVENUE’s real estate columnist Michael Gross about his new book House of Outrageous Fortune: Fifteen Central Park West, The World’s Most Powerful Address (Atria Books, March 2014)

575 Madison avenue, nY, nY 10022. 212.891.7000 | ÂŠ 2014 douglas elliMan Real estate.

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unreal estate

Columbus Circle, looking north, circa 1931.

Fifteen Central Park West seen from across Central Park. (Mike Tauber)

Left bottom: Codeveloper Eyal Ofer and his brother, Idan, are two of the world’s richest men. Idan’s duplex apartment in the-front “house” portion of 15 Central Park West was built by Stern Projects, and run by Nicholas S. G. Stern, the building architect’s son. (Peter Aaron/Otto)

of the dozen or so Goldman Sachs people who live in the building, there was one guy who never returned a phone call and one guy who yelled at me, and said he didn’t want his name in my book . . . too bad. Was there anything you learned in particular that surprised you? What surprised me was that I was allowed to put together, to learn and to describe the series of business deals that led to the creation of this building. I was surprised and delighted that most of the people involved were willing to talk; I think I was probably most surprised by the way that petty personal tensions affected deals. The relationship between Goldman Sachs and the Zeckendorf brothers, who were partners in this, was contentious right from the beginning— that kind of thing was amazing to me. And the tale of how the fellow who controlled the property on behalf of a wealthy family played a game of decades’-long chess, the intricacies of the sale of the building—that was the stuff that captivated me the most. Was there anyone you really enjoyed getting to work with on this project? I already knew Will and Arthur Zeckendorf because their grandfather had briefly owned 740 Park, but spending hours with them, I learned how proud they are of what they did here—a lifetime achievement. The billionaire businessman who helped back them was fabulous, a charming and delightful guy. I loved Tyler Ellis, Perry Ellis’ daughter, and John Avlon, the man who sold the property; he is someone who doesn’t talk to the press. I don’t want to spoil the end of the book, but there is a group of immigrants to New York who were just amazing and really inspiring. There is one guy who repaired air conditioners in the former Soviet Union and ended up inventing the DVD. 38 | AVENUE MAGAZINE • MARCH 2014

Left top, middle and bottom: Apartment 33D in the tower, originally owned by Zachary Jared Schreiber and his wife, Lori, was sold for $29 million (Mike Tauber);

Did you get to see anything inside the building that was really “insider”? I ate at the restaurant one day for lunch. I got a tour of the health club, screening room, billiard room and conference rooms, and I visited a lot of the apartments. The funniest moment was, I was in a “D”-line apartment doing an interview when an envelope came under the front door. The owner of the apartment picked up the envelope and said, “Oh, look! It’s Brown Harris Stevens.” An hour later he called me to tell me the letter said there was this guy named Michael Gross running around the building and that this book was not sanctioned; they could talk to me or not. I thought that was so diplomatic of the condo board, I called the president of the co-op board to thank him. Why would people who liked your other books like this one? It’s the same blend of social history and exposé of the rich and famous that I’ve tried to do in every book. These are people who have a massive and often unaccountable effect on the day-to-day lives of everyone in this country. If you care about how the world works today, then I think you really need to understand how hedge fund people operate. That doesn’t necessarily mean what they tell their investors in their biannual letters; it means how they behave. What I think this book does better than any book I’ve written before is that it’s a much more integrated story, not as episodic. I think I’ve also appreciated the fact that it’s a hundred pages shorter than any of my last four books! By the way, I apologize to the people who got left out. Some of them will think that’s a blessing, and some of them will probably gnash their teeth and wish I’d revealed their names; but you can’t win them all. ✦

Opening March 15, 2014 - April 11, 2014 An important exhibition of contemporary realist work featuring over 60 artists from the Ani Art Academies instructors, alumni, associates and current apprentices

AVENUEBILL NEW YORK CITY BALLET

n a t t a h n x a u e M as de D P

MARCH 2014 • AVENUE MAGAZINE | 41

MANHATTAN SOCIETY PAS DE DEUX AN UPTOWN COURTSHIP AS INTERPRETED BY THE NEW YORK CITY BALLET Dancers: TROY SCHUMACHER and ASHLEY LARACEY Photographer: GINA UHLMANN, GINAUHLMANN.COM Stylist: LAURA SOLIN-VALDINA, NYCSTYLIST, nycstylist.com Makeup/Hair: ASIA GEIGER Digital Tech: BRIAN EAVES Photography Assistance: COTY TARR Production Coordinator: STACEY SPENCER Styling Assistance: LAURA ESCALANTE, JOLENE PAOLOZZI, WHITNEY WHITEN Shot at: THE AMERICAN SCHOOL OF BALLET

BALLET IN SEVEN ACTS ACT I The benefit: Our Romance begins “Hey, want a ride in my Uber?” ACT II The first date “….and our first selfie.” ACT III And then there were three . . . “He’s not going to get any bigger is he?” ACT IV The Engagement “The Plaza in June?” ACT V The Co-op interview “Of course our dog is under 40 pounds.” ACT VI We’re having a baby “Quick book the maternity nurse!” Several years later: ACT VII It’s a Manhattan dream come true “Charlie got into St. Bernards!” Troy wears a Navy Wool Tux and Black Silk Tie by John Varvatos; available at John Varvatos, 122 Spring Street, JohnVarvatos. com. Custom White Luxury Oxford Shirt by JHilburn; available at jhilburn.com. Ashley wears a Nude Crepe and Lace Gown with Lace Applique by Carmen Marc Valvo; available at Bergdorf Goodman, 754 Fifth Avenue, 212.753.7300. LBlack Spinel Demi-Pyramid Bangle by Plukka; available at plukka.com.

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Troy wears a Multi-button Red Goat Suede Jacket with Peak Lapel, Grey Cotton T-shirt and Black Leather Belt by John Varvatos; available at John Varvatos, 122 Spring Street, JohnVarvatos.com. Blue Denim Jeans are Troy’s own Ashley wears a Lambskin Patch Pocket Dress by CHANEL. Available at CHANEL Boutiques, 800.550.0005. Large Diamond Ball Earrings and Multi Knuckle Diamond Ring with Flower Detail both by Rhodium; available at josephstores.com. 44 | AVENUE MAGAZINE • MARCH 2014

Troy wears Grey Denim Jeans and a Striped Linen Crew Neck T-Shirt both by John Varvatos; available at John Varvatos, 122 Spring Street, Johnvarvatos.com Ashley wears Bubble Silk Sleeveless Top in Blue by Sea New York; available at Barneys New York, 660 Madison Avenue, 212.826.8900. Black Skinny Pants by Helmut Lang are stylist’s own. Rose Gold Earrings with Jade and Diamonds by Lucifer Vir Honestus; available at Lucifer Vir Honestus USA, 786.329.5580.

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Troy wears a Navy Single Breasted Blazer, White Button Down Shirt and Woolen Glen Check Trousers all by Ports 1961; available at Ports 1961, 3 Ninth Avenue, 917.475.1022. Chromatic Watch in Titanium Ceramic and Steel Case- 41mm by CHANEL; available at CHANEL Fine Jewelry Boutiques, 800.550.0005 Ashley wears an Off White Bailey Dress by Candela; available at candelanyc.com. Winged Diamond Earrings by Rhodium; available at josephstores.com. Impératrice Diamond Tassel Pendant Necklace by Fabergé; available at Fabergé, 694 Madison Avenue, 646.559.8848. 18 Kt Rose Gold Diamond Ring by Jamie Wolf; available by special order at jamiewolf.com. MARCH 2014 • AVENUE MAGAZINE | 47

Troy wears a Grey Two Button Slim Fit Hamptons Suit and Navy Silk Tie both by John Varvatos; available at John Varvatos, 122 Spring Street, JohnVarvatos.com. Custom White Luxury Oxford Shirt by JHilburn; available at jhilburn.com

Ashley wears a Soluzioni Crepe Leather and Crepe Cardigan in Yellow, Sleeve Blouse with Cotton and Soluzioni Crepe and Leather Pencil Skirt all by Sea New York; available at Barneys New York, 660 Madison Avenue, 212.826.8900. 18 Kt Yellow Gold Small Clover Earrings with Pearls and Diamonds by Jamie Wolf; available by special order at jamiewolf.com. Glass Pearl and Swarovski Crystal Tassel Necklace by Miriam Haskell; available at miriamhaskell.com, 212.764.3332

Troy wears a Navy Wool Tux and Black Silk Tie by John Varvatos; available atJohn Varvatos, 122 Spring Street, Johnvarvatos.com. Custom White Luxury Oxford Shirt by JHilburn; available at jhilburn.com. Chromatic Watch in Titanium Ceramic and Steel Case- 41mm by CHANEL; available at CHANEL Fine Jewelry Boutiques, 800.550.0005 Ashley wears an Ivory Wool Crepe and Metallic Lace Gown by Carmen Marc Valvo; available at Bergdorf Goodman, 754 Fifth Avenue, 212.753.7300. Multi-tiered Feather Diamond Earrings by Rhodium, available at josephstores. com. Diamond Webbed Bangle also by Rhodium, available at Wynn Las Vegas. MARCH 2014 â&#x20AC;˘ AVENUE MAGAZINE | 49

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Troy wears a Black and White Glen Plaid Vest with Matching Pant by John Varvatos; available at John Varvatos, 122 Spring Street, JohnVarvatos.com. Ashley wears a Caddy Silk Multi-pleated Oxblood Dress by Ports 1961; available at Ports 1961, 3 Ninth Avenue, 917.475.1022. One of a Kind Taj Mookaite, Pink Tourmaline,and Grey Moonstone Drop Earrings with White Diamonds; Medium French Lace Rose Gold Ring with Centered Rubies both by Sara Weinstock; available at Broken English, brokenenglishjewelry.com. MARCH 2014 â&#x20AC;˘ AVENUE MAGAZINE | 51

WHO’S WHO IN THE CAST THERE ARE FEW CAREERS more all-consuming than ballet. It consumes dancers physically, emotionally, socially and, for Troy Schumacher and Ashley Laracey, romantically. After a decade with the New York City Ballet, the two dancers will become partners in life as well as dance, when they marry on June 14. Ashley and Troy each traveled a long road before finding their ultimate partners in one another. Ashley’s dance career got off to a rough start. “I was twoand–a-half and I cried every Saturday morning if my mom left me at the barre alone,” Ashley says. Her friends forged ahead without her until the day came when, after jealously watching their recital, she told her mother that she was ready to commit to dance. And dedicate herself she did. Ashley began her studies at age 5 with the Carty Academy of Theater Dance in Bradenton, Florida, and joined the Sarasota Ballet of Florida at 12. She continued her studies, at age 15, at the Harid Conservatory in Boca Raton, Florida, before she was spotted and invited to join the School of American Ballet, in 2001. In 2002 she became an apprentice for the New York City Ballet and joined the Company four months later. Troy, meanwhile, started off as an athletic kid with an obsession for tap dancing. he honed his skills in that genre while compulsively watching Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire movies. However, after a few years as a tap dancer, he felt it was time to branch out. He auditioned for The Nutcracker at the Atlanta Ballet and began taking ballet classes. “I didn’t have any immediate natural talent,” Troy says. “I was drawn to how difficult ballet was, though, and I devoted myself to doing it well.” The hard work paid off. He started at the Atlanta Ballet in 2000 and moved to the School of American Ballet in 2002. He was offered an apprenticeship there in 2005 and joined the Company as a member of the corps de ballet later the same year. Troy’s dogged persistence carried into his personal life. He spotted Ashley for the first time when she was an apprentice, and he only a student as well as an admirer four years her junior. He subsequently nursed a crush on her for years until the two bonded while simultaneously sidelined from the Company due to injuries. “Eventually I spilled my guts to her, and she very politely let me down and said she wasn’t looking for a boyfriend,” Troy recalls. But he wasn’t deterred. After more years passed, he finally earned himself a first date and, six years later, a fiancée.

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Two intensely driven people living and dancing together is a scenario with both advantages and challenges. “All of us as dancers at New York City Ballet are invested in our work to a level that you don’t often have in other job forms,” Troy says. “We take our work so seriously and we spend so much time thinking about it, being happy about it or being upset by setbacks. “It’s really nice to have someone that understands that. We understand each other on so many levels, and it works.” “It’s a tough situation,” Ashley agrees. “We work closely together and live together, so there are obviously tense moments that come from that intimacy. But I also never have to explain myself.” As a pair, the two are now emerging as a ballet power couple. Ashley was promoted to soloist in February 2013, a coup after 10 years in the Company, which included a freak 2004 accident that kept her off the stage for a year. “When [ballet Master in Chief] Peter Martins asked to speak with me, I thought I’d done something wrong,” Ashley says. “I was completely blindsided by the promotion. I had no idea it was even a possibility anymore. It’s given me a new sense of confidence and a new drive for the future.” Today, Ashley simultaneously serves as muse and collaborator to Troy, who is emerging as a different type of star with his experimental dance company BalletCollective, which brings together artists from a wide range of fields— dance, choreography, poetry, composition, costume design, visual art—and has them collaborate as equals in order to emerge with a cohesive vision and performance. “BalletCollective is an idea that came to me after watching the ballet Agon, which was a very close collaboration between Balanchine and Stravinsky,” Troy says. “I took the bare bones of their process and tried to develop it in a way where other art forms could influence ballet and ballet’s trajectory. We are trying to present new ideas about how to choreograph and present ballet in today’s world.” Although BalletCollective was founded in 2010, it has recently begun attracting the attention of influencers, ranging from New York Times dance critic Alastair Macaulay to fashion editor Carine Roitfeld. One thing is clear: This is a pas de deux taking the dance world by storm. ✦ —Suzanne Weinstock Klein

Photo by Henry Leutwyler ÂŠ 2008 Maria Kowroski

In celebration of New York City Balletâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 50th Anniversary at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, the following boutiques will create a week-long festival featuring ballet-related window displays, in-store programming and Shop with the Dancers fund-raising receptions.

A G E N T P R O V O C A T E U R A L I C E + O L I V I A B A L L Y B A R N E Y S N E W Y O R K KARA ROSS NEW YORK KATE SPADE NEW YORK L O N G C H A M P M U L B E R R Y S C H U T Z T O R Y B U R C H On Your Toes on Madison Avenue is presented by the Madison Avenue BID in association with AVENUE and will benefit New York City Ballet.

For further information, please visit www.madisonavenuebid.org/event-information/

SIST ER

A C

Veronica and Veronica, designing for the modern woman by Suzanne Weinstock Klein photographed by Keith Major styled by Laura Solin-Valdina, NYCSTYLIST, nycstylist.com ■ Hair and makeup by Asia Geiger ■ Hair and makeup assistance by Takashi Ashizawa ■ Photography assistance by Cesar Rebollar ■ Production coordination by Stacey Spencer ■ Styling assistance by Jolene Paolozzi and Whitney Whiten 54 | AVENUE MAGAZINE • MARCH 2014

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Previous spread: VSB wears Caramel and Crème Resort Cotton Hoodie with Crème Cropped Trousers; both by Ports 1961; available at ports1961.com, 917.475.1022. Transparent Gold Pearl Cuff and Pearl Necklace with Gold Detail, both by CHANEL; available at select CHANEL Boutiques, 800.550.0005 VMB wears a White Compact Stretch Cotton Classic Jacket over a White Silk Double Georgette Layered Blouse; both by Veronica Beard, available at veronicabeard.com. Jacquard Brocade Gold Skirt by Ports 1961; available at ports1961.com, 917.475.1022. Yellow Gold, Platinum, Diamond and Sapphire earrings and Double Headed Snake Yellow Gold, Platinum, Diamonds, Emeralds, and Sapphire Ring both by David Webb; available at DavidWebb. com. White Snakeskin Pumps by Rupert Sanderson; available at RupertSanderson.com Opposite page: VSB wears Red Silk Double Georgette Sleeveless Blouse under a Midnight Textured Zip Front Blazer Dress, both by Veronica Beard; available at veronicabeard.com. Floral Long Skirt, by Valentino; available at Valentino, 821 Madison Avenue, 212.772.6969. Paired with her own bracelet is an 18 Kt Yellow Gold Cuff Bangle Bracelet by Sandi Miller Burrows Designs; 212.996.6217, sandimillerburrowsdesigns. com. 18 karat Yellow Gold Aquamarine and Pearl Ring is also by Sandi Miller Burrows Designs. Her shoes are Red and Gray Leather Dreamer Ankle Strap Sandal, by Louis Vuitton. Available at Select Louis Vuitton Stores 866. VUITTON, louisvuitton.com VMB wears Black Cotton Scuba High-waisted Pencil Skirt with a Denim Printed Leather Crop Top with Black Mesh, both by Veronica Beard; available at www.veronicabeard.com. Medium Classic Link Bracelet in Walnut and 18 kt Yellow Gold by Seaman Schepps; available at Seaman Schepps, 485 Park Avenue, 212.753.9520. Gold, Vintage Agate Stone Necklace by Diane Cotton; available at Green with Envy, 914.725.9700. Shoes are VMB’s own, by Jimmy Choo.

an women have it all? It’s one of the great questions of our time and, increasingly, the answer is yes. But the follow-up question is even harder to answer: Who are these wonder women who are actually pulling it off and how are they making it happen? Well, at the moment, two of them are sitting in the offices of Veronica Beard. Veronica Miele Beard (VMB) and Veronica Swanson Beard (VSB)—sisters-in-law who each married one of legendary photographer Peter Beard’s nephews—not only share a name and a hot-up and-coming fashion label but have eight children between the two of them and head-turning good looks. Despite a polar vortex and blizzard raging outside, these wonder women look runway ready. Veronica Miele Beard is even rocking high-heeled snow boots! “We get the question more often than not: How do you do it all? How do you get these kids ready for school and actually drop them off and have a career and look damn good?” VMB says. And that’s the Veronica Beard brand in a nutshell. The Veronicas (as they are often called) design clothes that make it just a little bit easier for women to have it all.

he Veronicas are a unit. They share an office with side-by-side desks. They finish each other’s sentences and complete each other’s thoughts with a frequency that verges on comical. They work together during the day and still want to have dinner with each other at night. Before they were the Veronicas, they were just two girls growing up on opposite sides of the country with polar opposite lives. VSB grew up in San Francisco as one of three sisters born into the frozenfood dynasty bearing their name. It was a famously free-spirited household thanks to their mother Elizabeth Swanson, who is also one of San Francisco’s best-known hostesses. “My mom is a crazy entertainer,” says VSB. “She has a hundred pairs of tap shoes in every size so if people come over, you can’t say you can’t tap dance. She had this Auntie Mame quality to her that was, at times, embarrassing as a child, but the way she put herself together was so colorful, with hats and feathers and props. She was just an amazing character.” Elizabeth Swanson was full of creative energy, so it’s only logical that she raised wildly creative daughters. Alexis Swanson Traina works with her father as creative director of Swanson Vineyards in Napa, and Claiborne Swanson Frank is a fashion photographer and portraitist who recently published her debut book, American Beauty. It was clear from the beginning that VSB was destined for the fashion world. “Veronica had a natural gift of style and taste and has had a deep passion for fashion since she was a little girl, so there’s no surprise she’s doing exactly what she’s doing; it was in the stars for her,” Swanson Frank says. After graduating from Tulane, VSB went to Parsons, but when Narciso Rodriguez offered her a job, she dropped out of school to take it, working in

Counterintuitively, it was the world of finance that taught VMB the power of fashion. If women were going to be treated differently, she would have to behave differently.

