Quest Magazine September 2024

OCTOBER 11 & 12

ATTEND OUR 2ND ANNUAL FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL, OCTOBER 11–12, 2024

Join us at our Food & Wine Festival in the Dominican Republic! Enjoy cooking demonstrations by renowned celebrity chefs, wine and spirit tastings, special dinners under the stars, and much more. Prepare to be wowed by culinary “maestros” as celebrity chefs take the stage, showcasing their skills through tantalizing tastings and captivating demonstrations. For reservations please call 877-724-9187 • [email protected] • www.casadecampo.com.do

A RAREFIED COLLECTION OF

OFFERING IMMEDIATE OCCUPANCY

THE FINE ART OF EVERYDAY LIVING

FORTÉ INTRODUCES THE WEST PALM BEACH ART WALK

Striking architecture, impeccable interiors, and phenomenal views are just the beginning. Now Forté showcases the ne art of everyday living - the onsite art walk, created with the City of West Palm Beach providing a peaceful oasis where residents can enjoy distinctive sculptures.

Fall Fashion Issue

98 EMPIRE STATE OF MIND For our annual fall fashion shoot, we captured Revell Carpenter at the 1,428-foot-high residential tower at 111 West 57th Street. Produced by Brooke Kelly Murray & Elizabeth Meigher, Written by Elizabeth Meigher, Photographed by Julie Skarratt

110 BEHIND THE STRIPES: THE HENRI BENDEL LEGACY A new book, published by the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Press and set for release on September 24th, delves into the storied history of Henri Bendel. by Brooke Kelly Murray

116 THE FAMOUS FASHION FACE-OFF A retrospective on the most iconic fashion figures from France and America, captured through the lenses of Bill Cunningham and Jean-Luce Huré during the Battle of Versailles. by Chris Meigher

124 QUEST STYLE A look at style icons and fashionable families, spanning both sides of the Atlantic over the decades. by Elizabeth Meigher

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

DAVID PATRICK C O LUMBIA

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

ELIZABETH MEIGHER

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

TYKISCHA JACOBS

MANAGING EDITOR

BROOKE KELLY MURRAY

DESIGN EDITOR JAYNE CHASE

CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER

ROBERT BENDER

PHOTOGRAPHER-AT-LARGE

JULIE SKARRATT

SOCIETY EDITOR HI LARY GEARY

INTERN

KYLE MILLINGTON

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

HARRY BENSON

KATE GUBELMANN

TONY HALL

ALEX HITZ

ROBERT JANJIGIAN

RICHARD JOHNSON

KAREN KLOPP

JAMES MACGUIRE

HAVEN PELL

CHUCK PFEIFER

JANIE PIERREPONT

LIZ SMITH (R.I.P.)

TAKI THEODORACOPULOS

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

HARRY BENSON

CAPEHART PHOTOGRAPHY

BILLY FARRELL

MARY HILLIARD

CRISTINA MACAYA

CUTTY MCGILL

PATRICK MCMULLAN

NICK MELE

ANNIE WATT

PUBLISHER AND C.E.O. S. CHRISTOPHER MEIGHER III

ASSISTANT TO THE C.E.O. KATHLEEN SHERIDAN

ACCOUNTING MANAGER LUWAY LU

MARKETING SERVICES

ROXANNE UNRATH ext. 106

DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL SALES JODY REISS 917.747.6431

PALM BEACH & MIAMI LINDA LANE SOPER 612.308.4159

CHICAGO

TIMOTHY DERR 847.615.1921

HONG KONG BINA GUPTA 852.2868.1555

MILAN

EMILIO ZERBONI 011.39.031.267.797

BOARD OF ADVISORS

CRISTINA CONDON

JED H. GARFIELD

KIRK HENCKELS

PAM LIEBMAN

DANA KOCH

HOWARD LORBER

LIZA PULITZER

WILLIAM LIE ZECKENDORF

© QUEST MEDIA, LLC 2024. All rights reserved. Vol. 38, No 9.

Q uest—New York From The Inside is published monthly, 12 times a year. Yearly subscription rate: $96.00. Quest, 420 Madison Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10017. 646.840.3404 fax 646.840.3408. Postmaster: Send address changes to:

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Torpe; the cover of Risks and Returns by Wilbur Ross; Dana and Paulette Koch pose with the Palm Beach Daily News after making headlines for their recording-breaking sale of El Mirasol; Paul McCartney and Harry Benson; American models during the Battle of Versailles, 1973; Julie Skarratt at work during our September fashion shoot; Fiat car manufacturer Gianni Agnelli, French newsman Gilbert Graziani, Prince Radziwill, Lee Radziwill, and First Lady Jackie Kennedy at a cafe in Ravello, 1962; Revell Carpenter poses for our September Issue.

QUEST WOEFULLY recognizes how rapidly (too rapidly!) our Summers now come to a screeching close, with this year’s Labor Day landing more abruptly than most ... and with extreme storms that affected the sailing in Newport, racing in Saratoga, golf in the Hamptons and even coastal cruises throughout the Mediterranean. I’m as bored with the defaultresponse of “global warming” as I am my with the smudgy fingerprints of Global Entry, but what gives here with the weather? Are greater forces signaling a message - more of warning than warming?

Quest assures us that September will bring a season of renewal. And hope. So into Autumn we forge - fueled with fresh possibilities that bring optimism to our daily lives and relationships. Plus a national referendum that will definitively steer our Nation’s course for at least the next decade - alarmingly polarized as we already are. The election results will dictate whether we as a people will preserve our culture, our history, our traditions and our faith; or whether we’ll take an even sharper left turn and pursue the politics of progressive wokedom that challenge the tenets of our freedoms and further erode the foundation of our 248-yearold Republic. “All aboard” my fellow readers; may the bumpy path ahead prove ultimately steady and true.

Perhaps it’s cliched when compared to the gravity of our election ... but we’ll still need to dress and accessorize for this journey; as such, Quest’s September number is perfectly poised for the task. Our Fashion cover story was masterfully directed by Editorial Director Elizabeth Meigher and recreated on camera by the ever keen eye of Julie Skarratt, Quest’s indefatigable Photographer-at-Large. A former supermodel herself, Julie used the awe-striking yet cushy surroundings of the Steinway Tower (111 West 57th Street) to shoot Revell Carpenter, the young actress and renaissance woman most recently seen in HBO’s Emmy-winning Succession series. And speaking of decorated shutterbugs, don’t miss Harry Benson’s vintage column that candidly captures a young Ralph Lauren roping steers on his Double RL Colorado ranch; the authenticity conjured up by Sir Harry, the fabled Scot photographer-and Ralph, the essence of cowboy Americana-is an incomparable creative couplet. And juxtaposed to the Double RL brand in the Wild West’s San Juan mountains is a legendary New York City tailor supreme, George Torpe. Hidden away in a speakeasy-like entrance off 30 East 71st Street, three generations of proper tailoring and garment care operate as a private neighborhood valet. Quest

applauds this generational gem, where bespoke service and personal care take precedence over shiny new fangled machinery.

Further ahead in this richly crowded issue you’ll find Jamie MacGuire’s (Audax to his legion of followers) insightful review of Wilbur Ross’ inspiring book, Risks and Returns. Among his numerous accolades and achievements, including his stint as the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Wilbur counts his marriage to the ever glamorous Hilary Geary (Quest’s longterm Society Editor) as the personal highlight of his celebrated life, which this proud pub salutes in spades! And don’t skip the private profile of real estate whisperer, Dana Koch, penned by our cerebral Palm Beach scribe, Robert Janjigian. Dana and his crackerjack team are dealing aces! So into Autumn we trod together, seeking fairer skies and a reset of our constitutional compass. The hue and cry for a democracy balanced with “meaningful equality” will not be solved by a single election, nor will it placate the social and political turmoils that have near paralyzed this Nation. Yet, our Country’s commitment to free markets, religious tolerance, military might and human progress has sustained our freedoms for two and a half centuries; reversing that course - to appease those unwilling to abide by our Republic’s rule of law - is pure folly. We are poised at a reflection point where an unchartered future lies ominously ahead; more than ever, dear readers, I urge you this Fall to make your voices count! ◆

Chris Meigher ON THE COVER:

Revell Carpenter wearing Oscar de la Renta at Steinway Tower at 111 West 57th Street in New York City, the world’s skinniest skyscraper. Photographed by Julie Skarratt.

David Patrick Columbia NEW YORK SO CIAL DIARY

I’M A READER. I guess you could call it a compulsive reader. If the subject is any relation to something currently interesting me, I consume a lot of information. The business of writing a Social column at this time of year, for example,

means following up on all the parties and events and dinner parties out there somewhere by the water – the Hamptons, or the beaches north and south that are popularized especially during the Summer months.

This past Summer for

me was to stay in town, solo, accompanied by the three pups also in residence. There’s a park nearby, and the always fascinating river watching the vacationists moving north and south. There is always more “reporting.” A lot of it

THE MILLBROOK HORSE TRIALS

is not tedious, but like any research it requires patience. But the other thing is reading. By which I mean, actually sitting down, taking the time – maybe hours even, and reading. I love books. I love having them around.

DAVID

I even love looking at them. Although at this time of my life in my line of work I’ve acquired too many books (wall spacewise). I’m in the occasional ongoing process of eliminating the ones I’ve read, don’t need, finished using for research. It’s a very difficult process in this house of a book hound.

Furthermore the daily work-schedule presides. However, by the heat of the Summer everything slows down, and far away from the beaching believers, I get time to take it in.

Firstly, a friend of mine gave me a book, Dinner with DiMaggio: Memories of an American

Hero, written by Dr. Rock Positano . This caught my eye because Dr. Rock is a very prominent Podiatrist at the Hospital for Special Surgery here in Manhattan. I’d heard about him because his reputation is expressed far and wide. More than very good; special.

I finally met him when my friend Paige Peterson was having an appointment with Dr. Rock at HSS and asked if I’d drive her back to her

apartment. I had to go to Dr. Rock’s office because she wanted me to meet him. Which I did. Very nice man, gracious, warm. And professional. His office is extensive as is his staff. There’s a vibe around it that is comforting; impressive.

That’s where I saw a copy of Dinner With DiMaggio . I wasn’t shocked – but, a doctor having the time to write a book? A memoir even?? while running a seriously active practice?

I didn’t know it was published sometime ago. When I was a kid, Joe DiMaggio was a magic word. He was one of those who was real but way beyond that; godlike. He wasn’t just a baseball player, he was The Baseball Player – for the New York Yankees. This was in the ’50s. Now I was never much of a sports fan although as kid I couldn’t resist. We played baseball in the neighborhood at someone’s (big enough) backyard. Joe DiMaggio was the dream image every time anyone who came up to bat. Hit it out of the park!

So, naturally curious about this doctor writ -

ing a memoir about a real legend, I couldn’t resist. I should add that the book with him on the cover was co-written by his son John. And with a foreward by Francis Ford Coppola The soft-cover version (booksize paperback) has the following quote: “Positano renders a wholly human portrait of an American icon navigating his way through an adoring yet relentlessly demanding public.”

