BRIAN WALKER, OLIVIA WALKER LEMIEUX, ANTONELLA WALKER, AND BRAD WALKER AT SHREVE, CRUMP & LOW IN GREENWICH, CONNECTICUT
PHOTOGRAPHED BY JULIE SKARRATT
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The Jewelry Issue
230 YEARS OF AMERICAN HERITAGE For our annual jewelry shoot, we spent the day with the Walker family at Shreve, Crump & Low in Greenwich, Connecticut, celebrating the jeweler’s anniversary. Produced & Written by Brooke Kelly Murray, Photographed by Julie Skarratt
112 A GENTLEMAN’S ACTOR A look at Palm Beach local George Hamilton’s enduring career on screen. by Richard Johnson
114 FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE The American fascination with Fabergé— which opened its first U.S. boutique in 2012— continues to captivate a new generation of collectors. by Georgina Schaeffer
118 A LEGACY ETCHED IN STONE London-based jeweler Elizabeth Gage unveils new pieces that elegantly reinterpret the founder’s design codes. by Alex Travers
120 JAR’S SECRET GEMS The extraordinary creations of Joel Arthur Rosenthal, known to collectors as JAR. From Quest’s 2008 archives. by Mary Godfrey
28 SOCIAL DIARY Another month on the social circuit. by David Patrick Columbia
64 HARRY BENSON Our photographer recalls capturing Princess Diana in 1992.
66 TAKI Musings on the media, Epstein, and his not-so-elitist crowd. by Taki Theodoracopulos
68 RICHARD JOHNSON Covering the Palm Beach scene from Swifty’s at the The Colony Hotel.
74 AUDAX The Irish Georgian Society travels to Palm Beach for St. Patrick’s Day. by Jamie MacGuire
78 FRESH FINDS Fashion and jewelry picks for the season. by Brooke Kelly Murray
82 QUEST CLASSIC Saluting and celebrating Pauline Baker Boardman Pitt.
84 CREATIVITY Self-taught artist Cybele and a selection of her paintings of Palm Beach’s iconic architecture.
86 JEWELRY Marisa Berenson on her designs, influenced by her extensive travels. by Robert Janjigian
88 ART Illustrations by Duncan Mclaren inspired by the Dominican Republic.
90 REAL ESTATE The groundbreaking of The Ritz-Carlton Residences in West Palm Beach.
92 REAL ESTATE Top brokers in Palm Beach and Greenwich—and their coveted listings.
98 EVENTS Barton & Gray’s recent social in Naples, Florida.
100 SOCIAL CALENDAR Upcoming galas, luncheons, and benefits in April and early May.
124 YOUNG AND THE GUEST LIST Partying with the PYTs in Palm Beach, New York, and Paris. by Brooke Kelly Murray
128 SNAPSHOT Nan Kempner’s wit, legend, and iconic style. 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
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
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RICHARD JOHNSON
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JAMES MACGUIRE
DUNCAN MCLAREN
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
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Photo:
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Clockwise from bottom left: Managing Editor Brooke Murray with her newborn; Nan Kempner and Grateful Pub attend the Costume Institute’s Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2003; painting of The Colony Hotel by Cybele Kadagian; George Hamilton dressed in a bespoke Paolo Martorano jacket; behind the scenes with Julie Skarratt photographing the Walkers at Shreve, Crump & Low; Pauline Pitt; PointCounterpoint logo; Dominican Republic illustration by Duncan McLaren; Columnist Richard Johnson.
IT’S APRIL ... it’s Passover ...and it’s Easter, the holiest day in the Christian calendar, with an origin of place that mainstream media conveniently dubs: “the Middle East”. After two millenniums, we’re still staging battles over ancient theocracies ... who overcame revolutionaries ... who fought to preserve ideologies ... so say the Scriptures, the origin of all media. Two thousand years later, we’re living through another media revolution. Our younger generation(s) have a multitude of (superficial?) media choices - from YouTube to TikTok, with several new platforms on the near horizon. And while my generation of Boomers can barely keep up with the barrage of streaming series and program releases, we still yearn for the gravely voice of Edward R. Murrow (not the pompous Pygmy imposters like Clooney) and the evening appearance of Walter Cronkite, then the most trusted man in America who was even funnier “off-air” than any of the Late Nite blowhards who have ditched comedy for political pontification. And what we’re stuck with is distorted partisan reporting that’s selectively tuned only to the prejudices and proclivities of its stratified audience, with near disregard for objective analysis and institutional accountability. To mimic another original media maestro, that under appreciated but inimitable patriot, Thomas Paine: “To argue with an uninformed publik - that has renounced facts and reason - is like giving good medicine to the already dead”. Indeed, “these are the times that try a man’s soul” - and a woman’s!
Complementing April’s traditional bonnets is Quest’s Jewelry Issue - our annual genuflection to baubles, bangles and bright shinning bling. This year our intrepid Managing Editor (and first time Mom!), Brooke Kelly Murray, traveled to trendy Greenwich, introducing us to the Walker Family who own the legendary Shreve, Crump & Low - our Nation’s oldest jeweler now celebrating its 230th Anniversary. For generations of Boston’s Beantown swells and Brahmins (“... and the Cabots talk only to God”) a visit to Shreve’s Newbury Street emporium has been a true right of passage ... “where engagements begin, weddings are composed and family milestones are commemorated”. Further in, we pay homage to the indefatigable Pauline Baker Pitt - the undisputed Queen of Palm Beach and a hard working charity czar who gives ... AND gets! The Historical Society of Palm Beach County has recognized her as a Quest Classic, which we wholeheartedly endorse. Our globetrotting Contributor, Jamie MacGuire - Audax to those in the know - has again brought us into the annual Palm Beach gathering of the Irish Georgian Society, where the highly knowledgeable Ned Guinness, the 4th Earl of Iveagh, connected the dots and family tree of the Guinness Brewing dynasty - on the eve of St Patrick’s Day, no less. Quest’s renowned and recognizable columnist, Richard Johnson, entertains us on pages 68-72 from his ringside Table @ Swifty’s; Richard has also penned a profile of the highly amusing George Hamilton, the most approachable of cinema stars who shared with our lunching scribe: “In Hollywood I’m a socialite posing as an actor; but in Palm Beach, I’m
an actor playing a socialite”. Seems smart to me! Finally, in our SnapShot farewell, Editorial Director Elizabeth Meigher recalls the incomparable style and kind wit of Nan Kempner - a much missed icon who’s Sunday spaghetti dinners were the most coveted of UES stiff cards.
Permit me one last revert, to the successor messaging of Thomas Paine, Murrow and Cronkite: our Nation’s media is hardly broken, but it is dangerously split along party lines and affiliations. Rapidly improving tech platforms (“hello” AI) have made it more vibrant than ever; and more accessible. Yet, the strident partisan content has in itself become self-defeating; “tone deaf”, my TIME & LIFE colleagues might have called it, who themselves strived for rigorous fact based reporting while maintaining stringent professional standards. What ever happened to the adage of balancing two divergent opinions in one’s own thinking, whilst brain straining to resolve personal dilemmas - once considered the ultimate example of objective reasoning and inherent intelligence. Hey ... let’s banish the current doom-loop prognosticators and bring back the often hilarious and always revealing Point/Counterpoint segments into the concluding minutes of every news program and political gabfest. It’s certain to improve viewership and ratings, and might even result in greater advertising $upport. I can see it now: the even keeled Bret Baier, on temporary leave to whatever’s left of PBS, moderating a 30 minute debate between Rachel Maddow and Tucker Carlson; I’d buy tickets for that one! ◆
Chris Meigher
ON THE COVER:
Brian Walker, Olivia Walker Lemieux, Antonella Walker, and Brad Walker at Shreve, Crump & Low in Greenwich, Connecticut. Photograhed by Julie Skarratt.
David Patrick Columbia NEW YORK SO CIAL DIARY
WE HAVE REACHED that curious inflection point in the New York calendar where Mother Nature seems determined to give its final demanding encore. Just as we began to dream of the first pale green of the tulips, the
“Mid-Block Matterhorn”— that stubborn, grimy peak of plowed snow that defines the Manhattan streetscape post-storm— reminded us that winter isn’t quite finished with its “High-End Hustle.”
In this city, the perfor-
mance of winter is less about the beauty of the falling snow and more about the grit of the aftermath. Navigating the slush on Park Avenue to reach a black-tie gala or a noonday luncheon has become a minor polar expedition,
requiring a certain fortitude. Yet, inside the limestone carapaces of the East Side, life remains meticulously, almost defiantly, curated.
I found myself thinking of the art of living well—and the discipline
FLAGLER MUSEUM'S INAUGURAL OYSTER ROAST IN PALM BEACH
Deborah Hale Hagy and Charles Hagy
Kelly Hopkins, Jennifer Ericco, and Amanda Skier
Martha and Ward Parker
Bill and Kristin Beaggie
Giuliana and John Koch
Lew and Kathleen Crampton
George and Betsy Matthews
DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA
it requires—while reflecting on Charlotte Moss ’s recent farewell to her East 70th Street townhouse. After twenty-three years, she is letting go of a home she built, quite literally, from the dirt up. When we first visited her there decades ago, the paint was fresh, but the spirit was already ancient. To see those interiors, particularly the iconic peach-colored library, is to witness a life lived with profound intention.
We see a similar architectural ghost just a few blocks away at 1015 Park Avenue , which remains
one of the avenue’s most distinct private residences. Standing as a silent witness to a century of changing fortunes, the house was a rare and rigorous collaboration between the great architect Ernest Flagg and Nathalie Bailey Morris in the 19-teens.
While Flagg provided the structural bones, it was the “woman’s touch” and Mrs. Morris’s specific vision that softened the stone. Her influence ensured that the residence didn’t just command the corner, but inhabited it with a domestic grace rarely seen in Flagg’s more institutional works. It is
a reminder that in New York, the most enduring bones of the city are often those shaped by a personal, lived-in perspective— enduring long after the names on the doorbells have changed.
That intersection of the primeval and the polished was never more evident than last week at the Park Avenue Armory. Quietly, as if it had grown overnight through the frost, a major art installation appeared on the Park Avenue Mall. Michele Oka Doner ’s Talisman: A Sacred Grove offers a startling, organic counterpoint to the city’s limestone canyons.
To celebrate the debut, nearly 150 guests gathered inside the Armory for an evening hosted by Elihu Rose and Barbara Tober . The night opened in the historic Board of Officers Room—one of the few surviving Herter Brothers-designed rooms in the world—with a deep-dive conversation between Oka Doner, Micky Wolfson , and Pulitzer Prize-winner Kai Bird
“I wanted to bring back the primeval forest that used to exist here,” Michele explained to a rapt audience. The 300 handcrafted “talismans”—looking like shimmering, hol -
PROMISE FUND'S MAJOR DONOR DINNER IN PALM BEACH
Michele and Howard Kessler
David Duffy with Ellen and Mark Levy
Emily Bargas and Morgan Pressel
Nancy and Eric Brinker
Ellen and Bob Jaffe with Nicki Harris
Amy Young and Julie Fisher Cummings
Jill Viner and Ken Endelson
Roberta and Paul Kozloff and Paulette Koch
lowed sentinels against the night sky—hang from twenty-five native Manhattan trees. Following the discussion, the crowd—including HRH Prince Sultan bin Fahad bin Nasser bin Abdulaziz , Paola Antonelli , and Ruben Toledo —shifted to the Tiffany Room for a mountain of Balthazar ’s shrimp and lobster. It was a rare moment of “Slow Art” in a fast city, reminding us all of the island’s wilder, deeper roots.
To truly understand the “Grove,” one must look back at the world of the living—specifically to Michele’s storied SoHo
DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA
loft. Her studio is an intellectual hub anchored by a massive, circular blackened-bronze table of her own design. Piled high with art monographs, rolls of sketches, and assorted “finds” from her Miami roots as a “barefoot girl,” the table serves as a round table for a questing high priestess.
In the studio, one sees the literal origins of the “talismans”—the handcrafted pulp and organ -
ic materials that eventually found their way to Park Avenue. It is a space where the “littoral zone” meets the refined hardwood of Manhattan, proving that for Oka Doner, her objects aren’t just art; they are a dialogue between the primeval and the present.
Sometimes a single inquiry acts as a lightning bolt, striking the past and illuminating the present. Such was the case recently as we looked
LIFE'S LADY IN RED GALA IN PALM BEACH
back at the life of John Galliher . John was a fixture of 20th-century “Society” who felt more like a character from a Somerset Maugham novel—a man of worldly discretion and effortless style who possessed a level of sophistication rarely seen in our “over-shared” digital age. He lived through the eras of the great hostesses and the grand ocean liners, carrying that “Classic Man” energy into the present day. He was a reminder that true style isn’t about the label on the coat, but the ease with which one wears it.