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a series of design-adjacent jobs until she met the other Veronica Beard. VMB, on the other hand, was raised by a single mom in North Caldwell, New Jersey. Sandwiched between two brothers, she spent her time playing three varsity sports and riding horses. “I grew up with no breadwinner,” VMB says. Her father, a civil engineer who owned water purification company Pollution Control Industries, passed away when she was two-years-old. “My mother didn’t work but my father was not alive, and I had this urgency my whole life. That’s why I decided I was going to Wall Street to make some money.” After attending Franklin & Marshall, VMB headed to Wall Street where she fought to break the mold throughout her career. In her first job at now-defunct investment bank Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette (DLJ), women were given the title “sales assistant” and men were called “business associates.” This inequality did not sit well with VMB, who demanded the same title for doing the same work. “I was told, ‘Women need MBAs here.’ I went through the roof. I was like, ‘screw this’ and went to work at Vogue,” VMB says. After a stint in ad sales, she returned to finance and conquered the sexism, ultimately becoming COO of technology hedge fund Coatue alongside Philippe Lafont, one of Julian Robertson’s famous “tiger cubs”. Counter-intuitively, it was the world of finance that taught VMB the power of fashion. If women were going to be treated differently, she would have to behave differently. “I said to myself, ‘If I’m going to make any kind of strides here, I have to look legit.’ If you can be the girl that looks good, puts some lipstick on, looks smart but really put together in a professional but feminine way, you will be the one that everybody listens to. You’ll have some stature.”

The Veronicas are a unit. They share an office with side-by-side desks. They finish each other’s sentences and complete each other’s thoughts with a frequency that verges on comical.

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t was January 22nd, 2002 when the Veronicas finally met. The two were seated at the same table at a wedding along with VMB’s husband Anson Beard and VSB’s future husband, Jamie Beard. “I told Jamie to get on that,” VMB said about her future sister-in-law. “She was really cool.” “Jamie was making a hard push and I thought, ‘God, this guy is so divine and so sweet,’” VSB recalls. “But then I looked at Veronica [Miele Beard] and thought there’s no way that fate is going to play out and there will be two Veronica Beards. Now there are.” Despite working in two different worlds, the two were kindred spirits when it came to style and they soon began tossing around ideas with one another. A maternity line was one idea, given the eight pregnancies they’ve now had between the two of them. But the theme that stuck was “the uniform”: easy, American sportswear inspired by the utilitarianism of men’s clothing. In 2009, talk turned to action. Their husbands each had jackets with zip-in sweaters that didn’t exist in womens wear at the time. So the Veronicas whipped up some prototypes for their own wardrobes and started wearing them out and about, swapping out the dickies to change their look. VMB’s financial mind took over. There was a business to be built around jackets with interchangeable dickies. “We thought about a girl with this crazy busy lifestyle and a lot of kids and maybe a job and still looking sexy for her husband. Can we have this one superman cape that simplifies this for her?” If it sounds a lot like they were thinking about themselves, that’s no coincidence. “What’s amazing about what Veronica and Veronica are doing is that they’re designing and creating a collection for themselves and the world they live in,” Swanson Frank says. “So often in fashion we lose the conversation with who will be living in and wearing the clothes the designers are designing for. They’ve made this conversation so personal and intimate because it’s a direct conversation they’re having with themselves: women juggling careers, motherhood and interesting lives.” They went to friend Sarah Easley, co-owner of Kirna Zabete, which is, for the uninitiated, one of New York’s most prestigious high-end boutiques. “They showed up at Balthazar both wearing the now famous uniform jacket—one of them had a fisherman dickie and the other one had a hoodie—and they said we have this concept for a transformer blazer. I get hundreds of solicitations a week but I really loved this idea and believed in it. I said make it and we will sell it. That first fall, we reordered three times. At the end of the day the uniform jacket was a shortcut; it’s a polisher piece you can throw on over jeans and go out into the world not looking disheveled.” The uniform jacket grew into a small, concentrated collection in that same spirit. “The concept was to focus-in on those key pieces that are absolutely essential to an active working woman or at-home mother’s wardrobe based on their experience and perfect them—the perfect trenchcoat, the perfect-fitting pant, the most wonderful day into evening dress—items that they felt were key elements of a modern woman’s wardrobe,” says Michelle Stein, who is President of Aeffe and served as an unofficial advisor to the Veronicas at the outset of their business. The clothes are all about real women living real lives who don’t have time for a skirt they can’t get out of a taxi in or a dress that is uncomfortable to sit down in or pieces that are difficult to style. “As female designers designing for women, we have an edge,” VSB says. “You know how a woman’s body is. You know what she’s doing. You know how much and what her needs are. I think male designers have a lot more artistic freedom because they don’t live in the reality of walking in their shoes. While we adore all these male designers who create the incredible fantasy that is fashion, we really strive to design reality.”

VSB wears a Red and White Gingham Top by Louis Vuitton, available at Select Louis Vuitton Stores, 866.VUITTON, louisvuitton.com. Paired with Black Cotton Scuba Slim Trouser by Veronica Beard; available at veronicabeard.com. VSB also wears Yellow Gold, Platinum, and Diamond Earrings by David Webb and a Yellow Gold and Diamond Ring, both by David Webb; available at DavidWebb. com. Black Pumps with Yellow Floral Detail by Rupert Sanderson, available at rupertsanderson.com VMB wears a Black Silk Double Georgette Layered Blouse paired with a Hothouse Floral Scuba Flounce Skirt with Neon Yellow Piping, both by Veronica Beard; available at vernonicabeard. com. Her earrings are 18 kt, Silver and Black Diamond Rhodium Earrings; available at josephstores.com. Her Periwinkle Diamond Webbed Bangle is also from the Rhodium collection; available at the Wynn Las Vegas store. Shoes are VMB’s own by Saint Laurent

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It’s a reality that has resonated deeply with its target audience—particularly the original jackets, which remain 40 percent of the business—and Veronica Beard is now sold in 100 stores worldwide including Intermix, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom. The collection has grown each season without losing sight of its core competency and it didn’t take long for the CFDA and Vogue to take notice, naming Veronica Beard a 2013 Fashion Fund finalist. “It is important for designers to have a point of view and a clear understanding of their customer,” says CFDA president Steven Kolb. “We look for that when deciding finalists for the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund. Simply put, the Veronicas make clothes for themselves. The clothes are modern, go day-to-day and build off basics.” The CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund competition is a difficult one, requiring designers to examine and defend every aspect of their business in front of the fashion elite—Anna Wintour, Andrew Rosen, Diane Von Furstenberg, Jenna Lyons, and more—in a competition that has historically rewarded high fashion darlings like Altuzarra and Alexander Wang. “I was constantly thinking, oh my gosh, these are fashion people and these people are true artists. How am I going to stand out next to them? We’re more market driven,” says VMB. “But through the process we learned that is so powerful. That’s our business, and we’re going to stand behind it and believe in it.” Thanks to their CFDA mentors, the duo made adjustments to their business, including, reducing their price point from “opening designer” to contemporary. “We had been trying to blaze our own trail and swim upstream but as soon as we chose to go with the stream, doors started opening,” VSB adds. They may make empire-building as working mothers look easy, but balancing their company with motherhood is top priority for both women. VSB has three boys and VMB has three girls and two boys at home. Of course the Veronicas both have help at home, including VMB’s mother who helps with the kids every day, but finding balance is a constant challenge. “Speaking for myself, it’s not like I have a job, and my husband has a job, and it’s an equal thing. I still run our home, and I still run our kids’ lives and we have this business,” VSB says. “The guy comes home and says, ‘But I work,’” VMB adds, with a roll of her eyes. “When we’re having a great work week, we feel like we’re not with our kids enough or our husbands are neglected; then when we’re with our kids, we feel like work’s being neglected. The whole thing is such a delicate balancing act,” VSB continues. “Ultimately, the maternal instinct wins out and family comes first. We’re not curing cancer. We are designing clothes. We love it and we have the best time here, but we wake up with these kids. We go home to be with these kids. They’re the greatest thing that we’ve got, for sure.” Having one another is part of what makes it all possible. They may not be blood relations, but it’s hard to imagine two women who behave more like sisters than the Veronicas. Each has her own personality and style; VSB has a softer, laid-back, bohemian vibe, while VMB is forceful on every front from her style to her girl power brand of feminism. But there’s a yin-yang balance to the pairing, not to mention a clear level of intimacy and trust. When one has to be with her family, the other one takes up the slack. “People are always like, you should never go into business with family or friends, but who else would you pick?” VSB asks. “Are you going to put an ad out in the paper, ‘Looking for a partner.’”

Simply put, the Veronicas make clothes for themselves. The clothes are modern, go day-to-day and build off basics.

VSB wears a Translucent Embossed Python Trench Coat over a Yellow Cotton Scuba Racer Back Sheathed Dress, both by Veronica Beard; available at veronicabeard.com. LM Cuir Black T- Strap Sandal by Longchamp; available at Longchamp, 713 Madison Ave, 212.223.1500. Oval Knuckle Ring with White and Yellow Diamonds, Rhodium; available at josephstores.com VMB wears White Stretch Cotton Classic Jacket with White Stretch Cotton Trouser both Veronica Beard; available at veronicabeard.com. Yellow Gold, Platinum, Diamonds, Jade, Turquoise, and White Enamel earrings by David Webb; available at DavidWebb.com. White Platform Sandals are VMB’s own by Christian Louboutin

o how can women have it all? The Veronicas point to a quote that has become the refrain of some of the world’s most powerful women. Carolina Herrera, Oprah Winfrey and Madeleine Albright have all said at one point or another that women can have it all, but they can’t have it all at the same time. “We have trouble doing it all too and that’s part of the struggle that every woman has. For our brand that authenticity is the secret sauce,” VMB says. Adds VSB: “We’ve had so many women come up to us and say, ‘Oh my God, this is so inspiring to me that you guys did this. This is what you’re passionate about. You love it. You did it. You’re doing it. It’s working.’” It’s true. And they look damn good doing it. ✦

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The

BEST DRESSED New Yorkers ( OUR LIST )

photographs by Patrick McMullan and Billy Farrell Agency

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Giovanna Battaglia MARCH 20124• AVENUE MAGAZINE | 63

the judges “Ludi genuinely embodies effortless style. His look is always elegant, without seeming to have put a single thought to it . . .” —says Nicole Mellon on Ludi Salm Freddie Leiba

Christian Leone

Nicole and Matthew Mellon

Sylvie Millstein

Chloe Perrin

“Emilia is a style pro. Her use of color, texture, and accessories is matchless—I always stop to admire and absorb her look—the nuance in her style is always subtle and elegant.” —says Matthew Mellon on Emilia Saint-Amand

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James LaForce

The Best-Dressed New Yorkers

Here’s AVENUE’S best-dressed list compiled with the help of our most fashionable friends. James LaForce

Nicole and Matthew Mellon

James LaForce is a founding partner of LaForce + Stevens, one of New York’s top fashion, lifestyle, luxury and beauty marketing and communications firms. LaForce is a highly-regarded consultant for an impressive roster of top brands. He has lent his expertise to media campaigns for Gianfranco Ferré, Saint Laurent, Karl Lagerfeld, Tracy Reese and Swarovski, to name a few. He has extensive insider knowledge of both the fashion world and New York society, making his a perennial opinion for this list.

Nicole and Matthew Mellon are the creators of Hanley Mellon—a lifestyle brand and website that combines highly curated shopping with selective editorial and photographic content. The married couple combines Matthew’s business and creative expertise—his entrepreneurial and investment résumé includes luxury companies such as Jimmy Choo, Harry’s of London and Marquis Jets—with Nicoles keen sense of style (and previous experience, including positions with Intermix and Ralph Lauren) to produce Hanleymellon.com. Here, the pair lends us their sharp eyes (each submitting a separate list) to tell us which New Yorkers are up to the Hanley Mellon standard.

Freddie Leiba Freddie Leiba established himself as a fashion visionary working with Andy Warhol, where he was part of the team launching the groundbreaking Interview magazine. Since then, Leiba has served as creative director of Harper’s Bazaar, contributed in various editorial and creative capacities to a number of Condé Nast titles around the world, and was contributing fashion director at InStyle. He has dressed countless models, actors, and star musicians for glossy covers. Photographers Richard Avedon, Francesco Scavullo, Albert Watson, Patrick Demarchelier, Walter Chin, Russell James and many more have shot with Leiba. Also of note, Leiba collaborated with Ian Schrager to design the uniforms for some of his most well-known boutique hotels, including NYC’s The Hudson, L.A.’s Mondrian, and The Delano in Miami.

Sylvie Millstein Born in Paris and raised in Versailles by a French father and Japanese mother, Millstein was educated at the prestigious HEC Graduate Business School in France. Following her studies, she pursued her love of fashion, becoming a buyer, then senior merchant for Givenchy, Harrods and ultimately Chanel. Millstein spent eight years at Chanel, eventually becoming the general merchandise manager for Japan. While with the French fashion house, Millstein acquired a keen knowledge of superior fit and luxe fabrications, characteristics that she has poignantly honed in her own collection. In 2007, Millstein moved from Tokyo to New York City to start a family. It was here, with her influence of Japanese minimalism, that she began to seek refined, yet practical clothing that suited her lifestyle. She is the designer and creator of Hellesy.

Christian Leone

Chloe Perrin

Christian Leone is the co-founder of Vaunte, an online editorial fashion website that celebrates the stylish-set while innovating charity and encouraging social responsibility (by recycling amazing closets). Christian was an early member of Gilt Groupe’s executive team. During his four years at Gilt, he held the dual titles of vice president of marketing and communications and vice president of brand relations. Prior to Gilt, Leone was vice president of communications at Giorgio Armani and worked in communications for a variety of high-end fashion companies including Salvatore Ferragamo, Halston, and the AEFFE Group (Alberta Ferretti, Moschino, Jean Paul Gaultier, Pollini, and Narciso Rodriguez). Leone navigated these brands through the Ready-to-Wear shows in New York and Milan as well as the Haute Couture Collections in Paris, and insured their meaningful presence at the Oscars, Golden Globes, and at the Cannes Film Festival.

Perrin Paris was established in 1893 in St. Junien, France as the premier glove-maker for haute-couture houses. Passionate about design and savoir-faire, the Perrin house evolved into a tannery specializing in new and innovative techniques. The company continues its longstanding heritage by offering an elegant and contemporary array of luxury handbags, gloves and leather accessories. Modern in design and timeless in appeal, the Perrin collection embodies refinement, combining the finest skins with first-rate craftsmanship. Today the company is still a family-run business with Chloe Perrin on board as the New York brand director. Perrin oversees the tangible elements of the brand, including the products’ looks, and focuses on managing the consumer experience and maintaining familiarity with the local market.