The book: Dr. Positano (or specifically Dr. Rock, as he is known) met DiMaggio as a patient back in 1980s when he was in his 70s. Dr. Rock,

DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA

who was probably born in the early 1960s, was in his early 30s. DiMaggio had a heel problem that made walking, running very painful. This was back when he was a star. Back then the solution was finally to have surgery, which he did. But it was not successful. However, still a working player, he carried in life thereafter frequently dealing with the pain.

Someone recommended a visit to Dr.

Rock. His non-surgical solution – which is his specialty – eventually solved DiMaggio’s lifelong-time pain. It also developed into a friendship with his young foot doctor Rock. This book is about that which became a friendship. Firstly, it’s so comfortably written that it amazed me that this very talented podiatrist/doctor could also write with such ease and ability. But then, a good doctor; all good doctors have a

talent for learning the details about a patient; they’re open to it. The friendship that developed came from their dinner meetings in local restaurants. Joe was both a teacher as well as a patient for Dr. Rock, and he takes you with him to those many moments, right to the end of Joe DiMaggio’s life, with his Italian background (mother and father) and Dr. Rock’s similar family background, although decades younger, was probably the source.

DiMaggio’s story grew into a fascinating, even can’t-put-downable story. Dr. Rock’s enormous

DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA

Isaac

talent became a story about a real friendship. It also takes the reader back to New York of the first half of the 20th century when DiMaggio was the baseball star (and even married Marilyn Monroe!) when Dr. Rock was just a curious Italian kid from Brooklyn. His marriage to Monroe (the love of his life) did not last although his devotion to her, painful as it must have been for him, right to the tragic end of her life: DiMaggio was Marilyn’s rock.

I had been three-quarters of the way through

Dinner with DiMaggio when one day my friend Joe Armstrong sent me a copy of another famous American’s life, the new JFK JR.: An Intimate Oral Biography

The credit on the cover was Rosemarie Terenzio and Liz McNeil , two authors who were not familiar names to me.

I never knew JFK Jr. comparing his fame/

prominence to the established accomplishment of Joe DiMaggio, seems like a stretch except they both lived prominently in that world of Fame and Fortune. And despite difference in ages and interests, both men had strong self-reliant and likeable personalities. DiMaggio you could describe as solid and very

stable. JFK Jr.’s public presence always presented his as the same. Their backgrounds and personal progress were dissimilar but their personalities were similarly strong and magnetic. And very likeable. It probably never occurred to the man himself, but even in terms of personal relationships, the fabled Marilyn’s history was present although tragically in a world of fame and fortune.

I saw him only twice in public. Once was summertime years ago on a Saturday morning on

the West Side. Walking home from Zabars, passing a luncheonette (still there) with outdoor tables where only a single customer was present, reading a fully opened New York Times, and having some coffee.

I couldn’t see the man’s face as I was about to pass by because he was holding the Times up before himself to read something. When he lowered his hold and turned the page, there he was - in shorts and tee shirt looking like all his pictures. He was without question, as a young man, the most fa -

DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA

mous face in New York in those days.

I happened to see him a second time years later, when he and his wife came into the building where I was waiting for the elevator. I was going to a party and so were they. We didn’t speak. And I tend to stand back from celebrities I don’t know personally because a stranger can be a bother to that kind of celebrity.

Otherwise, everything I knew about him personally came from media or someone referring to meeting him or seeing him, or hearing

about him. My impression was that he was a very nice man, a kind man, friendly on meeting even to strangers, and often a pleasure as company. He looked just like his picture. That’s what the picture looked like also, and I could see it in those two moments I passed by.

So I opened the biography. And was surprised. Its form is unusual, distracting at first because it doesn’t look like a story. It is paragraphs of specific memories of individuals who knew him, worked with him, played with him,

saw him frequently and liked him. The editorial technique put me off at first. It was entirely personal recollections of those who knew him. On the final pages was the list of 147 names of the Contributors.

I’d never read anything biographical about him. He was not at the top of my list of people I was curious about. I’d heard enough over the years as have most of us. I followed his wonderful magazine which he created. I heard about his marriage; and generally about his relationship with his mother and

CINEMA SOCIETY’S SCREENING OF “BETWEEN THE TEMPLES” IN NEW YORK

DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA

ASPEN ARTWEEK’S WELCOME PARTY

sister. You can feel the mother’s devotion in recollections about her and him.

Frankly I’d never heard anything “bad” about him from anyone. Evidently he was as kind as his face related. He was handsome like a movie star, tall and well formed like a solid athlete; and Out There, a person who didn’t hide himself of his life from his friends and the public.

When I first looked over the contents, I was disappointed by the style of this “biography,” and felt like it could be boring reading recollections by people who obvious -

ly liked him. And very famous, not to mention movie-star handsome, which had a lot to do with that photographic fame.

However, despite my “disappointment” in the publishing technique, I read the first “recollection” opening the middle of the book. At the bottom of the left-hand page was (a contributor) whom I know: R. Couri Hay, publicist and gossip columnist.

This was the first sentence of Couri’s recollection of seeing him at the gym they both attended:

“I had the good fortune to see John naked all the time because he was a major exhibitionist... I want to preface it by saying I loved him. I respected him.”

Then I turned the page to a familiar name to Joe Armstrong who sent me the book:

“John and I were

scheduled to have lunch the day she died. That morning he called and said, ‘Joe, I’m not going to be able to have lunch today.’ I said, How’s Jackie doing. He said ‘well it’s like a car speeding down the highway and parts are falling off.’

After reading that, I turned the pages compelled to continue reading. You won’t be able to put this book down if you pick it up. It’s a brilliant way to convey a personality - all these 147 names recalling details of the lives of that man and his family and friends and behaviors and temperaments. It’s

all intimate in that sense, and historical because of the characters, but REAL to the point where you’re listening and learning.

These aren’t the first pages of a book on the history of that family and its members, but somehow because of the memories replacing the literary, it’s a brilliance that will stick with you.

Of course it takes you all the way to The Man’s ending. And for me vaguely imagining his terrible departure from this life where every advantage came with challenging moments, I found myself thinking

DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA

of him now, there, (my imagination of course), the boy is now with his mother and father.

Meanwhile, a subtext thought about both books: Joe DiMaggio as you may or may not know was married twice, the first being his wife and mother of his only son, and the second being Marilyn Monroe That wasn’t a long marriage, but she was the

love of DiMaggio’s life, and he was deeply affected by her and defended her until the very end. Which leads you back to these historical characters. It was Marilyn who became even more famous in 1962 when she appeared at the Madison Square Garden birthday for President John F. Kennedy , singing “ Happy Birthday Mr. Presi -

dent ” all in white, glamorous and sexy through. Anyone who ever saw that moment can still remember it. That was her real power in life – maybe not for her but definitely for us.

Marilyn was not one of the characters in John Jr.’s life but of his father’s personal life, as well the life of his uncles who knew her well - or as well as they wanted to know her. There’s another not so long but sad story on how history rhymes.

Two great books about the fascinating reality of it all. ◆

Styling Your Home

It’s no secret that fashion and interior design are connected. Both are ways of creatively expressing yourself, both experience trends, and both have “rules” that you shouldn’t - or should, in the right way - break. Let’s look at some specific ways styling your home is similar to styling your wardrobe:

Timeless foundations with bold accents. From your favorite white shirt to your go-to little black dress, we all have those timeless closet staples. Pairing beloved basics with trendy accessories is a great way to refresh your look without replacing your whole wardrobe with each fad. Interior design follows the same principles. While you might choose timeless flooring, try a trendy accent chair that you can easily change when your preferences change.

The perfect fit. You know that one pair of jeans you always feel confident in? That’s the power of the right fit. From room layout to furniture scale to rug size, making sure everything is the right fit is crucial in interior design. An expertly-styled room will feel big while not feeling empty - a task that’s easier said than done.

Express yourself. In fashion and interior design, there are countless ways to show your personality. If you love bright and bold, colors and patterns will be your best friends. If sophistication is important to you, you’ll want to use high-end materials that evoke an aura of luxury. If comfort is key, go for plush rugs and cozy furniture.

Your home should be a reflection of your current style - uniquely yours and uniquely beautiful!

Style Starts With You.

Helmed by award-winning designer Gil Walsh, our team draws on an extensive knowledge of art, fashion, and culture to execute your vision. Contact us today to bring your dream to life.

2024 OLYMPIC GAMES IN PARIS

DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA

LONGHOUSE RESERVE’S GALA IN EAST HAMPTON

Join us for our Fall Open House | October 26 It’s the Green Vale difference.

Green Vale is Long Island’s largest preeminent private school for Pre-Nursery to 8th Grade. But that’s not the only thing that makes us different. Families from some of NY’s top school districts choose Green Vale for our challenging, explorative curriculum; purposely joyful atmosphere; and our contagious smiles. GVS graduates excel at top secondary schools and elite colleges because, like our students, what makes Green Vale different is what also makes us special.

DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA

DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA

GUILD HALL’S GALA IN EAST HAMPTON

DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA

GOD’S LOVE WE DELIVER’S MIDSUMMER NIGHT DRINKS IN WATER MILL

FRENCH HERITAGE SOCIETY’S SOIRÉE IN WATER MILL

DESIGNER CHAT

WITH QUEST @ HOME EDITOR JAYNE CHASE

CAROLINE RAFFERTY’S love for architecture, art history and design inspired her to open her own interior design business many years ago. Since then, she has become known for her blend of rich color palettes, textures and bold patterns. As one of the most sought-a er interior designer rms here and abroad, we are excited to welcome Caroline Ra erty Interiors as our rst Designer Chat interviews.

Q: If you weren’t an interior designer, what would you be?

CR: An architect. Before landing in my current profession, I attended architecture school. I would love to finish that degree at some point.

from my grandmother that say I LOVE YOU DARLING. These remind me of her and mean so much to me.

Q: What’s your idea of a perfect day?

Q: What is a trait you most value in your friends?

CR: Honesty and humor.

Q: Who is your favorite writer?

CR: I can’t pick one, but I love Kurt Vonnegut, John Steinbeck, beach reads like Taylor Jenkins Reid.

Q: What is your favorite type of food?

CR: Lebanese food

Q: Your favorite color?

CR: Green. In almost any shade of it too!

Q: What is your most treasured possession?

CR: I really don’t get too attached to my things, but I do have a set of bracelets

CR: Traveling to museums in far-away places with my kids and husband.

Q: Do you have a favorite interior designer?

CR: Pierre Yovanovitch

Q: What design project have you loved working on?

CR: I love working with repeat clients. There’s an ease to working with someone you know and trust. The clients are more comfortable and willing to take bigger risks.

Q: What do you love about Palm Beach?

CR: It’s one of the most beautiful towns I have been to anywhere in the world and living among such beauty is inspiring. From the architecture to the beaches, there’s beauty everywhere.

DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA

IYRS SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY & TRADES’ BENEFIT IN NEWPORT

DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF RACING AND HALL OF FAME’S GALA IN SARATOGA

DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA

SOUTHAMPTON HOSPITAL FOUNDATION’S SUMMER PARTY

DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA

PRESERVATION SOCIETY OF NEWPORT COUNTY’S DINNER DANCE

IT SEEMS LIKE

YESTERDAY

IN THE WINTER of 1983, we flew to Colorado in Ralph Lauren’s plane to the Double RL Ranch in the San Juan Mountains. I was on assignment to photograph the classic American designer, his lovely wife, Ricky, and their family.

