Jean Shafiroff and Barbara Tober – All photos Lieba Nesis
Philanthropist Jean Shafiroff hosted her Annual Bastille Day Luncheon at 12:30 PM on Wednesday, July 12th, at Michael’s restaurant at 24 West 55th Street. While the actual holiday commemorating the storming of the Bastille that took place in 1789 as well as the unity of the French people at the Fete de la Federation in 1790 occurred on July 14th, most of the crowd weekends in the Hamptons, so a pre-celebration was necessary.
Left to right: Marilyn Kirschner, Estelle Chatorrier, Ernest Schmatolla, Laurel Marcus
Michael’s, which opened in 1989, is one of those New York treasures that Michael McCarty Helms prides himself on, featuring seasonally fresh dishes along with art by Stella, Johns, and Hockney and sculptures by Robert Graham. The 40-person crowd, including the Lookonline crew, excitedly anticipated the delicious branzino and kale lunch along with Michael’s famous cookies.
Rebecca Seawright, Fern Mallis and Valerie Steele
Jean, a noted Francophile, has been a board member of the French Heritage Society for 13 years and was honored at their November 17th celebration at the University Club. Clad in a splendid floral Carolina Herrera dress, Jean spoke of the importance of French-American ties and praised President of the French Heritage Society Elizabeth Stribling, who sold her real estate agency to Compass and subsequently received the highest decoration in France – that of commandeur de la legion d’honoeur.
María Fishel, Ruth Miller and Anna Rothschild
The afternoon contained many beautiful ladies in bright colors, including Maria Fishel and Ruth Miller in floral Oscar de la Renta, and elegantly suited men Matt Rich, Roy Kean, and David Hochberg.
Flo Anthony, Ben Mindich and Montgomery Frazier
Celebrated designer Victor de Souza came decked out in one of his designs. At the same time, the always sartorially splendid dynamic duo of Montgomery Frazier and Ben Mindich wowed in matching striped jackets.
Randi Schatz, David Hochberg and Pamela Morgan
Housewife Ramona Singer was also on hand as she and her daughter Avery are hosting a podcast, “Turtle Time with Ramona & Avery,” that gives all the gossip on the filming of the Ultimate Girls Trip in St. Barts, Ramona’s very public divorce, and her life after the reality show.
Anna Rothschild, Patricia Shiah, Roy Kean, Lucia Hwong-Gordon, and Sylvia Hemingway
There was also a lot of talk about the upcoming art fair in the Hamptons and the El Museo Del Barrio Gala being held at Maria and Ken Fishel’s estate in Bridgehampton on Friday, July 21st.
Ramona Singer, Janna Bullock and Lucia Hwong Gordon
However, the overall vibe of the 90-degree day was one of relaxation and fraternization, knowing this would be one of the last events in New York for the duration of the summer. Despite talks of a slowed-down Hamptons, Getty photographer Sean Zanni confirmed that this summer in the Hamptons was the busiest yet, as nearly every weekend night is replete with multiple events.
Lieba Nesis & Andy Yu
For those New Yorkers who can’t get enough of everything French, on Thursday, July 13th, 2023, from 5-10 PM, the Consulate General of France will be featuring a group of French entertainers on the Rumsey Playfield in Central Park located on 72nd Street and 5th Avenue.
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