Don’t Rain On Our Parade

Neoprene Watering Can Bag

On the heels of last Friday’s Royal Wedding, (with so much non stop focus on all things British leading up to the event for weeks if not months), it was hard not to pick up on a decidedly British vibe continuing in New York this past week.

On Monday, it was a veritable British invasion (and a welcome one at that) as the late Alexander McQueen (and of course his successor Sarah Burton) were feted at the Met’s Costume Institute, thanks to the opening of the appropriately mind boggling exhibition, “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty”. Prior to the Gala (better known as the “Party of the Year”), British accents were the order of the day, what with Thomas Campbell, Sarah Burton, Stella McCartney, and Andrew Bolton, making their remarks during the course of a morning press preview (Fellow Brit, Anna Wintour, seated in the front row, did not get up to speak, but she was lauded by all for her efforts on behalf of the Costume Institute).

And then there was the eccentric British brewery heiress, fashion icon, McQueen muse and longtime friend, Daphne Guinness. As someone who is hard NOT to notice, she all but ‘owned’ Monday, and gave new meaning to ‘window dressing’, as she literally ‘got dressed’ in Barneys Madison Avenue windows on Monday evening right before the “Party of the Year” (in McQueen of course) with a throng outside who gathered to view the happening.

Carole Bryant wearing flower pot hat

Yesterday, fabulously eccentric headgear (sculptural hats and yes, those fascinating ‘fascinators’), many bearing an undeniable similarity to (though totally outshining) those normally seen at Ascot and more recently, perched on the heads of the guests at Westminster Abbey, were out in all their glory at the 29th Annual Frederick Law Olmsted Awards Luncheon. Hats have always taken center stage at this wildly popular and highly successful money raising event, which takes place in Central Park’s lush Conservatory Gardens, but Matt Lauer didn’t seem to know that (and why would he?).

As I reported, during the course of last Friday’s Royal Wedding telecast, upon seeing Victoria Beckham in her Philip Treacy ‘fascinator’, the Today Show host was prompted to ask, “Do you suppose this will start a hat revival?” FYI Matt: wonderful hats never go out of style and are totally appropriate for many occasions (the FLO Luncheon is one place where you almost feel ‘naked’ if you don’t don some sort of hat).

Carol McDemott hand made house hat

Coincidentally, while it’s been said that “It never rains” on the FLO Awards Luncheon, it did this time around, throwing a beautiful, moody, and damp cast (though spirits were anything but damp) over the glorious Central Park Conservancy and invoking an even more typical British feeling. And you had better believe the folks in charge were prepared. While the luncheon itself has always taken place under a massive tent, this year, the entire entryway into the fabulously bedecked Conservancy was covered similarly, protecting the designer threads and spectacular hats worn by the almost 1000 guests. There was even a thoughtful coat check area for guests who wanted to rid themselves of their cumbersome or wet outwear.

Floral Bouquet hat

While I can’t say I welcomed the unseasonably cool and inclement weather (it felt more like March than May), I was looking forward to seeing how the guests would brave the elements, so speak. One inventive woman bucked the trend of carrying a status Chanel or Hermes bag, and opted for a hot pink neoprene bag in the shape of a watering can (how apropos was that?) And instead of an expected tan trench and rubber wellies, Sharon Coplan Hurowitz wore a see through plastic Fendi raincoat (all the better to see the Chanel dress beneath), matching shoes, and a quirky Chanel headpiece that resembled mouse ears. More than a few women actually wore furs (mainly abbreviated shrugs although one woman pulled out her floor length shearling vest).

Julia Koch, Anne Harrison & Gillian Miniter

But by in large, most chose to ignore the weather altogether and celebrate the theme of the day and Mother Nature in all her glory. Amy Fine Collins opted for a huge butterfly headpiece which she wore with a lilac sheer trench, and there were many out there, over the top headpieces resplendent with trees, plants, and flowers. Standouts include the witty hat worn and made by Carole McDermott, complete with a house decorated with sailboats, trees, and a park bench with a placard that read, Adopt a Bench; Carole Bryant’s flower pot hat which she toned down with a subdued menswear inspired navy pinstripe pantsuit; and one guest whose large hat resembled a huge floral bouquet still wrapped up in the paper. Sandra Lee, Governor Andrew Cuomo’s ‘companion’, known for dressing in white almost all the time (she always seems to be going to her own wedding), arrived in a tailored white suit and huge white floral headpiece. FYI, some of the male guests managed to stand out by virtue of colorful hats or in the case of PR Guru James LaForce, with his bright orange tie, and not surprisingly, some of the more interestingly dressed guests were milliners (Lisa Hoenshell Boone and Satya Twena for example), who were more than happy to hand me their business cards when I asked for more information. (Ms. Twena told me she made hats for 7 guests).