The Double RL ranch did not disappoint. It was a real working ranch with all the horses and cattle branded with the Double RL. There was a terrific log cabin house as well.

Ralph was happy to ride his favorite horse around the pasture until I got the photograph I wanted, showing the Double RL brand on the side of a steer. Aware that I needed enough photographs for a sixto eight-page essay, the quintessential American designer was happy to comply.

Ralph was as contemporary then as he is now in his classic jeans and worn-in cowboy hat-the same way the real cowboys wear their hats. His classic designs have stood the test of time and are treasured the world over.

We returned to New York late that evening. It had been a long day, but worth it. These were the final photographs of the series which included his design studio, office, and New York home. Very pleased to have met and photographed the genuinely talented and uniquely genuine Ralph Lauren. u

BLACK SHIRT BANTER

I AM WRITING THIS from the birthplace of (selective) democracy 2,500 years ago, the Athenians having the noose to limit voting rights to intelligent men capable of distinguishing between what is true and what is false. They were very wise, those Athenians; they even elected leaders by drawing lots, because they knew all about human nature, and that the politician who accepts power reluctantly and uses it sparingly is only to be found in myths (and much later on in Shakespeare plays).

Athenian democracy failed when the city-state lost a ten-year war against Sparta, a military state that had proudly and

joyfully sacrificed her king and best warriors in order to save the rest of Greece from the invading Persian hordes. (Had I been around, although an Athenian, I would have fought with the Spartans, as my mother’s family derives from that sacred part of Greece.) Fundamentally, humans are not predisposed to living democratically. We are assertive against others, the better of us while smiling, but we do resemble our cousins of the animal kingdom. World history is the story of assertive individuals searching for power. There is only one exception, the one of our Lord Jesus.

Smooth talkers are the problem. Al-

exander the Great, Julius Caesar, Napoleon, Hitler, Mussolini, all charmed the crowds and seduced them to collective ecstasy. The ancient ones like Socrates knew all about those tricks long before. Old Soc warned time and again against demagoguery, and when one of those smooth talkers became too big for his chiton (tunic, for any of you unfamiliar with ancient Greek), Athenians would vote him out of the city. The Ancients knew how fragile democracy was and tried desperately never to put it to the test. Sparta, Thebes, and Macedon, all undemocratic kingdoms, followed the demise of the Athenian experiment, and

some of us who don’t watch TV all day and night know the rest.

Not even a Hollywood PR flack could convince anyone that democracy spread like wildfire after the Athenian example. Unlike Christianity, democracy didn’t travel well, except when strongmen used it as an excuse to unseat rivals. In Europe, only after World War I, the militarily defeated Romanovs, Hohenzollerns, and Habsburgs had to abdicate or resign, and Russia, Germany, and Austria became democratic republics with parliamentary governments. Those

or give me death.” He did not mean anarchy, nor did he mean liberty as a license for unbound personal freedom. Yet today there are ignoramuses with Ivy League college degrees writing for subversive New York weeklies that complain the system is rigged against minorities. They think American ancestor worship is like the German Hitler worship, and that half the population is represented by eighteen senators, the other half by 82. Voter ID is fascist, as is offering water to someone standing in line to vote in Florida.

and cultural evolution. The United States came into being in 1789, but the country already existed. The Constitution created it, and then came the Irish and the Poles, and the Scandinavians and Germans and Italians and Greeks and Jews, and they all pledged allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

No longer. Only 75 years ago, 90 percent of Americans were Christian and traced their roots to Europe. The floodgates opened in 1965 thanks to Teddy Kennedy’s legislation, and before you could sing a bar of “Yankee Doo-

smiling wallet-lifters the Brits claimed a parliamentary democratic system since chopping off the head of Charles I, but it was nothing of the kind. It was a game played between upper-class gents who differed at times on various matters but were completely united where power lay: on them and their sons and grandsons. Then suddenly some cheeky Brit exiles called Americans began demanding to be heard, and we all know the rest. The American Revolution was how democracy became flavor of the week, month, year, and so on.

The only trouble with American democracy is the true meaning of Patrick Henry’s famous phrase “Give me liberty

This drivel is written in order to mislead those unfamiliar with the wisdom of the Founding Fathers. They wish to do away with the emotional connection that binds a country together, as the media and the academy focus only on the bad of the past and never on the good. And, alas, they are winning, as our society is oriented toward consumption without a thought for anything spiritual.

A Brit friend, Nigel Farage, recently told me something very wise about the riots in Leeds: “Import Third World culture, and you get Third World behavior.” Today minorities impose their laws on entire communities of speakers and writers while abolishing centuries of linguistic

million and in places looks exactly like a Third World country. The cosmopolitan elite, the  Times, Hollywood, the networks, and the universities call fighting for a national identity racism. For the past twenty years, African and Middle Eastern refugees have overrun Europe, and those who have had the courage to do something about it have been called fascists. Viktor Orban of Hungary, who built a wall around his small country, is a perfect example. Biden and Kamala allowed 10 million refugees to these shores, and those of us who protest are called fascists. Let’s wear our black shirts with pride. u

For more Taki, visit takimag.com.

WILBUR ROSS: RISKS AND RETURNS

RARELY HAVE I READ a book, let alone a business book, that so exceeded my expectations as Wilbur Ross’s just published Risks and Returns. An investment banker at Rothschild and later at his own eponymous W.L. Ross & Co., Ross completed the most active part of his working life as Secretary of Commerce during the Trump administration, capping a career in which he restructured over $400 Billion and was named by Bloomberg markets as one of the 50 most influential people in global finance. Known as the “King of Bankruptcy” in his 55-year career on

Wall Street, among his mantras became: Don’t be afraid to take rational risk; Seize the opportunities wrapped within challenges; and, echoing Ronald Reagan’s “Trust but Verify:” Never assume anything, Verify everything

Wilbur Ross’s story begins in North Bergen, New Jersey, where his father was a hardworking lawyer in a two partner Jersey City firm and his mother a schoolteacher and active Democrat. He was educated by the Jesuits at Xavier High School on West 16th Street, where he became a standout student and expert marksman. He went on to win

degrees at Yale and Harvard Business School, working summers parking cars at the Monmouth Park Jockey Club in Oceanport, New Jersey, until an advisor at his Yale fraternity got him a summer internship at the mighty J.P. Morgan.

He recounts his experience at an early closing in the palatial office of real estate king William Zeckendorf Sr.

“What’s the matter, young man? You look upset.”

“No sir, it’s just that I’ve never seen an office with this shape,”

“Let me tell you, son, if you had been backed into a fucking corner as

Counterclockwise from above: Well-guarded with our ambassador to India at the Embassy; Ross walks with U.S. President Donald J. Trump from the Oval Office to the Rose

from above:

often as I have, you would want a round office too!”

Wilbur learned the value of a strong corporate culture at Morgan and had inculcated from his Harvard Business School mentor George Doriot the importance of punctuality, preparation and that “the only stupid question performing due diligence is the one you didn’t ask.” Another of Doriot’s maxims was, “A gentleman is someone who never insults another person unintentionally.” Words to live by!

In the course of his career, Wilbur Ross advised on bankruptcies at Federated Department Stores (which owned Bloomingdales), Pan Am, TWA, Texaco, Drexel Burnham Lambert and dozens of others. He became a major player in the steel industry as well. His first brush with Donald Trump was adversarial over his casinos in Atlantic City, which were then $3 billion under water. When Trump declined Ross’s first bankruptcy offer, Wilbur

responded, “Then we will come after you personally.”

Later that same day, after a few technical adjustments, they had a deal, and The Donald remembered Ross’s acumen and toughness when forming his presidential administration.

Wilbur Ross provides fascinating insights into the complexities of managing the Commerce Department with its 40,000 employees, 200 offices, and dozens of departments. His chapter on negotiating with the Chinese is especially fascinating as are his thoughts on blockchain, cryptocurrencies, and AI.

Along the way Wilbur recounts his experiences with Leonard Bernstein, Betty Bacall, Roberta Flack, and John Lennon when living at the Dakota and today with Nancy Kissinger, Susan Gutfreund, Deeda Blair, and others at River House. He also fondly remembers giving the fast-food concession at Flying Point Beach in Watermill to his daughters Jessica and Amanda

so they could acquire business experience. He gives a detailed account of his happy marriage, on October 9, 2004, at St. Andrew’s Dune Church in Southampton, to our glamorous Society Editor, Hilary Geary Ross, and their oh so busy lives in New York, Washington, Southampton, and Palm Beach. Among their friends are King Charles, Carl Icahn, Steve Wynn, Mike Milken, Warren Buffet, and Brett Baier.

In recent years, Wilbur Ross has been able to spend more time on his art collections and philanthropies, which include the Japan Society (he has visited that country 84 times!), the Blenheim Foundation, the Brookings Institute and the Magritte Museum in Brussels. But at 87, Wilbur is still sharp, curious, and poised for the next exciting challenge. ◆

To purchase Risk and Returns: Creating Success in Business and Life, visit skyhorsepublishing.com.

SUITE LIVING AT THE PINK PARADISE

ALTHOUGH THE COLONY HOTEL has always been synonymous with glamorous clientele since opening its doors in 1947, like Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, to name a few, its current owners, Andrew and Sarah Wetenhall, have made it once again, one of the most sought-after destinations in Palm Beach. Whether you’re a hotel guest, enjoying a gourmet meal at the legendary Swifty’s restaurant, lounging by the famous main pool or riding in their custom designed pink golf carts for a day of shopping on Worth Avenue, your stay at the Pink Paradise will not soon be forgotten. Part of the new mystic is a result of an initial redesign of the hotel that kicked off in 2017 to celebrate its 70th anniversary, which began with a restoration led by the design team of Mimi McMakin and her daughter, Celerie Kemble of Kemble Interiors. Their extensive project included the hotel rooms, bar, and dining room, which brought kudos from the

press and visitors’ social media platforms around the world. For Sarah Wetenhall, the villas, referred to as the Residences in the hotel’s offerings, hold a special place in her heart. Before purchasing her own home in Palm Beach, the family spent a lot of time in one particular villa. “During that time,” the bubbly owner recounts, “I decided to renovate it.

son, however, I have a true passion for interior design, and for better or worse, I love a good project. This renovation led me to the idea to invite notable and creative individuals to design their residences at The Colony. Each residence is different, serving as a blank canvas for the chosen creative to express their personal interpretation of Palm Beach style.”

Since that first renovation, well known names and brands like Gwyneth Paltrow of Goop, Chairish, Aerin Lauder, Mark Sikes, and of course, Sarah herself have all reimagined a villa, reflecting their own vision of Palm Beach. From a modern renovation of the Goop Villa, where feminine Parisian aesthetic blends with the vibrant spirit of Palm Beach to Villa Aralia by Mark Sikes that exemplifies a classic and updated American sensibility, each villa has been a crowd pleasing hit. Palm Beach’s own, Aerin Lauder’s Villa Jasmine, is a beautiful testament to the old world of glamour that once reigned on the island. Pastel shades of pinks,

greens and blues capture Aerin’s personal style as well as the hues of the coastal landscape. If you happen to be a fan of vintage and antique furnishings, then the Chairish Villa or Villa Bougainvillea, redesigned by Sarah herself, would be for you, reflecting many of the historic details like terra cotta floor tiles and a central courtyard, an essential architectural detail in many local homes.

