Jean Shafiroff, photo by Laurel Marcus
While favored France would go on to suffer a crushing upset to Spain in the World Cup, the mood was festive at Jean Shafiroff’s annual Bastille Day luncheon at Maison Barnes inside Café Boulud.
Waiting for lunch, photo by Laurel Marcus
Francophile Jean, who is on the board of the French Heritage Society among her many philanthropic causes, has been marking this day for well over a decade with her celebratory event commemorating the French Revolution. While it has remained approximately the same size over the years (no, it’s not 1000 people), word of mouth has made it quite a coveted invite. “People call me around this time and beg to be included,” our Oscar de la Renta floral dress and Kokin fascinator-clad hostess remarked.
Hat designer Kokin & Jean Shafiroff, photo by Laurel Marcus
Each year on or near July 14th, Jean assembles her “nearest and dearest,” summoning many of them from the far reaches of that mythical summer place with hedges and beaches called The Hamptons, back to the steamy, odiferous pavements full of dog poop of our beloved midtown Manhattan. Attendees span the worlds she occupies: fashion, philanthropy, society, pop culture, art, politics, and even royalty.
Valerie Steele on the left, photo by Laurel Marcus
Attendees included designers Kobi Halperin, Kokin, Nicole Miller, Malan Breton, Victor dE Souza and Vanessa Noel, while other fashion notables were FIT’s Valerie Steele, FGI’s Maryanne Grisz and NYT Style section reporter Ruth LaFerla. Jean attempted to give a shout-out to everyone during her unscripted welcoming speech, a thankless job if ever there was one, as you are bound to leave someone out.
“The boys,” David Hochberg, Malan Breton, and photo by Laurel Marcus
Not to mention that she was distracted by the constant ringing of her phone — a call from her apartment building, which hopefully was not on fire. Representing the art world was Hunt Slonem in an eye-catching arty green jacket; for royalty there was Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia, whom I take pity on—it must be hard to be a prince from a country that exists no more.
Lunching, photo by Laurel Marcus
It has become an unwritten dress code that guests show up in some form of red, white and blue, although Jean herself remarked that she didn’t want people to feel obliged to do so. “Nobody wears red, white and blue on Bastille Day,” she said, perhaps referencing the actual French.
Over a delicious meal of Salade de Burrata, dourade with spring vegetables and a chocolate lava cake, the place buzzed with people catching up on their summer plans. There is more time to talk these days, as almost no one is eating thanks to the magic of Ozempic/Mounjaro. I was privy to anecdotal evidence at my table that Mounjaro is preferable as it doesn’t give you “Ozempic face” – that gaunt, scary look or “turkey neck.” No word, however, on whether “Mounjaro butt” is a thing.
Joan Jedell of Hampton Sheet & Marilyn Kirschner, photo by Laurel Marcus
At my table, I learned that Malan Breton has something exciting and top-secret in the pipeline for September’s fashion week, which explains his jet lag from back-to-back trips to Rome—so stay tuned. Hampton Sheet publisher. BTW, guess who the cover girl for Hampton Sheet’s brand-new issue is? None other than lovely Jean Shafiroff, who really does personify the out East vibe in a summery yellow gown.
Jean with FGI’s Maryanne Grisz on the right, photo by Laurel Marcus
Speaking of fashion, it’s not a Jean Shafiroff party without at least three outfit changes (five is the standard at a home soiree)! Jean was happy to announce that her three Oscar floral frocks from upcoming and past seasons were donned as a tribute to outgoing designers Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia, who are vacating their posts at the storied label after their fall collection to focus on their own design label Monse.
Just as the two-hour luncheon was winding down, a few stragglers came in, including “My Unorthodox Life” star Julia Haart in a tiny white dress to match her tiny white body. Summer is truly in full swing.
This upcoming weekend promises to be jam-packed in Bridgehampton with the French Heritage Soiree on Friday (Cece Black, Sylvia Hemingway and Exec Dir Jennifer Herlein were present here) as well as Saturday’s late afternoon Hampton’s Summer Series Event for Kobi Halperin given by FGI and hosted by Sidney Sadick (also both present at the luncheon).