Lisa Hoenshell Boone in large floral hat

But the beauty of this event is that it is not just about looking good, but doing good, and the Women’s Committee (which was founded in 1983 by four ‘visionary’ women), is dedicated to the beautification and preservation of Central Park, raising almost 20 percent of the Conservancy’s $37.4 million annual, park- wide budget. This luncheon has already raised almost $3 Million (100% of the ticket sales go to the Park).

In addition to Gillian Miniter, the Women’s Committee President; Co-Chairs Virginia Apple, Anne Harrison, Julia Koch, and Lizzie Tisch; Corporate Chair Robert E. Diamond, Jr. Chief Executive, Barclays PLC; Honoree Judith-Ann Corrente; and Central Park Conservancy President Doug Blonsky, Benefit Committee; Benefit Committee members and guests included Martha Stewart, Muffie Potter Aston, Michelle Patterson, Noreen Buckfire, Wendy Carduner, Lois Chiles, Suzanne Cochran, Grace Hightower De Niro, Somers Farkas, Jamee Gregory, Dina Merrill Hartley, Rachel Hovnanian, Prudence Solomon Inzerillo, Suzanne Johnson, Daphna Kastner Keitel, Karen Klopp, Sheila Labrecque, Alexandra Lebenthal, Karen LeFrak, Kamie Lightburn, Cynthia Lufkin, Betsy Messerschmitt, Muffy Miller, Marcia Mishaan, Nancy Missett, Sue Newhouse, Elyse Newhouse, Nancy Paduano, Liz Peek, Jenny Paulson, Betsy Pitts, Allison Rockefeller, Tara Rockefeller, Janet Ross, Hilary Ross, Susan Rudin, Alexia Hamm Ryan, Donna Day Schwartz, Daisy Soros, Elizabeth Stribling, Rene Syler, Patsy Tarr, Thorunn Wathne

For more information, call 212-310-6675 or e-mail wcommittee@centralparknyc.org); www.centralparknyc.org/about/womens-committee

-Marilyn Kirschner

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Lisa Marie Falcone wearing a Graff diamond butterfly pin on her Suzanne large brimmed hat which accessorized her floor length vintage Valentino dress

You know the old adage: “You can set your watch by it” (whatever ‘IT’ is). Well, similarly, you can literally forecast the weather by the scheduling of the annual Frederick Law Olmsted Awards Luncheon, (the first Wednesday in May), now in its 28th year. I never get tired of reiterating that it not only NEVER (or almost never) rains on this wildly popular and always highly anticipated New York event. In fact, the day is usually picture perfect in every way. The legend lives on…

Fabiola Arias in her own rope hat

Yesterday was in fact, as good as it gets. Low humidity, plenty of sunshine (it was quite warm in fact), and blue blue skies. All the better to appreciate the lush beauty of the glorious Central Park Conservatory Gardens, which has been the signature location for as long as most of us can remember (at its beginnings, which started with a group of 75 women who wanted to “increase awareness from the private sector to support the restoration of Central Park”, it was held at Tavern on the Green). While this is not a ‘fashion’ event, it has nonetheless become a fashion spectacle of other worldly proportions and I don’t have to point out that there could be no better setting for a fashion parade, especially one in which hats take center stage. Actually, I’ll go a step further and say that you almost feel obscenely ‘naked’ if you go hatless. Ascot Schmascot! The Easter Parade? Amateur night. Kentucky Derby? Feh!

Ralph Lauren shorts suit

But most importantly, the ‘FLO’ Awards Luncheon is the ideal combination of looking good AND doing good. The approximately 1200 well heeled and dressed to the nine guests (who were seated at 120 tables), raised just under 2.5 million dollars, which will go to further the Conservancy’s work throughout Central Park, continuing to make it beautiful, safe and clean.

