DKMS 3rd Annual Gala

Last night was the 3rd Annual DKMS Gala at Cipriani 42nd St. DKMS is the world’s largest bone marrow donor center and it was an amazing turn out in support of the organisation. On the guest list there was Katharina Harf, Rihanna, Kylie Minogue, Mario Cantone, Vera Wang, Frederic and Shirin Fekkai, Amy Ryan, Jazmine Sullivn, Knaan, Cooper Boone, Chelsea Clinton, Derek Lam, Lara Meiland and Betsey Johnson to name a few that I caught with my camera.

Central Park

Yesterday was the 27th Annua Frederick Law Olmsted Awards Luncheon in the Conservatory Garden of Central Park. The rain stopped for the day and no one needed their umbrellas. The gardens looked amazing and so did the women, who helped raise over 2 million dollars. Bette Midler showed up looking stunning in a green pant suit and a fabulous hat.

Ailey at the APOLLO

Last night I jumped on the A train and headed to Harlem, umbrella in one hand and camera bag in the other. I was ready to be wowed as I always am when ever I go the The Apollo Theater. Alvin Ailey was having a performance for the 50th Anniversary Spring Gala that combined dancers from the company and gifted students in a program that had me on the edge of my seat. There is something truly amazing about the Apollo Theater. I always feel as if the spirit of everyone who has ever performed there is hanging in the air. Christopher Williams and his wife Janice were honored at the event that raised money for dance scholarships. Tiki Barber was the Honorary Chair. There was a gasp of surprise in the audience when he admitted that in 12 years of living in NY this was his first visit to the Apollo. After the performance everyone headed over to the tent where people helped themselves to food and then hit the dance floor.

PINK IS THE NEW PINK

It is just after 3 am and I am sitting here busy at my computer. In 2 hours a car is coming to pick me up to take me to the airport. I am very excited to be going down to St Barths to photograph a wedding but in the mean time I just felt I had to get one last entry up for you all especially as last night was such an amazing evening. Evelyn Lauder is the heart and soul and continuing driving force behind BCRF. She works tirelessly to raise money for Breast Cancer Research. And what a mighty important thing that is for all us women. Thank you Evelyn. And with her comes her friends who show up every year at the Warldorf Astoria.



Elton John and Liz Hurley light up any room that they walk into and with them comes a little magic. This year Elton brought us Liza Minnelli to sing and wow, did she put on a show. Not only that, she stopped in the middle of her performance and raised $50,000 by refusing to sing New York, New York unless 5 people would donate $10,000. You go Liza! And then she sang her heart out for us all. So here I am dreaming about sleep but with more important things to do.





It is amazing to me how the gowns reflected the colors of the flowers that I photographed earlier in the week in Central Park. It must be told that Evelyn insisted that all her friends find something in their wardrobes to wear. She was the first to admit her dress had been hanging in her closet for 2 years. I heard Liz Hurley mention that her dress was 5 years old and was last worn on the red carpet at Cannes. Don't you just love it! I do!
And don't let me forget to tell you just how delicious dinner was. Short ribs and mash. Yum

Win WIN

Last night at the Pierre Hotel an amazing group of people came together as Tory Burch presented Pamela Fiori the "Commit To Win" award at the Annual WIN Benefit Dinner. The evening raised over One Million dollars that will go towards Women In Need. The organization helps to find housing and also deals with the issues of addiction and abuse of women in NY. Their program has a 90% success rate with the clients who complete it and 3 of the women were there to tell their stories. During the dinner the guests bought balloons and the room became filled with the signs of donations. It was really clever and festive. The event was co ordinated by Wendy Kleinman from WK Planning, Ltd, who kindly found me a place at a table for dinner.

Central Park in bloom

This morning when I woke up I just had to run to Central park to see how much it has changed with this wonderful warm weather.
I was so excited to see all the new flowers, some of which are only here for a week. Next Wednesday is the Conservancy Lunch and talk among my friends is, is there time to still get a hat from Eric Javitz. Stay tuned!.

New York Pops 26th Birthday Gala

Last night I packed my brand new 5D Cannon Camera and headed out to give it a whirl. Lucky for me there was just the right party to go shoot. Celebrating 10 years of Feinstein's at the Loews Regency Hotel, Liz Smith hosted a fun night conducted by Steve Reineke. One of the highlights was the world premiere of American River Suite written by Stephen Flaherty and William Schermerhorn. This is going to be the music for the fireworks display for the Macy's 4th of July Party and I heard on the grape vine that this year there are going to be 6 barges of fireworks so put it on your calendar if you are going to be in the city

Michael Feinstein and Jonathan Tisch were congratulated for helping create the New York hot spot.


Happy me found myself in a Box 29 and for those of you who have had the same good fortune you know just how lucky I was. Thanks Dan Dutcher for the ticket.



After the show I ran over to the Pierre were dinner was being served and got to test my new camera without the flash. Oh too much fun!

MY TRAVELS IN NEW YORK

Finally our first summer day. I decided I needed a journey so I went to 32nd st to eat Korean noodles for lunch and then planed on heading to Coney Island to get a taste of the beach. Imagine my surprise when I turned the corner on 32nd and 6th Ave and ran into the 22nd Annual Sikh Parade. I was in Exotic Heaven and I hadn't even left Manhattan.



After joining the parade and walking down to 23rd St I jumped on the subway and headed to the beach. The train was full of families with young kids all eager to leave the city behind them for the afternoon. It was beautiful and there was a cool breeze. I resisted the temptation to eat a hot dog but it was hard.

Orpheus and the Other World

I love the Metropolitan Club in NYC. I always feel like I have stepped back in time, when grand houses lined Fifth Ave. Last night it was location for the annual Orpheus Chamber Orchestra Gala. After sipping cocktails in the majestic main hall the guests were treated to a performance by the Orchestra. Later they climbed the stairs to the dinning room where dinner was served. This year the tables were decorated with orchids thanks to Foliage Gardens. It was simple and beautiful.


I love the fact that there is no conductor for the Orchestra. They rotate leadership roles and all the member of the orchestra get to participate in the artistic decisions during the rehearsals. I think that is extraordinary.

The Studio Museum Lunch

Today the chicest group of women came together to have lunch at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel as Thelma Golden from The Studio Museum of Harlem honored Amsale for her creative and visionary designs. There were mannequins displaying some of Amsales beautiful wedding dresses.



It took 30 minutes to get the ladies into the dinning room as they were all so busy chatting and catching up with each other. I was lucky to be seated with Ali from the Museum and we all enjoyed hearing from Amsale as she told us of her journey from Ethiopia to study in NY and the hardship of finding herself caught in a foreign country as war broke out in her home land. Her father was imprisoned and she found herself penniless and stranded. Through creativity, her love of beauty and a strong community of friends here in NY she not only survived but created a life in fashion that has lead to her success.




This year the Studio Museum turns 40 and FYI their autumn Gala on October 26th is a must.
Thanks Amsale for sharing your story and talents with us. You are an inspiration