Returning from an unforgettable 17-day trip to London to sultry NY, several events attracted my interest.
The first, a benefit for the NYC Dance Alliance Foundation, featured a star-studded lineup of Broadway actors who sang and danced ( “Billy Elliott’s” star Tade Biesinger mesmerized the audience at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts.As an admirer of the legendary, soulful Roberta Flack, I was especially delighted to see her honored with the organization’s first Ambassador of the Arts award. In addition, $50,000 in college scholarships raised for promising dancers made the evening even more memorable. Bravos to Cassandra Seidenfeld Lyster and Robin Cofer, who co-chaired the event, which ended in a lively champagne reception!!!
Last weekend, I joined a bevy of collectors and art aficionados who East Hampton’s famed Guild Hall museum, to celebrate Richard Prince’s exhibit “Covering Pollack”. Using black and white images of Jackson Pollack energetically painting , Prince obscured them with iconic images of Kate Moss, punk-rock stars, and erotica.
Elegantly-dressed guests in flowing chiffon dresses and linen pants strolled along
Main Street to the nearby Gardiner Estate, a perfect backdrop for cocktails and a tented dinner hosted by Alec Baldwin. A mellow Larry Gagosian, honoree Martha Stewart, famed auctioneer Simon de Pury, Barbara Kruger and Julie Macklowe strolled the immaculate landscaped grounds. Mini-margaritas, coupled with DJ Alexandra Richards’ lively music, added a perfect touch to a beautiful event.
The following evening, a huge tent held some 160 notable authors who chatted, signed and sold their books to benefit the historic East Hampton library. Again, library supporters Alec Baldwin (an ardent supporter) and Barbara Goldstmith co-chaired the evening that raised $200,000. I chatted with Beth Ostrosky Stern, Katie Lee, Dick Cavett, Susan Lucci, Martin Amis and Colin Whitehead, among many others. Definitely mark your calendar for next year’s Authors Night, highlighted by intimate, author-hosted dinners.
F.I.T.’s annual Couture Council Summer Party in Central Park’s Loeb Boathouse was another of August’s fave happenings. Taking a break before the madness of the Fall Collections, designers, society and media mixed and mingled at a high-energy gathering. Caught up with Dr. Valerie Steele, Zac Posen, Gemma Khang, Stan Herman, Steve Stolman, Maria Cooper Janis, Patricia Field, Michele Gerber Klein and Cece Cord, as well as others too numerous to mention.
Most importantly, many guests spoke enthusiastically about the not-to-be-missed luncheon honoring Valentino to be held at Lincoln Center on September 7th. Fashionistas’ tickets are $1000. Haute Couture tickets are $2500. And, of course, F.I.T’s illustrious museum is the worthwhile recipient.
I joined Artlog’s Art Crawl along 57th Street last week. Some 450 attendees were treated to private lectures in various galleries. At 8, we gathered to enjoy more art at Phillips Auction House and sweet coconut rum cocktails. I look forward to joining other aficionados when Artlog hosts a Williamsburg Art Crawl on Sept. 8th.
Cassandra Seidenfeld Lyster and
Barbara Regna, photo by Rose Hartman
Alec Baldwin and
Martha Stewart, photo by Rose Hartman
Chiu-Ti Jansen, photo by Rose Hartman
Pat Field, photo by Rose Hartman