The winter gloom was
Frank Orenstein and Gail Worth
Walter and Mary Ann Schwenk
Ambassador Leandro Rizzuto and Denise Rizzuto
Adolfo Zaralegui, Marietta McNulty, and James Borynack
Max Von Anhalt and Sunny Sessa
Suzi Goldsmith and Lois Pope
Simone and Peter Bonutti
John Galliher
DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA
AMERICAN HUMANE SOCIETY'S HERO DOG AWARDS IN PALM BEACH
further rebuffed by a vibrant social history that took a “pugilistic” turn with a look at the life of the late Maxime de la Falaise . As the writer Steven M.L. Aronson observed, Maxime was a woman of “multifarious consanguinity”—a writer, editor, and inveterate dog lover who lived a life of high-style and occasionally high-drama. Maxime’s spirited legacy is being kept alive by her nephew, Robin Birley , who has named his latest Manhattan outpost, Maxime’s , in her honor.
It is a full-circle story: Robin’s dog, Peg, even served as the model for the whimsical matchbooks designed by Maxime’s grand -
daughter, Diana Maclean . As Aronson poignantly noted, in these circles, “even the ephemera has a pedigree.” To strike a light at Maxime’s is to strike a light for a breed of social history that is rapidly becoming extinct—a world where wit was as sharp as the tailoring.
The American Friends of the Salzburg Easter Festival (A.F.S.E.F.) welcomed fifty guests to a private club for an intimate benefit. President Cynthia D. Sculco hosted a breathtaking
performance by coloratura soprano Lisette Oropesa and pianist Howard Watkins . The program, ranging from Bellini’s “Casta diva” to Puccini’s “Musetta’s Waltz,” was witnessed by fifteen students from Juilliard , Mannes , and the Manhattan School of Music , bridging the gap between today’s headliners and tomorrow’s stars.
A few days later, Judith Pisar opened her Fifth Avenue art-filled loft for Young Concert Artists to announce their 65th An -
niversary Gala on April 7th. Pisar and founder Susan Wadsworth were just “kids” sharing an office when they set out to revolutionize the world of young musicians. Decades later, with alumni like Pinchas Zukerman and Emanuel Ax looking on, the organization continues to move the needle. Performers Chaeyoung Park , Oliver Neubauer , and Benett Tsai brought the house down with Ravel’s La valse , a thrilling reminder that “Art is the ultimate common language.”
As the Manhattan chill lingered, the center of gravity inevitably shifted south. In Palm Beach and Wellington, the “Perfor-
Crystal Beaty and Farley Renstchler
David Webb and Astrid Mangan
Katharine McPhee and Sgt. Bo
Linda Olsson and Marilyn Pelstring
K9 Ultra, Alaina Whitaker and members of US Coast Guard Brian O'Connor and Dr. Robin Ganzert
Michael Kazma and Leigh-Anne Kazma
Robin Birley
mance of Winter” takes on a much more hospitable, sun-drenched hue. At the National Polo Center , the season kicked off with high-speed action and high-stakes philanthropy.
The “Polo for Life” event and the inaugural Holiday House debut—a spectacular transformation of Farrell Estates —proved that high-style and giving are the twin engines of the Florida season.
The “Power of Pink” was in full bloom as the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) and Pink Aid struck a chord in the tropics. It was a sea of fuchsia and formida -
DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA
ble women, led by the indomitable spirit of those who refuse to let a diagnosis define a life. Meanwhile, the Michael J. Fox Foundation returned to the Island for its fifth annual luncheon, marking a Silver Anniversary milestone and raising nearly $1 million for a Parkinson’s cure.
The vibrant energy continued at Café Boulud at The Brazilian Court, where Katherine Gage Boulud and her
benefit committee hosted the second annual “Winter Hat Luncheon” for Spoons Across America . As any veteran of the circuit knows, there is nothing like a courtyard full of millinery to raise the collective spirit. This wasn’t just a display of custom fascinators and Palm Beach pastels; it was a benefit with a wholesome core.
The wanderlust didn’t stop in Florida.
The American Friends of Versailles managed to transport the spirit of the Sun King all the way to New Orleans. Bringing the “Spirit of the Chateau” to the Crescent City, they celebrated with an elegance that bridged the gap between the Seine and the Mississippi. It was a “Visionary Night” in every sense, reminding us that the mission of preservation—whether of French palaces or American historic architecture—is a global endeavor that requires both a keen eye and a generous heart.
KRAVIS CENTER'S RECEPTION IN WEST PALM BEACH
Back in the city, the
Michael J. Fox CAPEHART
Bill and Renay Meyer
David Billings and Rebecca Goodhart
Robert and Christine Stiller
Scott and Monica Laurans
Susan Waterfall and Julie Geier
Kathryn Vecellio, David Lambert, and Monika Preston
Donna Kesselman Raggio and John Raggio
WHERE THE LEADS LIVE WATER
DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA
OPENING OF KIPS BAY DECORATOR SHOW HOUSE IN PALM BEACH
stage was literal. The New York Philharmonic celebrated the Year of the Horse with a vibrant energy that filled the Wu Tsai Theater with a brilliant intersection of Eastern tradition and Western symphonic power. It was a night of percussion and pageantry that made the “Mid-Block Matterhorn” outside feel miles away. Not to be outdone, the New York City Ballet offered a poignant tribute to the incomparable Megan Fairchild . Watching a dancer of her caliber take a final bow is to witness the culmination of decades of discipline—the “High-End
Hustle” of the arts where the effort must remain invisible, leaving only the grace behind.
Perhaps the most note-perfect partnership of the fortnight was the Vienna Philharmonic Society Gala , which chose to honor Casey Cole and Timolin Cole Augustus , the daughters of the legendary Nat King Cole . It was a beautiful intersection of the Musikverein traditions and the
American Songbook legacy. As the violins soared, one couldn’t help but feel the presence of the great “Classic Men” of the past— from Galliher to Cole himself—nodding in approval from the wings. And so, we find ourselves at the end of another cycle. We have navigated the slush and the soirées, looked into the archives of Park
Avenue, and toasted the “High-Style Life” of those who came before us. Between the sanctuaries we leave behind—like Charlotte’s townhouse—and the shrines we build to our legends like John Galliher, there’s a certain rhythm to this life.
New York is a city that is constantly shedding its skin, yet somehow the bones remain the same. As we dodge the last of the winter storms and look toward the first of the tulips, the diary remains full. There is always another party to attend, another performance to witness, and, most importantly, another story to tell. ◆
Alexandra Abouekde
Alexandra Pappas and Tatyana Miro
Barbara Lewis, Korinne Belock, and Meredith Lewis Gallo
Anne Buresh
Amber Leone and Fabiola Birman
Anne Wilkinson
Andrea and Austin Stark
Megan Fairchild
DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA
LIGHTHOUSE GUILD'S DINNER IN PALM BEACH
Jackie Weld Drake and Billy Beadleston
Christopher Mc Quarrie, Kit Pannill, and Heather McQuarrie
Michele and Howard Kessler
Wilbur and Hilary Geary Ross
Florence Sieler and Michael Donnell Jimmy Borynack and Mary Mahoney
Gigi and Harry Benson with Thomas Panek
PRAGNELL'S LUNCHEON IN PALM BEACH
Hugo Block and Sharon Bush
Ben Elliott, Camilla Webster, and Dominic Spencer-Churchill
Louise Pragnell and Catherine Carey
Charlie Pragnell and Ava Roosevelt Jayne Chase and Lauren Day Roberts
Gaby Viteri and Tracy Ward
Tom Crookenden
Mandarin Garnets
Swiss Topaz Green Tourmalines
DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA
FRENCH HERITAGE SOCIETY'S GALA IN PALM BEACH
Timothy Corrigan and Mai Hallingby Harrison
Alex Donner and Anne Fitzpatrick
Michael Kovner
Lee and CeCe Black
Kaaren and Charles Hale
Ann Hamm and Guy Robinson
Kenneth and Maria Fishel
Cat O'Neal and Erin Lazard
Sharon Bush and Jean Douian de Montaillou
DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA
GARDEN CLUB OF PALM BEACH'S DEDICATION CEREMONY
Kate Gubelmann and Ted Cooney
Katharine Eyre and Ellen Merriman
Jorge Sanchez
Mary Pressly
Squirty Keenan and Christina Kramer
Lisa Cregan and Kathy Leone
Danielle Moore and Alison Sieving
Tom McCaffrey and Commissioner Maria Marino
Robert and Anne Stolz
Michael Cardone, Jr. and Jacquie Cardone
Dr. Debra Schwinn, Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, and Senator George LeMieux
Laine Siklos and Monique Ogilvie
Frances Fisher and Mami Kisner Margie Helmholdt and Marti LaTour
Martha’s Vineyard
THE SOCIETY OF THE FOUR ARTS' PIONEERS OF PALM BEACH GALA
1. Andrew and Sarah Wetenhall 2. Page and Courtney Leidy 3. Austin and Mary Willis 4. Callie Baker Holt with Whitney and Ashley McGurk
5. Jeffrey and Cori Berman 6. Margaux and Tim Blackwell 7. Jeffrey Tousey and Billy Gilbane III
8. Diego and Kristin Urrutia 9. Katie and William Benjamin 10. Amber and Richard Grow
1. Steve and Christine Schwarzman with Bronson Van Wyck 2. Jim Coleman and Talbott Maxey
Lisa and John Cregan
Heidi and Tom McWilliams
Sandy and Laing Rogers
Sam and Vicky Hunt
DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA
CLEVELAND CLINIC'S PALM BEACH BALL
Anya and Tom Mihaljevic
Simone and Kerry Vickar
Kathryn and Leo Vecellio
Conor and Clare Delaney
Tina and Jeffrey Lurie
Byron and Tina Trott
Stephen and Lynn Ross
Kipper Hendrick, John Lance, and Bud Hendrick
Wendy and Howard Cox
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DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA
PALM BEACH ATLANTIC'S WOMEN OF DISTINCTION LUNCHEON
Caroline, Jim, and Sara McCann
Gay Gaines, Lynne Wheat, and Hillie Mahoney
Debbie and Bob Dunkin
Jeff and Frances Fisher
Kathy and Paul Leone
Tom McCaffrey and Debra A Schwinn
Meg Braff with Sandy and Laing Rogers
Denise and Daniel Hanley
Wilbur and Hilary Geary Ross
DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA
MICHELE OKA DONER UNVEILS TALISMAN IN NEW YORK
Charles and Janis Cecil
Gary Wasserman and Jane Schulak
David and Whitney Snider
Barbara Tober and Michele Oka Doner
Katherine Fleming and Jake Millard
Julianna Obeid and Will Obeid
Alison Spear and Alex Reese
Thomas Knapp and Millie Bratten
Frances Beatty and Allen Adler
DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA
Amy Hoadley and Karen Glover
Hope Smith and Ritchey Howe
Mai Harrison and Cornelia Ercklentz
Muffy Miller and Alexia Ryan
Gloria Masterson and Amy Rumfiold
Patti Benschoten and Dara O’Hara
Friederike Biggs and Linda Hickox
Karen Lamb, Nathalie Kaplan, and Betsy Pitts
Hillary Hoyt and Julia Amory
Carol Mack and Silvia Zoulas
DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA
Suzanne and Woody Johnson
Fernando Wong, Tim Johnson, and Robert Rufino
Alina de Almeida and John Paulson
Nicola and Jeffrey Marcus
Mary Alice and David Sherrill
Lisa and James Cohen
Senator Rick and Ann Scott
Callie Baker Holt and Elizabeth Meigher
Steve and Andrea Wynn with Steven Schwarzman
Emilia and Pepe Fanjul
John and Amy Phelan
DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA
MICHAEL J. FOX FOUNDATION'S PALM BEACH LUNCHEON
CARA CARA'S DINNER AT THE COLONY PALM BEACH
Ellen Kavanaugh
Meghan Klopp and Benton Bohannon
Sasha Martin, Julia Workman Brown, and Katie Hobbs
Melanie Fowler and Valesca Guerrand Hermes
Pamela Tick and Ali Sisto Daniel
Alexandra Pappas
Lauren Fornes and Nick Mele
Mary Davidson, John Rosenwald, and Jackie Weld Drake
Patricia Falkenberg and Virginia Aaron
Conrad Clevlen and Hayley Paige
Alicia and Harvey Wertheim
Julia and Alec Lindsay
Marlene and Martin Silver
Sue Effron and Nancy Goodes
DESIGNER CHAT
WITH QUEST DESIGN EDITOR JAYNE CHASE
KAREN SOLOMON has been an interior designer for over twenty years. After spending time in Palm Beach and receiving encouragement from her clients, she began designing more pieces for their homes and KS Palm Design Collective was born. Her pieces are timeless yet completely customized to each client’s vision.
