Life and Style – Page 2 – High End Weekly™

Art Deco Under The Stars at Stephen Kelly Gallery

Geoffrey Bradfield, and Cynthia Murphy

Dr. Stephen Kelly graciously opened his gallery, as well as his beautiful rooftop to a number of his guests from the art and design industries, last Tuesday evening. Visitors were shown some of his most recent collection of French Art Deco from Jean Dunand, and Jean Goulden. Jean Dunand (1877–1942) was a Swiss lacquer artist, a master metalworker, who created furniture and decorative arts. His contemporary, Jean Goulden (1878 – 1946), was a painter, designer and enameller who “excelled in the art of champlevé enameling”. Notables from the evening included, Geoffrey Bradfield, Jared Goss, high end gallery dealers from the New York tri-state area, executive members from various auction houses in the city, and many others.

Renowned interior designer Geoffrey Bradfield and his guest

Stephen Kelly Gallery

Judith Gura, Design historian from The New York School of Interior Design

Vyna St. Phard

Christina Japp, Cynthia Murphy

Photo credit: High End Weekly™

Top Designers & Members of The Press Gathered Together in NYC to Kick-off Masterpiece London

Thomas Woodham-Smith, Mario Buatta, Susan Gutfreund, Geoffrey Bradfield, Audrey Gruss, Ellie Cullman, Philip Hewat-Jaboor, Nazy Vassegh, Nicola Winwood, Jamie Drake

This was the second year that the American Patrons for Masterpiece London held their New York kick-off to announce plans for Masterpiece London, which opens with a preview on June 26 and runs through July 3 at the South Grounds of The Royal Hospital Chelsea. This year Ellie Cullman hosted the reception at her magnificent apartment.

Lynne Westcott, Geoffrey Bradfield

Philip Hewat-Jaboor, Sandra Nunnerley

Alex Shuman, Jeffery Bilhuber

Philip Hewat-Jaboor, Nazy Vassegh, Nicola Winwood, Thomas Woodham-Smith

Timothy Van Dam, Ron Wagner

Rod_Keenan

Jennifer Ceasar

Thomas Woodham-Smith, Bennett Weinstock, Michael_Simon

Henry_Neville

Greg Kwiat, Dana Kiyomura

Christina Murphy, Nina Carbone

Maureen Footer, Daniel Hamparsumyan

Richard Dragisic, William Brockschmidt, Tom Scheerer

Bruce Bierman, William Secord, Audrey Gruss

Constantino Castellano, Christopher Hyland, Geoffrey Bradfield, KyleMarshall

Photos Credited to Annie Watt

Highlights of NYSID’s 2013 Spring Gala

From Left: Laurie D. Olin and Geoffrey Bradfield

On April 30th, The New York School of Interior Design, a private, not-for-profit college devoted exclusively to interior design education and related disciplines honored two industry luminaries, Geoffrey Bradfield and Laurie D. Olin. The event was well attended by notables in the industry, guests and supporters of the college. Geoffrey Bradfield, an Architectural Digest Dean of American Design, was the recipient of the Albert Hadley Lifetime Achievement Award. One of the most international acclaimed designers of our time, he is known for creating elegant and luxurious interiors for private residences, offices, embassies, and resorts on virtually every continent as well as those of many yachts and jets that travel among them.

Laurie D. Olin, founder and principal of OLIN in Philadelphia, is a distinguished teacher, author, and one of the most renowned landscape architects practicing today. Olin received the Thomas N. Armstrong III Award in Landscape Design. Alexa Hampton, interior designer and NYSID trustee, was the Benefit Chairman.

Laurie D. Olin and Geoffrey Bradfield

Martha Stewart

Michael S and Tara Rockefeller

Rachel and Ara Hovnanian, Mary Hilliard

Baroness Gabrielle von Langendorff and Paul Cardile

Ralph Rucci, Eric Javits

Stephanie Krieger, Brian Stewart, Ellen Scarborough

Deborah Nielson, Betsey Ruprecht, Mario Buatta

Alexa Hampton

Leslie Stevens and Michael Boodro

Michael Sovern, Betsey Ruprecht, Charlotte Cady, Patricia Sovern

Debbie Bancroft, Thom Filicia, Amy Hoadley

Martha Stewart, Jill Dienst and Tom Hahn

Thomas Woltz, Kate Wood, David Sprouls

Photo credit: Matthew Carasella

Shopping In London For A Spring Wedding!

