Summer Views

A view from the Turret of the Central Park Arsenal at the Merchant’s House Museum annual fundraiser.

The Merchant’s House Museum held its annual fundraiser on the roof of the Central Park Arsenal and attracted record crowds and revenues by looking to the year of its foundation – 1936 – and choosing the glamorous ‘30s as its theme.

The north and south terraces of the Arsenal were converted by Rusty Thomas of Rusty Thomas Event Design into the glittering “Cub Room” of the famous Stork Club.


	MHM Executive Director Margaret Halsey Gardiner and MHM Board President Nick Nicholson

Lined with rectangular banquettes, waving palms, hanging lanterns, and a dramatic sequined overhead canopy (which astonished Fifth Avenue residents for blocks), the dramatic setting was a perfect foil to the breathtaking vistas of New York City at sunset.

Grey Goose created period martini bars (with a special cocktail based on the “Founder’s Punch” served at the Museum’s opening in 1936), and kept the shakers shaking all night.

Music was provided by the “Vicar of Vintage Vinyl” Danny Stiles, who kept the soignée crowd (many attired in vintage Chanel, Mainbocher, and Lanvin) dancing with rare recordings of Hal Kemp and His Orchestra, Lester Lanin, and Benny Goodman.

Built in 1832, the Merchant’s House Museum is New York City’s only family home preserved intact – both inside and out – from the 19th century. Visitors discover what life was really like in mid-19th century New York.

“Of the estimated 300 Federal houses in Manhattan, the best preserved is the 176-year-old Merchant’s House Museum.” The New York Times

Visit them on the web: www.merchantshouse.org [1]

Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe and Danny Stiles, “The Vicar of Vintage Vinyl”

Mrs. Linda Zagaria (in vintage Chanel) and Mr. William Blasingham

Mrs. Sally Ardrey, direct descendant of Joseph Brewster, builder of the house

Mr. and Mrs. John (Isabel) Bosquet-Morra with friends

Mr. Rusty Thomas (Rusty Thomas Event Design) and Ms. Nancy Listorti of Loro Piana

Mr. George McHugh Nicholson and Mrs. Jessica Jones (in vintage Mainbocher)

Board Member Anthony Bellov with Former Parks Commissioner Henry Stern

MHM Executive Director Margaret Halsey Gardiner and friends

Mrs. Anne Fairfax and Mrs and Mrs. Bosquet-Morra with friends

Staff of the Merchant’s House Museum

Miss Eva Ulz and Mr. Timothy Grajak in a Tango

High notes or high end, fashion and City Opera's DIVAS Shop for Opera event celebrates their unique partnership. Last Wednesday night, from 5 pm to 10, guests went to Industria Superstudio in New York’s Meatpacking District to shop from a diverse selection of deeply discounted alluring merchandise donated by a long list of fabulous designers.

Past donors have included Bill Blass, Nanette Lepore, Versace, Anna Sui, Chado Ralph Rucci, Manolo Blahnik, Tory Burch, Tuleh, Oscar de la Renta, Luca Luca and many more. While shopping, guests enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, followed by music and dancing as well as being treated to a spectacular performance by one of New York City Opera’s very own “Divas, Mezzo Soprano Heather Johnson.

Sample Items Included:
• Pesavanto Couture gold and beaded dress, retail price: $2,000, DIVAS price: $450
• Vintage Blackglama mink coat with hood, DIVAS price: $850
• Luca Luca orange clutch with leather details, retail price: $550 each, DIVAS price: $150 each
• Luca Luca turquoise handbag with leather details, retail price: $550 each, DIVAS price: $150 each
• Nanette Lepore purple brocade dress, retail price: $370, DIVAS price: $225
• Nanette Lepore purple brocade overcoat, retail price: $690, DIVAS price: $425

Besides being a fabulous party, all proceeds from the evening fund the design and creation of costumes for new productions at New York City Opera. All unsold items were made available the next day at the City Opera Thrift Shop, located on East 23rd Street, the only thrift shop in Manhattan that benefits a performing arts institution.