Jayne Chase: Tell Us About Your Furniture Company
Karen Solomon: I About three years ago, after spending more time in Palm Beach, friends and clients began asking about pieces they saw in my home. That curiosity naturally evolved into the creation of KS Palm Design Collective. What started organically has grown into something very special.
Jayne Chase: What Is Your Favorite Chair to Curl Up In?
Karen Solomon: I have several favorites! Recently, I sourced a vintage rattan armchair by Wilhelm’s Rattan, a local furniture maker in West Palm Beach for my living room. I reupholstered it in a beautiful Quadrille fabric, which gave the 1960s rattan piece a fresh, modern twist while still preserving its vintage charm.
Jayne Chase: What Do You Love About Palm Beach?
Karen Solomon: I love the variety that Palm Beach offers. It’s a place with so much character and charm; from the design and architecture to the art, museums, and restaurants. What I appreciate most is how local and distinctive each area feels. Every neighborhood has its own personality.
Jayne Chase: What Piece of Furniture Should Everyone Own?
Karen Solomon: I’m a big believer in investing in pieces that are truly timeless. One item everyone should own is a beautiful console table. Consoles are incredibly versatile; they can transform an entryway, anchor a dining space, or add elegance
to a hallway or living room.
Jayne Chase: What Piece of Furniture Is Missing from Most People’s Homes?
Karen Solomon: An unexpected accent chair.
Jayne Chase: Do You Have a Favorite Design Trend?
Karen Solomon: I love Minimalist Chic and clean lines.
Jayne Chase: Where Was Your Last Vacation?
Karen Solomon: I travel frequently between Chicago, and New York, but I also love spending time in Europe during the summer.
Jayne Chase: How Do You Relax?
Karen Solomon: Since relocating from Chicago, embracing the outdoors and warm coastal weather has become such an important part of my daily rhythm. I love staying active; long walks and Pilates are staples in my routine and the perfect way to begin the day. Evenings are for slowing down and enjoying time with friends; usually over dinner and a glass of prosecco.
Jayne Chase: What’s Your Favorite Detail You’ve Added to Your Collection?
Karen Solomon: One of my favorite additions has been the KS Palm Design Games Table. It came about after a client requested a custom piece, and it gave me the opportunity to design something truly unique. It is by far one of the most fun and distinctive pieces I have.
DAVID PATRICK COLUMBIA
SPOONS ACROSS AMERICA'S WINTER HAT LUNCHEON IN PALM BEACH
Catherine Carey and Michele Rella
Ashley Zachem, Kaleta Blaffer, and Lindsay Press
Jacky Ferro and Kristin Urrutia
Sarah Wetenhall, Katherine Gage Boulud, and Valesca Guerrand-Hermes
Molly Simmons and Stephanie D’Agostino
Elizabeth Meigher and Kaytlynn Gorson
Sofiia Tela and Dora Molnar
Ruth Miller and Sylvia Hemingway
Katy Duckworth and Farley Rentschler
Margaret Caldwell and Danielle Rollins
VIENNA
MICHAEL OSTUNI
Michael Bladerer, Cynthia Sculco, and Endre Steger
Susan Gillan and Susan Lucci
Stephane Dalyac and Theodora Simons
Marife Hernandez and Albert Simmons Guillaume Kientz and Barbara De Portago
Casey Cole Ray and Timolin Cole Augustus Sterling Hamill and Alexandra Kauka Hamill
Hannah Cho, Joel Bell, and Christine Moser
Max Jahn and Caroline Jahn
PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY'S GALA IN NEW YORK
258 Hardscrabble Rd
North Salem, NY
TAMOSET
A truly magical setting overlooking a scenic pond. Long drive to peaceful privacy. Six spectacular acres with rolling lawns, new dock, and indoor/outdoor pool. This sophisticated country house was originally built in the 1930’s. Listing Price: $2,275,000
Diana, Princess of Wales, 1992.
Photographed by Harry Benson.
IT SEEMS LIKE
YESTERDAY
IN THE PHOTOGRAPH here, taken in 1992 for LIFE magazine, Princess Diana was attending a forgettable formal event with her husband, Prince Charles. I liked this photograph the best from that evening, but others show the Prince looking so completely bored that it is amusing.
Not only did the world love Princess Diana, the British Fleet Street photographers loved her even more. She would often call her favorites and tell them where she would be that day (possibly to outdo her estranged ex-husband).
An interesting story shared by a colleague: one cold night, she stood in Covent Garden until a photographer who had been camped out all night waiting for her to arrive fixed a jammed camera and got his picture.
And I viewed her compassion for her fans firsthand. In June 1992, when the Princess was in Scotland on an official visit to Glasgow, my hometown, she visited Erskine Hospital, where soldiers who had been injured were being treated. I was standing outside the hospital with a group of photographers when one said to me, “Save your film. Don’t bother taking a photograph until she passes that little girl in the white dress standing nearby. I guarantee she will kneel down, and then we will get a picture.” And that is just what happened. u
HARRY BENSON
AMONG THE ROYALS
LET’S CHANGE THE SUBJECT from what Bibi wants and what the Donald gets for him, while hoping some interim government in Iran stops the bloodshed. Here’s some old news: With the exception of the frightful weather, the hypocrisy that masquerades for good manners, and their Ancient Roman–style dentistry practices, what I find exasperating about many Brits is their propensity for royal bootlicking. Men and women who otherwise should know better seem to go weak at the knees when some mini-brained royal appears. The British monarchy, needless
to say, consists of a dysfunctional and until recently a physically unattractive family, yet down on their knees they go— grown men and women like peasants of yore, Uriah Heaps all, with no shame—as if they’re witnessing the second coming. Having spent more than 40 years in merrie olde England—and having made many of my truly close friends there—I’ve met most of the royal clan. Hence I speak with some knowledge, but certainly no expertise. The family’s greed is astounding. Charles pockets truly disgusting sums from huge properties covering industrial
as well as agricultural lands. The royals own dozens of grand estates paid for by the state. Everything is privately controlled yet paid for with public money.
I became a friend of Diana, had her at home for dinner many times, and attended some of her bashes at KP, (the acronym for Kensington Palace among snobby insiders). Diana was a nice person, in over her head, and treated abominably by her husband. (He trampled on the first commandment of adultery: You treat the betrayed wife with great kindness and respect.) I had the bad luck
From left: Prince Andrew and King Charles; Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein.
to meet Princess Margaret, described by her own hubby Tony Snowden as looking like “a Jewish manicurist.” I’d say a bit shorter than the average manicurist, but then I’m no expert in that particular field. Margaret pulled rank non-stop and was a rude, demanding, bitter and unhappy woman. Her sister the queen was dignified, cold, and kept up appearances to the last. Her husband Philip was humorous, intelligent, and the only respectable male of the bunch.
David Tang, invited me for lunch at Harry’s Bar, back then owned by a friend and the best eatery in London. Upon arrival, I noticed a couple of dukes, some society ladies, and a beaming Tang, who placed me on his right. Everything was hunky-dory until dessert time, when a flushed and apologetic Sarah, still back then Duchess of York, arrived rather flustered. I stood up, thanked Tang and made my excuses to leave.
“But the whole purpose of the lunch was for Sarah to meet you,” spluttered Tang.
“She sure took her time about it,” answered yours truly. At the time I was Atticus on the London Sunday Times,
classification than any drug. Members of Parliament who used to grovel, bow, and scrape now are demanding Andrew’s head. Charles III is leading the mob; he has half a dozen palaces and untold billions all paid for by the state to protect. The whole place stinks, starting from the top.
It took a blackmailing American pimp to bring down part of the Windsor mystique, but then Epstein also managed to ruin a naïve-about-women Larry Summers and that fool Bill Gates. I say “fool” because he keeps apologizing. What for? So he got cozy with a couple of mature Russians—so what? Is that now a no-no? (And am I the only one to have written that Epstein was a pimp and a
ple of times, and he was, well, a pompous bore, uninteresting and full of himself, and without the handle up front you’d probably hand him your stub at the movie entrance. Has the vilification by the media gone too far? Absolutely. Andrew’s excuse, as far as I’m concerned, is his extreme stupidity. Being as dumb as he is, he allowed his greed to go unchecked, with the satanic Epstein and La Maxwell egging him on. The only person I know who is dumber than Andrew is his ex-wife Fergie, whom pious prigs of the gutter press used to praise to the skies, but the once ghastly suck-ups now crucify every chance they get.
Fergie and I met under strange circumstances. A now-dead Chinese tycoon,
and Fergie had been caught having her toes sucked by John Brian, an American who had already taken me to the cleaners and was “advising” Sarah on her investments. I had lots of fun writing about it. Hence a rather very expensive lunch, paid for by Tang on his way to be knighted for services to broken-down royals.
The meeting was short. I told Fergie that it was nothing personal and I would try and lay off her outrageous behavior, only to justify Tang’s expensive lunch. I kept my word, and she continued to be caught non-stop in dishonest money schemes and embarrassing sexual triangles. The Epstein e-mails, however, seem to have sunk the unsinkable Fergie for good. Snobbery is far stronger in Britain as a behavior altering
blackmailer before he got caught?)
The media that never knows anything until after the fact now paints the pimp’s life as an elitist group’s excesses. This is totally false. There was nothing elitist about Epstein and his crowd, just nonstop sleaze. The girls were underage, naïve, poor, and needy, not pretty, but quite desperate. Epstein’s houses were badly decorated with cheap furniture and very ugly and bad paintings. There was not a single beautiful object, including the females, anywhere near him. Hogarth painted very ugly people in very ugly situations. Epstein’s crowd would have been a perfect setting for good old Hogarth. ◆
Clockwise from bottom left: Sir David Tang; Sarah Ferguson; Harry’s Bar; Diana, Princess of Wales.
RichardJohnson@questmag .com
Table @ SWIFTY’s
RICHARD JOHNSON has settled in at Palm Beach’s Pink Paradise (otherwise known as the legendary Colony Hotel). He is penning a column from his table at Swifty's.
REID BOREN, co-founder of Two Roads Real Estate Group, is a standup guy who’s widely respected (and liked!) throughout the Palm Beach business and charitable circles. Among his many local philanthropies, Boren has been a member /director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach for 27 years. Recently, over $7 million was raised at the clubs’ 45th annual Winter Ball at The Breakers, after Steve Wynn, whose stunning wife Andrea was a
gala co-chair, grabbed the mic and announced, “I hope you older boys are feeling generous tonight because I’ll match with $1 million the first ten of you who give $100,000.” The contrarian and canny investor, John Paulson, quickly raised his hand, and then Tommy Hilfiger grabbed a microphone to shout: “I’ll give $100,000 - in clothing.” Next up, fund manager Thomas Peterffy anxiously matched Wynn’s offer for the full million. More
generous pledges kept rolling in. Boren, ever the refined professional, was directing the auction alongside the ubiquitous Tommy Quick, “It all happened in the blink of an eye,” Boren told me over lunch at Swifty’s. He was gobsmacked by the response, imagining the new clubhouse that these funds would soon construct. The black tie crowd included Sylvester Stallone, benefit cochair Amy and husband Bret Baier, Steve Schwarzman and
Chris Flowers, plus our former and still much respected Ambassador to France, Howard Leach and his lovely wife Gretchen, herself a former Ball Chair. I'd heard that several Manhattanites in The Breakers ballroom were slackjawed, as few benefits up North have ever raised that kind of money. I glanced at Boren, who knowledgeably returned my look with a big smile. The tide has turned, or at the least it’s ebbing South.
1. Wally Turner, Reid Boren and Tom Quick
2. Boys & Girls Clubs' Winter Ball at The Breakers
3. Max M. Fisher Boys & Girls Club of Riviera Beach
HENRY FLAGLER made a fortune with Standard Oil, and then had a second career, developing Florida through his railroads and luxury communities.
Flagler built a railroad that first went as far as St. Augustine, and then forged its way through the Florida Keys. It manifested itself in Whitehall, the grand Beaux Arts estate he built in Palm Beach during 1902 for his wife, Mary Lily Kenan Flagler. Whitehall was outfitted with such newfangled inventions as electricity and flush toilets, and this same legendary structure is now known as the Flagler Museum. “Whitehall is the origin story that reminds us what
makes this place so special,”
Amanda Skier, the museum’s director and CEO, told me recently over lunch at Swifty’s.