Yankee cap and Hermes bag

As usual, the attendees (not just New Yorkers by the way) represented a true cross section of society including major philanthropists, prominent social figures, screen legends, business and real estate tycoons, etc. While it is undeniably a heavily female group, each year it seems there are more and more men and in fact, for the first time, there was a man’s table organized by Jeff Peek.

Black & white and very Chanel

Among those who attended: Deputy Mayor Patti Harris; New York State’s First Lady Michelle Paige Paterson, Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe, Sigourney Weaver, Susan Newhouse, Hilary Geary Ross, Susan Gutfreund, Amy Fine Collins, Fe Fendi, Martha Stewart, Somers Farkas, Peggy Siegel, Grace Hightower DeNiro, Karen LeFrak, Tara Rockefeller, Evelyn Lauder, Doug Blonsky (Central Park Conservancy President), Gillian Miniter (the Women’s Committee President), Betsey Messerschmitt, Patsy and Jeff Tarr (the latter three were this year’s honorees). Co-chairs were Noreen Buckfire, Anne Harrison, Marcia Mishaan, and Sarah Robertson; the Corporate Chair was Thomas Glocer, CEO of Thomson Reuters.

Yuta Powell and her bagel bag

There were corporate tables sponsored by Bloomberg, Thompson Reuters, Graff, Dior, and Chanel, and looking at the last three names might explain why Lisa Marie Falcone affixed an amazing Graff diamond butterfly pin to her Suzanne large brimmed hat which accessorized her floor length vintage Valentino dress. And it certainly explains all the Chanel purses (if it wasn’t Chanel it was Hermes), Chanel or Chanel inspired black dresses, tweed jackets, and ropes of pearls (especially some in exaggeratedly oversized proportions).

Patsy and Jeff Tarr

But because of the opening of the new exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, “American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity”, I have the free spirit of American women with style on my mind, and so, I found myself especially drawn to those who stood out because they did not go for the nice but rather predictable ‘garden’ variety safe little dresses or skirt suits, but instead, asserted their independence. Good examples include Patsy Tarr wearing an Isaac Mizrahi black and ivory dress and jacket, a hat by Suzanne (a popular milliner who was also an attendee), and carrying a Lanvin handbag adorned with large flowers.

Suzanne Newman in Prada and L’Wren Scott

The milliner Suzanne Newman who paired a printed Prada dress with a sequined cardigan by L’Wren Scott, and wore a hat of her own design; the young milliner Fabiola Arias, who wore an unusual and very summery hat made of ropes; Madison Avenue boutique owner Yuta Powell who carried a wood bag in the shape of a bagel (how New York is that???); two young women in Ralph Lauren: one who wore a khaki utility jumpsuit and another in a white Ralph Lauren tailored jacket and short shorts (her legs were great and she definitely carried this off with aplomb); and because I’m a Yankee fan, I truly appreciated the brave soul who eschewed a traditional chapeaux and opted for a Yankee baseball cap which she wore with a navy pinstripe pantsuit and a red alligator Hermes Birkin bag.

Amy Fine Collins

But in terms of pure chic, nobody compared with Amy Fine Collins who turned up in a fitted and very narrow pale lilac skirt suit which had a pronounced leopard collar, that matched the leopard turban like hat (designer unknown). All I can say is she that must have been sweltering in the 90 degree heat but she sure looked great.

-Marilyn Kirschner

The post Go with the ‘FLO’: The 28th Annual Frederick Law Olmsted Awards Luncheon appeared first on lookonline.