Ladurée Cakes

Burlington Arcade: London’s Ultimate Shopping Destination

This post is dedicated to our London readers, and all the fashionable crowd, who wish to shop at one of England’s chicest address – Burlington Arcade. Whether it is planning your wedding list, selecting your engagement ring or buying a present for hte bridal party, Burligton Arcade, Britain’s first shopping arcade, has the answer. I like the fact that it’s away from the mainstream, and elegant brides and grooms, and anyone who is shopping for a posh and special wedding, can see bespoke pieces to match British boutique wedding – something which the Burlington Arcade offers with unrivalled aplom!

Mark Lord, the head Beadle at the Burlington Arcade comments: ‘The Burlington Arcade is an un-rivalled destination for both UK and international consumers looking for a truly bespoke wedding experience. From the ring room at Richard Ogden to the tranquil perfume profiling room at Penhaligon’s, the enclosed arcade is an oasis away from the busy streets of London. It takes time to decide who you want to marry, do that decision justice by taking the time to get the attire right for your big day. I certainly did, I bought my wife’s engagement ring at the arcade. I see many couples visit the Arcade and each couple has a memorable British experience. It doesn’t get better than that.’

33″ Extra Deep Suitcase with wheels from Globe-Trotter

Bluebell Eau de Toilette Spray

Eye-catching engagement at Susannah Lovis

Dragées Ladurée

Scroll Art Deco Feather Hair Piece

Deep Suitcase … with wheels!

Romantic and captivating Endymion from Penhaligons

Crockett & Jones

Burlington Arcade, UK

Out On The Town: This Month’s Hottest Events

Clockwise: David Patrick Columbia and Vyna St. Phard (Doyle New York), Felicia Zwebner, Bryant Keller, Jennifer Duneier (Irene Mamiye Gallery), Thom Filicia (Mandarin Hotel), Solstiss Lace showroom, Nicky Haslam and Vyna St. Phard (Baroncelli), Irene Mamiye

and Stephen Dweck (Irene Mamiye Gallery).

Kips Bay President’s Dinner

One week ago at The Mandarin Oriental Hotel, the annual Kips Bay President’s Dinner raised over $500,000 for the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club. It was a great evening that gathered New York’s influencers and design elite including Dennis Basso, Somers and Jonathan Farkas, Tony Ingrao, Randy Kemper, Vicente Wolf, Thom Filica, Bunny Williams, Margaret Russell, Mario Buatta, Richard and Marcia Mishaan, Jim Lebenthal, and James Huniford, among many others. The Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club choir also treated guests to two performances throughout the evening, the first was ’96,000’ from the Broadway hit In The Heights, the second was ‘The Prayer’, originally performed by Andrea Bocelli.

James Druckman, Tony Ingrao, Margaret Russell, Randy Kemper, Richard Mishaan, Jennifer Steinbrenner, Bunny Williams, Jamie Drake, Daniel Quintero

Tony Ingrao, Margaret Russell, Randy Kemper

Richard Mishaan, Margaret Russell

Thom Filicia

Bunny Williams

Richard Mishaan, Marcia Mishaan

Mario Buatta, Patricia Sovern

Susan Henshaw Jones, James Lebanthal

Jennifer Steinbrenner, Daniel Quitero

Michael Bruno, Lizzy Fraser, Mario Buatta

Kips Bay Boys & Girls

Photo courtesy Patrick McMullan

Irene Mamiye Soho Gallery Opening

New York-based artist Irene Mamiye opens a gallery space at 89 Spring Street in Soho to showcase her fine art photography, furniture from the Chroma Collection, design and video. Mamiye is best known for incorporating various digital imaging techniques into her fine art photography. Inspired by light, color and movement, her work explores the intricate relationship between her complex personal history, the camera’s unique relation to reality, and the visionary possibilities of digital imaging. Mamiye’s work has been exhibited in prestigious national venues, including: Phillips De Pury & Company, Sotheby’s, Art Basel/Miami, HW Gallery in Naples, Hamburg Kennedy NY and East Hampton, 212 Gallery in Aspen, and Cheryl Hazan Gallery NY.