Back then, the season in Palm Beach then was just six weeks, ending around George Washington’s birthday with an opulent ball at Whitehall and featuring ladies dressed up as Marie Antoinette; this annual gala was truly the beginning of Palm Beach's charity circuit. Whitehall is a landmark of the Gilded Age, with 75 rooms spread over ~100,000 sq. feet and was the first brick building in Palm Beach.
Flagler died in 1913 after falling down a flight of marble stairs at Whitehall, at the age
of 83, and his wife, Mary Lily Kenan, died four years later.
The mansion, on seven acres on the Intracoastal Waterway, was saved from demolition in 1959 by one of Henry Flagler's granddaughters, Jean Flagler Matthews, and it remains one of Palm Beach's most historic sites.
Today, the museum preserves and interprets the legacy of Henry Flagler's era and the world he helped to create. Besides 400,000 objects — furniture, art, costumes and archival materials — the museum's pavilion houses Flagler’s private Railcar "No. 91," built in Delaware in 1886.
“Americans of the era didn’t
merely display their wealth, they wanted to show off their culture,” Skier said. "And they curated their culture to match it." Under Skier's leadership, the Museum is balancing scholarship with community engagement. High profile exhibit collaborations and a revamped programming network center on three core precepts that balance Flagler's Gilded Age with the contemporary moment: design, philanthropy, and innovation. "We are experiencing strong momentum, with membership forecasted to increase by more than a third by the end of this season," said Skier. Indeed, Henry Flagler would be proud.
CHRISTOPHER LEAVITT, a Douglas Elliman super-agent, described this winter’s market as “short, fast, and furious … it’s totally insane.”
After 15 years as a top ranked NYC broker, Leavitt has built lasting relationships that have steered savvy New York buyers to add Palm Beach into their portfolios. Currently, Leavitt
ner, Ashley McIntosh, are managing sales for the chic and future occupants of the uber exclusive Ritz-Carlton Residences in downtown West Palm Beach. The Ritz glamorously overlooks the Intercoastal Waterway, and true to its name boasts luxury goodies and amenities that knock the socks off its Gucci-loafered owners. Ever the consummate gent, Leavitt is occasionally seen on Trivia Night at Swifty’s where his breadth of arcane knowledge is admired and often carries the day ... and evening. Recently, he’s had Palm Beach home buyers get into bidding wars even after a property has gone under signed contract. “You could call it March Madness,” said Leavitt. And it has nothing to do with college basketball.
WHEN FORBES reported Mar-a-Lago is now worth $560 million it didn’t surprise Palm Beach’s savviest real estate experts.
Stewart Satter bought four vacant lots in Manalapan a few years ago for $5 million apiece. Today they are each
worth $30 million.
“People thought I was crazy,” he told me. “If I had known what was going to go on with the values, I would have bought the whole town.”
Satter bought a parcel stretching from the ocean to the Intracoastal
just north of Larry Ellison’s estate for $27.5 million. Now it’s valued at $285 million, and he’s in no rush to build, nor to sell.
“The longer I wait, the more it will be worth,” he told me. “There’s nothing more available.”
1. Stewart Satter’s $285 million mansion
2. Stewart Satter
1. Christopher Leavitt
2. Ritz-Carlton Residences, West Palm Beach
KYLE CLIFFORD knows what he’s talking about when it comes to HIV. Now 52, he came out as gay at the age of 19 and has been living with the virus for over two decades.
Now the CEO of amfAR, he noted over lunch at Swifty’s, “For me, this is more than a job. This is the real deal. I am grateful to be alive—grateful to be able to go to work each day.”
The foundation is currently preparing for its March 28th benefit at the Palm Beach home of Chris and Anne Flowers, featuring performances by John Legend and Gloria Gaynor. Christie Brinkley
will host the evening, while Amy and Bret Baier are set to be honored. “People come for the party and stay for the cause,” Clifford said. Now in its fifth year, the fundraiser has previously featured performers including Ricky Martin, Christina Aguilera, Sting, and Kelly Clarkson.
Founded in 1985 by Mathilde Krim and Elizabeth Taylor, amfAR hosts major benefits in Palm Beach, Venice, Cannes, Dallas, and London. To-date its global donor network has helped the organization raise nearly $1 billion for lifesaving research.
Clifford, who has completed the New York City Marathon twice, insists the work is far from over. “We are near the finish line. We have to pull it together and close this deal for the next generation. We need to put this in the history books.”
He emphasized that amfAR’s work serves as a vital blueprint for modern medicine. By providing critical early-stage funding, the organization is not only advancing HIV cure research but also investing in adjacent fields— accelerating breakthroughs in viral diseases, neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s,
and age-related research in cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Where other organizations, burdened by bureaucracy, might spend 18 months evaluating research proposals, amfAR moves with the speed of the private sector. “We turn them around in three months,” Clifford said. The foundation isn’t interested in profits, just in cures. “We don’t want ownership of the findings; we want them shared. We break down the silos and democratize the data. We are comfortable with failure—but we are hopeful for a cure.” How refreshing!
1. Kyle Clifford 2. Bret and Amy Baier 3. amfAR Gala Palm Beach
HIS NAME IS Robert Dominick, but his customers just use his last name.
Now 44, he started cutting hair at the age of 16 as a kid from Brooklyn.
Having worked with John Barrett at Bergdorf Goodman, and Frederic Fekkai at Henri Bendel, he is now at The Brazilian Court overseeing a busy salon where revenues have increased by
seven fold.
“I thought it would be slower in Florida, more relaxed … an easier pace.
It’s not,” Dominick said.
He travels to one customer to snip his locks on his yacht. “One sports owner flies me to New York every other week to cut his hair.”
Then there’s the real estate broker who’s on TV. “He comes to me every day to get styled.”
It’s good that Dominick truly enjoys making men look their best. “I love what I do,” says the holder of a Master Barber license, whose devoted client list is a virtual “Who’s Who” of Palm Beach County.
Part of the challenge is figuring out what each customer needs. Dominick keeps a fully stocked liquor cabinet (with
Cuban cigars) for men with a thirst, or in need of a smoke.
“I will get a feel for what their job is like, or their personality,” he said.
“You’re not simply walking in, sitting in a chair, and saying ‘I’ll have a number three’ - just before they chop your locks off”.
To schedule Dominick, email RobertDominickHair@ gmail.com. ◆
1. Robert Dominick
2. Dominick's setup at the Brazilian Court
IRISH GEORGIANS IN PALM BEACH
THIS YEAR’S IRISH GEORGIAN invasion of Palm Beach was notable in several respects. First it was the swan song of IGS America president Johnny Sullivan, who after stabilizing the Irish Georgian Society and securing the future for its ambitious conservation and preservation programs, is stepping down in favor of Irish-born Jaffa Marbles magnate Desmond Keogh, marking the transition from a northeastern and midwestern leadership to a Florida-based one, very much in line with contemporary Irish-American demographics. Johnny
and his beautiful wife Nonie will continue to be involved but can also tend to his many other projects such as judging Jupiter Island dog shows, riding horses, or playing Joey Bishop in the Hobe Sound Follies.
This year’s festivities began on March 15th with a sumptuous smoked salmon and lemon chicken dinner at Club Colette. The keynote speaker was Ned Guinness, head of the Irish brewing family, whose new book, GUINNESS: A Family Succession, tells the fascinating story of how his ancestor
From left: Nonie and Johnny Sullivan; Denis and Annabelle Coleman.
From above: Kimberly Hogan with Bud and Kipper Hendrick; Annette and Emma Lester.
Arthur built a single brewery in St. James Gate, Dublin, in the 18th century into what over future generations became a global empire including plants in Nigeria and Malaysia with an estimated 1.8 billion pints of stout drunk every year. The book was published by Ned’s glamorous companion, Katie Channon’s Scala Arts and Heritage publishers. Among the auction items sold were a luxury cruise through Ireland including stays at Dublin’s Merrion Hotel, the luxurious Ballyfin Demesne, and County Cork’s Castlemartyr Resort.
Among the revelers were Austin and Marti Sullivan, Van Burger, Lori Laub, Harriet McDonough, and Lydia Kimball.
On St. Patrick’s Day, March 17th, the scene shifted to The Beach Club where at lunch Adrian Tinniswood spoke on his impressively illustrated tome, The Houses of Guinness family fortune grew so did the family’s philanthropy and its many houses, including such major properties as Ashford Castle, Elveden Hall, and Castletown House, Ireland’s finest Georgian country house. Among the prominent attendees were Tom Rooney of the Pittsburgh Steelers clan and “John John” Erne, the Earl of Erne, who owns the gorgeous Crom Castle in County Fermanagh.
All in all it was a fantastically successful pair of parties and a happy harbinger of the Irish Georgian Society’s pros perous future.
From above: Susan Burke and Ned Dukehart; Cristina and Desmond Keogh.
QUEST Fresh Finds
BY BROOKE KELLY MURRAY & ELIZABETH MEIGHER
AS THE PALM BEACH social season slips into its final act and New York begins to stir with the first signs of spring, it’s the perfect moment to embrace a touch of sparkle. Whether layered delicately for day or worn boldly after dark, jewelry becomes the perfect punctuation for the season ahead.
Dress. $5,990 at oscardelarenta.com.
at viacoquina.com.
Hamilton Jewelers’ Private Reserve Collection Platinum and 18k Gold Multi Color Sapphire 34.18 Total Weight Bracelet. $79,500 at hamiltonjewelers.com.
A vibrant celebration of color and craftsmanship, this fabulous 18ct yellow gold ring by Elizabeth Gage features a dazzling octagon-shaped faceted aquamarine. $33,600 at elizabeth-gage.com.
Oscar de la Renta’s Porcelain Flower Faille Cocktail
Elena Votsi 18k Gold, Turquoise, and Lapis Lazuli Earrings. $9,950
Enjoy the Spa Luxe Getaway at Casa de Campo Resort & Villas! Escape to the Dominican Republic and indulge in a sanctuary of serenity. The Spa Luxe Getaway is designed for those who seek the perfect blend of relaxation and refined comfort—an invitation to unwind, restore, and rediscover balance surrounded by the timeless beauty of the Caribbean haven. For more information, visit casadecampo.com.do.
Brunello Cucinelli’s Blazer ($6,550), Knitwear ($1,650), Belt ($1,300), Suit ($6,150), and Loafers ($1,450). Visit Brunello Cucinelli’s boutqiue at 683-689 Madison Avenue in New York. Call 212.813.0900 for availability.
Barton & Gray Mariners Club offers an assortment of membership options. 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. Visit bartonandgray.com.
Stubbs & Wootton’s Tennis Crest Navy Velvet Slippers. $625 at stubbsandwootton.com.
Vacheron Constantin’s Overseas Self-Winding 41mm (4520V/210R-B967). $69,000 at greenleafcrosby.com.
Coming this summer! The first-ever, all electric BMW iX3 SUV. Up to 400 miles of range per charge, 463hp, 0-60 in 4.7 seconds! It’s the BMW Neue Klasse platform with amazing technology you’ll love. Contact Braman BMW West Palm Beach & Jupiter for more information. Visit BramanBMW.com.
3.14 Total Carat Weight Pear Shape Fancy Yellow & Colorless Diamond Drop Earrings (Two Tone). $39,000 at shrevecrumpandlow.com.
The Flagler Museum’s Golden Hour: Charles Courtney Curran and the Romance of American Impressionism exhibition on view in Whitehall’s Music Room in Palm Beach. The Spring exhibition blends the elegance of the Gilded Age with the airy brushwork of American Impressionism, offering a luminous vision of summer at its most poetic. For more information, visit flaglermuseum.org.
thecolonyedit.com.
TAMARA COMOLLI’s SNOWFLAKES Leaf Pendant in ‘Primaluce,’ featuring Rose Gold with colored Sapphires. Price upon request at us.tamaracomolli.com.
Ralph Lauren Collection’s Silk Dress ($5,290), Leather Sandals ($950), Choker ($690), and Earrings with Pearls ($390). Visit ralphlauren.com.
Save the date for Legends of Landscape at The Society of the Four Arts on April 22nd at 3 p.m. Enjoy an irreverent and informative conversation about 100 years of combined experience behind the hedges of some of the world’s greatest estates with landscape architects Jorge Sanchez, Fernando Wong, and Mario Nievera. This program is a must for anyone who loves plants, beautiful gardens and magnificent homes! Visit fourarts.org.
The Colony Hotel’s Beachcomber Hat. This classic woven straw lifeguard hat will keep you looking effortlessly chic while its oversized brim provides the ultimate in sun protection. $175 at
Pelimingo’s Palm Beach Collar 14k ($3,800) adorned with light blue topaz and diamond accent pieces ($350-$485). Visit pelimingopalmbeach.com.