Do you know why I didn’t have to consult with Al Roker to see what the weather would be like on Wednesday, May 6th? Or why, after a quick look at this week’s projected forecast, where one could easily see that umbrellas and rubber boots would be the order of the day, I was hardly surprised that the one bright light would come mid week, on the first Wednesday in May? Well, it’s simple; the first Wednesday in May has traditionally been the date for the Frederick Law Olmsted Awards Luncheon, better known as “Hat Day”. Legend has it that it never rains on the FLO Awards Luncheon, hosted by the Women’s Committee of the Central Park Conservancy (whose mission is to restore, manage, and preserve Central Park, in partnership with the public, for the enjoyment of present and future generations), www.centralparknyc.org

While yesterday’s event may not have met with magnificent summer like weather, as it has been in the past, it never actually rained, and in fact, by the early afternoon, one could actually see peeks of sun shine through (it was hard to remember what the sun looked like!) Oh, and by the way, Mrs. Al Roker (ABC Newscaster Deborah Roberts), and the Divine Miss M (Bette Midler), an avowed conservationist, were among the approximately 1200 (divinely clad) guests, who descended upon the glorious gardens. This year’s co-Chairs were Vicki Foley, Muffy Miller, Gillian Miniter, Tara Rockefeller, and Stephanie Winston Wolkoff.

While Glenda Bailey, Amy Fine Collins, Francisco Costa, Tory Burch, and milliner Eric Javits were among the attendees, this is not a ‘fashion’ event per se but a fundraiser attended by the city’s movers and shakers who are on a mission to help raise money to preserve this magnificent piece of heaven in our urban jungle. Still, it is a fashion spectacle nonetheless, and hats (the more extravagant the better) have always taken center stage.

Notwithstanding the popularity of hats and headpieces these days, (they were all over the recent runways for fall 2009, and Isaac Mizrahi even turned an empty handbag into a purse), they can admittedly be tricky to pull off, and many women never really feel comfortable donning a chapeau. However, this is one event where you feel almost out of place and positively ‘naked’ if you go hatless. You might look at yourself in the mirror beforehand, and have second thoughts about your choice, thinking you look a bit silly, but once you arrive at the entrance to the Conservancy and take in the spectacle, you see that it’s practically impossible to make too much of a statement. And hey, what’s so bad about having some much needed fun, not taking yourself oh so seriously, and adding whimsy to your wardrobe, particularly during these ‘down’ times?

While I fully expected to see the requisite and predictable garden variety (pardon the pun) floral prints, pastels, ladylike dresses, tailored skirt suits, and of course, Ascot and Kentucky Derby worthy big brimmed straw hats, I’m always drawn to those women who add an element of surprise, bend the rules, and break with tradition (by choosing menswear inspired pantsuits, by putting themselves together in an interesting way, or by using their imagination with regards to their headgear). This year, in addition to rakey fedoras, there were as usual, plenty of butterflies, birds, feathers, and colorful sky high and mobile like concoctions making arresting use of flora and fauna, some of which could do double duty as a table centerpiece, and which seemed like dangerous defensive ‘weapons’ and could conceivably poke someone’s eyes out, especially if you were trying to air kiss an acquaintance. (On second thought, with the Swine Flu epidemic as of late, we probably shouldn’t be doing all that ‘kissing’ anyway!)

And because the weather was a bit cool, cloudy, and damp at the outset, there were not only more coats this time, but a smattering of furs (and not just fur trims). Unusual for May, to say the least. In addition to a fur collar here and there, I spotted a chic black broadtail cape coat trimmed with Mongolian lamb; but my favorite was a black and ivory Persian Lamb coat by Revillion (where the white fur was pieced together to make a pattern resembling a flower) which the wearer tossed over a bright, graphically floral fitted short dress by Nicolas Guesquiere for Balenciaga.

As I took in the designer clad throng, it was easy to forget that we are in the throes of a major recession, what with all the Hermes Kelly and Birkin bags (in all sizes including an orange mini which was the chicest of the lot), and of course, various takes on the classic quilted Chanel bag with gold chain handle. But thankfully, the well dressed, well heeled guests didn’t just spend money on themselves: the Central Park Conservancy just got a little wealthier yesterday (to the tune of $2.1 million!) And that’s not chunk change.

-Marilyn Kirschner

The post “Don’t Rain On Our Parade” appeared first on lookonline.