Irene Mamiye

Irene Mamiye Gallery in Soho

Irene Mamiye and Stephen Dweck

Felicia Zwebner and Charles Mamiye

Bryant Keller and Suzanne Eason

Alberto Villalobos and Mercedes Desio

Dana and Jennifer Duneier

Felicia Zwebner, Bryant Keller, Jennifer Duneier

Randall Tarasuk and Charles Pavarini III

Jack Lynch and Steven Stolman

Michael Gabriel and Eric Hilton

Elyse Mamiye

Nina Reeves and Beth Mitchell

Alyson Mamiye, Lisa Mitchell and Nicole Cohen

Photos courtesy Norbert Schramm

The AIPAD Photography Show at the Park Avenue Armory

William Klein, Muhammad Ali, Miami, 1964, painted XXX

Hand-painted gelatin silver contact print; 50 X 60 cm

© William Klein/Courtesy Howard Greenberg Gallery, New York

THE AIPAD PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW NEW YORK
APRIL 4 – 7, 2013
PARK AVENUE ARMORY

The AIPAD Photography Show is one of the world’s most important annual photography events, presented by The Association of International Photography Art Dealers (AIPAD). The fair is the longest-running and foremost exhibition of fine art photography. This year, my expectations for this exhibition are running high, and I’m particularly looking forward to attending the show, and getting acquainted with more than 80 of the world’s leading fine art photography galleries that will present a wide range of museum-quality work including contemporary, modern, and 19th-century photographs, as well as photo-based art, video, and new media. The 33rd edition of the show will commence with an opening night gala on April 3, 2013, to benefit inMotion, which provides free legal services to low-income women.

“AIPAD continues to be at the forefront of the photography market,” noted Catherine Edelman, President, AIPAD, and Director, Catherine Edelman Gallery. “Known for their scholarship and expertise, AIPAD galleries are shining light on extraordinary photographs by modern masters and emerging artists, images made in the past year by some of the most important artists working today, as well as relatively unknown work that is ripe for public exhibition. New and established photography collectors are anticipating another extraordinary exhibition.”

Damion Berger, Untitled VII, 2010

Pigment ink print on Baryta paper, Diasec mounted in aluminum frame,

74 x 61 inches. Courtesy Lisa Sette Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ

Four panel discussions featuring leading curators, artists, dealers, and collectors will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2013. The panels, sponsored by Artnet, will be held at Hunter College in the Hunter West Building, Room HW615. (The entrance to the Hunter West Building is located on the corner of East 68th Street and Lexington Avenue, just one block from the Park Avenue Armory.) Each AIPAD panel is $10 per person. Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets are available for purchase at the Park Avenue Armory on April 4, 5, and 6 during Show hours. Tickets will not be sold on-site at Hunter College.

Didier Massard, Underwater Cathedral, 2012. Chromogenic print,

47 x 37 inches. Courtesy Julie Saul Gallery, New York

Weegee, Easter Sunday in Harlem, c. 1940

Gelatin silver print, 9 x 7 1/8 inches

Courtesy L. Parker Stephenson Photographs, New York

Nathan Benn, Drink Coca-Cola, Cape Charles, Maryland, 1982. Type of print

Cig Harvey, Scout and the Pomegranate Seeds, Rockport, Maine, 2012

Chromogenic print, various sizes. Courtesy Robert Klein Gallery, Boston

Vik Muniz, Orphan Girl at the Cemetery, after Delacroix, from Gordian Puzzles, 2008

Digital color coupler print, 87 x 71 inches. Copyright Vik Muniz/Courtesy Contemporary Works Vintage Works, Chalfont, PA

Joshua Lutz, Hesitating Beauty, 2010

Digital C-print, 30 x 40 inches

Courtesy Robert Koch Gallery, San Francisco

Matthew Brandt, Mary’s Lake, MT 11, 2012

Chromogenic print soaked in Mary’s Lake water,

72 x 105 inches, unique. © Matthew Brandt, Courtesy Yossi Milo Gallery, New York

Yu Xiao, Nursery Rhymes 01, Going to School, 2012

Epson Ultra Giclee, Size. Courtesy 798 Photo Gallery, Beijing

The AIPAD Photography Show New York will run from Thursday, April 4, though Sunday, April 7, 2013, at the Park Avenue Armory at 67th Street in New York City. Tickets will be available at the door. An opening night gala for The AIPAD Photography Show New York will be held on Wednesday, April 3, at the Park Avenue Armory to benefit inMotion, which provides free legal services to low-income women. For more information, contact AIPAD at 202-367-1158 or info@aipad.com or visit aipad.com.

Bailey House 30th Anniversary Auction & Gala

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.

January’s Key Events on Review

Rose Hartman, celebrity photographer of Incomparable Women of Style and Pamela Hill of Hill Gallery (Birmingham, Michigan) at the Metro Show opening night accompanied by a life-size sculpture of a amiable man dressed in 18th-century fashion carved from Southern pine, Early 19th Century,

From 18th century textiles from Asia, folk art from the Americas, Jule Leleu’s arm chairs from France, to art deco tea service by Brüder Frank from Maison Gerard, the major antique art shows opened with a brilliant and optimistic note last month starting with the opening night at the Metropolitan Pavilion in Chelsea, home to the 2nd Annual Metro Show.

