Alan Tanksely

Dear readers, just a few days ago, I sat down with interior designer Alan Tanksley at his sumptuous office soaring above a busy 5th Avenue building in the Chelsea neighborhood. I had a refreshing, in-depth conversation with Alan, as we spoke about one of New York’s most anticipated event, The Bailey House 30th Anniversary Auction & Gala. Alan explained how last year, the gala attracted over 800 affluent, philanthropic New York trendsetters. Through generous sponsorships, bidding wars and celebrity buzz, this organization have raised over $12 million dollars since their inaugural event. All proceeds from the Auction & Gala have gone directly to provide housing and supportive services for Bailey House clients.

High End Weekly™: When was Bailey House founded and why did you decide to get involved?

Alan Tanksley: The organization was founded in 1983, a few years after the Aids crisis decimated the gay and lesbian communities. As we are very well aware, in the 21st Century, the Aids epidemic has reached various groups of people and communities throughout the world. Back then, however, there were all these new organizations that were formed, and people were galvanized into action. During that time, a great number of people lost their homes because they were unable to work, and some were even kicked out of their apartments because they had this disease. People were rejected by their families, and homelessness became a huge issue very quickly. Bailey House played a masterful role in helping those who fell victim to Aids and the consequent increase in homelessness.

In a way, Bailey House became a hospice of sorts, a place of refuge. Our catch phrase were: The Future Begins With A Place To Live. With shelter, your health is improve, your regularity of taking medicines, all of these elements play a major part to your well-being. In 1988, a group of my friends and I – all young professionals, took it upon ourselves to rally support for medical research, civil rights, and legal issues from various organizations.

One of these organizations was Bailey House. At that time, it was known as the Aids Resource Center (ARC). However, after five hears into our organization, we were dissolved for various reasons – some of them were quite painful. It was then that I was approached by one of the main members from Bailey House. When I came on board, it was meant to be temporary, but 30 years later – and 25 years of personal involvement, I found that this is still a dynamic organization which has grown in a tremendous way.

HEW: The fundraising gala on March 28th is fast approaching. Tell me about it, and who are your special guests?

AT: The gala itself is truly an incredibly event. Plus it’s spring, so it’s a time for new beginnings, a time for romance, possibly. During the auction, people can bid on some knockout furniture and art works as well as a variety of dazzling fashion. Guests will experience glamorous vignettes from these interior designers: John Lyle, John Eason, and myself. This year, yet again, we have a tremendous amount of prodigious items to be auctioned off.

HEW: Really? What are they?

AT: Photography by Herb Ritts & Robert Mapplethorpe. Art by Hunt Slonem & a Private Cocktail Party for 25 at Hunt’s studio. Portrait sittings by Andres Serrano & Mark Beard, Premium opening night tickets to Alan Cumming’s one-man Macbeth on Broadway Exotic vacations in Mexico, Costa Rica & other desirable global destinations. Week-long luxury stay in the Hamptons for four Accessories from Prada, Marc Jacobs, Brooks Brothers. Fitness memberships to Crunch & Equinox. Weekend at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Tickets to Watch What Happens Live, The Colbert Report & many other hits of stage and screen. Loehmann’s Shopping Spree. Tourneau Watch, Hot Air Balloon Ride. A│X Armani Exchange Leather Jacket, a 1920s Gustav Klimt Print and more.

HEW: Wow. That is exciting, indeed! And the special guests you have lined up are?

AT: We have Susan Sarandon, Julianne Moore, Todd Oldham, Wendy Williams, Simon Doonan and Jonathan Adler, Tim Gunn, Bobby and Jill Zarin, Andy Cohen, Terrence Meck and Breton Alberty, Lucy Arnaz, John Bartlett and John Esty, J. Goodwin Bland and Michael Katovitz, David Mixner, Kevin Sessums, Grant Shaffer, Toby Usnik, Carmen Marc Valvo and Jane Pauley will be hosting the evening.

HEW: This truly will be a fun party, plus it’s for such a good cause. Finally, tell me about the honorary awards.

AT: The Arts & Legacy Award Honoree goes to Alan Cumming. Rand Harlan Skolnick will receive the Corporate Responsibility Award. The Honoree is Harlan Bratcher, President & CEO of A/X Armani Exchange Bingham McCutchen. The auction emcee is Ray DeForest, and the host for the evening is Jane Pauley.

As I mentioned from the beginning, The Bailey House Auction & Gala has a rich legacy as a highlight of the New York City benefit season. It has been covered by the NYT’s Bill Cunningham, Patrick McMullan, ABC News, NBC News, DNAinfo.com, Dan’s Papers, the Daily News, The New York Post, CBS Radio, NY1 and other media outlets. In addition, there is a long list of high profile companies that have consistently supported us, including Armani, Coach, New York Yankees, Coca-Cola, Patron, Orbitz, Swiss Air, CBS, Baccarat, The W Hotel Group, ABC/Disney, Judith Ripka, DKNY, Hugo Boss, Wells Fargo and West Elm/Williams Sonoma, among many others. For tickets please visit www.baileyhouse.org.

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