As a fashion spectacle (where hats take center stage), almost nothing compares to The Frederick Law Olmsted Awards Luncheon, organized by the Women’s Committee of the Central Park Conservancy. The 26th FLO luncheon took place on Wednesday, May 7th, spearheaded by chairwomen Memrie Lewis, Gillian Miniter, Nancy Missett, and Tara Rockefeller, boasted a guest list which included some of New York’s biggest movers and shakers (Mayor Bloomberg and Martha Stewart among them), and best dressed social fixtures (Jamee Gregory, Amy Fine Collins, Somers Farkas, Susan Fales-Hill, Muffie Potter Aston). Those honored “for their outstanding commitment and contributions to preserving the park” were Nancy Paduano, Margaret and Ian Smith.

In fact, this annual rite of spring (which is the Central Park Conservancy’s largest benefit), has become known as the “Hat Luncheon”. And for a good reason. What began as a small intimate gathering for a few hundred is currently a popular ‘see and be seen’ date on one’s social calendar, which now draws well over 1200 guests, most of whom apparently use the theme and location of the event as a perfect opportunity to ‘cap’ off their spring finery with a hat. And as everyone knows, hats are ‘big’ these days. In fact, the millinery industry has been getting a real boost from the fashion world these past few seasons what with influential designers such as Marc Jacobs, Ralph Lauren, Proenza Schouler, Carolina Herrera, Alexander McQueen, Donna Karan, featuring hats prominently on their runways.

While some of the headgear worn by guests at the FLO luncheon could admittedly best be described as ordinary, run of the mill and ‘garden variety’ (pardon the pun), and not every woman (or man) wore a hat, (no, that was not Mayor Bloomberg wearing a flower laden chapeau), there were many guests whose inspired, whimsical choices proved they put a great deal of thought and planning into their outfits, and were obviously inspired, as usual, by the enviable natural setting of the location, (the breathtaking Conservatory Garden).

Right: Amy Fine Collins
Photo: Patrick McMullan for the Central Park Conservancy

And so, it was not surprising (and somewhat predictable) to find flowers everywhere; flowers decorating hats and floral printed dresses and coat ensembles. Perhaps it was a case of floral overkill in some instances where guests mixed the two…yikes! And it was hardly surprising that everywhere I looked there were guests clad in colors that mimicked flowers: pink in every shade was a crowd favorite and I noticed a lot of shocking pink worn with black (a real trend this spring), in addition to lilac, purple, yellows, red, and greens. And then there were the feathers….which are obviously not just ‘for the birds’ and continue to be a perennial favorite with both women and fashion designers. Feathers of all kinds, in all sizes and colors adorned every imaginable style of hat. And then there were butterflies: one huge butterfly (no, not a real one) was sitting atop a garden of flowers on one woman’s large hat.

Okay, so it didn’t always work and quite frankly, taken out of context and away from the gorgeous surroundings, (walking around in mid town for example) many of the guests would have looked downright silly if not preposterous. But in the most glorious spot in Central Park, with the lush greenery, breathtaking flowers, and the sun shining brightly on a gorgeous spring day (they say “it never rains on the FLO Awards” and this year was no exception…the legend continues!), everything takes on a life of its own.

Mayor Bloomberg with the Conservancy’s President, Douglas Blonsky
Photo: Patrick McMullan for the Central Park Conservancy

I know this is not a ‘fashion’ event per se, the guest list is not solely
comprised of fashionistas and fashion insiders (could it be that Mayor Bloomberg was the only one present at the FLO luncheon who also attended Monday evening’s Costume Institute Gala?!?) so you must temper my comments with a grain of salt. From my perspective, I would like to see more women show some individuality and not look so Garden Party-ish, and wearing hats that look like bad cast offs from last year’s Kentucky Derby.

Somers Farkas
Photo: Patrick McMullan for the Central Park Conservancy

Which is why my vote for ‘Best in Show’, has to go to statuesque social fixture Somers Farkas, who literally put everyone else to shame arriving in a dramatic starched white floor length shirtdress, accessorized with a messenger bag slung over her body, low heeled sandals, and a jaunty staw fedora adorned with a spray of white ostrich feathers. Of course, being almost 6 feet tall, rail thin, perpetually suntanned, and great looking doesn’t hurt (who said life is fair?) and admittedly not too many others could have pulled that off. That said, I can’t think of a better excuse to “go with the ‘FLO'”, let loose, lighten up, dress up, have fun, smile, and most importantly, raise money ($2.4 million to be exact) for a great cause.

-Marilyn Kirschner

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