Asprey’s 167 Button Pendant in 18ct Yellow Gold with Emerald and Diamonds. $6,250 at asprey.com.
Tucked away on quiet South Summer Street in Edgartown village, The Charlotte Inn in Martha’s Vineyard is exquisitely appointed with fine art, English antiques, luxurious linens, and fresh flowers—a romantic reflection of a bygone era. Visit thecharotteinn.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.
In the heart of Harbour Island, the legendary Rock House hotel sits perched above the harbor. Guests wake to island breezes on private terraces overlooking the bay, savor island-inspired dishes in the garden courtyard, and take leisurely five-minute strolls to the famous three-mile pink sand beach. Paired with the genuine warmth of the staff, it’s more than an island escape: it’s a welcome home. For more information, visit rockhousebahamas.com.
Pragnell’s Origins Pink Diamond Cuff Earrings in 18ct Yellow Gold. $20,826 at pragnell.co.uk.
An ethereal sage green chiffon gown with delicate draping and a defined waist with detachable belt, designed to move effortlessly with grace. $6,720 at kiton.com.
Classic
PAULINE BAKER BOARDMAN PITT could have easily rested on her Palm Beach legacy-laden laurels; instead, she chose the more admirable path of giving back and pitching in - making an indelible impact in her charitable contributions, cultural commitments and community support. Pauline’s inherent propriety and innate Christain ethic have touched many institutions (and individuals) throughout Palm Beach County, and her can-do attitude and natural likability have earned her the unofficial but most deserving sobriquet as “The Queen of Palm Beach”.
HARRY BENSON
From above: Pauline Pitt with Bean, photographed by Harry Benson; Pauline Pitt looking out on Lake Worth on the cover of January 2003 Quest.
PALM BEACH ISSUE
Regarding her long standing relationship with the Historical Society, Pauline recalls: “Years ago, my dearest deceased brother Anthony Baker introduced me to the Society, as he was fascinated by the architecture of the building that in the 1920s had been the West Palm Beach courthouse. Unfortunately, by the early 1970s, this magnificent structure was denuded and stripped of its columns, cornices and charm, and rather unattractively patched up with a total lack of taste. A few decades later, someone remembered that the bulding’s architectural elements had been deposited in a grave yard (!), which is when caring souls like my Step-Grandmother Dorothy Spreckels (married to my grandfather, Charles A. Munn) gave and raised the funds to bring the ‘courthouse’ back to its former glory”.
Pauline’s enthusiastic recollection is an inspiring story, typical of our American spirit and determination. It’s evidenced by the unprecedented expansion of our beloved community, that continues to be bolstered by generous leaders like Pauline Baker Pitt. The Historical Society of Palm Beach County, and Quest salute the commitment of our modest, dedicated and much revered “Queen”. ◆
Classic
Clockwise from top right: Historical Society’s Richard and Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum; Pauline Pitt and Jerry Seay; Leonard Lauder and Pauline Pitt at the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach’s annual ball, 2021; Pauline Pitt; Pauline Pitt and Aerin Lauder at Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League’s 2025 Christmas Ball.
FROM LENS TO
CYBELE IS A self-taught artist whose practice resides at the sophisticated intersection of architectural photography and expressionist painting. Her creative trajectory began with a Minolta—a gift from her father, a renowned European publisher and photographer who designed the very advertisements for the camera he placed in her hands. This foundational connection to the lens sparked a lifelong obsession with the monumental: the cathedrals of Europe, the storied histories of Palm Beach, and the industrial bones of New York City.
A New Yorker for over two decades with a twenty-year history in Palm Beach, Cybele spent the formative years of an illustrious career documenting the cobblestone streets and architectural bones of Tribeca. These early photographic works were celebrated for their “painterly” depth that seemed to transcend the medium, establishing her as a keen observer of the city’s silent histories and earning her placement within prestigious galleries and historic landmarks alike.
It was a recurring observation from her collectors—that her photographs “felt like paintings,” which sparked a visceral evolution in her craft. Driven to push the boundaries of the captured image, Cybele began an intuitive self-taught journey (and quest!) into the world of canvas and pigment, teaching herself how to “paint her photos” imbuing static
structures with a dynamic, whimsical playful energy that brings the stone and steel to life.
Today, her work focuses on uncovering the “souls” of iconic buildings that hold deep personal and cultural significance. She translates the storied history and noble lines of these powerful landmarks into high-energy compositions that pulse with memory playfulness and color. In a poetic full circle, her pieces are frequently exhibited within the very structures she has painted, creating a living dialogue between the physical architecture and her artistic interpretation. Whether through the lens or the brush, Cybele remains dedicated to a study of connection, discovering a timeless joy celebrating the magnificent structures that define our world. ◆
For more information, contact Cybele Kadagian at Ckadagian@gmail.com.
Paintings by Cybele. Clockwise from left: La Goulue; Ta-boo; Tiffany & Co. Opposite page: The Colony Hotel.
ECLECTIC AESTHETIC
BY ROBERT JANJIGIAN
FOR THE PAST several years, Marisa Berenson has expressed herself through the medium of finely crafted and organic precious jewelry. “The pieces are a reflection of what I see as beautiful,” says the model and actress, once proclaimed the “It Girl” of the 1970s by the late designer Yves Saint Laurent.
Berenson says her jewelry designs are inspired by what she discovers on her extensive travels around the globe, and what she finds on her excursions through Marrakech, where she is based for part of the year. “One could say that my creative genes are inherited,” she explains, noting that her grandmother was the seminal fashion force Elsa Schiaparelli. Marisa is very hands on during the process of creating the jewelry pieces, working along with artisans in her studio to oversee their look and features.
She strives to give the jewelry a sense of energy,
including talismans, charms, and eclectic elements of beads, silver, gold, Mother of Pearl and other gemstones. The result is a multidimensional statement that is personal for her and for the wearer.
“Women who wear my pieces are meant to be adorned, to feel beautiful, look wonderful, glamorous and unique.”
Berenson’s jewelry collection is sold at Urban Zen boutiques attached to Tutto Il Giorno in Sag Harbor, New York, and at Tutto Mare in Palm Beach. ◆
Clockwise from left: Marisa Berenson Jewelry, turquoise ember necklace: amber colored resin beads with raw blue turquoise stones, small crystal details with gold-toned metal, pearl necklace: white and cream baroque pearls. Opposite page: Marisa Berenson. For price inquires, email lampedia@gmail.com.
WORDS AND PICTURES
WRITTEN & ILLUSTRATED BY DUNCAN MCLAREN
TREES, IN THE Dominican Republic, birds and a view from a private house in Palm Beach are where these sketches were drawn, the happiest days in the sun, away from cold England.
Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic, has a beautiful old centre and the house that Columbus lived in when on the island in 1492 is a gem. It is exceptionally well designed for his use then and could easily be copied for today’s life, it’s so simple with no wasted space and in the colonial part of the city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The island, known as the gateway to the Caribbean, has a long history of Spanish occupation, then independence in 1844. Many changes until 1916 when it became a free nation, a US invasion in 1965, that
ended in August of that year.
1992 marked the 500th anniversary of Columbus’ discovery of the Americas. The Ozama River divides the capital into East and West with the old part in the west.
The area I know best is the area around Casa de Campo, the surrounding land, hills and fields nearby. Altos de Chavón is an enchanting fantasy village perched high up in the hills 300 feet above the Chavón River, a replica of a 16th century Italian village, its houses, shops, church and forum a joy to wander around.
There are many birds inhabiting this beautiful island, resident and migrant, resting and refuelling en route to southerly wintering and northern breeding grounds.
From Pico Duarte, the highest mountain in the
Caribbean, to Lago Enriguillo 40 metres below sea level; isolated forests, pine, and dry forests, then woodlands of acacia and cactus.
Sand dunes, mudflats and mango swamps.
The trees I have drawn are palms, pine and plain trees that bend to the storms and hurricanes of this region.
The sunny days and early light makes the artist’s task wonderfully easy. I have had the luck to come to this island many times. To experience the joy of riding through the tall sugar cane fields with the mountains in distant relief against a thunderous sky while on horse in the sunshine, is one of the more dramatic memories of this extraordinary island.
It’s beautiful. Full stop. ◆
THE RITZ-CARLTON RESIDENCES, WEST PALM BEACH
Where Legendary Service Meets Coastal Luxury
ELEVATED COASTAL LIVING defines the first Ritz-Carltonbranded residential development in West Palm Beach. The 27-story Ritz-Carlton Residences, West Palm Beach (The Residences), located on Flagler Drive, has emerged as a standout in the luxury housing market, with 70% of residences already spoken for.
Perched along Flagler Drive, the tower offers 138 ultra-luxury residences, each oriented eastward to frame
uninterrupted views of the Atlantic Ocean. Exemplifying the Ritz-Carlton’s timeless elegance and meticulous standards, interiors are designed by the acclaimed Rockwell Group, with architecture by the renowned Arquitectonica. Reflecting The Ritz-Carlton’s legacy of hospitality, The Residences offer an immersive lifestyle guided by refinement, connection and wellbeing. Managed by dedicated Ritz-Carlton staff, every aspect is designed to support this vision, from spaces that encourage
socializing and relaxation, such as the dramatic bayfront pool deck, to areas dedicated to health and wellness, like the stateof-the-art fitness and wellness center.
Real estate visionaries Related Group and BH Group, in collaboration with Marriott International, broke ground on the development in February. In March, the development secured $200 million in construction financing, with completion anticipated in 2028.
“We’ve surpassed $150 million in sales in the last six months, underscoring just how strong the West Palm Beach market has become – and how the Ritz-Carlton Residences, West Palm Beach is at the heart of that momentum,” said Nick Pérez, President of Related Group’s Condominium Division. “Having worked in this market for decades, we’ve seen West Palm Beach evolve into one of the most talked-about luxury destinations in South Florida. We knew this project would resonate, but it quickly emerged as one of the fastest-selling developments in our portfolio. We’re excited to see this trajectory continue.”◆
Clockwise from above: View of Ritz-Carlton Residences, West Palm Beach; Ritz-Carlton Residences construction site; lobby lounge. Opposite page, clockwise from above: BH Group and partners celebrate the groundbreaking of the Ritz-Carlton Residences, West Palm Beach; a living room; Kids Room.
MARKET MINDS: PALM BEACH & GREENWICH
DANA KOCH
Corcoran / 561.379.7718 / dana.koch@corcoran.com
THE KOCH FAMILY is synonymous with elegant Palm Beach living. Pauline Koch, the well-known real estate broker beloved for her honesty and unparalleled standards, has passed this legacy to her son, Dana. Specializing in selling luxury residences, Dana’s deep knowledge of Palm Beach and its real estate market has consistently earned him Corcoran’s highest honors and recognition. With a strong background in finance and more than 16 years in the Palm Beach market, Dana is a trusted advisor to his clients. Having sold over $1 billion worth of real estate, he has built a reputation for exceptional services to his buyers and sellers. A member of Corcoran’s President’s Council, Dana ranks among the top 1% of agents nationwide. Experience the pinnacle of luxury living at Forte, West Palm Beach’s newest and most prestigious waterfront address. Located on the 22nd floor, this unit offers coveted unobstructed panoramic views of the city’s
skyline, Intracoastal waterway, and the Atlantic Ocean. This home features Italian custom kitchen and bath cabinetry, Sub-Zero® and Wolf® appliances, and Waterworks® fixtures. The master suite boasts his and her vanities and spacious walk-in closets. With a private elevator foyer, soaring 9’ - 10’ ceilings, and only two residences per floor, privacy and exclusivity are paramount at this exclusive address. Residents enjoy five-star amenities including a 75’ lap pool, his and her spas with steam, sauna, and private treatment rooms, a state-of-the-art fitness center and yoga studio, business center, and two furnished guest suites. Forte offers a 24-hour concierge, valet, lobby attendant, house cars, and EV charging stations for the ultimate convenience.
Forte’s 4-bedroom, 4.5 bath best value brand new luxury condo at 1333 S Flager Drive #2201, West Palm Beach, Florida; Dana Koch.
LIZA PULITZER & WHITNEY MCGURK
Brown Harris Stevens / 561.373.0666 or 561.310.7919 / lpulitzer@bhsusa.com or wmcgurk@bhsusa.com
THE PULITZER MCGURK team embodies the legacy of Palm Beach. Liza, daughter of iconic fashion designer Lilly Pulitzer and her business partner, Whitney, also born and raised in Palm Beach, reflect the island’s signature casual elegance. Before her highly successful real estate career, Liza was a dress designer for her mother’s eponymous company, while Whitney built his expertise marketing luxury brands in New York City. Deeply connected to the community, they have stepped inside nearly every house on the island and served on organizations and boards giving back to the community. To date, The Pulitzer McGurk team has achieved over a billion in sales and has
been named the Brown Harris Stevens Realtor Team of the Year since 2018.