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Beth Blake Iris Apfel

Andre Balazs

Deeda Blair

Dasha Zhukova

WARIS AHLUWALIA Well Dressed Night Owl WES ANDERSON Master of Retro IRIS APFEL Living Icon JOANNA BAKER DE NEUFVILLE Rising Swan ANDRE BALAZS The Standard GIOVANNA BATTAGLIA Gift of Color STACEY BENDET Live in the Fairytale DANIEL BENEDICT Blonde Perfection DEEDA BLAIR Grace and Favor BEYONCÉ Queen B BETH BLAKE Uptown Boho SAMANTHA BOARDMAN Chic MD ELIZA REED BOLEN Chic Society

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Samantha Boardman Waris Ahluwalia

Carolina Herrera MARCH 20124â&#x20AC;˘ AVENUE MAGAZINE | 67

The Best-Dressed New Yorkers

“Balance is so important.” —Chloe Perrin HAMISH BOWLES Dynamically Dapper THOM BROWNE Cropped to a T TORY BURCH Prep Queen GRAYDON CARTER Modern Gentleman THE BRANT BROTHERS, PETER JR. AND HARRY In Their Genes GEORGINA CHAPMAN Ready for the Ball GRACE CODDINGTON Forever Grace SOFIA COPPOLA Understated Chic FRANCISCO COSTA The Perfect White Shirt Hamish Bowles

Georgina Chapman Simon Doonan

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Linda Fargo

Amy Fine Collins

ANNETTE DE LA RENTA Tour de Force CARA DELEVINGNE British Babe CARMEN DELL’OREFICE The Original Supermodel PRINCE DIMITRI OF YUGOSLAVIA Royal Perfection SIMON DOONAN Crossbody King MICKEY DREXLER Funkytown ANH DUONG Artistically Inclined EMILIA FANJUL Portrait of a Lady EMILIA FANJUL PFEIFLER Relaxed Elegance LINDA FARGO Never Leave Home Without Your Smile AMY FINE COLLINS High Priestess of Fashion YVONNE FORCE VILLAREAL Artistic Eye TOM FORD Mr. Red Carpet ALEX GILKES Eton Style

Cara Delevingne MARCH 20124• AVENUE MAGAZINE | 69

Michelle Harper

JEANNE GREENBERG-ROHATYN Paige-boy Chic SHOSHANNA GRUSS Sweet and Sexy TOM GUINNESS Man About Town MICHELLE HARPER Bird of Paradise DREE HEMINGWAY Literary Model CAROLINA HERRERA Golden Touch JOHANNES HUEBL Mr. Hot-to-Trot IMAN Internationally Fabulous NATALIE JOOS Maverick LIYA KEBEDE Supermodel Style KARLIE KLOSS American Girl JULIA KOCH Statuesque STEVEN KOLB Arbiter of Style PATRICIA LANSING Blue-Blooded Style LEWIS LAPHAM Old School Charm RICKY LAUREN Contemporary Woman JENNA LYONS American School of Tailoring LILY MADDOCK Girl Next Door ZOSIA MAMET Stylish Girl JULIANNE MOORE Seriously Stylish MICHELLE OCHS & CARLY CUSHNIE Asymmetrical Aces ASHLEY OLSEN Mini Tycoon

“Her outfits are always off-beat yet very sophisticated. She really masters elegance combined with an eccentric edge.” —says Chloe Perrin on Michelle Harper 70 | AVENUE MAGAZINE • MARCH 2014

ROOPAL PATEL Patterns and Colors Included LAUREN REMINGTON PLATT It-girl Around Town ZAC POSEN Mr. Glamour BETTINA PRENTICE Artfully Attired

Liya Kebede

The Best-Dressed New Yorkers Graydon Carter

Julia Koch

Jay-Z and Beyoncé

Jeanne GreenbergRohatyn Alex Gilkes

Yvonne Force Villareal

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The Best-Dressed New Yorkers LEE RADZIWILL Timeless Grace JULIA RESTOIN ROITFELD Saucy Minx CARINE ROITFELD 50 Shades of Fashion

IRENE ROOSEVELT AITKEN Perfectly Chic ALEXANDRA LIND ROSE Classic Belle ANDREW ROSEN Theoretically Perfect MARGARET RUSSELL Well-designed ELISABETH SAINT-AMAND Modern Grace Kelly EMILIA SAINT-AMAND Southern Charm

Roopal Patel

LUDI SALM Heir of Elegance LAUREN SANTO DOMINGO Perfect M.O. CHRISTINE SCHWARZMAN Fearless Fashionista CHLOË SEVIGNY Alternative Intrigue STEPHANIE SEYMOUR Sexy Mama ANNE SLATER Blue-Ribbon Cool JOAN SMALLS Model of the Moment RICHARD STEINBERG Classically Tailored ANDRÉ LEON TALLEY Avant-Garde Force DIANA TAYLOR Still Our First Lady LIZZIE TISCH Never Misses WENDY VANDERBILT Aesthetically Inclined DIANE VON FÜRSTENBERG Timeless Disco Queen

“It takes more than a great figure to have great style.

BARBARA WALTERS Primetime Perfection DASHA ZHUKOVA From Russia With Love

—says Nicole Mellon on Lauren Santo Domingo Lauren Santo Domingo 72 | AVENUE MAGAZINE • MARCH 2014

JAY-Z Old School Entertainer

Zac Posen

ANNA WINTOUR The Authority ✦

Stephanie Seymour Jenna Lyons

Chloë Sevigny Natalie Joos Joan Smalls Julia Restoin Roitfeld

MARCH 20124• AVENUE MAGAZINE | 73

NEW

Season

With its blockbuster gala and the opening of its newly renovated facilities coming in May, the Met’s Costume Institute is most definitely the place to be. AVENUE checks in with the Institute’s chief curator to look at a venerable institution poised for an exciting new era. by Christopher Lawrence

t’s like that sexy old blues riff: “Baby, don’t you want to go?” And they surely do. Badly. But it takes more than a quarter-million dollars to secure a top table for the annual gala that funds the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. The privilege comes only after one has received the blessing of Anna Wintour, who has presided over 15 editions of the party since 1995. It’s big night out, to be sure. Two years ago, “Page Six” reported that then-reigning Sports Illustrated cover girl Kate Upton had written a check for $25,000 while sitting in Wintour’s Vogue office. It was a worthy gesture of support from the kind of person whose presence would itself be an asset. Kim Kardashian, on the other hand, another name then on everybody’s lips, was blackballed. Harold Koda, the Institute’s curator-in-charge since 2000, has been associated with the place—apart from some distinguished stints elsewhere—since the mini, midi, maxi days of the early 1970s. Koda is thoroughly elegant and speaks with the silky tone and finely calibrated diction of a scholar and a gentleman. He would seem to live a world away from the hustle and bustle of the party and the play of its big cash/ big flash pop-cultural swirl. This year’s gala will be held on May 5, and Koda told me recently that when The Big Night comes, “I’m on the perimeter, I’m observing it.” The pleasure was evident. These are exciting days for the Institute, and whatever happens going forward, Koda’s legacy is more than secured. The centerpiece of his achievement is the 2009 acquisition of the Brooklyn Museum’s famed costume collection. A trove that spans the mid-19th to the mid-20th centuries it was a stunning strategic coup. It added an even greater historical depth to the Met’s holdings and bolstered its formidable claim to own, as Koda calls it, the country’s “most encyclopedic collection of Western high fashion.” In the costume collection race, there are differences in accounting and some institutions tally holdings by the individual piece. The Met, however, is arguably more rigorous, counting the trove by complete ensembles. And it holds no fewer than 35,000 of them.

Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty, 2011 MARCH 2014 • AVENUE MAGAZINE | 75

Left: The Model as Muse, 2009

money has helped fund the expansion and modernization of the Institute’s storage and curatorial facilities, its study center and, most visibly, its exhibition spaces, including the Tisch Gallery. All will be reopened for the gala and will henceforth be known cumulatively as the Anna Wintour Costume Center. Within the Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art will be a definitive collection of works by the enigmatic Anglo-American designer Charles James. James worked with a sculptor’s eye for grace and an engineer’s command of structure. He dressed Marlene Dietrich, Babe Paley and Dominique de Menil, among others, for the heady postwar nights of the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s before slipping into illness and a lonely death at the Chelsea Hotel in 1978.

“Anna Wintour, now a Met trustee, and credited with having raised $125 million for the Institute, will also be recognized.”

Digesting the treasures of Brooklyn, though, presented significant institutional and logistical questions for the Met. The acquisition, according to Koda, was “both an opportunity and a challenge.” It placed huge new demands on the Institute’s not-infinite resources, and, ultimately, on its basic capacities for display. Enter philanthropist Lizzie Tisch, who had been swept into the Friends of the Costume Institute by the organization’s lectures and its meetings with up-and-coming designers, now serves as the Institute’s chair. She told me, “I always thought it was a little strange that the Institute was essentially homeless. The clothes just weren’t accessible. It wasn’t like, say, the Egyptian Wing, where things would always be on display.” So, along with her husband Jonathan, Lizzie entered into discussions with Koda’s right hand, Andrew Bolton, and with the curator-in-charge himself. “As time went on, our informal conversations became a bit less informal, she chuckled. “Harold and Andrew began to talk about their ideas, and about a ‘wish list’ for the Institute.” Built with a $10 million gift and the active design and planning input of its benefactors, the Lizzie and Jonathan Tisch Gallery will provide a flexible and dynamic 4,200-square-foot central exhibition space. It’s not meant to be static or staid. “We’ve created a ‘black box’ in a theatrical sense,” Koda told me. The idea is to expand presentational creativity and innovation. For the Tisches, said Lizzie Tisch, “It was never going to be about the space, but about what the space could do.” Anna Wintour, now a Met trustee, and credited with having raised $125 million for the Institute, will also be recognized. The Right: Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations, 2012 76 | AVENUE MAGAZINE • MARCH 2014

Still, James made his mark. Shortly after word of the Brooklyn acquisition, Vogue Italia editor Franca Sozzani, a style eminence of very long standing, was moved to state: “To me, American fashion is Charlie James.” But with no fashion house nor any brand name left behind, James became, for the uninitiated, somewhat lost to the mists of time. “He was almost like a Van Gogh of clothing,” Lizzie Tisch told me. “He didn’t make a dime, and he was a little . . . ornery. But he was a genius.” That relative obscurity will be countered when the Institute opens Charles James: Beyond Fashion on May 8 following the gala, which this year will be keyed to the designer. After a few years of thematic adventure, the party and the museum are touching back down on classicism. A younger Harold Koda cut his teeth at the Met during the era of Diana Vreeland—a woman who herself became “the primary face” of the Institute in her role as special consultant from 1972 until her death in 1989. Vreeland, who the previous year had been removed as Vogue editor upon turning 70, was in no mood to be put out to pasture. She had, for Koda, “a very different perspective on presenting clothes.” Her pictorial and editorial responses to the ferment of the 1960s suggested conceptual themes—ones often missed amid all the beauty and sexuality. “No matter how feverish”—and Koda used the term to evoke the sheer thrill of Vreeland’s Vogue—“there was really always quite a lucid idea governing the work.” And so it became at the Met. Vreeland would rattle the viewer’s received notions by setting 19th century costume against ’70s and ’80s music and décor. In effect, she “presented” by actually making present what might have been thought “period.” And it achieved that rarest of curatorial feats—snatching Art from the ghetto of Artifact.

Charles James: Beyond Fashion, 2014

Whatever the innovations, those pre-Anna years tend now to get knocked a bit for an imagined stuffiness, but that’s neither fair nor correct. Apart from Vreeland’s decisive influence, gala chairs Eleanor Lambert (the event’s founder), and, later, Jacqueline Onassis, and later yet, even Pat Buckley, were very much “modern women” in their respective times and ways. The tribute to Wintour is that the fundraising and publicity power have exploded so dramatically as to make everything that came before seem somehow plodding by comparison. There’s a delicious whiff of old man Hearst in the equation, with Anna saying, in effect: “Give me the pictures, and I’ll give you the spectacle.” As to the gala itself: The party draws tout le monde, both to celebrate those forms and to throw them into high relief against the rest of the culture. “Hollywood adds a wonderful frisson,” Koda told me, “but so much of the evening’s visual signature is provided by the sight of these ethereal models wearing the clothes.” Gisele’s Helen of Troy brushes up against the Great and the Good. In the end, everyone else is a mere luminary. Lizzie Tisch herself sounded charmingly starstruck talking about the gala: “Seeing the museum lit up at night and with all the people watching and the outfit-watching, it’s a magical New York evening. All you have to do is make sure not to trip when going up the steps.” Koda has concerns beyond the Museum stairs: Still, he admitted he was excited—“almost giddy” was how Lizzie Tisch put it—over Charles James and the Institute’s new horizons, and also the oncoming glamour circus of the party. Koda was also lavish in his praise of stalwarts like Oscar de la Renta, and his recognition of the new generation led by people like Lizzie Tisch and James exhibit sponsor Aerin Lauder. “She’s so important generally, but to this exhibit particularly,” he said of Tisch. As for Lauder, her admirable, not-quite-commonplace dual life as working mother and entrepreneur seemed to strike Koda’s conceptual fancy, in particular. “She so embodies the James sensibility in a modern context.” ✦ MARCH 2014 • AVENUE MAGAZINE | 77

78 | AVENUE MAGAZINE • MARCH 2014

SUITE AS CAN BE

Lizzie Tisch and Kim Kassel explain how they found an untapped niche in the business of high fashion

JESSICA NASH

by Haley Friedlich

erched across from Suite 1521 co-founders Lizzie Tisch and Kim Kassel on low, tufted gray couches in the center of the partners’ new members-only fashion salon , I ask what’s going on around me. The room has been transformed into a full-fledged boutique for the high-end brand, Maiyet. “This is a unique situation,” Kassel explains, “because most of the time we would never have anyone who has a store ‘need’ us, but [Maiyet’s boutique] is all the way downtown, so this allows them to get a different customer base—customers that wouldn’t necessarily be able to see the whole world of Maiyet without us.” A single shopper is trying on pieces she has hand-picked from the collection, while a member of the Maiyet team and an on-staff tailor assist her. Our interview is interrupted so the customer can show Kassel and Tisch what she is wearing, “I tried on something else in two sizes: Ehh. This, I put on; it just needs a little tweaking, and it’s great,” she tells us. The tailor will handle those tweakings. Then that night, the Maiyet boutique will be deconstructed so the next day, Suite 1521 can start welcoming clients to the same space, transformed into a complete Libertine collection. The space itself changes too: I acknowledge the pit in the salon’s central coffee table, festively filled with Hanukkah gelt and blue Tootsie Rolls (it’s earlyDecember). Soon, the co-founders tell me, Suite 1521 will transition to a Christmas motif. A sense of “now” is in the air. Like many successful businesses, Suite 1521 was conceptualized from what, to high-fashion insiders Tisch and Kassel, was an obvious hole in the market. “Kim has always worked in the fashion world, and I have always been a good consumer,” says Tisch. Indeed, Tisch, the wife of Loews Hotel chairman Jonathan Tisch, has been on Vanity Fair’s Best Dressed List for three years in a row and was inducted into the Best Dressed Hall of Fame in 2012. She will also chair the 2014 Metropolitan Museum Costume Institute Gala and chairs the Friends Group of the same institution. Kassel, meanwhile, has held senior public relations and advertising positions with Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein. After leaving Calvin Klein, she ran private client sales for the now-defunct, high-end women’s label Tuleh. That’s how she met Tisch 10 years ago. “I always loved going down there because I got to choose what I wanted MARCH 2014 • AVENUE MAGAZINE | 79

Lizzie Tisch and Kim Kassel shown here with designers Shaun Leane and Todd Lynn during their event last season.

s the economy shrank into a recession in 2008, the pair noticed that stores were placing smaller and smaller orders from designers, and trunk shows were becoming much more limited—until they devolved into mere expansions on the buyers’ buys. “It was frustrating because, with [the advent of] the internet and everyone seeing the shows immediately, you would see all those fabulous pieces that were going down the runway or appearing in editorial; and you would have no access to them as a regular person,” explains Kassel. Having recognized this problem, the two women decided to combine Kassel’s experience in private client sales with their mutual love of and savvy about designers and their clothing lines, and combine these interests into a business. Two years of planning followed before they opened the doors to Suite 1521. It’s 80 | AVENUE MAGAZINE • MARCH 2014

“We want somebody who maybe isn’t a size 2, who doesn’t fit perfectly into everything, to come here and say, ‘I have found a line of clothing that really works for me, and the designer was really sweet, was able to change a sleeve or take out the waist.’” —Kim Kassel

named literally for its suite number 1521 at 980 Madison—and joins hardly shabby neighbors like the Gagosian Gallery at the famed upper Madison Avenue building. The concept is simple: Bring directly to consumers designers who are under-distributed, or don’t have a point of sale in New York or have large collections that are not fully represented by any of their other carriers. The process is equally simple: One becomes a member by paying an annual fee of $500, which grants you access to the calendar of designers. You are then able to claim an appointment to view, try on and shop the full collection,