A SOIRÉE AT THE METRO SHOW
Editor’s Top Picks

Lillian Nassau LLC (New York): Tiffany Studio art glass, early 20th Century

Photos courtesy High End Weekly™

THE 59TH ANNUAL WINTER ANTIQUES SHOW

Set of four Armchairs by Jules Leleu, Carolle Thibault-Pomerantz

* Mahogany and gilt bronze sabots, numbered on right back leg, France c. 1935

* Pair of Fine Ceramic vases by Primavera. Signed on base: Primavera France, impressed with hatchet mark for Sainte-Radegonde. Atelier of Les Grands Magasins du Printemps (founded in 1912)

* Fine rare extension and adjustable center table/coffee table “guéridon elevator” by Jules Leleu. France, c. 1955. *Wallpaper, Incas. Wood-block printed by Dufour in 1818, after Jean-Francois Marmontel. One scene from the panoramique “Incas”: pizaro disembarking with his companions in Peru. Rare panel: in pristine condition and colors, never hung. Wood-block printed by Dufour in 1818, after Jean-Francois Marmontel. * Wallpaper, “Les Chasses de Compiègne” (Stag Hunt at the Chateau de Compiègne): Quarry Scene ( La Curée). This is the only scenic panoramique designed by the painter Carle Vernet who specialized in hunt and horse scenes. The panels were wood-block printed by Jacquemard & Bénard, successor of Reveillon. Provenance:

Jean Zuber private collection.

Black Wings is a hand knotted carpet, made at the Wilton Royal workshops, England,

circa 1935 by Marion Dorn., Keshishian

Salvador Dali, Spain, Ménagère , 1962

Silver-gilt cutlery comprising: “Cuillère artichaut”, artichoke spoon with snail shell, painted and lacquered artichoke bowl. “Fourchette- é l é phant 3 dents”, fork with three teeth and elephant head, the eyes set with rubies. “Couteau escargot aux larmes”, snail knife with tear-shaped pendants., Didier Ltd

Italian Glass Past

Barovier Intarsio Vase designed by Orcole Barovier 1961

Venini Mosaico Zanfirico Vase, designed by Paolo Venini, c. 1954, Acid signed “Venini Murano Italia” to base, *Three Venini Incamiciato Vases designed by Paolo Venini, 1950, Acid signed “Venini Murano Italia” to base * Salviati Fascia Murrine Vase designed by Luciano Gaspari, 1964, Inscribed signature “Salviati Murano” to base * Venini Fasce Verticale Vase designed by Fulvio Bianconi, c. 1952, Acid signed “Venini Murano Italia” to base * Venini Tessuto Vase designed by Barlo Scarpa, 1940 Acid signed “Venini Murano Italia” to bas * Venini Battulo Vase designed by Carlo Scarpa, c. 1940 Acid signed “Venini Murano Ars” to base * Venini Occhi Vase designed by Tobia Scarpa, 1962, Acid signed “Venini Italy Murano” (Circular) to base * Venini Mezz-Filligrana Decanter, c. 1956, Acid signed “Venini Murano Italia” to base * Venini Mezza-Filigrana Bird designed by Tomaso Buzzi, 1932, Acid signed “Venini Murano Ars” to base * Venini Incamiciato Vase designed by Tomaso Buzzi, c. 1933, Acid signed “Venini Murano” to base * Venini Mezza-Filigrana Bird designed by Tomaso Buzzi, 1932,
Acid signed “Venini Murano Ars” to base

Fine & Rare Art Deco Silver six-piece Tea Service by Brüder Frank, Vienna, Austria, circa 1920 from Maison Gerard

Serge Manzon, White lacquered bibliothèque with three stained oak shelves, c.1970, Magen H Gallery

Wingback Lounge Chair, Unknown, Denmark, c. 1951, Wool and Teak, Lost City Arts

The decisive leadership that made Lincoln great

He overrules his military commander to protect Washington Autograph Letter Signed. May 21, 1862, The Kenneth Rendell Gallery

Photo credit and story by Laurence Fayard

William Helburn Washington Square Arch, 1950 Gelatin Silver Print

William Helburn Red Canoe, 1959 Archival Pigment Print

Both photographs from Peter Fetterman Gallery

VARIOUS VENUES

A reproduced Campbell’s Soup Can by Andy Warhol from the MOMA Store

Unknown artist oil on canvas at the offices of Drs. Chapas and MacGregor of Union Square Laser Dermatology