Amy Fine Collins and Clair Watson

Bethenny Frankel

David Dalrymple and Frank Pulice

Gerard Motier, Amanda Weil, Lorry Newhouse, Susan Baker

Karen Celment and Michael Fink

Elizabeth Mueller and Wendy Nichols

Jesse and Stephanie Newhouse

Robert Verdi and Patricia Field

Michael Fink and Sarah Bromfield

Olga Sekulic, Rain Paas, and Megan McHugh

Rebecca Jarell and Sarah Blakemore

Patricia Field

Stephanie Newhouse

Heather Johnson

Lorry Newhouse

Lorin Marsh hosted a kickoff party at her home for the Hampton Designer Showhouse Summer 2008 which officially opens on July 19 with a gala preview party in a lavish shingle style mansion donated by Richard Gherardi and William Landberg in Sagaponack, NY. The house will run for 6 weeks until Sunday, August 31, 2008 with proceeds benefiting Southampton Hospital.

Mrs. Alessandro di Montezemolo and Mildred Brinn are the Honorary Co-Chairs of the Showhouse. Mario Buatta is Honorary Gala Chair. Gary Crain is Honorary Design Chair and James Alan Smith is Decorative Arts Chair. Showhouse Management is provided by. Tony Manning, Journal Management by Ms. Kay Gilman, and Showhouse Operations by Ms. Mary Lynch.

The Hampton Designer Showhouse, now in its eighth year, is a showcase for America’s premiere design talent. Approximately 25 top interior designers and decorative artists participated in a decorating masterpiece.

This year’s Showhouse (open to the public on July 20th) is located at 59 Farm Court in Sagaponack, NY. The house is co-brokered by Bonny Aarons and Janette Goodstein of Prudential Douglas Elliman and Andrew Saunders of Saunders & Associates. Prudential Douglas Elliman is the Real Estate Sponsor of the showhouse. Electrolux is the Design Sponsor of the showhouse.

William Secord and Caryn Schacht

Heather Moore and Martin Shnay

Michael Macelhenny and Jayne Baum

The Hampton Designer Showhouse hours will be: Monday through Sunday, 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Children under six, infants, strollers and pets are not allowed in the Showhouse. Gala tickets are $250 each. Admission to the showhouse is $30 and includes the Showhouse Journal. For more information call 631 537-0455 or visit www.hamptondesignershowhouse.com [4].

Since its establishment in 1909, Southampton Hospital has remained faithful to the vision of its founders in its dedication to providing the very best medical care to the East End community. An affiliate of the NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System, the nonprofit Hospital is fully accredited by the Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and offers a full continuum of ambulatory and inpatient services ranging from primary medical care to specialized surgical procedures. The only major medical facility on eastern Long Island's South Fork, the Hospital offers primary, emergency and specialty healthcare, extended service hours and community outreach programs to Southampton, East Hampton and Shelter Island towns. Southampton Hospital and its 11 conveniently located satellite care centers are staffed with dedicated and expert professionals and boast some of the most advanced diagnostic and treatment equipment available in medicine today. This outstanding combination makes Southampton not just an exceptional community hospital but one that compares very favorably with the area's top healthcare providers.

Jill Andresevic, Katya Vankowsky, and Valerie Pasquiou

Bruce Bierman and Caryn Schact

Emmanuel Faccio, Lori Beppu, and Kevin Hart

Soo-Ji Hong-Bruttomesso, Frank Bruttomesso Rich Johnson, and Lawrence Herman

Leslie Gelb and Dafna Pirel

Lucille Khornak and Michael Williams

Michael Braverman and Naz

Elaine Stimmel, Barbara Rothberg, and Nancy Keness

Rob Kolker and Joseph Lapiano

Harold Simmons, Gloria Rabinowitz, Gary Crain, Ron Senkirk, and Harry Delrose

Jeffrey Brodersen and John D'Orazio

Ashley Morris and Blake Griffin

Angela Susan Anton and Jason Feinberg

Ellen Fine and Liz Fine

J.J. Salem and Peter Falk

John Savage and Jeff Linden

Ken Nolan and Scott Sanders

Bruce Bierman and William Secord

Lauren Ezersky

Kelly Baclet and Nicole Faermark

Tom Lampsom, Dennis Basso, Lorraine Schacht, Sherry Mandell, Steve Brown, and Midge Laguardia

Brian Terkelsen, Steven Byrne, Steven Saide, and Steven Brown

Craig Politte, Ellen Fine, Liz Fine, and Michael Sommerfield

Phillipe Soussand, Yuli Wagner, Robert Marc, and Joel Isaac

Dennis Dubas, Susan Jacobs, and Guy Lawrence

"Dress in your best" said the invite to "Denim & Diamonds" a party to celebrate Lara Shriftman and Elizabeth Harrison’s new book "Party Confidential; New Etiquette for Fabulous Entertaining" this past Saturday at the home of Rita Schrager in Southampton.