But what’s the benefit to the designers? “That to me has been the most interesting and certainly the most fun part,” says Tisch. “Finding the designers is sort of my passion; I love finding what’s new, what’s interesting. I don’t like going to parties and seeing [someone else] in a similar dress that I just spent $4,000 on.” So the partners began to look for what was new and unique. First came the British designers: “They’re a very nice community. They’re all friends, so they have been very supportive of us and of each other, and have introduced us to all of their networks. It was like

LESLYE KOHL

from the collection, versus what the stores bought,” says Tisch. Kassel elaborates: “The rest of the story is that Lizzie would come down and pick, usually, the piece that no store had ordered, and I would’ve loved it also. And [the brand] would say to me, ‘Okay we need to sell five of these in order for us to produce them.’ So we’d be sitting there and we’d both order them, and then we’d be like, ‘Okay, we have to find three more people to get to buy the coat!’”

semi-privately, with the designer or the designer’s team present, along with a tailor and, often, the option to customize. “I think the other benefit to us is the customer service; we really feel that has disappeared a little bit, and we want people to feel comfortable here,” says Kassel. She and Tisch are always present and have established trusting relationships with both the designers and the members— facilitating an atmosphere where nobody is overselling and nobody is feeling pressure to buy. “We want somebody who maybe isn’t a size 2, who doesn’t fit perfectly into everything, to come here and say, ‘I have found a line of clothing that really works for me, and the designer was really sweet, was able to change a sleeve or take out the waist,’” Kassel continues. “I also think it’s nice for the customer to meet the designer, to understand, ‘Why does that jacket cost $2,000?’“

dominos,” says Tisch. Now, she says, they’re expanding their roster of American designers—to those who are mostly cutting edge and young (including a lot of CFDA designers). he final piece of the puzzle has been connecting the designers with the consumers. “We’ve told people we don’t know, who signed up after they read something about us: ‘Please, there’s absolutely no pressure; you shouldn’t feel inclined,’” Tisch says. “This is a very friendly environment. It’s good for everybody to see what people respond to. It’s good for us, it’s good for them, it’s good for the designers to see what works, because you can sit here and draw something and have a vision, but it has to work in reality.” She adds: “We worked with Wes Gordon last season; a lot of people hadn’t been exposed to the clothes in a larger way, in a smaller way; and I think we built up a Wes Gordon following. He was here, and it was really interesting for him to see where people gravitated, where the customer really goes, and what the customer buys, and who the customer really is.” Kassel and Tisch had a strong opening season of back-to-back events, featuring designers like Bibhu Mohapatra, Libertine, L’Wren Scott, Prabal Gurung, Rodarte, Peter Pilotto and many more. They then opened their doors again to members

Entrance to Suite 1521’s closet

in January, starting with The Elder Statesman, and now have a full and impressive roster of designers—many returning, and some new to Suite 1521— lined up through May. They are also taking care to pair complementary accessories and fashion designers: Ostwald Helgason showed with Clarissa by Clarissa Bronfman. Rodarte and Iosselliani were teamed, as was Sophie Theallet with Edie Parker; and Peter Pilotto and Nicholas Kirkwood, to name a few. Kassel and Tisch have also started a “closet,” showing select

Kim Kassel and Lizzie Tisch with Preen designer, Justin Thornton.

pieces from the designers they work with that can be offered to clients at any point. “I will say, every time I get here in the morning, and I walk through the doors, I still get that rush where I can’t believe that an idea that existed in our heads two years ago actually exists. When I walk in here and I see that we realized the vision that we wanted. . .” says Kassel, trailing off as she momentarily becomes emotional. “Are you seriously crying??” interjects Tisch, lightening the mood. assel admits she is, then relates an anecdote to illustrate her and her partner’s opposite but complementary demeanors. “Richard Nicholas was in here and he had these sweatshirts; one said ‘strange,’ and one said ‘fragile,’” she recalls. “[Nicholas] said, ‘Not only is fragile for you, I’m buying it for you!’” Everyone laughs at the story, but Kassel is serious. “I really do still get that rush when I walk in the door, having evolved from that thought process and just talking about it around a table. “It was a tremendous amount of work to make this happen,” she continues. “It still is, every day. It follows you around, pretty much all the time; it’s a lifestyle. We read a lot about start-ups before we started; it’s like you have to live, sleep, eat and breathe it for it to survive. “I think we’re definitely doing that at the moment.” ✦ MARCH 2014 • AVENUE MAGAZINE | 81

ask hall f. willkie

A question for one of the city’s top real estate experts . . . Not All Square Feet Are Created Equal

JACK DEUTSCH

Hall F. Willkie, President, Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales 212.906.9203 or hwillkie@bhsusa.com

he prevalence of cooperative apartments is unique in New York City; approximately 60 percent of all Manhattan apartments are co-ops. However, buyers must be cautious in making any judgment about co-ops based on square footage because the information provided cannot be relied upon for analytical or comparative purposes. Today, when cooperative square footage is measured by anyone, including brokers, there is no standard practice with respect to measurement of hallways and closets, inside or outside walls, net or gross square footage. When NYC cooperatives were built or converted, most were described by room count, not by square footage. Now, even when the word “approximately” qualifies cooperative square footage, the measurement should be disregarded because the term is not quantifiable. On the other hand, the stated square footage measurement of a condominium is typically taken from the original prospectus of the building and can be a reliable source for analysis or comparison of condominiums. A condominium offering plan cites how square feet have been measured and what that includes, whereas the square footage of most existing cooperative apartments is rarely if ever documented officially anywhere. Whether you are buying or selling, it is important to rely on a professional real estate broker for accurate information and trusted counsel. ✦

“Now, even when the word ‘approximately’ qualifies cooperative square footage, the measurement should be disregarded because the term is not quantifiable.”

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SPRAWLING 7 ROOM HOME West End Avenue, New York City | $3,400,000 Web#9592654 | Pat Harbison 212.381.2205

ELEGANCE ABOUNDS 50s East, New York City | $2,495,000 Web#9514672 | Louise Phillips Forbes 212.381.3329

LUXURY 4 BEDROOM STUNNER WITH PARK VIEW Central Park South, New York City | $14,975,000 Web#9505189 | Nora Ariffin 212.381.2249

HOTEL DES ARTISTES 60s West, New York City | $1,400,000 Web#9315676 | Cheryl Daly 212.381.2310

Virtually staged

HUGE GOLD COAST 6 ROOM 70s Fifth Avenue, New York City | $7,495,000 Web#9182520 | Eloise Johnson 212.381.3224

UNIQUE 35 FOOT WIDE TOWNHOUSE 73rd Street, Madison and Park Avenues, New York City | $45,000,000 Web#9235200 | Dorothy Somekh 212.381.2265

Halstead Property, 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. All information is from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, prior sale or withdrawal without notice. No representation is made as to the accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate and all information should be confirmed by customer. All rights to content, photographs and graphics reserved to Broker.

New York

Hamptons

Connecticut

New Jersey

Hudson Valley

LOFTY 5 BEDROOM / 5 BATH CONDO 60s East, New York City | $4,350,000 Web#9094100 | Eloise Johnson 212.381.3224

PENTHOUSE DUPLEX 3 BEDROOM Greenwich Village, New York City | $5,980,000 Web#9558283 | Janet Weiner 212.381.6558

GORGEOUS 1 BEDROOM PLUS HOME OFFICE Greenwich Village, New York City | $1,195,000 Web#9587463 | David Costelloe 212.381.4292

MINT 2 BEDROOM 50s East, New York City | $1,725,000 Web#9558812 | Elaine Tross 212.381.3322

SPACIOUS 2 BEDROOM WITH PANORAMIC VIEWS 60s West, New York City | $3,858,000 Web#8888792 | Dorothy Somekh 212.381.2265

HIGH IN THE SKY MINT 2 BEDROOM 80s East, New York City | $2,295,000 Web#9300333 | Lisa Rose 212.381.3262

Properties of the Month A selection of deluxe residences

The Corcoran Group LINDEN HOUSE WONDER Linden House is the latest creation by the talented and visionary developer/designer James Michael Howard. Offered completely furnished with three levels of living space, the 10,500-square-foot, seven-bedroom residence exemplifies coherency in an abstract world of architecture, interiors, and landscape. Exclusive. $11,950,000. Contact Gary R. DePersia @ 516.380.0538.

Brown Harris Stevens STYLISH COMPOUND Magnificent four-acre compound embraced by privacy hedges, this gated 4-acre estate is perfectly landscaped and holds a beautifully detailed eight-bedroom, 10-bath manor house, a heated gunite pool and a pool house with an outdoor bar/kitchen. Stylishly appointed with the finest amenities throughout, including a tiered screening room, wine cellar and sauna, the compound includes a 2.1-acre parcel with Hydro Court tennis and a three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bedroom guest house. $20,999,000. Contact Nanette Rosenberg @ 1.631.204.2415.

Saunders & Associates TRADITIONAL BRIDGEHAMPTON STYLE This Bridgehampton South masterpiece by Paramount Custom Homes can only be described as a mix of the traditional and the transitional. Surrounded by nearly 2.5 acres with 8,579 more or less, square feet of living space, the residence offers opulent luxury and convenience. The finished lower level provides an additional 3,288 or so square feet of living space. Other features include a sauna, gym and theater. The heated gunite pool with spa is linked to a sunken tennis court and a 640 or so square-foot pool house. $13,495,000. Contact Vincent Hoarcasitas @ 1.631.458.4879.

Douglas Elliman MODERN LUXURY IN SOUTHAMPTON A magnificent gated home featuring 11,560 square feet on more than 2 acres. A true trophy property close to one of the most desirable ocean beaches. The picturesque landscaped property offers a pool with spa, tennis court, putting green, apple orchards and flower gardens that complement the conveniences of modern luxury with the tranquility of Hamptons living. $18,500,000. Contact Erica Grossman @ 1.917.710.2512. 88 | AVENUE MAGAZINE â&#x20AC;˘ MARCH 2014

Properties of the Month Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty BEDFORD’S FINEST Nirvana! Gated! This 11.49-acre estate is in one of Bedford’s finest locations. There are a pool, pool house: two dressing rooms, wet bar, two bathrooms and an outdoor shower, as well as a tree fort with electricity, Klaffs kitchen, outdoor kitchen, sauna, gym, wine room and theater. A professionally landscaped, meticulously upgraded and updated gated retreat with,a video monitoring security system, four gas fireplaces, high ceilings and extensive built-ins, abutting 36 acres of open space. $6,900,000 Contact Joanna Rizoulis @ 1.917.359.7885.

The Corcoran Group EXQUISITE CAPTAIN’S NECK LANE This wonderful top-quality traditional residence, with over 7,000 square feet of interior space boasts beautiful living areas throughout. There are four finished levels, with a total of seven bedrooms and six-and-a-half baths. Included is a generous master suite with private sun deck and sitting room. The third-floor playroom and lower-level game room allow for enjoying rainy summer days indoors; so too does the very large enclosed screen porch. Outside you will find a beautiful swimming pool 50 feet in length adjacent to the pool house. Exclusive. $6,375,000. Contact Tim Davis @ 631.283.7300x211.

Warburg Realty PARK VIEWS Be dazzled by the most extraordinary views of Central Park from this 22nd– floor, corner three-bedroom apartment at 980 Fifth Avenue, a distinguished full-service building. The apartment has 50 feet of Fifth Avenue frontage, and 70 feet facing south along 79th Street. Every room is filled with light and has a superb view of Central Park or of the midtown skyline. $10,500,000. Contact Wendy Greenbaum @ 212.439.4542.

Sotheby’s International Realty MANOR HOUSE ABOVE CENTRAL PARK This 11 room home, with conservatory, solarium and terrace, is indeed enchanting. The first floor is finished by a library/bedroom and a second bedroom. The second floor offers a 47-foot terrace with spectacular park views and an English garden. A solarium with a fireplace, a fourth bedroom and separate maid’s room complete this home. 1158 is a prestigious white-glove cooperative with doorman and concierge. $12,750,000. Contact Patricia A. Wheatley @ 212.606.7613.

90 | AVENUE MAGAZINE • MARCH 2014

38 East 85th Street

$6,900,000

new listinG

308 East 72nd Street

$3,400,000

new listinG

3 East 69th Street

$6,900,000

NIkkI FIELD | Visit us at nikkifield.com Senior Global Real Estate Advisor, Associate Broker The Field Team at Sotheby’s International Realty 212.606.7669 | nikki.field@sothebyshomes.com East Side Manhattan Brokerage 38 East 61st Street | NY, NY 10065 | +1.212.606.7660 Sotheby’s International Realty and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered (or unregistered) service marks used with permission. Operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc.

175 East 62nd Street

$2,250,000

“Triumph of Common Sense” in a crowded and challenging investment market AVENUE sat down with Hillview’s CEO/CIO David Spungen, President Jonathan Hochberg, and Director of Research Brendan Connor to discuss how their investment philosophy and process preserves wealth for families and keeps the firm’s interests aligned with those of their clients. Hillview takes pride in managing investments for wealth creators and their families. From your experience, what are the key factors to success? JH: As an independent organization, objectivity is at the heart of Hillview’s investment advisory practice. It drives everything we do from identifying investment opportunities to working with clients to achieve their financial goals. We remain conflict-free by aligning our interests with our clients’, not fund managers’. By aligning our incentives with our clients’ and investing alongside them, it is in our mutual interest to succeed. If anything, we are here to build partnerships. Our experience suggests that, in the long run, objectivity leads to better investment results, which in turn leads to stronger relationships with the families we advise. Let’s focus a bit more on your investments. Tell us about Hillview’s approach. DS: Every day begins with a fresh look at our portfolios. Most investments entail some degree of uncertainty so we continually test our assumptions relative to what’s changing in the world. It’s critical to test your investment thesis on a regular basis. We like to think about investments in terms of risk and opportunity, but more acutely, how asymmetrical are they relative to one another? We’re simply 92 | AVENUE MAGAZINE • MARCH 2014

concerned with identifying the best investment opportunity related to a specific set of risks, taking fees and taxes into consideration. Fundamentally, we are agnostic with respect to investing in any particular asset class or manager, which opens up a world of opportunities. To tackle this, our investment team conducts over 500 meetings with investment managers in a given year, and performs thorough due diligence on those that we ultimately invest with.

“If anything, we are here to build partnerships. “ Can you give us an example? BC: A great example of our thinking dates back to 2010 when we began investing in subprime mortgage backed securities. That sounded like a terrible idea at the time, at least on the face of it. The housing market had just crashed, and subprime borrowers were defaulting en masse. The securities were trading at levels which implied that nearly every one of them would default and that their homes would be worthless. That was very interesting to us. Certainly there would be defaults, and certainly some homes would be worthless, but all of them? That’s interesting, but how did you get comfortable with an investment that was so risky?

BC: We basically asked two questions: If they all defaulted, how much could we lose? And, what if they didn’t all default? Through research and due diligence we built our conviction that the answer to the first question was probably very little. We couldn’t tell what was going to happen in the housing market; in fact, we had no idea. We could only tell that if conditions became much worse, then our downside was limited; if they stayed the same, we would earn a reasonable rate of return; and if conditions improved, even remotely, that there was a lot of upside. As it turns out, we experienced a housing market recovery and clients earned a fantastic rate of return. To identify and execute on a strategy like this you need to cast a wide net and have the ability to perform deep research. We would argue that there was relatively lower risk in that allocation, that the risk was largely in the rearview mirror. Wall Street tends not to think that way. They want yesterday’s performance. You have to have the courage to act on your convictions, or you are bound to make costly mistakes at the most inopportune times. ✦

HILLVIEW CAPITAL ADVISORS, LLC 777 Third Avenue 28th Floor New York, NY 10017 212.661.9750 www.hillviewcap.com

BarBara ruthErford hatch houSE $32,000,000 | Web ID: 0019184 Eva J. Mohr, Serena Boardman | 212.606.7736

120 EaSt 71St StrEEt | $15,900,000 12 rm, 5 br, 5 ba, 3 hf ba | Web ID: 0019030 Louise Beit | 212.606.7703

rivEr houSE PENthouSE | $14,950,000 7 rm, 3 br, 3 ba, 1 hf ba | Web ID: 0019189 E. Sample, B. Powers | 212.606.7685

50 GraMErcy Park North | $8,750,000 5 rm, 3 br, 3 ba, 1 hf ba | Web ID:0019328 J. Roger Erickson | 212.606.7612

110 cENtral Park South | $5,800,000 5 rm, 2 br, 2 ba, 1 hf ba | Web ID: 0019333 Pauline Evans, Rebecca Cavallaro | 212.400.8740

27 lEoNard StrEEt loft | $2,800,000 4 rm, 1 br, 2 ba | Web ID: 0019318 Melinda G. Nix | 212.606.7719

thE aNSoNia, 2109 Broadway | $925,000 3 rm, 1 br, 1 ba | Web ID: 0019324 Roberta Golubock | 212.606.7704

Park avENuE PiEd-a-tErrE | $750,000 2 rm, 1 ba | Web ID: 0019201 Meredyth Hull Smith | 212.606.7683

5 tudor city PlacE | $480,000 3 rm, 1 br, 1 ba | Web ID: 0019325 Mathew J. Perceval | 212.606.7790

EaSt SidE MaNhattaN BrokEraGE 38 East 61st Street, NY, NY 10065 | +1.212.606.7660 sothebyshomes.com/nyc

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Sotheby’s International Realty and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered (or unregistered) service marks used with permission. Operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc.