“The renovation of each villa is a very personal and involved a process between myself and the designer,” Wetenhall begins to explain. “To start, each designer is hand-picked, with many discussions leading up to the start of the actual project, and a mutual agreement of our shared visions and goals. While each floor plan is completely different, the actual process follows a tried-and-true formula. Weekly calls, conversations, brainstorming, sharing approvals and ideas, continues all the way through until the finished product is achieved.”

These exciting new brand collaborations have revitalized the beloved hotel, infusing it with fresh energy. Perched proudly atop Hammon Avenue, the iconic pink hotel now stands as a vibrant testament to both the history and modern charm of Palm Beach. It will continue to thrive, enriching the community and offering a calming and relaxing haven for visitors. ◆

PRESSED FOR PERFECTION

BY BROOKE KELLY MURRAY

WHEN IT COMES to dry cleaning and tailoring, George Torpe, Jr. upholds the cherished traditions that have shaped the industry since his father’s time. This family legacy began shortly after World War II, when George Torpe, Sr. found himself on the Upper East Side, assisting a friend who had founded a dry-cleaning business in 1908. This friend, a master tailor with old-world expertise, shared his craft with George Sr., who quickly developed a deep passion for it. So much so that he eventually bought the business, renaming it George Torpe Inc. in 1945. George Sr.’s unwavering commitment to quality became the cornerstone of the company until his passing in 2005. Today, George Jr. continues to carry the torch, steering the company alongside his brother, Jim, and son, Andrew.

Curious about how these traditional values fit into a mod-

ern context, I sat down with George Jr. to delve into the business. As a Millennial, I asked him to describe what “old-school dry-cleaning” means today. He explained, “Back then, dry cleaners with cleaning machines were almost non-existent in New York City. Most were valets. The old-school valet was a room in the basement of a building where people would send their clothes—somewhat like today’s valets, but very few had cleaning machines on-site. Clothes were sent out for cleaning, and there was a heavy emphasis on pressing. Tailoring was a significant part of the service, so my father often did fittings for both men and women.”

Since 1973, George Torpe Inc.—which also offers interior cleaning for items in the home like furniture, rugs, and drapery as well as specialty services for suede, leather, and fur—has been tucked away in its current location on 71st

Street between Park and Madison Avenues. However, finding the entrance is no easy task. During my visit, there was no visible sig nage, so I asked a doorman at a nearby building for directions. He advised me to “go right out the door and you’ll come across two black gates.” Like a speakeasy, the shop is discreetly located down an alley behind those gates.

When I inquired about the shop’s hidden location, Torpe explained, “My dad always valued the power of wordof-mouth referrals. That’s how our customers have always found us. We’ve worked extensively with the boutiques on Madison Avenue, and they consistently send clients our way. Word-of-mouth was effective years ago, and it still works for us today.”

Torpe describes his typical client as someone who “truly cares about their clothes, how they look, and understands the value of maintaining the investment hanging in their wardrobe.” While many clients are locals, the shop’s reputation extends far beyond the neighborhood. Some customers drive in from the suburbs to drop off their garments, and the business even offers shipping services, with clients in cities like Palm Beach, Charleston, and Aspen—and occasionally, international requests, such as a recent load from Italy.

With so many dry cleaners around, you might wonder: Why choose George Torpe Inc.? “It’s like being a mechanic,” Torpe explained. “We all have the same machinery, the same soaps, and access to the same equipment. The difference is in the care you put into using those tools. We strive to produce a consistent product.” He continued, “People also think it’s really cool when a business has been around for a long time, especially if it’s a family business.”

In the dry-cleaning industry, there are countless intricacies that can’t be learned in a classroom. “You have to understand what a garment is supposed to look like,” Torpe said. “That’s what sets us apart. For example, there’s a noticeable difference

between hand-pressing a lining and just pressing it normally. Our clients appreciate those details. We’ve been working with some families for generations. Anyone can press a pair of pants, but when you hand-press the waistband of custom slacks to make them look like they did when they were first bought, that’s when you’re doing your job right. As an owner, it’s crucial to teach these skills.”

Torpe and his brother learned the trade from their father, and now they’re passing down that knowledge to Andrew. “That’s how we learned—my father let us make mistakes, within reason. We have the same expectations for my son. So much of this work requires first-hand experience.”

Looking to the future, Torpe is confident that the business will continue to thrive. Although there was a brief period during COVID when people dressed down, he’s noticed a shift lately. “I’ve been seeing more people who want to look sharp for work or dress up for a date. Social media plays a role in this too—people are constantly posting on Instagram, and they’re not doing it in their pajamas. They want to look good.” Torpe has even considered hiring a social media company to expand the business’s online presence. “It goes against our traditional values, but it’s the reality of today’s world— it’s important.” Yet, despite these modern changes, one thing remains constant: the dedication and personal care George Torpe Inc. offers its clients. “It drives me crazy when I call a company and have to wait 15 minutes to speak to a real person. When you call us, you’ll talk to a human being—most likely one of the principals. And in today’s world, people really appreciate that.” ◆

BACK TO SCHOOL

“You’re off to great places, today is your day, your mountain is waiting, so get on your way!” — Dr. Seuss

BY ELIZABETH MEIGHER

This page, clockwise from top left: Harvard fans cheer as the Harvard Crimson take on the Yale Bulldogs at Harvard Stadium in Cambridge on Saturday, November 19, 2016; Williams College students read and take notes during a biology lecture, Williamstown, Mass., 1949; students at Yale University listening to a radio set, circa 1915. Opposite page: Students in front of Barnard Hall, 1950s.

MAN ABOUT TOWN

BY ROBERT JANJIGIAN

From above: 120 Clarendon Avenue in Palm Beach, listed for $32,750,000; Dana and Paulette Koch pose with the Palm Beach Daily News after making headlines for their record-breaking sale of Palm Beach’s El Mirasol for $85,000,000. Opposite page: Dana Koch.

DANA KOCH has been a Palm Beacher since 1978. “I had the most incredible childhood growing up here,” said Koch, who hasn’t really left his hometown. The 52-year-old real estate pro attended the Palm Beach Day Academy, with a few years away from Palm Beach for boarding school at New York’s Trinity Pawling, followed by college at Skidmore in Saratoga Springs, and the MBA program at George Washington University in the nation’s capital.

But Palm Beach has always been special for him and his mother and partner at Corcoran, Paulette, has been a formidable presence on the town’s real estate scene for several decades. She sold her company to Corcoran in 2003, and her son teamed up with her at that time. “We come from different backgrounds; she has a masters in communication; my MBA is in Finance,” he explained. “We complement each other.”

“Palm Beach is a safe haven which makes it a great place to landbank your money,” he said. “In ‘up markets’ we are the first to appreciate and in ‘down markets’ we are the last to depreciate. Palm Beach is considered the gold standard in South Florida. Our quality of life is incomparable. We have all of the conveniences at our fingertips. Access to great golf courses, tennis, restaurants, shopping, culture; close proximity to the airport. Privacy, security, and our strong sense of community are other major attractions. You can be as social as you want or as anonymous as you want. It’s up to you.”

The seasoned broker believes Palm Beach has re-emerged as a primary home market since the pandemic. “The buyers in Palm Beach are trending significantly younger compared to pre-pandemic. There are many more families moving to Palm Beach. In addition, your usual suspects of private equity, hedgefund, investment bank, and corporate CEO buyers are in the mix. Finally, you have your tax refugees and political refugees who have migrated to the area. All of these buyers have created significant competition for schools, country clubs, and social club spots which is a new phenomena. We have many more year-round residents and people who travel during the warmer months use Palm Beach as their home base. As far as sellers, people are always looking to trade up or trade down. Now that the market has settled down a bit, buyers and sellers have the time to make informed decisions, but unfortunately we still have limited product. Some of that inventory comes from estate sales. Overall, real estate has always been a sport and is constant cocktail party fodder in Palm Beach.”

This is the “new normal” in Palm Beach. For years this market was significantly undervalued, but when you really look at the overall market, we are severely supply constrained (we have only about 2,200+ single family homes). The Palm Beach market has evolved over the last decade and can be separated into three separate short term periods: “pre-COVID,” “COVID,” and “post-COVID” eras. “Pre-COVID” the market had a certain

cadence and there was a delineation between season and off-sea son. Homes stayed on the market longer and for many buyers it was a discretionary purchase. “COVID” was (controlled) chaos and probably a once in a lifetime market. Buyers who sat on the fence jumped into the market headfirst and buyers who never even considered Palm Beach were coming in droves. There was a sense of urgency that we had never seen before. Now, “postCOVID,” we are dealing with a more normal market pace that is behaving like it did prior to COVID. There are fewer buyers, but we also have fewer sellers than we had “pre-COVID.” The

supporting the rest of the market. If the property isn’t priced properly, it will not sell. The days of aspiration pricing are over. That is why correct pricing is the key to a successful sale.”

Koch matches the profile of the “new” Palm Beach. He lives on the North End with his family: Jessica, his wife, and two teenage daughters. Koch spends most of his days focused on his work. “My average day always starts with exercise. It’s the best way for me to begin my day. Not only are there physical benefits, but the mental clarity that I receive is just as important. No two

days are the same. That’s the beauty of the real estate business. Breakfast is normally something small at home. When I head out of the house it’s either to the office, a showing, or a meeting. I go into my office everyday as I like the synergy there even though I am always connected to my business with my phone. I usually grab lunch on the go sometimes eating it at my desk while I’m working. Celis Juice Bar and Publix for a “Pub sub” are my spots. If I have a client lunch it’s either at Sant Ambroeus, Le Bilboquet, or Bricktop’s. I enjoy eating outside during the season at Sant Ambroeus and Bilboquet. The food and atmosphere at both restaurants are fantastic and the settings are gorgeous. I am a big fan of the Sant Ambroeus soup of the day and their vitello tonnato. You can’t forget any of their pizzas and pastas either. At Bilboquet, the Cajun chicken, crudo of the day, or soup of the day are my go to’s. Bricktops is one of the best power lunch spots in Palm Beach. In the afternoon, my days consist of more showings and meetings with buyers and sellers. When I am in my office, I am usually playing catch up and planning the next few days. I normally end my day at the office and I go home between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Koch is a busy guy…but always friendly and accommodating. He attributes his success to hard work and a passion for the real estate business and his clients. “I’m a problem solver and solution finder who eats and sleeps real estate. Success doesn’t happen overnight, it takes years to build your business and refine your skill set,” he said. “The real estate business is multi-faceted and there isn’t just a handful of things that make you successful. It’s a complicated formula that is all encompassing. I approach everything from an educational and

business perspective. I feel a strong responsibility to my buyers and sellers that they are well informed. My years of experience are invaluable and quite meaningful to my clients. They have confidence in me and completely trust my guidance. You need to think long term in this business in order to be successful. I’ve never been focused on commissions, I am more focused on relationship building within the entire Palm Beach community. My reputation is more important than anything else. I hold myself to the highest standards and go out of my way to do the right thing. Ultimately, it leads to consistent success. I have been able to build close relationships with brokers who know that I am user friendly, reliable, ethical, and a deal maker. I had an amazing mentor who taught me the business and how to conduct myself at the highest levels. I have learned from my successes and learned from my failures. I am always looking at ways to improve my business. It never stops. I have an in depth knowledge of the Palm Beach real estate market and the island itself. I am a master negotiator with interpersonal skills to match. I love my clients and take good care of them even after the transaction is over. I am their resource for life! Do you know how many hard to get restaurant reservations I have gotten for my clients or access to events that were sold out? I know how to read people and when to push them or take the pedal off the gas. I have a different perspective on how to market and advertise. I am constantly evolving. I am a deal junkie with the results to show for it. All of these reasons and more is what separates the top brokers from the good brokers and why I have been able to climb to the top of the residential real estate world. u

QUEST Fresh Finds

BY BROOKE KELLY MURRAY & ELIZABETH MEIGHER

SEPTEMBER HAS ARRIVED, and with it comes the buzz of the city’s social season! Get ready to shine at every event this fall with our curated selection of sparkling jewelry, chic apparel, and must-have accessories. Whether it’s a glamorous gala or a sip & shop, we’ve got you covered for every occasion.