Beautifully reimagined and thoughtfully designed, this exceptional residence is perfectly positioned on one of the premier lake blocks in West Palm Beach’s coveted SoSo neighborhood. Built in 2004, this beautifully designed home with custom wallpaper throughout offers five bedrooms and four-and-a-half baths across 4,567 square feet, set on a generous 10,000+ sq. ft. (80 x 125) lot.
From above: 225 Murray Road, West Palm Beach, Florida, $7,995,000; Liza Pulitzer and Whitney McGurk.
JOHN & LISA CREGAN
Sotheby’s International Realty / 847.651.7210 / john.cregan@sothebys.realty
Lisa and John Cregan are the ultimate real estate couple. The husband-and-wife team brings a unique blend of experience to Palm Beach real estate. Lisa is a nationally recognized journalist who has written for leading luxury interior magazines and authored seven home design books. John built a successful career on Wall Street helping bond portfolio managers at some of the country’s largest institutions navigate the interplay of interest rates and market dynamics. Together, their combined expertise has helped earn the distinction of the #1 Sotheby’s Palm Beach team. Their deep understanding of the Palm Beach market, paired with their own understanding and experience in renovations, decorating, neighborhoods and family life, at all stages, allows them to guide their clients with insight and confidence.
This apartment is uniquely situated at the beachfront end of Royal Palm Way. With views east to the blue Atlantic and unimpeded views north over the treetops to the Breakers, this home has over 2,000 square feet of living space and was renovated with an eye to make the most of the layout’s opportunities for sensational water views. You’ll wake to ocean sunrises from the primary bedroom and delight your guests with their bedroom’s own access to the water view terrace. The apartment has high ceilings, full impact glass and loads of storage space. Add in a full-time doorman and building manager, garage parking, and a back door gate to the beach, you’ll have one of the prettiest idyllic Palm Beach homes.
From above: 100 Royal Palm Way, # F4, Palm Beach, Florida, 2 beds, 2 baths, 2,410 sf, $4,990,000; John and Lisa Cregan.
A FOUNDING MEMBER of the Compass Greenwich office and of the Nantucket Advisory Group and member of the Sports & Entertainment Division of Compass, Shelly Tretter Lynch is recognized among the most accomplished luxury real estate advisors in Greenwich, Connecticut. With over 28 years of experience representing many of the region’s most distinguished properties, Shelly has built a reputation for delivering exceptional results for clients seeking the highest level of expertise, discretion, and personalized service. From the marketing and sales of premier estates across Greenwich and Fairfield County including those in Backcountry Greenwich to the area’s most coveted waterfront residences, her refined understanding of the luxury marketplace has made her a trusted advisor to an elite clientele. Now, Shelly has been asked to expand upon her marketing knowledge in other premier markets like Palm Beach and to spearhead projects and luxury properties.
Prior to joining Compass, Shelly served as a Senior Global Advisor at Sotheby’s International Realty, where she ranked in the top 0.5% of
agents worldwide. Her accomplishments have earned national recognition, including being named by The Wall Street Journal as one of the Top 50 Real Estate Agents in the United States—a distinction that reflects her consistent success representing exceptional homes and delivering extraordinary outcomes for her clients.
“Robin Hill Farm” sits at one of the highest elevation in Greenwich Connecticut. This gorgeous family compound is available on almost 15 acres of gardens (designed by landscape architect, Jacqueline Osty, known for beautifying many of the great parks and boulevards in Paris) paddocks, a riding ring, stables, indoor/outdoor pools, all weather tennis court and two ethereal fountains. The main house was oringinally designed and built by Augusta L. Noel (designer of the Whitney Museum) with additions over the years to create a lifestyle for today’s buyers. Asking price: $24,000,000.
From above: Robin Hill Farm, Greenwich, Connecticut; Shelly Tretter Lynch.
CRISTINA CONDON & KEVIN CONDON
Sotheby’s International Realty / 561.301.2211 or 646.457.8919 / cristina.condon@sothebys.realty or kevin.condon@sothebys.realty
KEVIN CONDON and his mother, Cris Condon, are a dynamic real estate duo. After a successful career in New York City, Kevin returned to Palm Beach to partner with his mother, one of the industry’s most accomplished brokers. Over the past decade, Cris has achieved more than one billion dollars in residential sales, earning a reputation for her tireless work ethic and optimistic approach. Together, mother and son are breaking records across the board with their deep knowledge of the market and straight forward approach, earning them loyalty from buyers and sellers. Kevin has achieved the highest price per square foot in residential sales of oceanfront condos, and co-ops, on and off the island and like his mother, is known for proactive marketing strategies, seamless transactions, and out-of-the-box creativity.
Both continue to receive industry accolades and rank among the nation’s top professionals.
This is one of the most beautiful properties in Palm Beach, available for an annual lease. Built in 1928, this coveted ocean block home on Clark Avenue features 8 bedrooms, 8 baths, 2 half baths, and is furnished and ready for a family to enjoy the best of Palm Beach living. A separate guest house with a bedroom and bath caps off this unique setting and along with the pool, stunning loggia, and glorious gardens, this property is perfect for year-round entertaining. Private beach access a few steps away makes for the ultimate Palm Beach experience. 11,500 square feet. Price Upon Request. u
From above: 110 Clarke Avenue, Palm Beach, Florida; Cristina and Kevin Condon.
BARTON & GRAY NAPLES SOCIAL
ON A WARM NAPLES evening along Florida’s Gulf Coast, Barton & Gray Members and friends gathered for Barton & Gray’s Naples Social, which blended the Club’s love of life on the water with the camaraderie that defines the membership experience.
The evening began offshore, where an armada of seven Barton & Gray yachts cruised out into the Gulf. Members stepped aboard the Club’s iconic Hinckley & Daychaser yachts and set out for a cruise, taking in the glowing sunset and coastal breezes that make Naples such a special harbor. With champagne and conversation flowing, the fleet created an unmistakable Barton & Gray presence on the water.
After returning to shore, the evening continued at Lola 41, one of Naples’ most sought-after dining destinations. Known for its vibrant atmosphere and globally inspired cuisine, the restaurant provided the perfect setting for the group of 80 Members and friends to gather, reconnect, and share a memorable
evening together.
Guests were welcomed into a private dining experience featuring a thoughtfully curated three-course dinner, where the restaurant’s bold, international flavors took center stage. From fresh seafood and inventive sushi to expertly prepared entrées, each course reflected the dynamic spirit that has made Lola 41 a local favorite.
As the evening unfolded, live music set the tone, creating a relaxed, celebratory energy that carried throughout the night. Members lingered over dessert, sharing stories from the water and enjoying the easy camaraderie that defines Barton & Gray gatherings.
Events like the Naples Social highlight what makes the Club unique: the seamless blend of boating, exceptional destinations, and unforgettable shared experiences. From a sunset cruise on the Gulf to a lively dinner among friends, it was an evening that perfectly captured the spirit of Barton & Gray. ◆
Clockwise from above: Fleet cruising the Gulf; dinner at Lola 41 Naples; Dave and Sandy Reif with Jeff and Kay Hanes; music from Jade Strings; Doug Gray and Tim Barton. Opposite page: Barton & Gray Fleet at The Naples Bay Resort & Marina.
APRIL
On April 15th, Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League will host its annual Happy Tails event at The Park in West Palm Beach at 6 p.m. For more information, visit peggyadams.org.
6
GOLF CLASSIC
Morselife Health System will host its Annual Golf Classic Awards Luncheon at Flagler Steakhouse at The Breakers Palm Beach at 1 p.m. For more information, call 561.242.4661.
9
SEAS OF POSSIBILITY
St. Jude Children’s Hospital will hold its ‘Seas of Possibility’ reception at The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach at 6 p.m. For more information, call 786.761.2343.
11
SELFLESS LOVE
Selfless Love Foundation will host its annual gala at the Mar-aLago Club in Palm Beach at 5:30 p.m. Selfless Love Foundation is a non-profit organization that leverages resources, expertise, and proven solutions to improve the child welfare system, creating opportunities for more foster youth to find their forever families and thrive in adulthood. For more information, visit selflesslovefoundation.org.
14
RECOGNITION DINNER
Town of Palm Beach United Way will hold its 35th Annual
Tocqueville Society Recognition
Dinner at the Sailfish Club at 6 p.m. By invitation. For more information, visit
On April 17th, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County will hold its annual Barefoot on the Beach event at The Beach Club at 7 p.m. For more information, visit bgcpbc.org.
palmbeachunitedway.org.
15
HAPPY TAILS
Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League will host its annual Happy Tails event at The Park golf course in West Palm Beach at 6 p.m. Swing by for wonderful cocktails, a buffet dinner, and spectacular golf course views—all to benefit the animals. The putting green will be open for guests. The Mission of Peggy Adams is to provide shelter to lost, homeless, and unwanted animals, to provide spay and neuter and other medical services for companion animals, and to care for, protect, and find quality homes for homeless and neglected companion animals, to advocate animal welfare, community involvement and education to further the bond between people and animals. For more information, visit peggyadams.org.
16
YAGP BALLET GALA
Youth America Grand Prix will hold its Stars of Today Stars of Tomorrow Gala at David
MAY
6
CPC HAT LUNCHEON
The Frederick Law Olmsted Awards Luncheon is the signature event of the Women’s Committee of the Central Park Conservancy, honoring Central Park’s biggest supporters and raising millions for the Conservancy’s care of the Park. On the first Wednesday each May, Women’s Committee supporters gather in the beautiful Conservatory Garden to celebrate spring and the City’s 843-acre backyard. As NYC’s premier luncheon, tickets to this event are available by invitation only to current Women’s Committee members. The 2026 edition will take place at 11 a.m. For more information, visit centralparknyc.org.
8
VIENNESE OPERA BALL
H. Koch Theater in New York. Misty Copeland will host. LoveShackFancy Founder and Creative Director, Rebecca Hessel Cohen, and former American Ballet Theatre, Melanie Hamrick, will be honored at the Gala led by Creative Chair Marcella Guarino Hymowitz. For more information, visit yagp.org.
17
BAREFOOT ON THE BEACH
The Boys and Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County will host its annual Barefoot on the Beach event at The Beach Club at 7 p.m. By invitation. The organization aims to enable all young people, especially those who need them most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Its vision is to provide a world-class Club experience that assures success is within reach of every young person who walks through its doors, with all members on track to graduate from high school with a plan for the future, demonstrating good character and citizenship, and living a healthy lifestyle. For more information, visit bgcpbc.org.
28
NY PHILHARMONIC GALA
New York Philharmonic will hold its Spring Gala honoring
Barbara Tober at David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center. For more information, call 212.870.8805 or email events@nyphil.org.
29
RESCUE BALL
Second Chance Rescue will host
its Rescue Ball at The Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers in New York. With the help of donors and supporters, the charity has saved the lives of over 16,000 animals from an unimaginable fate. For more information, visit nycsecondchancerescue.com.
The 70th anniversary of the Viennese Opera Ball will take place at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York at 8 p.m. The annual white tie charity gala celebrates the cultural relationship between Austria and America, connecting two continents, two cities, and two centuries in one glamorous night. For more information and reservations, visit vienneseoperaball.com.
On April 8th, the 70th anniversary of the Viennese
For more information, visit vienneseoperaball.com.
Opera Ball will take place at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York.
On May 6th, Central Park Conservancy’s Women’s Committee will host its annual Frederick Law Olmsted Awards Luncheon in the Conservatory Garden at 11 a.m. For more information, visit centralparknyc.org.
PRODUCED
&
WRITTEN
BY
BROOKE KELLY MURRAY
PHOTOGRAPHED BY
JULIE SKARRATT
HAIR & MAKEUP BY
KRISTINA FOREMAN
230 YEARS OF AMERICAN HERITAGE
Shreve, Crump & Low, the nation’s oldest jeweler and an enduring institution, marks a milestone in its storied history.
FOR GENERATIONS of Bostonians, Shreve, Crump & Low has been more than a jeweler—it has been a rite of passage. It is where engagements begin, where wedding registries are composed, where anniversaries are commemorated, and where family milestones quietly take on permanence in platinum and gold. This year, America’s oldest jeweler marks an extraordinary 230 years.
The firm’s distinguished legacy traces back to 1796, when silversmith John McFarlane opened a modest shop in Boston. Stewardship passed over time to John Low in 1822, William Shreve in 1855, and Charles Crump in 1869, whose partnership established the iconic name recognized today. Through each chapter, the house evolved while remaining steadfast in its devotion to quality and integrity.