William Pitt Julia B Fee

Purchase, NY

$13,500,000

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Incredibly high end estate in best location on 5 + acres with amenities and style like no other. MLS: 3333312 Rye Brokerage Louis Katsoris 914.967.4600

12,000 square foot Colonial set on 1.6 acres with pool and spa. Outstanding updates throughout. MLS: 3332063 Rye Brokerage Pat Hirsch 914.967.4600

6-bedroom renovated farmhouse with pool and tennis court on private 1.39 acres. MLS: 3403374 Rye Brokerage Lisa McGowan 914.967.4600

European inspired 5,800 square foot Colonial offers 6-bedrooms, 5.5-baths and room for a pool. MLS: 3402000 Rye Brokerage Virginia Leone 914.967.4600

Custom home set on .96-acre of private property features an in-ground heated pool, spa and private dock. MLS: 33337972 Rye Brokerage Fran Klingenstein 914.967.4600

Deep water mooring, spectacular panoramic views from every room in this 6-bedroom home. Intricate precision in detail. MLS: 330771 Rye Brokerage Alix Prince 914.967.4600

7-bedroom Colonial boasts a state-of-the-art shoreline pool and a flagstone terrace with outdoor kitchenette. MLS: 3331390 Rye Brokerage Pat Hirsch 914.967.4600

Nestled in the private enclave of Ardsley Park, this 6-bedroom home can be the home of your dreams. MLS: 3318901 Rye Brokerage Dalia Valdes 914.967.4600

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Stone manor with 300 ft waterfront, pool with spa on Manursing Island, private community with beach and dock. MLS:3320144 Rye Brokerage Fran Klingenstein 914.967.4600

European Manor combines elegance, luxury, exquisite interior detail and the finest workmanship. MLS: 3214068 Rye Brokerage Fiona Dogan 914.967.4600

Glass elevator takes you to one of the most spectacular views in Harrison. Open floor plan, modern amenities and pool. MLS: 3403376 Rye Brokerage Louis Katsoris 914.967.4600

Immaculately maintained 6-bedroom, 5.5-bath home. Level acre with room for pool and tennis court on cul-de-sac. MLS: 3403286 Rye Brokerage Alix Prince 914.967.4600

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Luxurious Bahamian inspired estate designed and custom-built in 2010 for international superstar, Celine Dion. Located on exclusive Jupiter Island, this 5.5 acre property with over 415 linear feet on the Atlantic Ocean is being sold turn-key. $72,000,000 | Web ID: 0076148

CRISTINA CONDON | 561.301.2211 cristina.condon@sothebyshomes.com PALM BEACH BROKERAGE | 561.659.3555 340 Royal Poinciana Way, Suite 337 | Palm Beach, FL 33480 Operated by Sothebyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s International Realty, Inc.

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150 eAst 72nD stReet | 150east72.com This luxury prewar 12-story boutique condominium has recently undergone a complete transformation. The 2-4 bedroom residences are thoughtfully conceived with private elevator landings, large living and dining rooms and well-proportioned bedrooms combining traditional New York living with a modern aesthetic. Residents enjoy 24-hour white glove service, fitness center, children’s playroom and multi-function room. Asking: $3,650,000 to $15,500,000 Allison B. KoffmAn Senior Global Real Estate Advisor, Associate Broker +1.212.606.7688 | allison.koffman@sothebyshomes.com Juliette R. JAnssens Senior Global Real Estate Advisor, Associate Broker +1.212.606.7670 | juliette.janssens@sothebyshomes.com JAcqueline RohRBAch Licensed Salesperson, In-House Representative +1.212.606.7646 | jackie.rohrbach@sothebyshomes.com eAst siDe mAnhAttAn BRoKeRAGe | 38 East 61st Street, New York, NY 10065 | sothebyshomes.com/nyc The complete offering terms are in an Offering Plan available from the Sponsor. File No. CD11-0120. Sponsor: Vitruvius Estates, LLC, 767 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10153. The unit layout, square footage, and dimensions are approximate and subject to normal construction variances and tolerances. Sponsor reserves the right to make changes in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. This material is based upon information which we consider reliable but because it has been supplied by third parties, we cannot represent that it is accurate or complete and it should not be relied upon as such. This offering is subject to errors, omissions, changes including price or withdrawal without notice. Sotheby’s International Realty and the Sotheby’s International Realty logo are registered service marks used with permission. Operated by Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. © MMXIV Sotheby’s International Realty, Inc. All Rights Reserved. An Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Company.

We define our neighborhoods as much as they define us.

33 Irving Place 212.557.6500

110 Fifth Avenue 212.633.1000

26 Astor Place 212.584.6100

730 Fifth Avenue 212.242.9900

239 East 79th Street 212.929.1400

337 West Broadway 212.924.4200

530 LaGuardia Place 212.557.5300

88 Greenwich Street 212.269.8888

446 West 14th Street 212.604.0300

33 Irving Place 212.557.6500

A Partnership of Buttonwood Residential Brokerage, LLC and Thor Equities, LLC. TOWN Residential LLC is a licensed real estate broker, proud member of REBNY, and abides by equal housing opportunity laws. 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. All information is from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, prior sale or withdrawal without notice. No representation is made as to the accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. Exact dimensions can be obtained by retaining the services of an architect or engineer. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. The number of bedrooms listed above is not a legal conclusion. Each person should consult with his/her own attorney, architect or zoning expert to make a determination as to the number of rooms in the unit that may be legally used as a bedroom.

415 EAST 54TH STREET

5 BR, 5.5 BATH

WEB ID: 469305

$6.99 M

160 CENTRAL PARK SOUTH

2 BR, 2.5 BATH

WEB ID: 861407

$4.5 M

55 EAST END AVENEUE

3 BR, 3 BATH

WEB ID: 771978

$2.65 M

145 EAST 76TH STREET

4 BR, 3.5 BATH

WEB ID: 696832

$6.45 M

200 EAST 61ST STREET

2 BR, 2.5 BATH

WEB ID: 915103

$3 M

340 WEST 86TH STREET

3 BR, 2.5 BATH

WEB ID: 598916

$2.35 M

240 Centre Street, 3K | $2,295,000

150 W 56th Street, #4305 | $1,999,999

Web ID: 457744 | Contemporary 1 bed/convertible 2 home in the iconic Police Building.

Web ID: 454554 | 2 bed/2.5 bath condo offers luxury living in the Cityspire.

225 West 60th, 10F | $1,800,000

131 West 71st Street, TH | $28,000

Web ID: 476719 | Spacious mint condition 2 bed/2 bath at the Hudson.

Web ID: 493717 | 6 bed/6 bath over nearly 6,000sqft of lovingly preserved and restored architecture.

The Women of REAL ESTATE Profiling some of the most accomplished female brokersâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;showcasing their expertise, successes and exciting new listings.

Warburg Realty

Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker New York Residential Specialist (NYRS) WHAT DISTINGUISHES YOU FROM OTHERS IN YOUR FIELD? As a former trusts and estates lawyer, I have been trained to aggressively negotiate in my clients’ best interests. I am a strategic and solution-oriented thinker. I know the right questions to ask and how to use the information to my clients’ advantage. I bring the same intense work ethic, level of professionalism, integrity and absolute discretion to my real estate clients as I did when I worked at a white-shoe law firm. As a native New Yorker, I have a unique perspective of the city and enjoy the benefit of long-standing relationships with people and institutions that unquestionably give me an advantage when advising clients. Finally, I am one of a select cadre of real estate agents who has earned the esteemed New York Residential Specialist (NYRS) designation which identifies brokers who have achieved an advanced level of study and the top tier of success in sales.

“As a former trusts and estates lawyer, I have been trained to aggressively negotiate in my clients’ best interests. I am a strategic and solution-oriented thinker. I know the right questions to ask and how to use the information to my clients’ advantage.”

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE LOOKING TO BUY A HOME IN YOUR AREA NOW? Be prepared. the market is strong, with record-low inventory. I work with my clients to get their financing, financial statements and references lined up before we even submit an offer. In this competitive marketplace, I make sure my clients are viewed in the best light possible. Because of my proactive approach, when the right property comes on the market, we’re ready — and we usually get it.

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TELL US SOMETHING ABOUT YOU THAT PEOPLE MIGHT BE SURPRISED TO LEARN? Many people who associate me with the Upper East Side where I typically sell would be surprised to learn that although I attended school in Carnegie Hill, I actually grew up downtown. I love downtown and enjoy selling there. Many are also surprised to learn about my international background. My mother is European and was a career diplomat with the United Nations for thirty years. Our apartment was filled with art from China, India, Papua New Guinea and Mongolia. Our family’s parties were filled with colorful saris, kaftans, sounds of multiple languages and the smells and tastes of spicy foods. I speak both French and Spanish and love working with foreign buyers and sellers. I think the international community makes New York such a cosmopolitan, exciting and interesting place to live.

JOSE GINARTE

The Women Of REAL ESTATE

CHRISTINE MILLER MARTIN

ANYTHING NOTEWORTHY TO SHARE WITH US? Yes, I am building a real estate team! My business continually expands, so a strong team will allow me to focus exclusively on the high-end luxury co-op, condo and townhouse markets while maintaining the high level of personal service I am known for. I am delighted to announce that Susanne Rhow has joined my team. A Georgetown alum, Susanne was a vice president of the Trusts and Estates and Private Client Group at Sotheby’s. Together, we make a formidable team and uniquely provide our clients a full array of real estate expertise with the strongest estates background of any brokers in the city.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST MISTAKE YOU SEE BUYERS MAKE? The biggest mistake buyers make is not using a broker. They mistakenly believe they can get a “deal”. This is rarely the case and often quite the opposite. It is important to note that the listing broker has no obligation to the purchaser. Real estate is often one’s single largest investment; smart buyers hire an experienced broker who knows the marketplace and has a fiduciary duty to act in their best interest.

WARBURG REALTY 654 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10065 M: 917.453.5152 O: 212.439.5194 E: cmartin@warburgrealty.com W: warburgrealty.com

ARE THERE ANY CAUSES YOU’RE VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT? I have been very involved over the years at Convent of the Sacred Heart, Middlesex School and Wellesley College. I serve on the Advisory Council for the New York Landmarks Conservancy; am chair of the Junior Council of El Museo del Barrio; serve on the Board of Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter and am on the Membership Committee for Network 20/20. I am also pleased to be a Warburg Ambassador at the upcoming Bunny Hop event benefitting Memorial Sloan Kettering. In addition to being able to actively participate in the conversation about some of the most important things happening in our city, I have met the most interesting and impressive people through them. Collectively these experiences help round out my appreciation of all the wonderful things and people this remarkable city has to offer.

The Corcoran Group

Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker

DETAIL FOR US SOME OF THE NEW EXCITING LISTINGS/PROJECTS YOU ARE CURRENTLY REPRESENTING: I have quite a few exciting listings, but there are three in particular that come to mind: The first one is in East Hampton and is the only newconstruction oceanfront on the market, with top-of-the-line craftsmanship, 3 acres of land, a pool, tennis court and beach bungalow. Second is Rose Hill Point, one of the most magnificent, custom-designed 15,000-square-foot homes, with more than 2 stunning acres of open waterfront on Mecox Bay; you feel like you are on a boat in just about every room. The third property is the last of its kind, with 40 acres of subdivided land south of the highway in Wainscott. You can be the master of your domain and build your own dream estate or compound with endless possibilities.

WHAT ARE THE HOTTEST AREAS AND WHAT DO YOU FORESEE FOR THE HAMPTONS REAL ESTATE MARKET THIS COMING YEAR? All the towns are certainly selling, but Sag Harbor and North Haven are really hot and waterfront properties are moving quickly. The last quarter of 2013 showed many record-breaking deals, and there is no doubt that the market will continue to strengthen this year. Inventory is starting to go, especially land, and prices should continue to increase. My advice to people considering buying in the Hamptons is, now is the time!

“Although I always pride myself on being at the very top of my field, I was thrilled to be ranked nationwide by the Wall Street Journal; number 12 in 2013 and number 2 in 2012; making me the number 1 Hamptons Agent for the last two years!”

WHAT IS THE MOST EXCITING PART OF YOUR JOB? People think the most exciting part of my job is seeing all the amazing properties, which certainly is interesting, but the part of my business I cherish the most is the people I meet. It is so interesting and I have made many close friends over the years. Nothing is more important to me than doing the very best for buyers and sellers alike and being the best at what I do.

DEAD ON DESIGN

WHAT DISTINGUISHES YOU FROM OTHERS IN YOUR FIELD? WHAT IS YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS? Proven results year after year, my commitment, knowledge and 24 years’ experience. I am always very straight up with people and they appreciate that. I also spend the time, money and effort to constantly improve my business, by integrating the most innovative new marketing and technology, including social media, my personal website, exclusive digital interactive brochures and much more. My 24/7 work ethic is also important, as is my own marketing team, assistants and public relations company. I have all the support I need to operate more like a boutique firm within a large company, so my clients and customers have the best of both worlds, and it works!

THE CORCORAN GROUP 1936 Montauk Highway Bridgehampton, NY 11932 M: 631.875.6000 E: smb@corcoran.com W: smbhamptons.com

WHICH OF YOUR PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENT(S) ARE YOU PROUDEST OF? Although I always pride myself on being at the very top of my field, I was thrilled to be ranked nationwide by the Wall Street Journal; number 12 in 2013 and number 2 in 2012; making me the number 1 Hamptons Agent for the last two years!

ARE THERE ANY CAUSES THAT YOU ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT? Citymeals-on-Wheels. It is heartwrenching to know that there are so many elderly people without food and human company in New York.

MARCH 2014 • AVENUE MAGAZINE | 103

The Women Of REAL ESTATE

SUSAN M. BREITENBACH

The Women Of REAL ESTATE

Joanna Rizoulis, Amy Smith-Sroka, Arlene Gibbs, Kathleen Collins, Dalia Valdes

THE BEST OF WESTCHESTER

ow does a residential real estate agent already at the top of her game become an even more powerful force in the business? By aligning herself with other agents operating at the same caliber. Such is the case with five women representing buyers and sellers across Westchester County, New York: Kathleen Collins, Arlene Gibbs, Joanna Rizoulis, Amy Smith Sroka and Dalia Valdes, of Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty. Each on her own has achieved the status of a top-producing real estate agent. But when they come

104 | AVENUE MAGAZINE • MARCH 2014

together, they are on a different playing field, capable of achieving greater heights than ever before. Unlike agent teams that work on the same deals together, these five associate brokers can more accurately be described as an A-list agent group. They collaborate and share insights with one another, each contributing her own unique strengths, knowledge and skills to the great advantage of all. The end results are unparalleled in real estate, allowing for the very highest level of service available. And while their clients might

not always realize it, since the agents aren’t necessarily formally involved in one another’s transactions, working with one of these professionals gives the client the expertise of all five. In Bronxville, Kathleen Collins has proven a consistent top producer over the years, recently achieving more individual sales over $3 million than any other local agent. She is also responsible for the highest recorded sale on both the listing and buyer side among all Bronxville Village transactions. She brings exceptional proficiency in negotiating

201–205 W. Patent Road, Bedford Corners, NY, $6,900,000

8 Oak Lane, Larchmont, NY, $4,200,000

21 Ridge Road, Bronxville, NY, $9,500,000

159 W. Main St., Tarrytown, NY, $2,790,000

and marketing, and a deep knowledge of the Westchester marketplace that ensures her clients have a trusted resource in helping them make the best real estate decisions. Among her current listings is a historic $9.5 million Mediterranean estate that has been beautifully restored. Recognized for her expertise and market knowledge as well as her tenacity and calming influence, Arlene Gibbs is also a consistent top producer. She is both passionate and compassionate, and loves what she does. With 25 years of real estate experience, she annually ranks in the top tier of all agents in Larchmont and Mamaroneck, having achieved over $53 million in sales in 2013. She was the listing agent on the two highest sales recorded in Larchmont in the past several years, also serving as the selling agent on one of them: the 2013 sale of an exceptional waterfront estate on Hommocks Road, a property of understated elegance in a private enclave that sold for $8.9 million. Her current listings include a $4.2 million Tudor-style home in Larchmont Harbor.

of experience listing and selling in New York, while Joanna draws upon a varied background that includes legal, sales, marketing and management experience, as well as involvement with the Westchester County Board of Realtors as a prior vice chair and current Professional Standards Committee member. The pair, who were responsible for closing more than 30 transactions in 2013, currently have one of the highest-priced listings in the county, a magnificent $19,900,000 Chappaqua estate known as Rosewood. Dalia Valdes is said to possess a nearly encyclopedic knowledge of fine property throughout Westchester County. She has made her mark in the luxury residential markets of Scarsdale, Irvington and the surrounding river towns, brokering millions of dollars in sales each year. Her clients benefit from the personalized attention and strategic guidance she delivers, as well as her international business background, global connections and keen negotiating skills. One of her most notable recent transactions was the highest sale ever recorded in Irvington, a restored English Manor

“Together, these five women take the business of real estate to a whole new level. They are consummate sales professionals; they are advisors and influencers. They are experts on all things real estate in Westchester County.”