Oscar de la Renta’s Long Sleeve Asymmetrical Hem Wool Dress in Olivine ($3,290) and O Handle Nappa Feather Bag in Willow ($3,490). Visit oscardelarenta.com.

TAMARA COMOLLI’s MIKADO Flamenco

‘Lagoon’ Bracelet, available in 18k yellow gold ($51,700) or 18k white gold ($57,200). Visit TAMARA COMOLLI’s Palm Beach boutique at 150 Worth Avenue or call 561.659.3700.

Elevate your style with Shreve, Crump & Low’s 18k white gold pendant necklace, featuring a milgrain bezel set round brilliant cut diamond weighing approximately 0.62 carats, with H color and VS clarity. $7,850 at shrevecrumpandlow.com or call 203.622.6205.

$465 for the set at thestore.madmuseum.org.

Ralph Lauren Purple Label’s Silk Coat ($4,995), Cashmere Sweater ($995), and Corduroy Trouser ($595). Visit ralphlauren.com.

Rolex recently unveiled a new version of the Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona, distinctive for its contrasting dial made from natural mother-of-pearl and graced with eight diamonds and three Chromalight hour markers. Crafted in 18 ct white gold and crowned with a bezel set with 36 brilliant-cut diamonds. Price upon request at rolex.com.

Hand-crafted in Spain, Stubbs & Wootton’s Corduroy Camel slippers in Tan meet the brand’s vibrant color palette that stays true to the Palm Beach origins. $575 at stubbsandwootton.com.

The NEW 2025 Porsche Macan EV electrifies the town! It’s Young. Urban. Electric. With the iconic Porsche driving experience. The all-electric Macan delivers impressive E-Performance. Order yours today at PorscheWestPalmBeach.com.

Through October 31st, Ocean House, a Forbes Five Star, AAA Five Diamond hotel overlooking the Atlantic Ocean in Watch Hill, Rhode Island, is offering the first-of-its kind Land and Sea Yacht experience, combining an unforgettable suite stay with a scenic sunset Champagne cruise for up to six guests aboard the historic Aphrodite yacht. The package is priced at $42,000. For reservations, visit oceanhouseri.com.

A heartfelt tribute to Roger’s fans, family, and, of course, tennis itself, Assouline’s new book, Federer, pays homage to this enduring legacy. $120

Sleek desktop replicas of Grand Prix racers created with the same details as the 1930s originals. In glossy white ($285) or black ($295) with spoke wheels and red seat! Visit LindaHorn.com.

Fresh Finds

Presenting an unexpected twist on a classic design, Merrichase’s Tuxedo Tassel Necklace allows a multitude of styling options. Whether you’re opting for a long and dramatic look, short and chic, draped to the side or cascading down your back, the Tuxedo Tassel adapts effortlessly to your look and mood. $1,200 at merrichase.com.

Nestled in Via Mizner off of Worth Avenue, Renato’s—a Palm Beach classic—impresses in every way, making it the perfect restaurant for any special occasion. Visit renatospalmbeach.com.

Louis M. Martini

2019 Lot 1 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley. $250 at select liquor stores.

De Grisogono Emerald Diamond Chandelier Earrings. $150,000 at greenleafcrosby.com.

Featuring hand-stitched handles, polished hardware, and a gently curved top line, Asprey’s Taylor Top Handle Mini Handbag in Soft Grain Leather is both sophisticated and practical.

$3,000 at asprey.com.

Casa de Campo Resort & Villas, the premier 7,000acre resort in the Dominican Republic, has announced an exciting new partnership with Tradewind Aviation, a leading private aviation service throughout North America and the Caribbean. Guests who are new to Tradewind private charter are eligible for $1,000 off their first Tradewind private charter to La Romana, and more. To redeem, contact d.polanco@ ccampo.com.do or [email protected].

J.McLaughlin’s Jill Sweater in Dark Olive ($248), Giulia Skirt in Verdant Garden in Olive/Multi ($188), Anastasia Ballet Flats in Malbec Lizard ($288), and Sumpter Handbag in Burgundy Crocodile ($268). Visit jmclaughlin.com.

Ala von Auersperg’s Keaton Italian Stretch Blouse ($475), Millie Italian Stretch Cotton Peplum Top ($575), and Gabriele Italian Stretch Pant ($369). Visit alavonauersperg.com.

Barton & Gray Mariners Club offers an assortment of membership options from “all-you-can-yacht” to “bitesized-boating.” Members enjoy a lifetime of yachting with the ability to adjust their membership and take advantage of the ever expanding harbors and new yachts being added to the club. Every member has access to the active event schedule, including the US Open, taking place through September 8th in New York. For more information, visit bartonandgray.com.

Pratesi’s new Botanica collection was inspired by scenes of the Italian countryside, dappled in winding buds and florals. Woven and printed in Italy, the collection features a rich tapestry of blooms printed upon a base of Egyptian cotton percale. The price range for Botanica is $310 for a neckroll sham to $2,050 for a king duvet cover. Visit Pratesi at Bloomingdale’s 59th Street, 6th Floor, or pratesi.com.

Introducing Beauty Tech: Full Body Skincare in under 2 minutes! Tapping into the Neuro-Glow trend, WELLFIT is crafted by science and customized by technology, maintaining overall wellness and skin health. WELLFIT offers four unique skincare solutions - Hydrate, Lift, Recover, and Balance. Visit wellfitskincare.com.

Known for her extraordinary eye for design, color, and fabric, Gil Walsh has led over $200 million in design work over 30 years. Her classical training and apprenticeships with master craftsmen in furniture fabrication, wood working, and plastering, comes to life in her design work. Call 561.932.0631 to schedule a consultation with Gil Walsh Interiors or visit the showroom at 5505 South Dixie Highway, Suite 2, in West Palm Beach.

The Colony Hotel’s Women’s Pink Peter Millar Jubilee Stripe Performance Polo. $110 at thecolonyedit.com.

Nicole Suzanne Frances Fischer & Troy Stetson Starrett

J une 22, 2024 j G reenwich , c onnecticut j P hoto G ra P hed by L ynne r eznik

Nicole and Troy were married in front of 170 guests at a private club overlooking Long Island Sound—a venue deeply meaningful to the bride, where she spent her childhood learning to play tennis, swim, sail, and attending camp. The weekend kicked off with a rehearsal dinner and welcome party on Friday evening hosted by Troy’s parents, Anna and Peter Starrett. During the service, Nicole donned a Mira Zwillinger gown, while Troy wore a custom-made suit by Zegna, the fashion house for which Nicole works. Her father, Arno B. Fischer, walked her down the aisle as she held a bouquet of white orchids and peonies. After the ceremony, the couple made their way to the nearby reception in a 1958 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow, a beloved car owned by Nicole’s mother, Sabrina Forsythe, and from the car collection of her maternal grandfather, Malcolm Pray, who founded the local Pray Body Shop. Her sister, Courtney Fischer, continues the family legacy by running the business today. At the reception, guests were treated to dinner and strawberry shortcake, and watched the newlyweds share their first dance to “Dandelions” by Ruth B. The evening of dancing was made even more magical by the appearance of a rare Strawberry Moon, which rose after the summer solstice. The night concluded with an afterparty at The Ginger Man on Greenwich Avenue. The couple recently enjoyed a two-week honeymoon in Hawaii.

Charlotte Deavers & Tim Gaumond

S eptember 9, 2023 j W atch h ill , r hode i S land j p hotographed by J ackie

Charlotte and Tim tied the knot before 130 guests at the South Lawn at Ocean House. The bride donned a Suzanne Neville dress and wore earrings that had been a treasured gift from her late father to her mother on their wedding day. She carried a bouquet crafted by Hana Floral as her brother, Karl Deavers, walked her down the aisle. Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed a cock tail hour on the Seaside Terrace, leading into a lively reception in the ballroom. The newlyweds shared their first dance to “Let My Love Open the Door” by Pete Townshend. The evening’s high light came when the main entertainment, the Dexter Lake Club Band, paused, and the couple’s friends took the stage, performing three songs that brought the crowd to their feet. After the festivities, Charlotte and Tim celebrated with a mini-moon on Block Island before setting off for a honeymoon in Kenya and Seychelles in February.

Meghan Frances Keleher & Mac William McCann

M ay 26, 2024 j B oston , M assachusetts j P hotogra P hed B y e va a lexandra

Over Memorial Day Weekend, Meghan and Mac exchanged vows in front of 225 guests at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in the South End. Meghan donned a Jesus Peiro gown while holding a bouquet of peonies. Both Meghan and Mac shared the bond of losing a grandparent at the age of nine; Meghan honored her Nana by wearing a Tiffany’s bracelet given to her the weekend her grandmother passed, while Mac wore custom cufflinks adorned with his Papa’s American Flag pins. Her father, Kevin Keleher, walked her down the aisle. Following the ceremony, a reception took place at the Boston Public Library, where the couple surprised their guests with a first dance during cocktail hour in the McKim Courtyard, accompanied by a horn and string ensemble performing “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” by Frankie Valli. Dinner and a cake from The Catered Affair were later served in Bates Hall. The night concluded with an afterparty at Solas Irish Pub, where the bride delighted everyone with an Irish Step Dance performance. After the celebrations, the couple embarked on a honeymoon to Greece, exploring the islands of Paros, Mykonos, and Santorini.

Millicent Ann Waller & Matthew Lawrence Davis

A pril 13, 2024 j p A lm B e A ch , F lorid A j p hotogr A phed B y CAPEHART

Millie and Matthew were married before 250 guests at The Royal Poinciana Chapel. The bride wore a Danielle Frankel gown, paired with diamond and sapphire earrings inherited from her maternal great-grandmother. Her father, John Waller, escorted her down the aisle. The evening’s theme was an old-Florida tropical oasis, featuring floral arrangements with a jungle vibe and white accents, while the bridesmaids donned shades of green. Following the ceremony, a reception took place at a nearby private club. The couple’s first dance to “You Send Me” was a magical highlight, with the venue’s retractable ceiling revealing a beautiful Florida sky mid-song. The celebration concluded with a Texas-themed afterparty honoring the groom’s hometown, complete with light-up cowboy hats, Whataburger sandwiches, Texas flags, hay bales, and saddles. After the festivities, the newlyweds embarked on a dream trip to South Africa, enjoying an adventurous safari, delicious cuisine, breathtaking sights in Cape Town, and exquisite wines in Stellenbosch over two weeks.