The modern era began in 2006, when David Walker acquired the company. Raised in Wellesley, Massachusetts, where his father Frederick J. Walker operated a boutique jewelry shop, David grew up immersed in the trade. That early education fostered not only expertise, but reverence for the relationships at the heart of the business. After founding his own successful venture, David & Company, he seized the opportunity to carry forward Shreve’s storied heritage, recognizing it as a cornerstone of New England luxury.
brand’s values. “We go wherever we can to get the best value for our customers,” Brad explains, whether that means sourcing exceptional estate stones to remount, preserving original settings, or securing newly cut diamonds—an increasingly rare pursuit. Thanks to the firm’s longevity, premier vendors continue to seek them out, offering first access to remarkable stones at competitive prices.
To commemorate the anniversary, the house will debut a new collection, including a special-edition diamond custom cut from 18 carats to 17.96—a nod to its founding year. For Brian, the greatest achievement lies in stewarding a legacy that continues to grow. Brad reflects with pride on the family’s unity, noting that since their father’s passing in 2021, “we’ve stepped up to the plate, and the business has grown dramatically.” Olivia adds, “I’m proud to represent an American institution and to sell beautiful rarities to those who truly appreciate them.”
For our annual jewelry shoot, we spent the day with the Walkers at their Greenwich Avenue outpost, where history and elegance meet—proof that some shine brighter with time. u
Despite once cautioning his children about the industry’s demands, David ultimately welcomed Brian, Brad, and Olivia Walker into the fold, instilling in them a philosophy that prizes relationships over transactions. Today, the siblings serve as Managing Partners: Brian leads the flagship on Newbury Street, while Brad and Olivia oversee the Greenwich Avenue boutique, opened in 2014 in a community whose clientele mirrors the
a Daniel Roth Tourbillon Rose Gold
Olivia wears 10.35ct round brilliant cut studs, a 85.21ct Oscar Herman blue sapphire and diamond
a 46ct round brilliant cut opera length necklace, and a 25.43ct blue sapphire ring. Beside her on display is a 36ct double row diamond necklace, a 13.95ct antique Asscher cut diamond ring, and a 17.01ct radiant cut fancy yellow diamond ring. Brian wears Vacheron Constantin’s Overseas Ultra-Thin watch, REF. 2000V/120G-B122.
Vintage newspaper clipping on Shreve, Crump & Low’s original store in Boston. Opposite page: Brad Walker, Olivia Walker Lemieux, and Brian Walker. Brad wears
watch.
necklace,
Olivia dons a 55.25ct wide diamond bangle, a 10.11ct oval F, VS2 diamond ring, and a 25.43ct blue sapphire ring. On display are two boxes of rings from the Magnificent Jewels Collection as well as a 16.92ct Colombian emerald and 8ct diamond platinum bracelet (above), an Estate diamond and yellow gold and link bracelet hallmarked French (center), and a 44.20ct blue sapphire and 4.50ct diamond platinum bracelet (bottom). Beside them are a 28.27ct cushion no heat blue sapphire loose stone and a 7.01ct cushion no heat ruby loose stone. Opposite page, clockwise from top left: Frederick J. Walker with David Walker and his children Olivia, Brad, and Brian at David & Company in Wellesley, Massachusetts, circa 1995; an original 1950s Rhodochrosite clock; a 2007 ad showing Fenway Park’s Green Monster from the company’s Boston Landmarks campaign, comparing its longevity to another well-known local institution; a page from a vintage catalogue and an old business card.
This spread, clockwise from left: Brad,
and Brian looking through a scrapbook filled with Shreve, Crump &
historical archives with their mother, Antonella Walker; a letter from Shreve, Crump & Low’s President in 1950, regarding the company’s 150th anniversary year; a vintage sketch (left) and engraving styles; an ad from the company’s History Campaign featuring Jacqueline Kennedy
Olivia,
Low’s
Onassis.
Olivia holds the Large White Original Gurgling Cod Pitcher. In 1964, Shreve, Crump & Low introduced the Gurgling Cod Pitcher. The Gurgling Cods were modeled after a traditional English “glug jug,” which was relatively unknown in the United States. Turn one over and pour out water to hear this delightful sound. She wears Pomellato’s 18k Rose Gold Iconica
Diamond Hoop Earrings, vintage Tiffany & Co. Jean Schlumberger enamel bangle bracelets and rings, and a 13.95ct I VS2 antique step cut diamond platinum engagement ring. Opposite page: Brad and Brian Walker; Daniel Roth Tourbillon Rose Gold watch (inset).
Olivia wears 8ct Estate diamond floral earrings, rings from the Magnificent Jewels collection, a 140ct diamond blanket necklace, and an open link 83.38ct diamond platinum bracelet on her left wrist. On her right wrist, she wears a 22ct Old European cut Art Deco diamond bracelet in platinum (top), a 44.20ct blue sapphire and 4.50ct diamond platinum bracelet (center), and an Art Deco floral 16.38ct diamond bracelet (bottom). Opposite page: Brian Walker, Olivia Walker Lemieux, Antonella Walker, and Brad Walker at the Shreve, Crump & Low storefront at 125 Greenwich Avenue. See credits for Brian, Olivia, and Brad on page 103. Antonella wears 10.61ct pink cushion cut sapphire earrings, a 60.25ct diamond colorless Riviera necklace, an open link 83.38ct diamond platinum bracelet on her left wrist, an Art Deco floral 16.38ct diamond bracelet on her right wrist, and her own brooch and ring.
A GENTLEMAN’S ACTOR
BY RICHARD JOHNSON
GEORGE HAMILTON always knew how to impress people. As a young actor in Hollywood, he drove a 1939 Rolls Royce Phantom III Sedanka De Ville once owned by the British royal family.
It was a beautiful car, but his bosses at MGM thought it was too old.
“The studio got me a brand new Rolls,” Hamilton told me over lunch at Swifty’s (at The Colony, where I saw Kevin Spacey on the way in … quite the buzzy place!).
George continued: “The studio also said, ‘we want you to date the actresses we have under contract.’ That was like 65 or 70 girls. Holy Sh_t - I was the happiest human who ever lived.”
Hamilton was filming “Home From the Hill” with George Peppard in 1960 when a boy ran up to Peppard and asked him if he was a movie star.
“Peppard said, ‘No, I’m an actor.’ The kid asked me, ‘Are you an actor?’ I said, ‘No, I’m a movie star.”
True to his word, when various women came to our table to giggle and pose for selfies, Hamilton was more than just polite - he was funny and flirtatious.
He remembers Cary Grant giving him career advice, “Get a haircut.” And Fred Astaire telling him, “Get a good suit.” Robert Mitchum didn’t have any pointers. He told Hamilton one day on set, “I know the lines. I’m just too drunk
to say them. And by the way, just skip the makeup chair and get a real tan”.
When Hamilton was studying acting in New York, he stopped in a coffee shop one morning and bumped into Marilyn Monroe, who asked him to walk her to the Actors Studio.
As they walked, passersby recognized Hamilton, but paid no attention to Monroe, who was wearing a babushka covering her blonde hair.
She was much more famous than he was. “I asked her, ‘How come they recognize me, but not you?’ She took it off the scarf and bam!” With her blonde tresses unsheathed, there were suddenly screams of “Marilyn! Marilyn!”
Hamilton first came to Hollywood with his brothers and his mother Ann after she ditched her less-than-faithful husband. They drove cross-country in a baby blue 1953 Cadillac Coupe de Ville convertible.
“We visited all her ex-boyfriends. After dinner with one, she said, ‘Oh dear, he’s sadly let himself go.’ That’s just the way my mother rolled.”
The trip was made into the 2009 film “My One and Only” starring Renee Zellweger as his mother Ann, Kevin Bacon as his father Spike Hamilton, and Logan Lerman as George.
“My mother got a screen test in Hollywood with Clark Gable. She loved ‘Gone with the Wind’ and thought she was Scarlett O’Hara,” Hamilton said.
But reality was less enchanting. Gable was a disappointment. Ann said, “No selfrespecting woman would go out with a man in brown shoes.” Ann was a proper lady, and right to her end.
Hamilton realizes he’s a congenital snob. “With my mother, you’d think we were to the manor born. I try to wear blue jeans and pretend I’m a regular guy.” But he’s not.
When he got a call one day in 1989 about a role in Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Godfather III,” “I said I know this is an prank and hung up.” It wasn’t. Hamilton was cast as consiglieri to Michael Corleone (Al Pacino.)
One day, real life godfather John Gotti was on the set watching a scene where a young kid serves a drink to a mobster.
“Gotti walked over and kissed the kid on the forehead,” Hamilton recalled. “I said to Francis, ‘You better give this kid a bigger role.’”
When Hamilton dated Elizabeth Taylor for a year and a half in the 1980s, the studio called him and complained she was always late to the set.
“I suggested they drown her in gifts. So
… every day they had a little present for her. After that, was always on time.”
Hamilton never took himself too seriously, and he catered to the crowd, altering his persona from coast to coast.
“In Hollywood, I’m an actor pretending to be a socialite; and in Palm Beach, I’m a socialite pretending to be an actor.” Without doubt, he’s both. ◆
Clockwise from above: George Hamilton and Yvette Mimieux in Light in the Piazza , 1962; Katherine Bryan and George Hamilton; a young George Hamilton at Southampton Beach Club; Al Pacino and George Hamilton in The Godfather Part III , 1990. Opposite page: George Hamilton wears a bespoke Paolo Martorano jacket; George Hamilton, circa 1990.
FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE
BY GEORGINA SCHAEFFER
This page: The Romanov necklace. Inspired by a historic design from the House of Fabergé, the necklace is articulated in 18-kt. white gold with 2,145 white diamonds and 79 emeralds. The choker detaches from the collar, allowing the two necklaces to be worn separately. Opposite page: An assortment of high and fine pendants inspired by the House of Fabergé’s famous Imperial Easter Eggs, from left: Oeuf Impératrice Pompon Emeraude; a sketch of the “Serpent Egg;” Oeuf Zarista Diamants; Oeuf Blanc Impératrice Diamant.
THE HOUSE OF FABERGÉ has always spellbound great American collectors. J.P. Morgan, Consuelo Vanderbilt, and Henry Walters (who sailed his yacht up the River Neva to St. Petersburg just to pay a personal visit to the designer) are just a few of the Gilded Age collectors who sought out the designs of legendary goldsmith Peter Carl Fabergé. Though the house closed after the Russian Revolution, social doyennes including Marjorie Merriweather Post and Lillian Thomas continued to collect the fabulous Imperial Easter Eggs, for which Fabergé is perhaps best known. Other collectors have included Matilda Geddings Gray of Louisiana, India Early
Minshall of Ohio, and perhaps most notably the late Malcolm Forbes—whose collection of Imperial Easter Eggs was unrivaled.
In 2012, Fabergé opened its first store in the U.S. The boutique—formerly located at 694 Madison Avenue—and designed to balance the opulence of the Romanov tradition with the modern sensibility of today’s collector. A distinguished palette of gray and silver accented with regal purple evocative of the Romanov reign was coupled with a striking facade of champagne-colored lattice inspired by the Coronation Egg, one of the most famous Imperial Eggs originally designed for Tsar Nicholas II.
The boutique housed Fabergé’s current highand fine-jewelry collections, as well as timepieces, cufflinks, and silver. Designed by creative director and managing director Katharina Flohr, these one-ofa-kind jewelry pieces included necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings. The American fascination with this unique Russian master is set to continue for another generation of collectors. u
This page: The “Kokoshnik” bangle and corresponding sketches. The wide-cuff bangle is set in 18-kt. white gold and features 2,172 alexandrites, rubies, and diamonds totaling 95.38 carats.
Opposite page: The “Délices d’Eté” blue sapphire ring is set in 18-kt. white gold and features 342 multicolored sapphires and diamonds. The center stone is a 10.52-ct. cushion sapphire; the “La Lumière d’Eté” necklace and corresponding sketch. This single-strand necklace and pendant are composed with 18-kt. white gold, featuring 382 multicolored sapphires and white diamonds.
A LEGACY ETCHED IN STONE
BY ALEX TRAVERS
ELIZABETH GAGE, distinctive jewelry designer, a star in her world, has always been after color. Just about any color. From an early age, she was attracted only to the bright, beautiful things she loved. And one of those things was big, luminous jewelry, which she has created for over six decades.
As a designer who is never afraid to do things her own way, Elizabeth Gage founded her namesake jewelry business in 1964, after enrolling at Sir John Cass School of Art (now, London Metropolitan University), making her one of Britian’s longestworking jewelers. Today, each one of the brand’s pieces is designed and made in England, by hand, and by the same loyal teams of artisans who have been a part of her atelier for generations.