As a subset of the group, Amy Smith Sroka and Joanna Rizoulis work together as an agent team specializing in northern Westchester County. Dedicated to delivering luxury service at every price point, both agents have their roots in the area and bring an extensive lifelong knowledge of the county, its communities and its services. Amy has over 30 years

home in a prestigious neighborhood that sold for more than $300,000 over its asking price. Together, these five women take the business of real estate to a whole new level. They are consummate sales professionals; they are advisors and influencers. They are experts on all things real estate in Westchester County.

JULIA B. FEE SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY WESTCHESTER BROKERAGES Bronxville * Larchmont * Scarsdale * Rye Contact us at: C: 914.715.6052 E: livingwestchester@juliabfee.com W: LivingWestchester.com

MARCH 2014 • AVENUE MAGAZINE | 105

Citi Habitats

Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker

“I’ve been lucky enough to have traveled the world, and I’ve absorbed Western education and culture like a sponge, which has helped me gain strength in creativity, freedom of thinking in mind and spirit and flexibility.”

WHAT DISTINGUISHES YOU FROM OTHERS IN YOUR FIELD? WHAT EXPERTISE/EXPERIENCE DO YOU BRING TO THE TABLE? I have an East-meets-West philosophy. I am originally from Beijing, China, where I grew up in a very traditional family; you can still visit my family street, Shi Jia Hu Tong, just two blocks north of the Forbidden City. I’ve had extensive education in traditional Chinese culture and philosophy growing up, which gives me solid roots as a woman and a human being. I’ve been lucky enough to have traveled the world, and I’ve absorbed Western education and culture like a sponge, which has helped me gain strength in creativity, freedom of thinking in mind and spirit and flexibility. When I decided to settle in New York, I kept my understanding of all the cultures I’ve experienced, which really benefits me, as a businesswoman in the most cosmopolitan city in the world.

106 | AVENUE MAGAZINE • MARCH 2014

JESSICA NASH

The Women Of REAL ESTATE

VICTORIA RONG KENNEDY

WHAT WORD, OR FEW WORDS, BEST DESCRIBE YOU PROFESSIONALLY? Artfully negotiating with a smile. IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT IS IT ABOUT WOMEN THAT MAKES THEM SO SUCCESSFUL IN REAL ESTATE? Women have an ability to make quick decisions, even when they are pulled in many directions at once. I remember recently I had bags of groceries in both my hands, and I asked my son Theodore to carry a small box that we picked up from the doorman. He asked, “Why don’t you hold it, Mommy?” I said, “Don’t you see, both of Mommy’s hands are full with our groceries?” He looked at me and said: “Oh, I wish you were an octopus with many arms; then you could hold the box too.” Well, that’s exactly how I feel being a successful businesswoman: an octopus with many arms, but one who is able to remain balanced—and maintain a happy life, both professionally and personally!

IN WHAT PROFESSION COULD YOU SEE YOURSELF, OTHER THAN YOUR PRESENT ONE? WHAT ATTRIBUTES DO YOU HAVE THAT WOULD MAKE YOU PARTICULARLY GOOD IN THAT FIELD? If I weren’t in real estate, I’d definitely be an artist. I have met so many interesting people through the years, and someday I would like to transform those memories onto canvas to share with others! Art was always my passion, even when I was a little girl. I like to draw people— real, everyday people.

CITI HABITATS 157 Columbus Avenue, Suite 2W, New York, NY 10023 C: 917.627.5003 O: 212.957.4100 E: vrong@citihabitats.com W: Citihabitats.com

ARE THERE ANY CAUSES YOU’RE VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT? I’m passionate about historic preservation. I love old “things”: historic architecture, paintings, antique furniture, cars, jewelry and even old handwritten notes. Perhaps I will retire with an antique shop when I am really old.

Town Residential

Representative, Licensed Associate Broker New York Residential Specialist WHAT WORDS DESCRIBE YOU PROFESSIONALLY? Outgoing, honest, driven, knowledgeable, passionate,empathetic, conscientious, positive.

DID YOU HAVE ANOTHER PROFESSION PRIOR TO BEING IN REAL ESTATE? HOW DID THAT PREPARE YOU, AND/OR GIVE YOU AN EDGE FOR SELLING REAL ESTATE? Over two decades on Wall Street provided me with very strong experience in business. This career seamlessly carried over into real estate. I spent each day as a trader looking for value, negotiating, making important financial decisions and developing and maintaining excellent relationships with others. While the underlying market was different, the skill set I developed has proven extremely relevant in my real estate career.

“I like the art of the deal: identifying the property, negotiating, managing and closing the transaction. This can include a fair amount of problem-solving and critical thinking, which I like because of the challenge.”

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE LOOKING TO SELL A HOME IN YOUR AREA RIGHT NOW? While the inventory is extremely low, and the perception may be that apartments sell themselves, my basic advice always remains the same: Hire an experienced broker, someone who has what it takes to help you succeed in achieving your goals. Find a broker who has a strong knowledge of the neighborhood, product and market, plus sales experience in the area and a solid marketing and sales plan to get you the best exposure and price.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST MISTAKE THAT YOU SEE BUYERS MAKE? Not seeing the potential in a property. I would never advise a buyer to settle for less, but I do tell them that it is rare to find the “perfect 10” or absolutely flawless apartment, at any price point. If you get seven out of 10 items on your “wish list,” it’s a win. Focus on the big picture: location, views, building, amenities, size, etc. Sometimes it is necessary to look beyond what is directly in front of you. Decorative disappointments can be distracting, but can be changed; and simple modifications to floor plans can often create big differences, without major construction. Keeping an open mind is important. DETAIL FOR US SOME OF THE NEW AND EXCITING LISTINGS/ PROJECTS THAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY REPRESENTING. Currently, I’m working on a new development, The Charles, at 1355 First Avenue. I love the concept of every floor being a private home, in a full-service building. There’s something about leaving the elevator and walking into your apartment that has a certain caché. I am also a big fan of the floor plans; this is a modern building, with layouts that you would find in a prewar apartment— perfect for elegant living and entertaining. The interiors by David Collins Studio are completely sublime and complement the building, which is the perfect mix of classic and modern design.

WHAT IS THE MOST EXCITING PART OF YOUR JOB; WHAT KEEPS YOU GOING EVERY DAY? I like the art of the deal: identifying the property, negotiating, managing and closing the transaction. This can include a fair amount of problem-solving and critical thinking, which I like because of the challenge. What really keeps me going, though, is the interaction with the clients. I truly enjoy the relationships that I have with my buyers and sellers. I get to meet and help so many incredible people, with so many different stories; it’s both fascinating and rewarding.

730 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10019 C: 917.981.4800 O: 646.998.7408 F: 646.545.5791 E: gbrokaw@townrealestate. com W: Townrealestate.com

DONNELLY MARKS

TOWN RESIDENTIAL

TELL US ABOUT A SHINING MOMENT IN YOUR PROFESSIONAL CAREER. When I realized I had created a successful career the second time around. It occurred to me recently that I am working as hard as I did when I was in my thirties and have built another career from the ground up. I certainly had hoped for it to turn out well, but never took anything for granted, and now find myself enjoying every day immensely! There are a lot of lives in a life and this is one of my shining moments.

MARCH 2014 • AVENUE MAGAZINE | 107

The Women Of REAL ESTATE

GINGER BROKAW

Mary Ann Cinelli Licensed Real Estate Salesperson Brown Harris Stevens of the Hamptons

Mary Ann Cinelli is one of the Hamptons’ most sought after agents, receiving numerous awards and recognition for her outstanding sales record. Mary Ann’s success as one of the top producing agents in the Hamptons over the last 15 years is well documented and can be attributed to her unique set of skills. Not only is she well versed in all aspects of Hamptons real estate acquisition, she brings to the table a unique eye, having also renovated many high-end Hamptons properties. Engaged in everything from the meticulous renovation and restoration of historic homes to the development of new construction in a variety of Hamptons locations, Mary Ann’s many years as a successful developer have rewarded her with a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of building, renovation and restoration as well as invaluable experience in skillfully navigating municipal departments and agencies throughout the entire building process. Mary Ann was formally a Senior Director at the venerable Allan M. Schneider Associates, where she was repeatedly a top-producer. She is now one of the most productive and respected agents at Brown Harris Stevens of the Hamptons, the exclusive affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate on the East End of Long Island. Based in the Bridgehampton brokerage ofﬁce of Brown Harris Stevens, Mary Ann has extensive experience in all market conditions and has successfully brokered sales of major properties from Southampton to Amagansett. Her dedication to Hamptons real estate and sophisticated eye allow her to provide extraordinary service to her clientele and customers throughout the entire South Fork area. An avid traveler, she has developed an elite roster of international clients and specializes in luxury rentals and sales.

Mary Ann Cinelli Licensed Real Estate Salesperson Brown Harris Stevens of the Hamptons 631.537.4347 | direct mcinelli@bhshamptons.com Equal Housing Opportunity Broker. Brown Harris Stevens of the Hamptons, LLC. 2408 Main Street • P.O. Box 683 • Bridgehampton, NY 11932 • 631.537.2727

Andrea L. Ackerman Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker Brown Harris Stevens of the Hamptons

Hamptons luxury real estate specialist for 30 years, Andrea Ackerman offers outstanding expertise in the field. Based in the Bridgehampton office of Brown Harris Stevens as a licensed real estate associate broker. A pioneer in the real estate industry on the East End of Long Island, she became a certified “Eco Broker” in 2008. Formerly, a principal partner and Senior Director at Brown Harris Stevens, Andrea now assists in developing their corporate strategy for the Hamptons region, as well as being one of the top producers and listors. As the exclusive Christie’s International Real Estate affiliate on the East End of Long Island, Brown Harris Stevens is the only privately owned Hamptons Real Estate Company to be affiliated to a privately owned international auction house, providing maximum exposure for sales and rentals worldwide. Andrea grew up in Manhattan and attended Boston University, Hunter College and Long Island University. After arriving in the Hamptons, she worked with the Hampton Day School for two years before managiing a large waterfront redevelopment project in East Hampton and became one of the Hamptons’ top brokers. Well known for her involvement in a variety of local fundraising, cultural and community organizations, Andrea has also been honored for outstanding leadership in her industry by the “Metropolitan Registries.” She was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Jewish Center of the Hamptons and chairperson of the Social Action Committee. She chaired the nominating committee which established a new slate of officers and trustees. Among her proudest endeavors was the founding of an event that raised money for a variety of local charities and contributes toward feeding the hungry form Montauk to Riverhead. In July 2007, Andrea received a proclamation from County Executive Steve Levy recognizing her as an outstanding individual for her dedication and philanthropic contributions to the Jewish Center of the Hamptons and the community on behalf of 1.4 million residents of Suffolk County. Andrea is a full time resident of the Hamptons, living in Sag Harbor, and involved in boating and other outdoor activities.

Andrea L. Ackerman Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker Brown Harris Stevens of the Hamptons 631.537.4340 | direct aackerman@bhshamptons.com Equal Housing Opportunity Broker. Brown Harris Stevens of the Hamptons, LLC. 2408 Main Street • P.O. Box 683 • Bridgehampton, NY 11932 • 631.537.2727

Marcia Altman Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker Brown Harris Stevens of the Hamptons

A Broad Knowledge… Marcia Altman, a licensed associate broker for 25 years, represents some of the most unique and spectacular properties in the Hamptons. As the top producing broker in the Quogue/Westhampton/Remsenburg market at Brown Harris Stevens, Marcia displays a keen inside knowledge of the industry and an enthusiasm for her clients. This wealth of experience has enabled Marcia to advise her clients in their pursuit of both pleasure & profit in the Hamptons’ market. Her record breaking sales and creative marketing have placed her at the top of her profession. Born in Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn, Marcia attended Parsons School of Design which accounts for her stylish aesthetic. She has appeared on Open House NYC, NBC’s Hampton Open Houses, Fox 5 News and News 12 Long Island and is often quoted in The New York Times, local papers and magazines as a key authority on market trends in the Hamptons. A full time resident of Quogue, Marcia is a member of the new Quogue Club, a founding member of the Hampton Synagogue, and has her name stamped in perpetuity on the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts’ “Walk of Fame.” Her husband, Barry Altman of the Builder Inc. and Quality Crafted Homes of Southampton, is a prolific developer & builder. This relationship enhances Marcia’s knowledge of construction and renovation & is a valuable asset to both her buyers and sellers. Traveling extensively and owning design and retail businesses in New York, Paris & St. Tropez has given her a sense of the “bigger picture.” “I am my client, as we frequent the same travel spots, shop in the same stores and dine at the same restaurants….so the relationship is comfortable & natural.” Marcia works hard & plays hard. Just back from a week’s recharge in St. Barths, she looks forward to this coming spring selling season. “Demand and sales are up and it’s going to be a wild ride!”

Marcia Altman Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker Brown Harris Stevens of the Hamptons 631.288.5004 | direct maltman@bhshamptons.com Equal Housing Opportunity Broker. Brown Harris Stevens Westhampton & North Fork, LLC. 70 Main Street • Westhampton Beach, NY 11978 • 631.288.5500

Martha P. Gundersen Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker Brown Harris Stevens of the Hamptons

With over a decade of experience at Brown Harris Stevens, Associate Broker, Martha Gundersen is a consistent top producer. She has been the number one broker in the East Hampton office since 2009. Martha has established herself as a creative and meticulous broker, closing varied and complex transactions all over the Hamptons. Most recently, she has listed “Linden House” in Water Mill, built and designed by the renowned James Michael Howard, whose “Edgefield Estate” in Bridgehampton Martha listed and sold in 2012 for $19,750,000. In June, 2013 the Wall Street Journal Real Trends recognized Martha as the #10 agent in the Hamptons and #75 nationwide. Over the years, Martha has represented numerous high-profile and well known personalities in finding their perfect Hamptons home, whether for sale or rent. A large portion of Martha’s business comes from repeat clients and referrals. Martha lives in Amagansett with her husband and two children. Both children attended the East Hampton public school; her son is now at UCLA and her daughter attends Cornell University. An active particpant in the local community, Martha regularly supports various charities, including the Animal Rescue Fund (ARF), World Wildlife Fund, Child Reach, Women for Women International, American Cancer Society and Glaucoma Research Institute. In her spare time, Martha enjoys swimming, running on Indian Wells Beach with her 3 rescue dogs and photographing all the natural beauty that surrounds her in the Hamptons.

Martha P. Gundersen Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker Brown Harris Stevens of the Hamptons 631.903.6131 | direct mgundersen@bhshamptons.com Equal Housing Opportunity Broker. Brown Harris Stevens of the Hamptons, LLC. 27 Main Street, East Hampton, NY 11937 • 631.324.6400

Stribling & Associates

Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker

WHAT DISTINGUISHES YOU FROM OTHERS IN YOUR FIELD? WHAT EXPERTISE DO YOU BRING TO THE TABLE? My encyclopedic knowledge of cooperatives, townhouses and condominiums, coupled with up-to-date awareness of real estate development, layouts, size and views is legendary and so is my calling card. Knowledge is power and builds the trust that is necessary in every relationship, whether it is with clients or my peers in the industry. Knowledge is the factor I couple with my ability to make the process appear easy and stress free. My goal is to simplify the most complicated of transactions.

“I see myself as a tenacious worker, savvy negotiator, smart businesswoman and renowned dealmaker, providing professional service and advice to both buyers and sellers.”

WHAT WORD OR WORDS BEST DESCRIBE YOU PROFESSIONALLY? I see myself as a tenacious worker, savvy negotiator, smart businesswoman and renowned dealmaker, providing professional service and advice to both buyers and sellers. I best describe myself with the three words I believe help me achieve excellence when I am buying or selling real estate: tenacious, trustworthy, truthful. That is CB Whyte.

112 | AVENUE MAGAZINE • MARCH 2014

WHAT ARE THE QUALITIES YOU POSSESS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR SUCCESS IN THE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY? I listen carefully and strive to completely address all concerns and offer constructive suggestions. Discretion in buying and selling a home is my trademark, as the process is personal as well as financial. It requires disclosure of considerable assets and sophisticated financials machination between the buyer and seller. My clients know that they can rely on my full support, my intelligence and my expertise.

STRIBLING & ASSOCIATES 924 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10021 C: 212.729.0997 O: 212.452.4446 E: cbwhyte@stribling.com W: Stribling.com

TELL US ABOUT A SHINING MOMENT IN YOUR PROFESSIONAL CAREER. I have been recognized as Broker of the Year twice by the Real Estate Board of New York in sales achievement by overcoming substantial market obstacles. I never give up; I love a challenge. I have had a number of firsts in my career: the first high-end sale of a condominium signaling the end of the '91 down market; selling an impressive townhouse in 45 minutes and closing in two weeks; an originator in townhouse rehabilitation for investment resale; selling a vacant lot at a record price where a home had been destroyed; selling two apartments that were to be combined, while at the same time relocating the tenant while the purchaser never viewed the occupied apartment.