On September 15th, The Bridge, a classic car exhibition, will take place at 9 a.m. at a private golf club in Bridgehampton. For more information, visit thebridgehamptons.com.

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MUSEUM AT FIT AWARD

The Couture Council of The Museum at FIT will honor Simon Porte Jacquemus, founder of fashion house JACQUEMUS, with its 2024 Couture Council Award for Artistry of Fashion during its annual luncheon at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center. The event heralds the arrival of New York Fashion Week, with proceeds benefiting MFIT, the only museum in New York dedicated exclusively to the art of fashion. For more information, visit fitnyc.edu.

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NEW YORK FASHION WEEK

New York Fashion Week (NYFW) provides leading designers from around the world with an unrivaled platform to showcase their collections bi-annually every February and September. This fall, it begins on September 6th. For more information, visit nyfw.com.

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NEWPORT BOATS

The Newport International Boat

Show (NIBS), one of the largest and most prestigious boat shows in the country, will take place through

September 15th. The event spans over 15 acres with six connecting show sites within historic downtown

On September 26th, The New York Landmarks Preservation Foundation (NYLPF) will host its annual Lunch at a Landmark with Shigeru Ban at 12 p.m. For more information, visit nylpf.org.

Newport, Rhode Island. Walk the docks and view a spectacular display of shiny new sailboats and powerboats, some making their first-ever debut in the United States. On the land side, you’ll find hundreds of marine products, services, and accessories to enhance the boating lifestyle. Also on deck are educational seminars, in-water boating courses, and daily giveaways. For more information, visit newportboatshow.com.

14

HARRIMAN CUP

The 40th Annual Harriman Cup Polo Match will take place at Bethpage Polo at the Park at 10 a.m. For more information, visit harrimancup.org.

15

THE BRIDGE

Taking place at the private golf club that sits on the hallowed grounds of the original Bridgehampton Race Circuit at 9 a.m., The Bridge, a classic car exhibition, pays tribute to the historic racing that took place on the site for nearly half a century. The exhibition is primarily focused

On September 23rd, the Metropolitan

For more information, visit metopera.org.

on post-war sports and competition cars that raced or would have been eligible to race at The Bridgehampton Race Circuit during its glory years. More than 200 cars of great provenance are featured every year. For more information, visit thebridgehamptons.com.

18

PLAY FOR THE PARK

Central Park Conservancy will host its annual Play for the Park Tennis Tournament at Central Park Tennis Center at 8:30 a.m. For more information, visit centralparknyc.org.

19

WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL

Through September 22nd, the 19th Annual Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival will include a series of tasty seminars, a well-stocked Tasting Tent each day, Connoisseur’s Dinner, Vintner Dinner, Sunday Jazz Buffet Brunch, and a special guest appearance by celebrated Chef Jacques Pépin and his daughter and co-star, Claudine Pépin! For more information, visit newportmansions.org.

23

MET OPERA GALA

The Metropolitan Opera will hold its Opening Night Gala at 5:30 p.m.

The 2024–25 season opens with the anticipated company premiere of Jeanine Tesori’s powerful new

opera Grounded, commissioned by the Met. Mark the occasion in style with cocktails before curtain and a post-performance gala dinner with the cast and creative team, including Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin and mezzo-soprano Emily D’Angelo, who stars as hotshot fighter pilot turned drone operator Jess. For more information

and to purchase tickets, visit metopera.org.

26

LUNCH AT A LANDMARK

The New York Landmarks Preservation Foundation (NYLPF) will host its annual Lunch at a Landmark with Shigeru Ban at The University Club at 12 p.m. The event

will celebrate historic landmarks and hear from Shigeru Ban on his current work, which includes a temporary paper pavilion currently featured at Phillip Johnson’s Glass House in New Canaan, Connecticut. For more information, visit nylpf.org.

OCTOBER 4

HAMPTONS FILM FESTIVAL

HamptonsFilm will hold the 32nd Annual Hamptons International Film Festival, taking place over two weekends through October 14th. HamptonsFilm was founded in 1992 to celebrate the art of film and to introduce a unique and varied spectrum of international films and filmmakers to its audiences. A 501(c)3 non-profit organization with year-round screenings of global narrative and documentary films, a world-renowned annual film festival (HIFF) each October, a summer documentary program, a unique Screenwriters Lab, and extensive educational initiatives, HamptonsFilm offers programs that enlighten, educate, and provide invaluable exposure for filmmakers, while also providing the East End of Long Island with an educational and cultural experience that enriches the lives of its citizens and contributes to the local economy. For more information, visit hamptonsfilmfest.org.

On September 4th,

EMPIRE STATE OF MIND

PRODUCED BY BROOKE KELLY MURRAY & ELIZABETH MEIGHER

WRITTEN BY ELIZABETH MEIGHER

PHOTOGRAPHED BY JULIE SKARRATT

HAIR BY MARCO MARANGHELLO

MAKEUP BY SELENA GRAHAM FOR KIMARA AHNERT

Actress Revell Carpenter stands in the entryway of 111 West 57th Street wearing Oscar de la Renta’s Off Shoulder Floral Guipure Gown In Crocus ($9,690), Verdura platinum and diamond Wing earclips ($34,500), and Asprey: 27.53 ct diamond necklace ($211,200); 14.35 ct diamond bracelet ($107,800); 8.62 ct diamond bracelet ($53,500) and; flower diamond ring ($50,000).

On her left hand she wears Flowery by Wempe Statements bracelet of 28 marquise-cut diamonds and 28 trapeze-cut diamonds ($68,175), and Wempe Statements Spotlight Ring of 18k white gold and diamonds ($10,175). On her right hand she wears Wempe pavé diamond ring of 18k white gold and 164 briliant-cut diamonds ($13,145) and Spotlight by Wempe Statements ring of 18k white gold and diamonds ($12,695).

UNDERSTATED GLAM—there’s no better kind. That’s how we would describe actress Revell Carpenter. It’s also how we would characterize the building in which we photographed her, New York City’s iconic 111 West 57th Street. We spent the day with Revell as she arrived and danced about the ultra-lux skyscraper dressed in the latest fall fashion, jewelry and accessories. Revell is as sweet and lovely as she looks—although don’t let her easygoing demeanor fool you into believing she is anything but quick. This Deerfield and The George Washington University grad is fluent in Mandarin, and proficient in both Russian and Spanish. Revell is also a graduate of the New York Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre and received her acting training in New York, Los Angeles and London. She’s earned Best Actress awards in multiple International Film Festivals, and has received recognition for both writing and directing. Oh, and did I mention she’s also a marathon runner and a former Junior USTA tennis player?

Quietly determined, Revell is a star in every sense of the word. You may recognize her from her leading roles on Disney’s Lifetime channel, or perhaps you saw her appear in HBO’s “Succession” or HBO’s “The Sex Lives of College Girls”. We are excited to share that ending 2024 and beginning in 2025, Revell will star in two new films! You can catch her playing the lead in a romcom to be released on Apple TV and Amazon, and she will also star in a murder mystery thriller with limited theatrical release, followed by streaming. Happily, Revell has no fear of heights, which was a welcome advantage when photographing her in Penthouse 76 of the ultra-luxurious, 1,428-foot-high residential tower at 111 West 57th Street.

Also known as Steinway Tower and situated along Billionaires’ Row on the north side of 57th Street,111 West 57 is not only the world’s skinniest skyscraper, but it is also the second-tallest residential building in the Western Hemisphere. The remarkable structure encompasses its original landmarked building, Steinway Hall, designed by Warren & Westmore and built for Steinway & Sons pianos in 1925, and a newer tower with a width-to-height ratio of about 1:24—making it the fourth-tallest building in the United States and the thinnest in the world. The stepped form and modern Art Deco notes of 111 West 57th Street reference iconic 20th-century New York City structures like the Chrysler Building and the Empire State Building, while the facade of the tower consists of terracotta blocks that appear to change color and texture depending on the light variance and angle from which the building is viewed.

111 West 57th Street comprises 60 luxury condominiums: 14 in Steinway Hall and 46 in the private Tower Residences. Designed by SHoP Architects, with interior design by Studio Sofield, apartments in the 84-story building are available as full-floor or duplex homes with remarkable, 14-foot ceilings and signature spaces. At the ground level of 111 West 57th Street, a rusticated, private porte cochère leads to a 24-hour concierge and doormen. Among the building’s amenities are an 82’ lap pool with a spa and fitness center, a golf-simulator, an on-site Padel Court, a children’s playroom, a bi-level outdoor terrace with an accessible multi-purpose bar, a catering kitchen and private dining rooms.

Aside from the Tower Residences’ lofty ceilings, sparkling bathtubs and full-service amenities (not to mention a communal Steinway & Sons grand piano), what sets these luxury condominiums apart is a sense of intimacy despite the building’s record-setting height—coupled with unbelievably breathtaking views. Looking out of the window from 111 West 57th could be likened to a moment in high-fashion, or a piece of rare art—as the entirety of Central Park, New York City beyond it, and the distant skyline beyond that spills out, colors changing from buttery greens and pale blue to sparkling lavender and midnight hues with the passing day. And Central Park is only one view— from various apartments the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building and even the Statue of Liberty can be seen in their entirety. A prominent and local regional landmark, 111 West 57th Street now too stands among the lofty New York City vista, bearing, as stated by its originator, SHoP Architects, “a special responsibility to contribute meaningfully and elegantly to the shared skyline”.

Special thanks to Nikki Field and the Field Team at 111 West 57th Street for making this photoshoot possible. For more information please visit nikkifield.com and 111w57.com.

Revell Carpenter arrives at 111 West 57th Street wearing Polo Ralph Lauren’s Wool-Blend Tweed Tapered Pant ($348), Front-Panel Vest ($298) and Camel-Hair Coat ($2,498), paired with J.McLaughlin’s Garance Woven Leather Handbag ($348) and Anastasia Quilted Leather Flats ($228). She accompanies the look with Wempe BY KIM’s: Sensual Cocoon Pendant of 18k rose gold and diamonds ($19,875—the lilttle personal message inside makes it twice as valuable!) and Sensual Cocoon Pendant Earrings of 18k rose gold and diamonds ($11,325). On her left hand she wears Wempe BY KIM’s Sensual Cocoon Ring of 18k rose gold and diamonds ($7,925), Uptown Ring of 18k rose gold and diamonds ($6,445); Wempe BY KIM’s Blu bangle of 18k rose/white gold and 1 brilliant cut diamond ($4,745); Everloving Heart Bracelet of 18k yellow gold and diamonds ($50,957), and Uptown by Wempe Statements bracelet of 18k yellow gold ($5,085). On her right hand she wears Wempe BY KIM’s Blu Ring of 18k rose gold and diamonds ($7,015), Blu Ring of 18k rose gold and 1 brilliant-cut diamond ($2,245), and Wempe Statements Uptown Ring of 18k rose gold and 44 brilliant-cut diamonds.