Photos courtesy High End Weekly™

How To Achieve that famous “Cooper Look”

Anderson Cooper

Photo via Washington Post

A Tailored Man

Who on earth are designing Anderson Cooper’s suits? I’ve been wondering about this for years, and now I need answers. At times, I suspect these stylish garments that we’ve all tuned in to watch on AC360 (of course, we appreciate and like his reporting style too) are the works of the talented Ralph Lauren, Thom Browne, and perhaps even Tom Ford? Somehow, I suspect that Ralph Lauren is his go-to primary fashion designer. Inquiring mind wants to know.

Cooper Style

Image credit:Melissa Lynn/Zuma Press

Ralph Lauren Purple Suit

Star power: Anderson Cooper at the CMJ Film Festival

photo via evilbeetgossip.com

Tommy Hilfiger‘s smart and casual look

Life of the party: Anderson Cooper at a Vanity Fair Oscar Party

Photo via Life.com

ACNE via Mr. Porter

Photo via onewed.com

A very young and stylish Anderson

photo via Thefashionspot.com

Get a similar look: ETRO Blue Tweed Blazer

Photo via lyst.com

CNN’s anchor man, Anderson Cooper

Credit: Apega/WENN.com photo via Sociallitelife.com

Ralph Lauren black label

Photo via Men Style Power

It’s Time To Celebrate!

Davide and Paolo Sozzi

Welcome to the DIFFA Age

The Italian furniture atelier PROMEMORIA held its annual holiday parties in cities around the world this week including Paris, Moscow, London, Milan and New York. At the New York fete, in the company’s Upper East Side showroom at the Fine Arts Building, New York’s prominent interior designers, design editors and design-loving New Yorkers gathered with hosts Davide and Paolo Sozzi to celebrate the season take a chance in a “Wish-Raffle” to benefit Design Industries’ Foundation Fighting AIDS (DIFFA). Guests made a wish and a donation to the organization for a chance to win one of two tremendous prizes.

Some of the wishes were general in nature, others were more specific to the AIDS cause, for which DIFFA has mobilized the immense resources of the design communities and granted over $40 million to hundreds of AIDS service organizations nationwide since its founding in 1984. Journalist and author Jorge Arango made this heartfelt wish “As someone who has lived with AIDS since 1993, it is my sincerest wish that the good works done by DIFFA will not be necessary in some near future, and that a cure will make the organization’s existence unnecessary.” David Sheppard, Executive Director of DIFFA National for more than 15 years, wished for generous benefactors: “What a difference it would make if more companies like Promemoria added ‘doing good’ to doing good business!”

Raffle prizes were donated by generous sponsors and included The MoMA VIP Experience (featuring a private, after-hours tour of the museum and dinner for four at The MODERN restaurant, one of New York’s premiere dining experiences), and a deluxe Holiday Home Entertaining package (featuring 8 bottles of fine wine from LaCrema, 6 hand-blown Murano glass tumblers by Promemoria, and a $100 gift certificate to chef Mario Batali’s Eataly Market).

Arlene Angard, RioHamilton, VynaStPard

Michael Tavano, Barry Richards

Rock Axtman and Inson Wood

DIFFA Director Bill Murphy

Darrin Varden, Michael Tavano, LarryMartino

Dennis Scully and Michael Tavano

Fruit Display

James Rixner and Rio Hamilton

Jorge Arango, Vyna St Phard

Maggie Brown, Steven Williams

Michael Tavano, Arlene Angard, Vyna St Phard

Michael Tavano, Arlene Angard

Michael Tavano, Larry Martino

The three hour party was afloat in Italian wine and Prosecco, delicious hors d’oeuvres were copious and a huge buffet table laden with luscious fruits in della robbia style displays and several enormous Panettone, the traditional sweet breads that mark the holidays in Italy, and which hail from the north of the country, where Promemoria is headquartered and where they makes all of their fine furniture, lighting and gift items by hand.

Live jazz from the 45 Riots Quartet featuring Broadway

star LaShonda Reese singing holiday and jazz favorites

Rock Axtman, Lizzy Schofield

The Panettone is the highlight of the event, and is flown in from Milan especially for the occasion by Promemoria, which has its entire staff tasting various versions of Panettone from Milan’s top bakeries and voting on the favorite months in advance of its worldwide celebrations.

Photos courtesy Promemoria