The Studio Museum in Harlem Fall Gala 2011

Last night was The Studio Museum in Harlem Fall Gala 2011 at Cipriani Wall Street. It was awesome.
Always the best dressed party of the season, this year was no exception.
Thelma Golden looked sensational in a dress designed by her very talented husband Duro Olowu who accompanied her to the event. As always the 3 gala co-Chairs, Kathryn Chenault, Joyce K. Haupt and Carol Sutton Lewis were stunning and the gala vice chairs Jacqueline L. Bradley, Amelia Ogunlesi and Teri Trotter were radiant.
Raymond McGuire was in full form and complimented the room and all the beautiful women joking that there was a guy in a neck brace still recovering from last year's head turning crowd.
The event raised over $1.600.000



To view all the photos please click on this link The Studio Museum of Harlem Gala

The American Ballet Theatre Spring Gala 2011

Last night after a great dinner at the Warldorf I headed to the tent at Lincoln Center to photograph the dinner for The American Ballet Theatre Spring Gala.
The first person I saw was Sloan Barnett who looked amazing in a flowing hot pink dress.
We all miss Sloan who now lives in San Francisco but she made up for it by bringing all her friend from the west coast to party at the ABT Gala.
Prince was sitting next to Susan Fales Hill but he asked not to be photographed which made Steve from WWD stake out a place by the door. He was so excited when he managed to grab a shot of the exiting star.

To view all the photos please click on this link ABT Spring Gala















To view all the photos please click on this link MOMA Party in the Garden

The Carnegie Hall 120th Birthday Concert and Dinner

Just when I thought my week could not get any better I arrived at Carnegie Hall for The Carnegie Hall 120th Birthday Concert and Dinner and headed to the Stage Door to sign in. Luckily I was early cause traffic has been crazy this week. I was standing just inside the door when Yo-Yo Ma arrived. My cameras were not yet on my shoulder so it was not obvious that I was the house photographer. I gave Yo-Yo a great big smile and he walked up to me and gave me a kiss on the cheek. I didn't say a word cause I know it was a simple case of mistaken identity but believe me when I say my knees went a little weak and it gave me a smile that lasted all night! Yes it is true I do photograph a lot of people but not every one recognises me unless I have 2 cameras around my neck.
So then it was up to the 2nd floor to photograph everyone arriving. The Weils were the first to arrive looking wonderful as always.
Mercedes Bass looked ravishing in her black one shoulder Oscar de la Renta gown.
Suzie and Bruce Kovner seem to be every where I go. They were in St Barths last month for Pamela Fiori's book signing and ever since the always shy Bruce has allowed me to take his photo. Suzie is ever radiant and was wearing a strapless ball gown.
Jesse Norman arrived with a flourish of purple gown and silver jacket.
Alec Baldwin turned heads but sadly he didn't offer to give me a kiss. Probably just as well cause I may have dropped my camera and he did have a very beautiful date by his side.
It was the 3rd night I have seen Daisy Soros this week. She stopped for a little chat and has promised to tell me how she met her husband at International House. I think there may be a scandal involved.
Marie-Josée and Henry Kravis dashed in at the last minute and I managed to get a photo before they entered their box.
It was then time for the curtain to go up so I took my place in the back to take photos.
The Lincoln Center Philharmonic was playing. It is the first time I have seen Alan Gilbert conduct and it was magic. The best way to describe it was that his body was like a butterfly and music fluttered on the end of his fingers. He was conducting the orchestra with pianist Emanuel Ax, violinist Gil Shaham, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma as the guest soloists in Beethoven’s Triple Concerto. After the intermission Audra McDonald sand some songs of Duke Ellington.
I then raced to the Plaza to get there before the guest. Dinner did not start until 10pm and the next time I looked at the time it was after mid night.

To view all the photos please click on this link The Carnegie Hall 120th Birthday Concert and Dinner

Jazz at Lincoln Center Gala 2011

What a night it was. Lisa Schiff thanked her daughter Ashley during her speech at Jazz at Lincoln Center telling everyone that it was Ashley who came up with the idea for Wynton Marsalis and Eric Clapton to do a show together and then Ashley made it happen. The gala night was the first of 3 concerts which raised over four million dollars. The first night alone raised over three and a half million dollars.
After the amazing concert everyone headed to Roselands. There were musicians galore. As I walked in the first person I saw was John Legend congratulating Wynton.
After dinner people made to the dance floor.
I am still spinning from the night. To view all the photos please click on The Jazz@ Lincoln Center Gala Link

The Museum of The City of NY

Last Thursday night the Museum of The City of NY held its annual Spring Gala. This year because the Museum is undergoing a renovation the Gala was held at the Plaza Hotel. The event was spectacular. Many of the women were dressed in Oscar de la Renta. The night raised over five hundred thousand dollars.
To view all the photos please click on The Museum Gala Link

The Studio Museum in Harlem Gala

I confess. I have a favorite event that happens every October, The Studio Museum in Harlem's annual Fall Gala and this year it was even better than ever as they honored Pamela Fiori for her work at Town & Country. Always the best dressed women and men, year after year, they refuse to sit for long as they table hop and then dance until the band can play no more. Held at Cipriani Wall Street, the event was run by the fantastic Melissa Feldman from MF Productions.

