Georgia Jacob, Sharon Jacob, Stella Jacob; photo by Marilyn Kirschner
On the first Wednesday in May, approximately 1400 guests (mainly women but there was a smattering of men and one 8-month-old) almost all wearing some form of headgear, descended upon the glorious Central Park Conservatory Gardens in celebration of the 44th Annual Frederick Law Olmsted Awards Luncheon.
“Rain or shine, we will sparkle!” – Sharon Jacob, attendee who sits on the Board of Directors, Women’s Committee of the Central Park Conservancy
Fe Fendi center with daughters; photo by Marilyn Kirschner
Money raised supports the Central Park Conservancy’s mission to maintain, restore, and enhance Central Park. As a major fundraiser hosted by the Women’s Committee, this wildly popular event raises millions annually—often over $4 million—for essential care, including landscape restoration, tree pruning, and public programs like Adopt-a-Bench.
Central Park Conservancy President Betsy Smith (right); photo by Marilyn Kirschner
Over $5 million was raised this year, exceeding last year’s total. This year’s honorees were Judy Hart Angelo and Janet Ross. Speeches and awards were given out during a lunch of chicken salad in the tent. Harry Winston was the Presenting Sponsor. JP Morgan was the Corporate Sponsor and Tuckernuck acted as the Premier Sponsor.
Subway hat: Photo by Marilyn Kirschner
Event Co-Chairs were Darice Fadeyi, Stephanie Hessler and Erin Isikoff Klatskin. FYI, the subject of a 2023 profile, Dr. Fadeyi, who always looks smashing, is a board-certified dermatologist in NY. Back in January, following an accident that required stitches above my eyebrow, Darice made time to see me on a day she is not normally in the office!
Marisol Deluna & Marilyn Kirschner
The Kentucky Derby is said to be the most exciting 2 minutes in sports. IMHO, the Central Park Hat Luncheon is the most fun-filled two or three hours on New York’s social calendar. In a week jam-packed with sensory overload, this event manages to hold its own.
Colorful pair: Stephanie Hessler (right), photo by Marilyn Kirschner
The Kentucky Derby, which took place on Saturday, has nothing over the Central Park hat luncheon when it comes to hats and ensembles. Ascot, Shmascot! You literally don’t know where to look.
Jamee Gregory; photo by Marilyn Kirschner
Among the well turned out guests were Central Park Conservancy President & CEO Betsy Smith, Sharon Jacob with daughters Georgia and Stella, Fe Fendi with her two daughters in tow, Jamee Gregory and Marisol Deluna, who both put their own unique joyful spin on fashion, Jane DiFlorio, Christopher Mason wearing a towering orange feathered creation, and Stacey Bendet who looked marvelous in a floral printed creation of her own design accessorized with a vintage Dior chapeau.
Emmy Award winning reporter Magee Hickey; photo by Marilyn Kirschner
It was hard not to spot Magee Hickey, the Emmy Award-winning reporter and WPIX News reporter. Magee looked adorable in the same ensemble she recently wore for the Inner Circle show, a reporters’ musical lampooning of the mayor, the governor and the president. Magee played a sunflower in a skit about the Elizabeth Street garden, and she had her picture taken with Mayor Mandami.
Susan Magrino and Kokin; photo by Marilyn Kirschner
Among the milliners at the event were Gigi Burris and Kokin. Kokin was minus a hat, but his headwear was well represented today as it was at the Kentucky Derby on Saturday. Among the guests wearing a KOKIN design were Sharon Jacob and publicist Susan Magrino.
Group picture: photo by Marilyn Kirschner
The Central Park Hat luncheon, which has become more popular each year, put the exclamation mark on a week already filled with an abundance of sensory overload, and it’s not over yet. There’s a reason they call it the Merry Month of May. Even the weather gods cooperated, well, sort of.
Lunch under the tent; photograph by Marilyn Kirschner
While they say, “It never rains on the Frederick Law Olmsted Awards Luncheon”, the predication was for rain throughout the day but luckily, the precipitation held off for almost all of the hour-long cocktail hour- the key time for arrivals. Naturally, a tent was erected just in case, and it was needed.
Rain or Shine: Photograph by Marilyn Kirschner
While most guests seemed unfazed by the unfortunate weather prediction (after all, hats and outfits are generally planned way in advance), a few actually made it work to their advantage, using matching umbrellas as a colorful statement accessory. It’s called turning lemons into lemonade!
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