JILL LOTENBERG

The Women Of REAL ESTATE

C. B. WHYTE

The Women Of REAL ESTATE

UPCOMING SPECIAL REAL ESTATE SECTIONS: April: The Leading Men of Real Estate Space reservations due: March 7th

May: • Real Estate’s Most Talked About (people and properties) • Spotlight on Suburban and Country Real Estate Space reservations due: April 4th

June: • Best of the Hamptons • Hamptons Alternatives Space reservations due: April 25th

July: A-List Brokers Space reservations due: June 6th

For more information, please contact: Susan Feinman, Associate Publisher 914.714.5053 / sfeinman@manhattanmedia.com

11596 TURTLE BEACH ROAD, LOST TREE VILLAGE

Magnificent 7BR/10.5BA Direct Oceanfront Estate - approximate 1 acre lot. Overflowing with rich architectural details. Infinity pool overlooking ocean. Soaring ceilings, gourmet chef’s kitchen, master suite opening onto gorgeous loggia. Balcony with amazing ocean views. www.11596TurtleBeachRd.com

susan Greenfield Brown Harris Stevens

Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker CRS,CIPS

Thinking Globally, Selling Locally Tell us about your background/experience here and abroad in real estate. Before joining Brown Harris Stevens in 1996, I spent a decade as vice president of real estate sales, international marketing and private client services with Merrill Lynch in the '80s, and owning and operating my own real estate company, with offices in Paris and New York in the early '90s. A personal network of international brokers and clients was established through these years of global networking. How has your experience given you the edge to deal with the influx of international buyers in Manhattan? Having decades of relationships in the global markets and an involvement in international activities working with and teaching real estate professionals around the world has given me a distinctive advantage today. The relationships that I have cultivated these last three decades continue to bring me the global clients I work with today. What are the qualities you possess that contribute to your success in the real estate industry? Confidentiality and trust are essential components. I understand that purchasing and selling real estate is a private matter, and protecting the privacy of my clients is always my first priority. I am always accessible, no matter where I am in the world. Tell us something about you that people might be surprised to learn. I actually studied graphic art, painting and design. My artistic background and training has been very helpful throughout my career assisting my clients with their aesthetic needs while in the selection process.

Exclusive $14,950,000

Christian J. Angle Representing 561-629-3015 cjangle@anglerealestate.com

Palm Beach’s

Finest Properties

Though information is believed to be correct, offerings are subject to errors, omissions, prior sale and withdrawal without notice.

brown harris stevens 445 Park Avenue New York, NY 10022 C: 917.414.0533 O: 212.906.9214 E: sgreenfield@bhsusa.com MARCH 2014 • AVENUE MAGAZINE | 113

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THE MANSION OFF PARK AVENUE- APT TH | $8,495,000 Spanning over 7,000 square feet with 5 bedrooms, 6 full bathrooms, 2 half baths and 2 kitchens, this stunning home enjoys unique qualities only a large, private residence has to offer: elevator, 6 working fireplaces, full basement with handicap ramp, second level patio, backyard, and private roof deck. Enjoy your own personal fitness and steam room, and Jacuzzi spa. web # 71619 RYAN SERHANT 646 443 3739

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PRE WAR LARGE HOME WITH TERRACE - Apt 402/3/4/5 | $6,195,000 Selling as is. Bring your Architect to The Ritz Tower. 4 apartments ready to be transformed into one unique and elegant apartment featuring a one of a kind landscaped terrace overlooking Park Avenue, with approximately 2,947 sq. ft. of total space. One of the world’s Best addresses, Park Avenue and 57th Street. web # 65873 WENDY JACKSON 917 679 1211 | BENJAMIN LIEBLEIN 917 679 5652

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UNION SQUARE LARGE 3-BED HOME WITH TERRACES - Apt 8D | $13,000 This beautiful sun drenched rental home with 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths + 2 terraces is located in a new luxury, full service condominium. A unique large open space bright and sunny with double exposure facing North and South and soaring 10 foot high ceilings throughout. Located in the vibrant Union Square / Flatiron area. web # 66863 WENDY JACKSON 917 679 1211 | BENJAMIN LIEBLEIN 917-679-5652

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The AGE Defiers

Top professionals provide insight on technological advances and techniques to help you look and feel younger.

The AGE Defiers

Muscle, Bone and Mass: Living Young How do you capture physical youth? Better yet, how do you capture physical youth after an injury that affects your day-today life? While the answer may seem obvious, the key to capturing physical youth is to never lose it. All too many of us put the focus on how youthful we look, cosmetically, and not how we feel and perform physically. So our real aim should be “living young,” to feel as good as we look, and vice-versa. The goal of an orthopedic sports medicine surgeon is to provide this quality of life to those with injuries and afflictions that may prevent youthful living in the future. The goal also is to use this knowledge to help others avoid injury and maintain physical youth and performance now and down the line. Many may not be aware that men and women begin losing bone and muscle mass in their early twenties, or even before. This uphill battle must be addressed and dealt with on a daily basis to avoid future injury and degradation. We can slow down what the body has planned for us, and we must be meticulous in doing so. Proper exercises may be divided into weight training, resistance-cardiovascular training or conditioning and flexibility training. All too many people believe that weight training equates bulk, which is not true, especially in women for whom such training aids maintenance of bone density. Weight training is also a great method for weight loss. Once you increase your lean muscle mass, you burn more calories, as the basal metabolic

“Many may not be aware that men and women begin losing bone and muscle mass in their early twenties, or even before. This uphill battle must be addressed and dealt with on a daily basis to avoid future injury and degradation.” rate, i.e, the amount of calories your body burns at rest in a day, increases. Keeping muscle and bone mass intact by utilizing the proper exercises and stretches is something we all need to address and maintain, in order to feel and perform as we did in our youth. Advancements in sports medicine have allowed us now to “bend the aging curve,” as we utilize many outlets to suit our individual needs and keep us feeling and performing at our best. As orthopedic surgeons, we look toward and pride ourselves on having tight-knit relationships with physical therapists, professional trainers and other allied health professionals, such as acupunctur-

Advice from Dr. Jonathan Glashow, the premiere othopedic surgeon and co-chief of sports medicine at New York’s Mount Sinai Medical Center

ists and chiropractors, to get each patient to exactly where he or she needs to be. No two cases are the same, and follow-up care is just as important as the surgery/ treatment one receives, as the two go hand-in-hand. Surgery reestablishes the normal anatomy of an injured area, and pursuing the least invasive, most anatomical way of addressing an injury is what benefits the patient most. New technologies have been masterful in allowing great advancements for health professionals willing to learn, embrace and develop new skills. But follow-up is vital: Without exacting follow-up care, the benefits of even the best surgery can be null. In sum, physical youth must be a way of life rather than an occasional fad. Addressing issues today can extend physical youth and help an individual “live young,” with a greater quality of life. With the philosophy that no two cases are alike, I, along with my practice, offer an individualized and concierge environment for all patients, making patients’ goal of getting back to performing and feeling their best fully attainable.

jonathan l. glashow, m.d., p.c. 737 Park Avenue Suite 1C New York, NY 10021 T: 212.794.5096 W: glashowmd.com

Dr. Jonathan Glashow, who specializes in shoulder, knee and hip arthroscopy, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, co-chief of sports medicine and clinical associate professor at Mt. Sinai Medical Center, as well as a member of the NBA medical staff. Dr. Glashow and his associate Dr. Bryan T. Hanypsiak combine cutting-edge technologies with the mindset of “living young,” to provide patients an opportunity to gain or continue their quality of life.

116 | AVENUE MAGAZINE • MARCH 2014

AVENUE asks Dr. Marc Zimbler about the latest trend in agedefying surgery. Given the trend toward a more natural aesthetic, patients have been focusing their attention on the neck. More and more of my patients are asking for “neck-tightening surgery” and are happy with their faces the way they are. Patients want to look like themselves, just refreshed. They come in and say, “I don’t want to look like one of those ‘Housewives’ on TV. I just want my neck done.” It’s almost like the word “facelift” is taboo. That being said, everyone wants a youthful jaw line and to get rid of sagging neck skin!

One of New York’s top plastic surgeons is working on enhancing natural beauty

The AGE Defiers

Doctor, Just the Neck Please! ‘Scalpel or needle? Dermatologist or surgeon? How can I tell which is right for me?’ I think with all the latest tools dermatologists have, the lines have been blurred. First it was Botox, which treated the forehead: Goodbye brow-lift surgery! Then it was Restylane and Juvederm, which treated the mid-face. However, lasers and fillers can’t cure the loose skin under the chin; this is where the scalpel reigns supreme. Most of my patients have been treated for years by their dermatologists, but when they start complaining about the neck and jaw line, that’s when those doctors say, “See Dr. Zimbler.” Surgery does an amazing job at contouring the jaw line and sculpting the neck. That being said, I am a strong believer in smaller procedures at a younger age rather than more dramatic operations later on. Early rejuvenation typically lasts longer, has a quicker recovery, is less stressful for the patient and looks more natural. People today don’t want to look like they had surgery; they just want to look like themselves, but refreshed and rested. My job is to make them look amazing for their age.

“With an A-list of referring dermatologists, Dr. Marc Zimbler is focusing his attention on the neck.” Your natural necklines are the talk of the Upper East Side. Is your technique different from that of other surgeons? Traditional lifts pull the skin too tight and leave unsightly scars. We have all seen these people walking down Park Avenue with wind-blown faces that can be spotted a mile away. My technique is not based on pulling skin; instead it tightens the fascia and muscle. This targeted jaw-line rejuvenation surgery re-drapes deeper structures and gives a more natural look. And with the newer short-scar techniques, incisions are almost invisible, hidden inside and behind ears. I want to restore my patients’ vitality without any trace of surgery.

MARC S. ZIMBLER, MD, FACS 990 Fifth Avenue New York, NY 10075 T: 212.570.9900 W: marczimblermd.com

Dr. Zimbler is a native of Manhattan, who trained at The Mount Sinai Hospital and NYU Medical Center. He is board certified in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery and is a Diplomat of the American Board of Facial Plastic Surgery. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery. He has been named in New York magazine’s Best Doctors, the New York Times’ Superdoctors and Castle Connolly’s “Top Doctors in New York.”

MARCH 2014 • AVENUE MAGAZINE | 117

The AGE Defiers

Dr. Durante on Age Defying Hair Restoration Improving one’s self image

What’s the most rewarding part of your job? The satisfaction of improving someone’s self-image. The connection between the physical appearance and self-image can be vital. This underscores the psychological aspect of this profession, which is often over looked. I have seen patients come into my office and be flat-out depressed. These are people who look in the mirror and are unhappy with themselves, and I’m able to help.

Hair Transplant Specialist

What made you choose your area of specialty? I’ve always had a passion for the finer details of things. After I finished my general surgical residency, I moved out to Seattle in the late ’80s and completed a two-year microvascular fellowship at the prestigious Hope Heart Institute,working under the world-renowned Dr. Lester Sauvage. The move into hair restoration and hair transplantation was natural for me. My hair transplant procedures are where microsurgery meets technology, the two loves of my medical career. What is the biggest misconception that people have about your area of specialty? That balding is only a concern of men. Female hair loss and thinning is extremely common; my practice is split between men and women at about 60 and 40 percent respectively, and I believe the need for follicular unit-grafting in women is even higher. In your expert opinion what are some of the pros and cons? The pros of my follicular unit-grafting technique include; no cutting or inci-

“When you look good, you feel good, and it shows, and vice versa. A healthy lifestyle consists of more than being physically fit; it has a lot to do with being emotionally fit as well.” sions, resulting in no scarring; minimal down time; and a significant decrease in the possibility of post-op complications such as bleeding or infection. Also, by removing the grafts individually, we handle them less than with “tradition strip method” procedures, resulting in a higher rate of graft success and preservation of the donor site. The only con I can really think of would be the preparation of the donor site. It requires a bit of planning in order to cosmetically mask the donor site, which needs to be shaved, the removed hair is unnoticeable to the naked eye. Tell us about some age-defying procedures you offer. There are so many, but one of my favorite is eyebrow restoration. People take for granted the impact the eyebrow can have on a youthful appearance. Thick, full eyebrows signify youth and vitality. Eyebrows thin with age, and we lose an important contrast element of the face, along with loss of luster of the eyes and even definition of the cheekbones. What’s the best advice you can offer patients in terms of preventative measures they can take to keep themselves looking or feeling younger? 118 | AVENUE MAGAZINE • MARCH 2014

When you look good, you feel good, and it shows, and vice versa. A healthy lifestyle consists of more than being physically fit; it has a lot to do with being emotionally fit as well. It is important to feel confident and happy. If you weren’t in your current profession, in what other field could you see yourself and why? I honestly cannot imagine myself doing anything else; even when I’m not working I’m operating. In my spare time I travel to remote parts of Africa and donate my services as a general and vascular surgeon. It is simply who I am.

DR. KEITH R. DURANTE, MD. FACS 786 Montauk Hwy West Islip, NY 11795 T: 631.669.3700/631.620.2020 E: longislandneograft@gmail.com W: Longislandneograft.com

Keeping your body looking and feeling its best gets harder and harder as you get older. Mary Ann Browning and her team of trainers at Brownings Fitness can help you with some age-defying ideas that will keep you at a peak-performance level no matter what age you are.

Building Muscle from New York’s Top Personal Trainer

The AGE Defiers

The Browning Method Don’t wait until your body is in bad shape to try to fix it. Be proactive and put in the work early. The older you get, the harder it becomes to lose weight and get in shape. If you can train your body early, then when you hit your 40s and things become more difficult to control, all you’ll have to do is maintain. Train your muscles and get used to the cardio. Make it second nature, and then as you get older your body will work with what it knows. Do your cardio at least four times a week, and not easy cardio. Sitting on a bike at level 5 for 40 minutes without getting your heart rate up is not going to be effective. You need to work hard! Not only does this approach burn calories and keep the weight off, it’s a great way to tone your legs! Running is ideal; you’ll get the most bang for your buck. Do hill and sprint workouts at least once a week each. This will make you faster and stronger.

“Train your muscles and get used to the cardio. Make it second nature, and then as you get older your body will work with what it knows.” Also make sure you’re doing your weight training. Building muscle is imperative for keeping your body lean and strong. Doing a weight workout in the morning keeps your metabolism up and you’ll burn more calories throughout the day. Work with what you’d consider heavy weights while still maintaing perfect posture. Doing lots of reps at a low weight is not going to build your muscles. In the BrowningMETHOD we hit each muscle group once a week to complete exhaustion. But you get six days rest before targeting that muscle again so you’ll build longer leaner muscle instead of becoming big and bulky. Finally, watch what you eat. Give your body what it needs: high fiber, lots of vegetables, not too much protein and healthy carbohydrates. Your body needs a balance to be able to work at peak performance. Avoid the high fat foods: chocolate, cream, butter; these will all go straight to the areas where you hold fat and where fat is the hardest to get rid of.

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MARCH 2014 • AVENUE MAGAZINE | 119

The Master of Marketing Luxury Lifestyles and Real Estate

120 | AVENUE MAGAZINE • MARCH 2014

Len Dugow, chief creative officer at LGD Communications, on high-end branding in specialized sectors What were the challenges you faced having to transition from distressed properties to remaining inventory, and now new construction developments? The last five years or so have seen the market fluctuating in terms of who the buyers are, where they’re coming from and what they’re after. The role of the marketer doesn’t change—we need to get the message to the buyers, wherever they are. The real challenge in marketing luxury real estate today, versus three to four years ago, is that back then, Miami’s oversupply of luxury condominiums made headlines all over the world and cash buyers were coming in droves looking for distressed properties to scoop up at pennies on the dollar. Our challenge at that point was in helping our clients resist falling into the price-cut trap, while steering them toward value messaging, combining both price and product. Luxury branding can make a value proposition. Luxury brands that stayed on message throughout the rebound have emerged into this new luxury era even stronger than they were before.

code. Fortunately, technology is on our side in the matter. In the last few years we’ve evolved several marketing tactics to deliver our messages with extraordinary precision to any person, in any language, anywhere at any time. LGD specializes in three primary strategies: messaging, targeting and delivery. Additionally, we track everything we do to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each campaign; we’re big on not just delivering ROI to our clients, but showing them exactly how we got it. What significant changes have you seen in Miami real estate over the last five years, and what’s coming? The super-luxury, all-cash buyer has driven developers into a game of “one-upping,” resulting in extravagant amenities like vehicle elevators that deliver you to a private garage on your residence floor, for example. Meanwhile, changes

Over the past 15 years, your company has marketed more than $25 billion of residential developments in New York and Miami, just to name two of many cities where you do business. How do the different arms of LGD work together to do that? It’s easy to get caught up in discussions of process, because process is where we spend the vast majority of the workday—all the functions of account service and production. But ultimately, too much focus on process can hobble the spirit of the agency to the detriment of the only thing, ultimately, that really matters: the work. Noting their importance in today’s marketing, how do you go about reaching international buyers for a local project? When you have a 350-unit building selling to buyers from 14 different countries on four different continents, it becomes clear that we’ve moved well beyond targeting by zip

What do you think will be a defining aspect of the future of high-end real estate marketing? In a recent report, from Christie’s International Real Estate, of the top global markets, a very strong indication was evident, that more than 30 percent of high net worth individuals purchasing luxury real estate are coming from outside of those cities. Real estate is an important—maybe the most-important—asset class to the affluent consumer. I believe this trend will continue, and it will further the necessity for precise digital outreach to those foreign buyers for many years to come. This is the future; this is where it is going. ✦

For more than two decades Len Dugow, president and chief creative officer of LGD Communications, has been at the forefront

“Luxury branding can make a value proposition. Luxury brands that stayed on message throughout the rebound have emerged into this new luxury era even stronger than they were before. “ in financing have altered the buyer deposit structure, requiring more from buyers for less exposure to the developer and the lender. Investment buyers are looking to park their funds in an asset, not necessarily flip their units for a quick payoff, like before. These trends are bound to continue changing, but I don’t believe anyone can realistically predict how.

of affluent marketing, specializing in branding luxury, real estate, hospitality and lifestyle across all marketing platforms. Under Dugow’s leadership, LGD has marketed more than $25 billion in residential real estate worldwide and currently represents more than 50 hotels and resorts around the globe.