To see all the photos you can visit my website at Julie Skarratt Photography and click on View your Event

New Yorker's for Children Gala 2010

Last night was the beginning of the Fall Gala Season and to start it out was the New Yorker's for Children Event at Cipriani 42nd st. It was so fun to see everyone after such a great summer. The rest of the photos will be up on my website at www.julieskarratt.com in a few days. Check back soon.
Best wishes always

September Town & Country Magazine

So here it is the new Town & Country Party section edited by the fabulous Alexis Clark who never seems to sleep and always looks gorgeous. I want to know your secret Alexis? I was so happy when you asked me to photograph my friend Preston Bailey for your pages. He and I have traveled to far off and exotic locations where his amazing team has created events that I have been lucky enough to capture.

American Museum of Natural History Spring Ball

Yesterday was a very busy day. After photographing the lunch for the Studio Museum I ran across town to location scout for Town and Country for a portrait I have to do next week then I ran back to my office, changed my cameras and clothes and headed back up town to the American Museum of Natural History. Spring has now really sprung and the black and dark colors of winter are hidden in the back of every one's closets.
It was amazing to walk into the foyer and find it lit with color and light as the bones of dinosaurs loomed above and then to go to the Ocean Room for dinner where the Whale lives.

The Studio Museum Lunch 2010

Every April the first event for me that starts the Spring Season is the Studio Museum in Harlem Luncheon. I got a call early from Melissa Feldman from MF Productions to make sure I could be at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel to capture all the wonderful women who contribute so much to the Museum and the educational programs.
Thelma Golden introduced Artist Kehinde Wiley who was honored this year. All of the guests received 2 photographs from students who have been part of the program.

The Museum Of the City of New York Winter Gala

On Tuesday Night had me racing uptown to the Museum of The City of NY for their Winter Gala. This year it was a sea of color with only a few women in black. David Chang was the DJ extrodinaire and at the end of the night no one wanted to go home. I have to say Christian Leone had the women flying and back bending on the dance floor like Fed Astaire meets breakdancer. Alexandra Lebenthal looked great in her Kim Hicks gown and her husband survived the evening giving me his Superman pose to prove it as he headed down the stairs. Great Night and lots of fun. Farewell to Jerry Gallagher who is changing jobs at the Museum. It has been really faantastic working with you.

UNICEF

Last week the Unicef Gala was breath taking. Amazing photos of children hung on the walls of Cipriani 42nd St. The Gala chairs were Claudia Lebenthal and Christine Stonbely. Junior chairs were and Maggie Betts. They honored Antoinio “LA” Reid and Ted Chaiban. Chrisette Michele sang for everyone and was really amazing.

The Studio Museum Fall Gala 2009

Last night was so much fun. The Studio Museum of Harlem had its annual Gala at Ciprianni Wall Street. As always the 3 beautiful Co-Chairs were Kathryn C. Chenault, Joyce K. Haupt and Carol Sutton Lewis. Thelma Golden looked radiant as she presented the award. Ray McGuire had us all laughing with jokes as he took to the mic. Melissa Feldman from MF Productions made sure the event was flawless and found me a place to sit for dinner. It was yummy.

New Yorker's for Children Gala 2009

Tuesday night had me rushing across town in the thick of the traffic racing to get to Ciprianni 42nd St before the guests. Obama had been in town and now that the UN is in session taxis are the slowest form of transport. Somehow I got there just in time to be ahead of the rush of beautifully dressed people as they arrived. Anderson Cooper hosted the event and Mary J Blige was the honoree It was a night of raising money for children in foster care here in NY.

The New York Philharmonic Gala

Wednesday night, Alan Gilbert became the New York Philharmonic's 25th music director, opening on a bold note — the world premiere of Magnus Lindberg's "EXPO."
I didn't get much of a chance to hear the concert but I did get to see what everyone was wearing. The press were there to photograph Alec Baldwin and Billy Joel. Luckily I saw them first and did not get stampeded but I didn't get so lucky with Meryl Streep who must have come in the back way. Renne Fleming who sang during the performance lit up the tent when she came in for the after show dinner

Who is She?

The party season may be over for the summer but don't think that Alexis Clark is taking a vacation. She is hard at work putting together the party pages for Town & Country's fall editions. We had such a great time this spring with so many fantastic events from New Yorkers for Children, BCRF, ABT just to name a few. As glamorous as the events she covers she is always beautifully dressed in Ralph Lauren, Angel Sanchez, Cavalli or some new designer no one has heard of yet except those in the know. You can often find her on my blog. Now you will know who she is. If you see her at a party make sure you say hello.