Revell hits the padel court at 111 West 57th Street dressed in Oscar de la Renta’s Draped Poppies Chiffon Gown with Threadwork Embroidered Details ($8,290), paired with Verdura’s Three Stone Earclips in White Topaz, diamond and 18k gold ($12,500). On her left hand she wears Verdura’s Double Crescent Bracelet of 18k gold and platinum set with round diamonds ($72,500) and Wempe Statements ring of 18k gold and diamonds ($10,075). On her right wrist she wears Asprey’s Oak Leaf Bangle Bracelet in 18k gold.

Revell stands in the signature Great Hall at 111 West 57th Street, designed by Studio Sofield. She wears Polo Ralph Lauren’s black Fringe Suede Western Jacket ($1,998) and black Satin Midi Slip Dress ($398), paired with Manolo Blahnik’s Carolyne Black Slingback Pumps ($795). She accompanies the look with Wempe BY KIM’s Sensual Seventies Necklace of 18k rose gold and brilliant-cut diamonds ($32,675), Sensual Seventies Bracelet ($21,275) and Sensual Seventies Earrings ($6,195), along with Wempe BY KIM’s Sensual Golden Bridge Ring of 18k rose gold and 37 brilliant-cut diamonds ($11,295) and Wempe Classics Basics Ring of 18k white gold and 119 brilliant-cut diamonds ($6,565). On her left hand she wears Verdura’s Curb-Link Bracelet of 18k yellow gold ($27,500).

Revell relaxes on the antique, polished, free-standing tub designed by William Holland in the Principal Bath of PH76. Wrapped in Pratesi’s Treccia Robe ($1,195), she wears Wempe BY KIM’s Crown Diamond Necklace of 18k rose/white gold, 484 brilliant-cut diamonds and 98 baguette-cut diamonds ($167,550) and Spotlight Earrings by Wempe Statements of 18k white gold and diamonds ($40,675). On her right hand she wears: Wempe Statements Spotlight Ring of 18k white gold and 47 brilliantcut diamonds ($10,175); Wempe Spotlight Ring of 18k white gold and 164 brilliant-cut diamonds ($13,145); Uptown by Wempe Statements Bracelet of 18k white gold and 254 brilliant-cut diamonds ($22,675); Everloving Renaissance by Wempe Classics Bracelet of 18k white gold and 81 brilliantcut diamonds ($14,625); Wempe Casuals Bracelet of 18k white gold and 42 brilliant-cut diamonds ($11,100), and; Spotlight by Wempe Statements Uptown Bangle of 18k white gold and diamonds ($5,655). On her left hand she wears Wempe Statements Ring of 18k white gold and 47 brilliant-cut diamonds ($10,175), Wempe BY KIM Crown Diamond Bracelet of 18k rose/white gold and diamonds ($54,875); Spotilght by Wempe Statements 18k white gold and diamond bracelet ($45,975).

Rococo Floral ($1,850), Asprey’s Taylor Top Handle Mini leather handbag in caramel ($3,300), and Christian Louboutin nude patent pumps (her own). She accompanies the look with Wempe BY KIM’s Sensual Cosmos necklace ($19,275), Sensual Cosmos pendant earrings ($4,045), and Sensual Comos bracelet of 18k rose gold ($8,285). To her left wrist she adds Wempe BY KIM’s Blu bangle of 18k rose/white gold and 1 brilliant cut diamond ($4,745), Wempe Statements Uptown bangle of 18k rose gold and diamonds ($15,875), and Wempe BY KIM Blu ring of 18k rose gold ($4,515). On her left hand she wears Wempe BY KIM’s Helioro bold Ring of 18k rose gold ($4,515), Wempe BY KIM Blu ring of 18k rose gold ($4,515) and Wempe Statements 18k yellow gold Uptown bracelet ($5,085). Credits for inset image listed on opposite page.

Revell descends the white, macuba stone spiral staircase of PH76 at 111 West 57th Street wearing Brunello Cucinelli’s: Cropped wool shirt with front pockets ($2,295); Wool twill flute skirt ($2,495); Leather boots ($2,700); Leather gloves ($1,695); and Wool, cashmere and silk bucket hat ($1,200), all available at Brunello Cucinelli at 683-689 Madison Avenue, New York, NY. Also featured opposite page, inset: Revell pairs the look with Verdura’s 18k yellow gold Double “X” Earclips ($9,500) and 18k yellow gold Curb-Link Bracelet ($27,500) (right hand). On her left hand she wears Wempe Sensual Cocoon BY KIM Bracelet of 18k rose gold and 75 diamonds ($27,275), Uptown by Wempe Statements Ring of 18k rose gold and diamonds ($6,445) and Sensual Cocoon BY KIM Ring of 18k rose gold ($9,515).

Revell takes her turn at the Steinway & Sons grand piano in Steinway Hall’s lounge area. She wears J.McLaughlin’s: Triana Blazer in Winter Navy ($398); Rylie Pant in Stadium Plaid ($188); Britt Linen Shirt in Light Pink ($188); Frenchette Suede Slingbacks in Saddle ($248), and: Chiara Polarized Sunglasses in Tortoise ($138). She carries J.McLaughlin’s Everly Woven Leather Clutch in Dark Vachetta ($248). She pairs the look with Wempe Casuals Electrify Earrings of 18k yellow gold ($2,015); Wempe Statements 18k yellow gold Uptown necklace ($11,325), Wempe Casuals Electrify ring of 18k rose gold and and 1 brilliant-cut diamond ($3,125); Wempe Classics Everloving heart ring of 18k yellow gold and diamonds ($22,975), and; Wempe BY KIM Helioro ring of 18k rose gold ($4,515). On her left wrist she wears Asprey’s Cosmic gold bangle with semi-precious stones ($38,750).

Revell stands against the windowed-wall at 111 West 57th Street wearing Veronica Beard’s Addi Pleated Skirt ($468) and Stovall Knit Jacket in Navy ($468), paired with Verdura’s 18k yellow gold Double “X” Earclips ($9,500) and 18k yellow gold Curb-Link Bracelet ($27,500) (right hand). She pairs them with Wempe Sensual Cocoon BY KIM ring of 18k rose gold and diamonds ($7,925) and Wempe Statements ring of 18k rose gold and diamonds ($4,515). On her left hand she wears Wempe Casuals Electrify Bracelet in 18k rose gold ($6,275) and Spotlight Ring by Wempe Statements of 18k yellow gold and diamonds ($10,075). On her feet she wears Hermès Oz Mules in white calfskin (1,275).

Revell considers a dip in 111 West 57th Street’s 84’ lap pool dressed in Veronica Beard’s Harper Poplin Top in white ($298); Haina Seersucker Short in Blue/White ($368), and; Miller Seersucker Dickey Jacket in Blue/White ($698). She pairs the look with Verdura’s Three Stone Earclips in White Topaz, diamond and 18k gold ($12,500); Wempe Spotlight Ring by Wempe Statements of 18k white gold and diamonds ($13,145); Wempe Casuals Electrify Bracelet of 18k rose gold ($6,275); Wempe BY KIM Sensual Cocoon ring of 18k rose gold and diamonds ($9,515); Wempe Statements ring of 18k rose gold and diamonds ($10,175), and; Claire Florence 18k Solid Gold Choker with Citrine ($20,000).

Revell finds a friend in the lobby of 111 West 57th Street. She wears Oscar de la Renta’s Off Shoulder Floral Guipure Gown In Crocus ($9,690), Verdura platinum and diamond Wing earclips ($34,500), and Asprey: 27.53 ct diamond necklace ($211,200); 14.35 ct diamond bracelet ($107,800); 8.62 ct diamond bracelet ($53,500) and; flower diamond ring ($50,000). On her left hand she wears Flowery by Wempe Statements bracelet of 28 marquise-cut diamonds and 28 trapeze-cut diamonds ($68,175), and Wempe Statements Spotlight Ring of 18k white gold and diamonds ($10,175). On her right hand she wears Wempe pavé diamond ring of 18k white gold and 164 briliant-cut diamonds ($13,145) and Spotlight by Wempe Statements ring of 18k white gold and diamonds ($12,695).

BEHIND THE STRIPES: THE HENRI BENDEL LEGACY

BY BROOKE KELLY MURRAY

IN THE DAZZLING world of high fashion, few names have carried as much allure and prestige as Henri Bendel. A new book, Henri Bendel and the Worlds He Fashioned, written by Tim Allis and set to be released on September 24th by the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Press, chronicles the brand’s—and the man’s—remarkable history.

Henri Bendel, born to Jewish immigrant parents in Lafayette, Louisiana, in 1868, was a visionary with an innate sense of style. Raised primarily by his mother after his father’s early death, Bendel developed a passion for fashion during his time at St. Charles College,

a Jesuit institution where he eventually converted to Christianity. Following his education, Bendel pursued a career as a milliner and eventually opened his own women’s clothing store in Morgan City. After a fire destroyed his first store, Bendel moved to Manhattan in 1895 with his wife, New York native Blanche Lehman. Despite his assumed homosexuality, which later became an open secret among his family members, Bendel and Lehman embarked on a new chapter in the city, where he opened his first shop in Greenwich Village. Tragically, just two years into their marriage, Lehman, who was pregnant at the time, suddenly passed away. This heartbreaking loss deeply affected Bendel, driving him to channel all his energy into his work, where his career truly began to flourish.

From left: Before international fame as a stage costumer and magazine illustrator, the Russian-born Parisian designer Erté sold dresses to Bendel, his first US buyer, who ordered 30 from his debut collection. This one, called “Splendeur,” circa 1916, was the artist’s own favorite; the cover of Henri Bendel and the Worlds He Fashioned Opposite page, from above: The Bendel’s storefront with its two distinct striped-awning entrances in the early 1960s; Henri Bendel.

Bendel’s first shop in Greenwich Village quickly became a favorite among New York’s elite, including the Vanderbilts and Mrs. Astor’s 400. In 1907, he introduced the now-iconic brown-and-white striped boxes, solidifying his brand’s identity. By 1913, Bendel had acquired two townhouses on West 57th Street, transforming them into a luxurious women’s emporium that catered to the most refined tastes in fashion.

Throughout his career, Bendel was a trailblazer. He pioneered in-store fashion shows, clearance sales, created private-label perfumes, and was the first retailer to bring Chanel to America. His flagship store on 57th Street, which was then a residential block, earned the area the nickname “the Rue de la Paix of New York,” a nod to Paris’s famed street of couture ateliers.

As the 1920s roared in, Bendel was at the height of his influence, a key figure in New York’s

A sketch of a Coco Chanel dress of 1921, from the Bendel Sketch Collection at the Brooklyn Museum in New York City. It’s one of more than seven thousand sketches bequeathed to the museum by the store in the 1950s. Opposite page, clockwise from left: A 1940 Bendel’s ad in Vogue “for boudoir and bath” products with fabled model Lisa Fonssagrives, photographed by George Platt Lynes; collage of Bendel’s labels; a 1920s Henri Bendel floral-themed flapper dress with hundreds of hand-sewn beads and sequins.

fashion scene and a true tastemaker.

