El Museo del Barrio Spring Gala

On Wednesday night I raced up town to photograph a party for Fleet week full of Generals and Admirals then I headed to Ciprianni 42nd Street for The El Museo del Barrio Gala. By the time I got there cocktails were over and I had missed the mariachi band but the room looked beautiful and so did the guests. Yaz Hernandez looked as pretty as a picture and in fact there was a portrait of her painted by a student from East Harlem and tutored by Ruben Toledo, that was auctioned to make money for the Museum. After the awards a Gloria Estefan look alike took to the stage with Gloria's real life husband Emilio, who took to the congas. The crowd danced as only a crowd from South America can.

ABT Spring Gala

There was great excitement in the air on Monday night as all the photographers gathered early at Lincoln Center for the official police check. Michelle Obama was attending the performance for ABT and so we had to pass the security check. Sadly I did not get to see her as she was wisked in and out by secret service and only Mary Hilliard, who was the house photographer was able to take 2 photos of Michelle for the press.
None the less it made for a great evening and the guests arrived excited in anticipation of seeing the First Lady.




After the performance the guests made their way to the tent for dinner where Bill Tansey had worked his magic on the decor and where food and drink were followed by everyone taking to the dance floor.

Museum of the City of New York : Neighborhood Explorers great weekend

This week end I joined a group of kids and helped clean up and create a friendly garden space on 3rd Ave and 98th St With camera around my neck I found myself digging holes and pushing the wheelbarrow. As part of a project organized by The Museum of The City of New York the students met over several months and planned and designed the space which included moving existing unattended flower beds and plants and adding flowers, trees and a winding path. The weather that had scheduled to rain held out and by Sunday afternoon the space was truly transformed.

BAP 18th Annual Celebration of the Creative Spirit Benefit Dinner

On Wednesday night I got to visit one of my favorite NY Restaurants, The Four Seasons, for this years BAP Awards. I was met at the door by Dwight Johnson who had to be the most popular man of the night having organized yet another fabulous event for BAP. Lisa Schiff who is Executive Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center was awarded the Brooke Astor Award and reminisced about her friendship with Brooke. Julian Niccolini & Alex von Bidder who are the Managing Partners of The Four Seasons Restaurant received the Creative Spirit Award. Beth DeWoody gave them their awards and told how the restaurant has become the home away from home for the Rudin family. It was fitting that they receive the award as they celebrate the 50 years anniversary of The Four Seasons. Sade Baderinwa was the always beautiful Master of Ceremonies and Mayor Dinkins was there to show his support.




As the guests walked into the dinning room after cocktails they were met by Students, some of whom were in the pool wearing swim suits designed by one of BAP's Alumni. Lynn Whitfield, who was wearing a cream silk gown was a head turner as she entered the room as were Andre Leon Talley and Ashley Ramos when they arrived. Andrea is larger than life and sat and held court with the likes of Annette de la Renta and Mica Etegun while posing for photo oops with some of the students.

The event raised money for scholarships to help African American and Hispanic students at Pratt

Olivia Chantecaille in WWD

Olivia Chantecaille married hedge funder beau Warren G. Grady 3rd (Ren to friends) in St. Barth’s on May 2, walking down the aisle in a custom-made, cream lace Giambattista Valli gown with a sweetheart neckline, the first he’s ever designed for an American bride. The evening ceremony was held in St. Bartholomew’s Church in the island’s capital of Gustavia. Afterward, the bride and groom, a principal at Williams Trading LLC and 80 guests, including the bride’s mother, beauty maven Sylvie Chantecaille; sister Alex; Town & Country editor in chief Pamela Fiori; BJ Blum;Blair Voltz Clarke;Adelina Wong Ettelson, and jewelers Amedeo Scognamiglio and Roberto Faraone Mennella, were driven in white minibuses to the reception at a nearby private villa. On a terrace overlooking an infinity pool and view of the ocean, it was an intimate affair: there was one single, long table covered in gray tablecloths and french white linens — filled with exploding bouquets of white roses, peonies, orchids, freesias, votives and nautilus shells; orchid chandeliers overhead; Champagne and rum punch, and a seafood meal catered by local hot spot Maya’s. For dessert, there was a chocolate cake with white ganache with fresh flowers cascading down. And everyone stayed into the wee hours dancing up a storm, including the bride, who changed into a white J.Mendel dress. PHOTO © JULIE SKARRATT

THIS IS THE WRITE UP THAT APPEARED IN WWD FOR THE WEDDING I SHOT LAST WEEK END IN ST BARTHS.

Lincoln Center turns 50

Today I was invited to photograph the celebration for Lincoln Center's 50th Anniversary. There was a breakfast followed by a concert in the newly renovated Alice Tully Hall. David Rockefeller and Govenor Paterson were there to lend their support. Did you know that Lincoln Center has over 5 million visitors a year?

Montauk Dogs

I just had the best weekend with Ashley and Mike in Montauk. Of course Buster was THE BEST DOG ever as always. He took me to meet his dogfriends Leroy and Max. I also went to visit new friends who have a new house that they designed with Murdock and Young Architects. Check out the website www.murdockyoung.com/ The funny thing is that they built a spec house with Murdock and Young that I fell in love with because it was perfect except that someone else put a deposit on it an hour before the broker showed it to me. We met last week in St Barths at the wedding I was photographing and discovered the connection. Their house is amazing and I am very inspired.

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.