History and tradition have always been important to Elizabeth Gage, the well-established jewelry house that reflects the founder’s signature aesthetic. The brand draws inspiration from the art and objects of the Renaissance, Ancient Rome and Egypt, the Tudor period. Its bold, uniquely sculptural pieces push the
boundaries of traditional jewelry, making the work playful, contemporary, and timeless. Elizabeth Gage jewelry always tells a story, often incorporating enamels, 18- and 22-karat gold, and Baroque pearls, all exhibiting warmth and precision. The storied brand masterfully melds the natural and the man-made, color with texture. Which is why several of its pieces sit in the permanent collection of London’s Victoria and Albert Museum today. There is also a showroom to visit, filled with the brand’s elegant pieces, located at 5 West Halkin Street in London.
Recent pieces, some of which are pictured here, shine bright and expertly incorporate the founder’s design codes. A pair of multi-colored stone earrings, for instance, set with an artful arrangement of differently shaped gemstones. Each just as interesting and detailed on the back as they are the front. And no matter which one of the pieces catches your eye, every wearer (and passerby) will gain great joy from the one-of-a-kind shapes and luscious stones. Every piece is a true treasure. u
Clockwise, from top left: A South Sea pearl necklace; multi-colored earrings with carved background; bee earrings; the “Iris” ring. Opposite: A selection of Elizabeth Gage rings and earrings.
JAR’S SECRET GEMS
BY MARY GODFREY
QUEST ARCHIVE:
MAY 2008
Paris’s Place Vendôme is home to JAR’s shop. Opposite, clockwise from left: Demantoid garnet and diamond ear pendants; emerald and diamond ring; colored diamond
“thread” ring, all auctioned at Christie’s from Ellen Barkin’s collection.
WHEN SUSAN Gutfreund turned the hand-crafted, flower-shaped doorknob of Joel Arthur Rosenthal’s unmarked jewelry store at rue de 1 l’Université in Paris, and entered the dark, three-room shop for the first time, she felt as if she had stepped into the cafe of Ali Baba.
“Each piece of jewelry seemed to glow, and one seemed more beautiful than the next,” Gutfreund said of the creations.
And soon after, when Gutfreund, an interior designer, and now, longtime patron of the artist, presented Rosenthal with a pair of pearls she purchased at auction at Christie’s, he designed a breathtaking custom piece; surrounding the pearls with black and gray stones and wrapping them in tiny diamonds, he created a pair of clip earrings. “From there,” Gutfreund says, “it was the beginning of a long and wonderful friendship.”
Today, Rosenthal, known to collectors as JAR, commands a prominent network of clients, including Ann Getty, Elizabeth Taylor, and Elle McPherson. His pieces garner equally notable prices on the auction block. According to Christie’s Paris jewelry chairman of jewelry, François Curiel, although only 87 pieces have appeared at the auction house since 1984, all of them sold for well over the estimated price. For example, a 22.72 carat diamond ring from a lot provided by actress Ellen Barkin in 2006 went for $1.8 million—$600,000 above the market rate at the time. “Our estimates appear to always ridiculously low and I have even considered no longer publishing them.”
But for all his popularity, the elusive designer keeps to himself. He does not grant interviews, and clients must make an appointment to see him. He has only exhibited his pieces twice to the public—once in 1987 at the National Academy in New York, and again in 2002 in London and at the Somerset House
in New York. When this writer contacted him for an interview, Rosenthal responded in an email: “Alas, we do not participate in journalistic activity beyond our contribution to the exhibition’s success in London 2002/2003, but we do thank you for your kind enthusiasm.”
His exclusivity and reluctance to speak with the press, however, must not be mistaken for pretension, Gutfreund says. “He
is shy, but he is an artist who expresses himself through his pieces.” Producing only 70 to 80 pieces a year, many of which are designed with someone in mind, Rosenthal keeps his client list tight. With only one shop and a staff of five, the designer spends most of his time creating, closing his shop at lunchtime and weekends and taking off regular vacations. The result is exemplary work, Curiel says. “Everything is handmade, using traditional artisan techniques, which are extremely time-consuming.”
Known for using pavé design, a technique in which minute gemstones are placed together along a blackened alloy, Rosenthal employs a creative use of color and materials. His pieces include a wide array of stones including coral, moonstones, pink and violet sapphires, tourmalines, and, of course, diamonds. “Precious gems are used in combination with semi-precious stones, a term which, by the way, is non-existent in Joel’s language,” Curiel says.
One example of the designer’s playful use of stones includes a pendant he crafted for Gutfreund. Using a pearl she gave him, Rosenthal cut the stone in half to create the body of a swan. The neck is made of tiny pavé diamonds, and in the beak, he placed a pink briolette sapphire. “There is always this sense of imagination and fantasy in his designs,” Gutfreund says. “He takes ordinary things and makes them special.”
in the United States with Bulgari, Rosenthal, along with Jeannet, embarked on their jewelry enterprise, JAR, and set up his present-day shop. Despite the absence of a formal design background, Rosenthal’s arts education, Gutfreund notes, contributes to his work. “His liberal arts education is what allows him to go outside the boundaries of design,” she says. When creating a two-strand black and white pearl necklace for the interior designer, Rosenthal fashioned a paisley clasp encrusted with rubies. “You wouldn’t expect that for a closure, and it reminds you of something you once saw in a painting somewhere.” But his unique approach with his bold designs are not only outstanding attributes, a dogged and passionate love for detail sets him apart from other, more commonplace jewelers. “Contrary to all other designers who design butterflies, the antennas of his are never symmetrical,” Curiel says. “Have you ever seen a butterfly flying with symmetrical antennas? All other jewelers seem to have seen it.”
Rosenthal’s striking and unconventional approach to design stands out against his more traditional upbringing. Born in 1943, he was the only son to a postal administrator and a biology teacher. But even in his youth, Curiel says, Rosenthal showed early passion for color and design. “He would spend hours pouring drops of watercolor into glasses of water to study the effects of the various shades as they diluted in the liquid.”
He later graduated from Harvard in 1965 with a degree in art history and philosophy, and moved to Paris to try his hand first at screenwriting, and later, with his Swiss-born partner, Pierre Jeannet, a needlepoint shop. Finally, in 1977, after a short stint
This commitment to detail spills over into his commissions as well, and it is the personal touches that distinguish Rosenthal from the pantheon of popular designers. On a green stone bracelet he designed for Gutfreund, Rosenthal added the words, “Toward love with you,” in Russian. To someone else, it may look like a graphic, but Gutfreund notes, “the writing is pointed to you, so only you can read it. It is for your eyes only.”
And the effect of such an approach is a special designer-client bond. “He will sometimes add a tiny stone in a secret place, only known to the wearer and himself,” Curiel says. “It is there not for show, but for the owner’s pleasure, and naturally, himself.”
Exclusive cleintele and distinctive designs aside, the designer stands out most among his followers for his deference to clients. “You never get the sense that he is about commerce,” Gutfreund says. “He is the same way with his creations as he is with his friends—he is respectful, he never changes, and he is always committed.” u
This page, top to bottom: “Gardenia” ring; emerald and gold ring; wooden purse infused with brown diamonds, designed for Gutfreund; emerald ring; topaz, ruby, and diamond earrings; jade bracelet with “amour” written in diamonds for Gutfreund. Opposite: The Hydrogrossular garnet and diamond ring (top) and the amethyst and emerald ring (bottom) were higher-priced rings from Barkin’s sale.
“There is always this sense of imagination and fantasy in his designs. He takes ordinary things and makes them special.”
THE YOUNG & THE GUEST LIST YGL
BY BROOKE KELLY MURRAY
Veronica Swanson Beard, Veronica Webb, and Veronica Miele Beard.
IN EARLY MARCH, Veronica Beard celebrated the launch of its Spring 2026 collection with a chic cruise aboard the Mariner III . Guests, including Veronica Swanson Beard , Veronica Miele Beard , Devon Windsor , Jenny Lopez , Alexandra Sisto Daniel , Gracie Abercrombie , Stephanie Hill , Stephanie Covington , and Lauren Layne Merck , enjoyed cocktails, music by DJ Pamela Tick , and a sneak peek of the collection, created in collaboration
VERONICA BEARD’S COCKTAIL CRUISE IN PALM BEACH
Clockwise from top left: Devon Windsor; Stephanie Hill; Elizabeth Kurpis; DJ Pamela Tick; Lauren Bender Grove, Logan Leone, Gracie Abercrombie, and Lauren Layne Merck.
with artist Thomas Lélu
GRAND DÎNER DU LOUVRE IN PARIS
DURING PARIS Fashion Week, the second annual Grand Dîner du Louvre was held at the museum. The theme, “Le Louvre, la nuit” (“The Louvre, by night”), set the tone for an elegant evening that began with cocktails in the Daru Gallery and continued with a seated dinner by chef Anne-Sophie Pic. The event raised €1.6 million in support of the museum. Guests included Prince Amyn Aga Khan, Stephen and Christine Schwarzman, Anya Taylor-Joy, Diane Kruger, Christian Louboutin, Jean Paul Gaultier, Alexa Chung, and more.
John Butler, Bisa Butler, and Thomas E. Moore III
Iris Van Herpen and Eileen Gu
Jean Paul Gaultier and Catherine Deneuve
Anya Taylor-Joy
Diane Kruger
FRICK COLLECTION’S YOUNG FELLOWS BALL IN NEW YORK
LAST MONTH, The Frick Collection hosted its annual Young Fellows Ball on the Upper East Side. With this year’s theme, “Travel Through Time,” the evening invited guests to channel the glamour of centuries past. Cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and immersive photo moments set the scene, while the celebration also spotlighted the museum’s newly unveiled exhibition, Gainsborough: The Fashion of Portraiture . ◆
Kathryn Kerns, Natalie Dougherty, and Casey Kohlberg
Emira D’spain and Ava Dash
Lilah Ramzi, Laurence Milstein, and Natalie Bloomingdale
APRIL 2026
Ivy Getty and Savannah Engel
Polina Proshkina
NAN’S STYLE
“I’VE ALWAYS LIKED being noticed, and I work hard at it,” said Nan Kempner in an interview with Annette Tapert in 1999. Mrs. Kempner surely succeeded in her conquest, for she will forever be known for her extraordinary fashion (she is a member of Fashion’s Hall of Fame), charitable giving (she helped raise $75,000,000 for the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center over 30 years), and remarkable dinner parties (Nan’s intimate Sunday-night spaghetti dinners were not to be missed as you never knew who might turn up: Princess Di? Nancy Reagan?).
Born Nan Field Schlesinger in San Francisco in 1930, Nan’s father, Albert “Speed” Schlesinger, owned a successful car dealership and reportedly told the young Nan, “You’ll never make it on your face, so you’d better be interesting.” Nan’s mother, Irma Schlesinger, was a San Francisco society fixture who was quite a fashion plate herself.
Nan married Thomas Lenox Kempner, a member of the Loeb banking family, in 1952 and had three children. The couple lived in London for a short time before moving to New York City and into a 16-room duplex on Park Avenue and 79th Street, where they resided for over 45 years.
Nan was a known force at the Paris couture shows and Yves Saint Laurent became one of her closest friends. “I spend more
money than I should and less than I’d like to, much less,” she told WWD in 1972. “I couldn’t keep my husband if I spent more.” Nan’s jewelry collection was as famous as her clothing, with names including JAR, Verdura, David Webb, and, of course, her good friend, Kenneth Jay Lane. “If Nan liked something, she would get one in every color,” recalls Mr. Lane. “She had my bamboo hoops in every color.” Wendy Lehman remembers how Nan would fasten her lovely JAR dragonfly pins and David Webb brooches to her headboard at night. Antoinette GuerriniMaraldi recalls Nan’s having the quickness of mind to hide one bag of jewels beneath her seat when burglars pretending to be florists delivering flowers robbed her at her flat. On another occasion, when intruders broke into the Kempners’ apartment and tied up Nan, she reportedly had the quick wit to hide a JAR diamond earring in her mouth.
The Kempners were robbed twice in the seventies but it never hindered Nan’s spirits. Nan loved to dress up and did so until the day she died. In a 1994 interview, Nan recollected, “Our car would drop the kids off at school, then Tommy would pick me up, and he’d say, ‘Now, who are we today?,’ and I’d be Pocahontas, Nanook of the North; I’d be—God knows—the River Boat Queen. It was such fun. Indeed!”—Elizabeth Meigher
Clockwise fom left: Yves Saint Laurent and Nan Kempner, 1978; Nan Kempner, Fran Stark, and Jacqueline de Ribes; Kenneth Jay Lane and Nan Kempner at The Plaza Hotel, 2004.