After Bendel’s death in 1936, the store was passed down to his nephew and his life partners. In 1957, the company was acquired by Genesco and operated under the direction of Geraldine Stutz, who led it through a period of innovation and growth. The final chapter began in 1985 when The Limited, Inc. took over, eventually moving the flagship store to 712 and 714 Fifth Avenue—the former Rizzoli bookstore and the old Coty Building —in 1991. Under The Limited, the focus shifted towards a younger, more commercial audience, marking a departure from the luxury heritage that had defined the brand for decades.

This period led to a gradual decline in the brand’s identity. Stutz, reflecting on the changes to Women’s Wear Daily in 1996, lamented the loss of the store’s character, noting that the over-expansion diluted Bendel’s uniqueness. What was once a symbol of high fashion became just another player in a crowded market, struggling to maintain its relevance.

The final chapter of Henri Bendel’s story unfolded in 2018, when The Limited announced the closure of all Bendel stores, including the Fifth Avenue flagship. It marked the end of an era for a brand

that had once epitomized luxury retail. Henri Bendel and the Worlds He Fashioned serves as a reminder of the brand’s rich history—from its bustles-and-corsets era to the days of furs and flappers, and the tailored chic of the 1930s— offering a glimpse into a world where style, not just fashion, reigned supreme. “The unlikely, lively epic of how a gay, Jewish, small-town Southerner became Manhattan’s reigning taste arbiter, [the book] is a tour de force. Allis offers up a treasury of fascinating new material that challenges received ideas about luxury consumption in America,” said fashion historian Amy Fine Collins. Though Henri Bendel’s doors have closed, the legacy of this iconic brand lives on in the memories of those who experienced its elegance and through those who continue to tell its story. u

THE FAMOUS FASHION FACE-OFF

BY CHRIS MEIGHER

SOME 17 YEARS AGO, after my daughter Elizabeth had convincingly persuaded me to support her launch of Q, a style magazine with pedigreed roots, I quickly realized that I knew little or nothing about the fashion industry. At the House of Luce, once nobly known as TIME Inc., I had run titles that covered news, sports, finance, entertainment and people. But none of them approached the fastidious—and tricky—realm of the rag trade. (Luce’s wife, Claire, told me later in life that: “Harry basically thought fashion was frivolous ... until he met me.”)

So I sought out the sage advice of professionals and pals throughout the fashion world who might “school me,” or at least keep me from making any stupid or costly blunders. One of the most helpful and kind souls was Tom Fallon, a well-placed fashion executive most respected for his tact and discretion—traits not always found back then on Seventh Avenue. During the mid-1960s and Swinging Seventies, Fallon had worked for both Halston and Bill Blass. The working press often referred to Fallon as the “consigliere,” and I was immediately taken with his broad knowledge of, and keen sensitivity to, the industry’s more subtle nuances. Rube that I was, I queried Tom as to exactly when it happened that authentic American style had finally made the full break from its more refined European influences. He gave me a quick, but precise tutorial on the post-WWII growth of American casual attire, most clearly evidenced in our natural embrace of sportswear. Tom reflected for a bit and then modestly told me that he had played a very small part in what he believed

was the seminal event that put American designers onto an equal footing with their international counterparts, most especially the French.

It happened on November 28th in 1973 during the first official Paris Fashion Week, when its now fabled opening night became known as The Battle of Versailles Fashion Show, pitting five of France’s most celebrated designers (Hubert de Givenchy, Emanuel Ungaro, Pierre Cardin, Marc Bohan for Christian Dior and Yves Saint Laurent) against a relatively unknown band of young Americans (Bill Blass, Halston, Oscar de la Renta, and Stephen Burrows, as well as Anne Klein along with her assistant Donna Karan). What began as not much more than a publicity stunt engineered by Eleanor Lambert to promote her clients, has mythically become—now more than 50 years later—the Woodstock of fashion shows. Tom Fallon, who was there helping to direct the American effort as Bill Blass’ assistant, calls it: “The accident that happened.” The late photographer Bill Cunningham squeakily hailed it:

“the most creative fashion show of the 20th Century.” Rizzoli’s latest book, The Battle of Versailles: The Fashion Showdown of 1973 by Mark Bozek, unveils a treasure trove of rare photos from Cunningham’s archive coupled with additional images from his legendary colleague Jean-Luce Huré.

The event was fresh and it was fluid, and when Liza Minnelli belted out the opening number there were 10 Black models sashaying behind her with an energy and style that the stiffer, more formal French models just couldn’t match. At the end of the Americans’ performance, the sophisticated and mostly French audience threw their programs on the stage in tribute to the designers and the models. Back stage, the legendary Josephine Baker, who at 77 years old had modeled that evening for Christian Dior, threw her arms around 17-year-old Black American model Billie Blair and cried for her success. And Hubert de Givenchy shook Bill Blass’ hand and said in perfect English: “Tonight you have shown us a new younger way.” An American way, indeed! u

Quest STYLE

BY ELIZABETH MEIGHER

“The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. True beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It’s the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows and the beauty of a woman only grows with passing years.” —Audrey Hepburn

This page, clockwise from above: Prince Harry, Prince William, and Prince Charles with Housemaster Dr. Andrew Gailey on William’s first day at Eton, 1995; Dexia Bank advertisement photographed by Boudewijn Smit; Elena, daughter of Prince Juan Carlos of Borbon and Sofia of Greece, gets help riding a bike in Madrid, Spain, 1969; the Barrett family enjoys a picnic in the Arizona desert, 1978. Opposite page: Amanda Hearst wearing Ralph Lauren at The Highline Hotel, photographed by Julie Skarratt for the September 2014 issue of Quest

Clockwise from top left: Britain’s Beatles make a windswept arrival at Kennedy airport in 1964; Lauren Santo Domingo in Paris, 2019; Porfirio Rubirosa with his wife (left) and society maven Anne Slater (right), 1961; well-heeled diners at The Four Seasons restaurant (recently closed) in August 1959; Prince Albert, Princess Stéphanie, and Princess Caroline (looking very much like her daughter, Charlotte Casiraghi, on the opposite page) walk behind their mother, Princess Grace of Monaco, 1978. Opposite page, clockwise from top left: Barbara Hutton with her second husband, Count Reventlow, circa 1940; Charlotte Casiraghi wearing Saint Laurent at her wedding to film producer Dimitri Rassam, June 1, 2019; Leigh Lezark, Olivia Palermo, Harley Viera-Newton, and Zani Gugelmann at Waverly Inn, 2017.

Quest STYLE

Clockwise from top left: Henry B. Cabot Jr. (in black) with his host, Barclay (“Buzzy”) H. Warburton III (in striped shirt), aboard the brigantine Black Pearl, circa 1959; Jackie Onassis in Capri, July 1972; a young Diana Spencer poses cheekily for the camera, circa 1968; Querube Clark and Grace Meigher walk the streets of Capri, 1990; sisters Catherine Deneuve and Françoise Dorléac at the Cannes Film Festival, 1965. Opposite page, clockwise from above: The Supremes—Mary Wilson, Florence Ballard, and Diana Ross—arrive at London’s Heathrow Airport, 1968; a floating luncheon on the isle of Capri, off Naples, Italy, September 1, 1939; Ariana Rockefeller rides Out of Beag in Wellington, Florida, 2018; a restaurant car on a British Railways train in Waterloo Station, London, 1949; Frank Sinatra, talking and sharing cocktails with Jill St. John, his co-star in the film Tony Rome, 1971.

Quest STYLE

Clockwise from top left: Mrs. John Hay Whitney and Mrs. William Paley playing golf in the Bahamas, 1968; Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip share a laugh, 1963; Desmond Guinness with his children, Marina and Patrick, at Leixlip Castle, County Kildare, Ireland, 1963; Mrs. Patrick Guinness, formerly Princess Dolores von Furstenberg (right), with Countess Mercedes De Bendern, 1963. Opposite page, clockwise from top: Day trippers in Greenwich, photographed by Julie Skarratt for the June 2017 issue of Quest; Jane Fonda and Roger Vadim in Paris with their newborn baby, Vanessa Vadim, 1968; Prince William holds hands with Prince George and Princess Charlotte, 2018; Fiat car manufacturer Gianni Agnelli, French newsman Gilbert Graziani, Prince Radziwill, Lee Radziwill, and First Lady Jackie Kennedy at a cafe in Ravello, 1962; Dustin Hoffman and Mike Nichols on the set of The Graduate, 1967.

THE YOUNG & THE GUEST LIST YGL

BY BROOKE KELLY MURRAY

NYC SECOND CHANCE RESCUE’S BENEFIT IN EAST HAMPTON

NYC SECOND CHANCE RESCUE held its 3rd annual Hamptons benefit at Common Ground East, honoring the remarkable animal advocacy of Alexa Ray Joel . The event featured a live musical performance by Fat Joe . Since its founding in 2009, the organization has saved over 15,000 lives, focusing its efforts on large-breed dogs and cats in need of critical, life-saving care.

YGL

ON JULY 20TH, Kenneth and Maria Fishel hosted the annual Polo Hamptons at their estate. The event began with a poolside soirée with Christie Brinkley, before guests made their way across the lawn for a lively polo match, complete with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and shopping booths along the sidelines. The afternoon raised funds for the Center for Family Services’ upcoming Old Bags Luncheon in Palm Beach.

THE COLONY HOTEL’S PARTY IN SAGAPONACK

IN EARLY AUGUST, The Colony Hotel and the Historical Society of Palm Beach County hosted a kickoff celebration at Wölffer Estate Vineyard for the organization’s upcoming grand exhibition, Wish You Were Here: Tourism in the Palm Beaches . The event, held at the Wine Stand, featured music by DJ Pamela Tick and endless wine for guests.

TO CATCH A THIEF IN GRACE’S GOLDEN GOWN

Alfred Hitchcock acted out of character when he dressed Grace Kelly for To Catch A Thief, but the gold lamé gown allowed the actress—and the themes of the plot—to shine.

“PALACES ARE FOR ROYALTY. We’re just common people with a bank account,” says Francie (actress Grace Kelly) in To Catch A Thief (1955). However, the costume worn by Grace Kelly was the antithesis of common. In fact, it was an anomaly.

Designer Edith Head (winner of eight Academy Awards for costume design) recalls the experience of working with director Alfred Hitchcock throughout her career as “an education in restraint.” He was known to refrain from what he termed as “eye-catchers,” or costumes with colors or patterns that

distracted the audience from the action—think Kim Novak dressed in gray for Vertigo (1958).

But for To Catch A Thief, Grace Kelly was outfitted in a gold lamé gown featuring a sash with butterflies—an example of a costume that is the action because it serves to foreshadow what follows: the reveal that Francie, the common person with a bank account, is the thief. With the dress, Edith Head and Alfred Hitchcock could illustrate a character’s obsession with jewels and precious metals, thereby using fashion as a tool in the film. Vanity has its dangers... —Elizabeth Quinn Brown

We look forward to welcoming you to Palm Beach’s pinkest hotel.

Greenleaf & Crosby Diamond Collection