MARCH 2014 • AVENUE MAGAZINE | 121

postcards from . . .

HALEY FRIEDLICH

Dear AVENUE,

Jason Wu reports from Kauai

At just 16 years old, Loomis Chaffee student Jason Wu began designing doll clothes for Integrity Toys. He went on to Parsons and eventually took his doll money to launch a ready-to-wear line. His star began to rise and his designs garnered high-profile support among fashion insiders, but he only gained national recognition when Michelle Obama wore Jason Wu (at the suggestion of André Leon Talley) on a Barbara Walters Special just before the 2008 election. It was solidified when the First Lady wore a custom Jason Wu gown to the first inauguration (she also wore his design to the second inauguration). In addition to being an exceptionally in-demand designer, the New York-based Wu is also the creative director for Hugo Boss. So when Wu offered to write us a Postcard on his vacation time, we were more than intrigued to hear where this man of exceptional taste, creativity and energy chooses to unwind.

Hawaii bound

One of my favorite places to travel to is Kauai because it is so beautiful and serene and has a vibrant culture rich with history and tradition.

The chic set Inspired travels Local eat s , beaut i f ul v i e ws and a lit le adventure Keepsakes with a pedigree I run into many of my clients at the resort!

Besides relaxing and taking in the views ofHanalei Bay, I enjoy discovering the local cuisine. The last time I was there, Chef Leanne Kamekona, the amazing executive chef of the St. Regis Princeville resort, took me on a food tour. She was born and raised in Kauai and knew of the best, and sometimes hidden, local spots. I also tried stand up paddleboarding and zip lining, which were fun ways to explore the island.

Fit for a prince

I love The St. Regis Princeville resort. The service they provide is unlike any other, I always wish I could take my St. Regis butler home with me! In addition to their spacious and luxurious rooms and suites, the resort also has the best views on the island, and the spa and culinary offerings are phenomenal. 122 | AVENUE MAGAZINE • MARCH 2014

Kauai unlocked

I would suggest going into Hanalei and simply exploring. Everyone is so friendly and the area is full of interesting surf shops to wander into. I also love the little stores—in Hanalei there is one called Yellowfish Trading Co. that sells unique Hawaiian items. The Dolphin is a great place for sushi, and I am obsessed with this little noodle place called Hamura’s Samin.

Traveling definitely inspires my collections and fashion creativity. I get inspiration from everything when I travel, from the architecture and history, to the colors and local shops I stumble across.

I love things with history and personality and whenever I travel I try to find unusual local shops. While I was in Florence not too long ago, I picked up some beautiful leather vintage handbags at a local resale shop.

I can’t travel without My iPhone ✦

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MICHAELA KESzLER

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ASKELLIMAN.COM 2488 Main St, P.O. Box 1251, Bridgehampton, NY 11932. 631.537.5900 | ÂŠ 2014 Douglas Elliman Real Estate. All material presented herein is intended for information purposes only. While, this information is believed to be correct, it is represented subject to errors, omissions, changes or withdrawal without notice. All property information, including, but not limited to square footage, room count, number of bedrooms and the school district in property listings are deemed reliable, but should be verified by your own attorney, architect or zoning expert. Equal Housing Opportunity.

social safari

R. COURI HAY

High Society Doings Queens, Princesses, Tiaras, Elephants, Horses, Handel and Fabergé

Jewelry Designer Lisa Jackson and Vera Wang at Phoenix Roze

Cindy Jo Taylor, Anna Carter, Maggie Norris, Kristen Sokac and Bettina Bennett at Selima Optique

THE YEAR OF THE HORSE Composer Karen LeFrak, who sits on the board of the New York Philharmonic, and her husband, Richard LeFrak, the real estate mogul, hosted a fun dinner at Avery Fisher Hall following the Phil’s concert celebrating the Chinese New Year. Dominating the gala’s stunning décor was a pair of two-story-high golden horses symbolizing the 35th anniversary of U.S.-China diplomatic relations. Guests included Consul General Sun Guoxiang, Francine LeFrak and her husband Richard Friedberg, Geoffrey Bradfield, eld Chiu-Ti Jansen and the Gala’s chairs, Gary Parr, Shirley Young, Young Ming Liu and Angela Chen. Angela was decked out in a striking red confection with an embroidered train that clinged and clanged in all the right places. The inspiring evening, a fusion of classical Western and Chinese music, was conducted by Long Yu, whose animated conducting reminded many cognoscenti of the late Leonard Bernstein. China Philharmonic maestro Long Yu sagely said, “Music should not be separated into ‘Eastern’ or ‘Western.’ It either touches your heart or it doesn’t.” The breathtaking program featured three of the world’s top musicians: the brilliant and beautiful 26-year-old pianist Yuja Wang, who changed her gown three times; violinist Cho-Liang Lin; cellist Jian Wang; and the dazzling singer Song Zuying, who appeared in a visually arresting traditional costume topped with a sterling silver headdress that became the talk of the town. The night, sponsored by Credit Suisse, raised over a million dollars for the orchestra’s programs, including ones that serve Chinese American students. nyphil.org

Princess Eugenie of York at the Big Fabergé Egg Hunt

Carter Coleman and Whitney Larkin at the African Rainforest Conservancy Gala Devon Windsor, Morgan O’Connor and Olivia Greenfield at the African Rainforest Conservancy Gala

Misty Copeland, Heather Georges and Marcelo Gomes at YAGP Kickoff

Frederick Anderson and Michèle Gerber Klein at her musicale

124 | AVENUE MAGAZINE • MARCH 2014

SONATAS AND CHAMPAGNE Michèle Gerber Klein had a musicale in her art-filled home for Gerard Schwarz, Schwarz conductor laureate of the Seattle Symphony Orchestra. Schwarz is also the music director of the All Star Orchestra featured on a new PBS series. Leading the applause for the Handel-Halvorsen Sonata in Champagne were art dealer Janis Cecil and Charles Cecil, Christie Ferrer, Didi and Beatrice Pei, Will Ryman, Tatiana and Campion Platt, Melissa and Chappy Morris, Michael Strauss and Alice and Paul Judelson. pbs.org

DIAMOND JUBILEE The Winter Antiques Show’s 60th Year Diamond Jubilee attracted former mayor Michael Bloomberg, who pursued 18th century garden sculptures; Tara and Michael Rockefeller; Irene Roosevelt Aitken; interior designers to the rich and richer, Tony Ingrao and Randy Kemper; Bunny Williams and John Rosselli; Martha Stewart; Kemper Montebello; Sharon and John Loeb; Anne Cox Philippe de Montebello Chambers; Jamee Gregory, who eyed Queen Victoria’s diamondChambers and-sapphire tiara; CeCe Black; Mark Gilbertson; Anne Bass; Jill Kargman; Coco and Arie Kopelman; and Adrienne and Gianluigi Kargman Vittadini. Sponsors included JPMorgan Chase, Chubb and 1stdibs. Vittadini The evening raised a tidy bundle for the East Side House Settlement, which was founded in 1891 to help the needy. eastsidehouse.org At Bibi Mohamed’s Imperial Fine Books booth, an important 12-volume set of the complete works of Abraham Lincoln, edited by his personal secretaries John Hay and John Nicolay, received a lot of attention because it included a rare letter signed by Hay. Imperial’s devotees include Hugh Grant, who was in the company’s gallery on Madison Avenue looking for a first edition of Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita; Dick Wolf, the producer of Law & Order; Whoopi Goldberg, David Bowie’s model wife Iman and Leonardo DiCaprio, who has pored over the gallery’s highly collectible volumes. imperialfinebooks.com

social safari

Karen LeFrak and Gala co-chair Angela Chen at the Philharmonic

Michele Riggi at the New York Philharmonic

Nicole Noonan, Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin, Michelle-Marie Heinemann and Leesa Rowland at The Pierre hotel

Honorees Jean Shafiroff and Valentino Carlotti at the NYC Mission Society Kickoff

LJ CROSS, PEARLS, DIAMONDS AND DIETRICH Tory Burch and Vera Wang joined hosts Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos, Marcia Mishaan and Marisa Noel Brown for a drinks party for interior designer Lisa Jackson at Phoenix Roze on Madison Avenue. The soirée showcased LJ Cross, Jackson’s new line of fashion-forward crosses, many of which are encrusted with diamonds. Lisa explained, “The inspiration for the launch of LJ Cross came directly from my brother. He used different crosses at the same time as accessories, and they always looked great. When I lost him, creating a line of jewelry that directly reflected his sense of style and spirit was a natural for me.” The night served as a toast to Harboring Hearts, which aids families of heart patients. ljcrossny.com Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin, whose family built Grand Central Station, announced the launch of her pearl-and-diamond jewelry line at a party at The Pierre hotel. The capsule collection is being made by Michel Piranesi, whose company Sintessi produces all of its handmade jewels in Italy. Swathed in a royal blue gown by Douglas Hannant, Consuelo revealed, “The line was inspired by a pearl-and-diamond ring I inherited from my great, great, great aunt Consuelo Vanderbilt, who was the ninth Duchess of Marlborough.” sintessi.com The haute couturier Maggie Norris unveiled a line of retro sunglasses at Selima Optique. “They were inspired by the timeless elegance of Marlene Dietrich,” the designer told Daniel Boulud, Somers Farkas and Anna and Pat Cleveland, who were all nibbling on the yummy Black River Caviar. It’s the only way, really. maggienorriscouture.com THE PRINCESS AND THE EGG HRH Queen Elizabeth’s granddaughter Princess Eugenie of York greeted Carolina Herrera, Joan Rivers, Naeem Khan, Mary McFadden and Agnes Gund at a fête to announce the Fabergé Big Egg Hunt. Two hundred-fifty giant eggs created by artists such as William Wegman, Bruce Weber, Ralph Lauren, Donna Karan, Tommy Hilfiger, Peter Max, Zaha Hadid, Peter Beard and Michelle-Marie Heinemann will be hidden around the city on April 1. After three weeks, they will be auctioned off to support Studio in a School and Elephant Family, which works to save endangered wildlife. thebigegghunt.org OUT OF AFRICA Hunt Slonem Slonem, Spencer Tunick and Lola Schnabel were among the two dozen artists who donated pieces to the African Rainforest Conservancy’s 23rd Annual Artists for Africa Benefit. The organization’s president, Carter Coleman, and its executive director, Whitney Larkin, welcomed Ralph Lauren model Morgan O’Connor, Cassandra Seidenfeld, Sal Strazzullo and Alison Cronin and 200 other committed conservationists to the Bowery Hotel. The evening was dedicated to the organization’s late Advisory Board member James Gandolfini, while Thomas Kaplan and Sarah Collins were honored for their environmental work. africanrainforest.org

Tony Ingrao and Randy Kemper at the Winter Antiques Show

Honoree Dan Lufkin at the Audubon Society Benefit

Elaine Sargent at the Pierre Hotel

126 | AVENUE MAGAZINE • MARCH 2014

EVERYTHING IS BEAUTIFUL AT YAGP The world’s preeminent ballet competition Youth America Grand Prix kicked off its upcoming benefit at co-chair Heather Graham’s far-flung Park Avenue apartment. YAGP will present its program “Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow” on April 10, followed by another performance celebrating the organization’s 15th anniversary, on April 11. Both evenings will take place at the David H. Koch Theater in Lincoln Center. Among those gracing the stage will be YAGP alumni and American Ballet Theatre stars Skylar Brandt, who won the prestigious Princess Grace Award this year; Isabella Boylston; Cory Stearns; Sarah Lane; and Misty Copeland. ABT’s international dance sensation and emerging choreographer Marcelo Gomes will be the evening’s emcee. The gala, organized by the company’s founder Larissa Saveliev, is also co-chaired by Stephanie Foster and Kamie Lightburn. yagp.org SOCIETY ON A MISSION Dina Merrill’s son Stanley Rumbough, Lloyd Brown and John Moorhead gave a cocktail party at the Forbes Galleries to introduce the honorees of the New York City Mission Society’s Champion for Children Spring Gala. The event, which will be held at The Plaza Hotel on March 12, will honor Valentino Carlotti, Jean Shafiroff and the founders of the Sisulu-Walker Charter School of Harlem. The Society was founded in 1812 to help families in the city’s most underserved communities. Bravo! nycmissionsociety.org ✦

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the world according to . . .

MARIA GIULIA MARAMOTTI AVENUE’s back-page column asks New York notables our version of the questionnaire made famous by Marcel Proust

nown for its exquisite tailoring, sumptuous fabrics and of course those signature wool and cashmere overcoats that make A-list ladies swoon, MaxMara enlists an egalitarian team of designers to dream up new seasons of practical elegance and timeless sophistication. However, one free spirit is finally putting a face to the Italian luxury label: Maria Giulia Maramotti. Though she is heiress to the MaxMara dynasty (her grandfather was the founder), Maramotti is no stranger to hard work. Since working as a MaxMara salesgirl in her teens, Maramotti has carved a name for herself in the family business. Now, at 29, the statuesque brunette serves as both the U.S. director of retail and global ambassador of the $1.2 billion brand. Here, the self-proclaimed downtown girl shares what she does when she isn’t working and finding her peace of mind in a city that is never quiet.

WHAT IS YOUR FIRST NEW YORK MEMORY? I was 14 the first time I saw New York City. It was love at first sight. The thing I remember best was my first evening on Broadway with Laura Lusuardi, legendary fashion director of MaxMara, to see The Lion King in 1999. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF NEW YORK CITY? I am a downtown girl. There is no doubt about it, even though I have learned to love uptown and Harlem. I live in Chelsea, and love how it makes me feel really energetic but quiet at the same time. It is definitely my favorite part of the city; I would not live anywhere else. WHAT IS YOUR ALL-TIME FAVORITE PIECE FROM MAXMARA? My camel coat. I know this is a cliché, but what can I do? I am in love with it. It always makes me feel at home. IF YOUR APARTMENT WERE ON FIRE, WHICH THREE THINGS WOULD YOU RESCUE? For sure, my Natasha Law drawings, which are in my living room; a photograph of my family and my Rolling Stones Livermore concert limited-edition print hanging in my living room. 128 | AVENUE MAGAZINE • MARCH 2014

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST EXTRAVAGANCE? My nine tattoos . . . and counting! IF YOU WEREN’T IN FASHION, WHAT WOULD YOU BE? A sailor. I would sail around the world in a sailboat with my crew; I would spend all my time at sea never getting tired. Or I would be a groupie, if I lived in the ’70s. I would follow the Rolling Stones or Patti Smith around all year.

WHAT DO YOU COLLECT? I collect rings—every shape, every age, every kind. I love my hands, so rings are really something I adapt to my mood any day! PLEASE SHARE SOME OF YOUR SECRET NEW YORK CITY DISCOVERIES. There is a speakeasy in Harlem where you have to bring your own food and drinks and you can listen to the best jazz in the city. Only 20 people are admitted a night, and it is really unique. It doesn’t even have a name . . .

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WAY TO GET AROUND NEW YORK CITY, AND WHY? I love walking because that’s the only way I can observe the changes of the city. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE NYC CLICHÉ? Honestly? Café Carlyle. I can’t help it. Least favorite? Brunch. I don’t like brunch. It’s overrated. LAST ART EXHIBIT YOU SAW IN NEW YORK CITY? American Legends: From Calder to O’Keeffe at the Whitney. IF YOU WERE INVISIBLE FOR A DAY, WHERE IN NEW YORK WOULD YOU GO AND WHAT WOULD YOU DO? That is a fantastic question. So, I definitely would go to Tiffany’s and try on all the jewels they have, totally playing Holly Golightly. WHAT ACCESSORY AND/OR ARTICLE OF CLOTHING CAN’T YOU LIVE WITHOUT? My coat/outerwear. I hate summer because I feel naked without some outerwear on top of my outfit. Besides that, I am obsessed with shoes, which is kind of funny if you think about it because I want to be a sailor, and in a sailboat you can’t bring any luggage. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP? I want to be a good entrepreneur, and hopefully guide my company with the same love, passion and commitment that my family has been doing for generations. ✦

ALL DECKED OUT

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