July 9, 2024. Hot and muggy in New York. If you’ve lived here or have been here at this time of year, it’s nothing new. Although no matter when and how you may have experienced it in the past, it remains as it always was, as it was the first time, annoyingly uncomfortable.
Nevertheless no matter the uncomfortable inconvenience of the weather on these sunny days, New Yorkers can’t resist getting out and being amongst the crowds meeting, seeing and greeting for the pleasure of it all.
For example: Last Thursday, June 27, the Central Park Conservancy hosted the Greensward Circle’s annual summer benefit, Evening at the Water. This year Greensward Circle raised $134,000 to support the Conservancy’s mission of maintaining Central Park as a respite from the pace and pressures of city life for all visitors.
Taking place at one of New York’s most recognizable venues, Conservatory Water, this year’s theme was A Night to Set Sail.
Sparking rose wine was generously provided by Aphrodise; gin, whiskey, and vodka donated by Castle and Key. Talkhouse Encore provided ready to drink tequila cocktails, and Via Carota Craft Cocktails supplied a variety of other craft cocktails such as French 75s and spritzes.
All drinks were served by bartenders from Krisp Events. Edenopolis wowed guests with their food presentation and delicious bites, setting up a 20-foot grazing station on the edge of the water.
Poetry at Party had Haikuists at the party to send guests away with a message in bottle. (Hint: Inside the bottle was a custom haiku.) Guests departed at the end of the evening with a delicious chocolate chip scone to-go donated by the Hungry Gnome.
The evening was co-chaired by Alice Cash and Rebecca Malizia. The host committee were Brittany Beyer Harwin, Blythe Bonan, Caroline Colella, Elaine Dealy, Whitney Dosik, Naomi Drucker, Lindsay Hoeppner, Courtney Kelly, Madison Ladymon, Kaitlyn Lynch, Jeffrey McHugh, Ashley Post, Alayna Putterman, Brian Reinke, Raquel Ringgold, Lauren Kiana Souchère, Katie Turner, Ruth Zapata, and Megan Zuckerman. Joining the host committee were nearly 400 guests in attendance.
The Greensward Circle is the Central Park Conservancy’s membership network of young professionals, ages 21 to 39 inviting young professionals to help the Central Park Conservancy’s mission through awareness building, volunteer events, networking opportunities.
Members are passionate about the preservation of Central Park and support its ongoing restoration and maintenance through volunteerism and philanthropy. Through annual dues, members provide critical unrestricted operating support that empowers the Conservancy to keep Central Park beautiful all year long. They also participate in exclusive volunteer and service opportunities in Central Park.
To learn more or become a member, visit centralparknyc.org/greensward
Catching up with Cameron Silver — founder of LA’s famously influential vintage boutique, Decades — who introduced his newest book, Caftans: From Classical to Camp, with Vendome Press to the fashionable set on the Upper East Side.
The visual anthology chronicles the history of caftans from ancient times to iconic vintage photographs, through current couture red carpet looks, and even mantans.
The book signing took place at the Michael Kors Madison Avenue flagship with bougainvillea adorning the windows and glittering garments which set the mood for its caftan clad clientele. A percentage of sales for the day went towards the FIT foundation.
Kamie Lightburn, FIT board member and friend of the author, hosted an elegant luncheon for Mr. Silver at Maison Barnes, the new Parisian-chic sister restaurant of Café Boulud, with Katherine Gage Boulud. They toasted the crowd’s favorite vintage guru as well as the work done by the FIT foundation to support the next generation of fashion students.
Mr. Silver wore a custom caftan made by fashion designer Andrew Yu, known for his elaborate upcycled creations.
Among the guests and caftan clientele: Candace Bushnell, Deborah Roberts, Fern Mallis, Susan Magrino, Sarah Wetenhall, Sue Jin Lee, Daniel Boulud, Christine Pressman, Angela Clofine, Kathy Reilly, Cheri Kaufman, Marina Maher.
The New England Society of New York recently held their annual Founder’s Day Celebration at a private club on the Upper East Side. The New England Society is one of the oldest social and charitable organizations in the United States, and was founded in 1805 to promote “friendship, charity and mutual assistance” among and on behalf of New Englanders living in New York.
Today, NES focuses on a philanthropic mission, offering scholarships to college-age students from New York City attending colleges in New England. Matthew Rimi Von Barton, the 102nd President of NES, toasted the Society’s original founders by reading an excerpt from the Society’s first meeting on May 6th, 1805.
Among the presidents, financiers, architects, writers, college founders, businessmen and philanthropists, NES’ illustrious roster of members over the past two centuries includes: John F. Kennedy, J. Pierpont Morgan, Theodore Roosevelt, John D. Rockefeller, Charles Tiffany, John Trumbull, and more.
