Growing apart, even among the most brief of friendships, makes us lovesick for the memories of what once was, and calls us to mourn the potential of what could have been.
It is officially New York Fashion Week and you know what that means…parties, fashion and more parties! Last night we were on the scene with KitchenAid as the brand hosted a fashion presentation to kick off New York’s fashion celebration.
At the very beginning of October, we were invited to the Park Hyatt New York hotel for the latest art collection featuring Jeffrey Okyere-Agyeii, a contemporary abstract artist and bellman at the hotel. “TeRa-NiSeR ToTeMs” is inspired by Okyere-Agyei’s upbringing in Ghana, where totems are a large part of the physical symbology passed down through generations. Ghana is one of many cultures across the world that have totems embedded in their history through artifacts and storytelling. These totems possess spirits of animals, plants, and various other entities associated with their ancestors.
Marking Okyere-Agyei’s third exhibit at the iconic Park Hyatt New York, the collection titled “TeRa-NiSeR ToTeMs,” is inspired by the artist’s upbringing in Ghana, where totems were a large part of the physical symbology he experienced, as passed down through the generations. Ghana’s culture, artifacts, and storytelling, like many across the world, honor totems as important fixtures embedded in their history, and typically possess spirits of animals, plants, and various other entities associated with their ancestors.
“I have always been intrigued by ancient mythical artifacts and have found their relevance to the human story fascinating,” said Okyere-Agyei. “TeRa-NiSeR ToTeMs has become my creative interpretation of one aspect of our human history, modern art, and its spiritual symbology as a way to connect the past to the present. With the use of resin and vibrant color pigments, each piece has a unique mystical reverence about it.”
Last fall, the hotel presented Okyere-Agyei’s “EDIFICE,” an abstract interpretation of New York City’s incredible cityscapes and famous skyline. Prior to that in September 2019, Okyere-Agyei displayed his first Park Hyatt New York exhibit, “Future Art for the Present,” which reflected his love of movement in nature, space, and geometry.
The artist’s current installation began on September 14 and will be commemorated with a launch event in the hotel’s restaurant, The Living Room, on October 6. “TeRa-NiSeR ToTeMs” will be on display at Park Hyatt New York’s ground-level Avenue Gallery and in The Living Room through the end of December 2022.
THE BLONDS latest collection is a tribute to the first summer they shared. Filled with escapism, glamour, and nightlife in New York City, all about excess style and memories of those hot nights where Phillipe and David bonded over their mutual love of dance music.
As THE BLONDS researched images for their first book, they recaptured the brand’s signature chain hardware treatment they have dressed everyone from JLo and Cardi B, to Sharon Stone, Nicki Minaj and Lady Gaga in.
Guests at Spring Studios on the last day of New York Fashion Week saw THE BLONDS signature over-the-top looks with golden hardware and lots of Preciosa crystal, along with the second installment of a limited-edition collectible print collection based on an iconic archival piece that will be reimaged as ready-to-wear.
This collection leads up to the launch of their very first cocktail table book entitled “THE BLONDS: GLAMOUR FASHION FANTASY” published by Rizzoli. The Prints Collection, along with THE BLONDS new book are available to order on www.THEBLONDSNY.com and wherever fine books are sold.
The 2022 US Open is the 142nd edition of tennis’ US Open and the fourth and final Grand Slam event of the year.
Hanky Panky has opened its doors to give customers an intimate and unique shopping experience.
It wouldn’t be summer without National Lemonade Day! Fishers Island Lemonade (FIL) kicked off the festivities with a happy hour hidden in New York’s trendy escape from the city, Governors Island. Held on August 16, the evening was spent celebrating Fisher’s craft cocktail lemonades in all their forms including sparkling, frozen (in ice pop form), and of course, in pink.
Taco Vista, the company’s summer collaborator, provided h’orderves and hosted the event which also sought to recognize the entrepreneurial sprit behind the holiday. FIL founder, Bronya Shillo, celebrated her eighth National Lemonade Day as an entrepreneur in a male dominated industry that credits her a pioneer. 
Since their launch in 2014, the brand has expanded from their original lemonade cocktails, to more options in a variety pack; a milestone that was launched and celebrated in May. This happy hour afforded an intrigued crowd the opportunity to try all four versions of the cocktail, and the icy pop, under the sunset.
Fishers Island Lemonade, a gluten free mix of lemon, honey, distilled vodka and barrel aged whiskey, is available for purchase on the company website where the Fishers team shares recipes for boozy lemonade cocktails that’ll make for great end of summer drinks!
We were in The Hamptons this weekend for the The Diabetes Research Institute Foundation’s second annual Hamptons Garden Gala on August 13th at Patricia and Roger Silverstein’s Water Mill home, which was an intimate benefit, actually more in the nature of a festive dinner party at home with friends and friends of friends.
The heart of the gala which was chaired and hosted by the Silversteins and Vice chaired by Marc Leder, Doug Donaldson, Jean Shafiroff, Susan Shin, Maria Fishel and Pamala Wright along with generous support from Balmain, Ameōn Skincare and Libbie Mugrabi, was Dr. Camillo Ricordi’s briefing on game-changing developments in the fight to cure diabetes as well ground-breaking stem cell research that has far reaching applications for reversing diabetes and fighting other disease aa well as anti-aging protocols.
WATER MILL, NEW YORK – AUGUST 13: (L-R) Patricia Silverstein, Christine Schott, Jean Shafiroff, George Ledes and Roger Silverstein attend the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation Hamptons Garden Gala on August 13, 2022 in Water Mill, New York. (Photo by Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
The gala also featured a touching and inspiring performance by the Chamber Dance Project, choreographed by award winning Diane Coburn Bruning to the vocals of John Lennon’s Imagine. Roger and Susan Shin were the live auctioneers and one item that was highly sought after were tickets to the Balmain fashion show in Paris! However, there was another package that trumped everything and that was a special package to spend the day with Dr. Ricordi at the DRI in Miami to learn about the work they do and after that dinner the lucky bidder will dine with the brilliant and charming doctor.
There was an after party inside the Silverstein’s home at their private “night club” a la St. Tropez, with Roger himself DJ’ing … real estate mogul by day, DJ by night!
WATER MILL, NEW YORK – AUGUST 13: (L-R) Libbie Mugrabi, Susan Shin, Patricia Silverstein, Natalie Lefevre and Suzanne Amini attend the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation Hamptons Garden Gala on August 13, 2022 in Water Mill, New York. (Photo by Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
Libbie Mugrabi, flew in from London for this gala, on the heels of her Fashion in Motion opening at the V&A museum, turned DRIF into a verb, writing JustDrif in Glitter on her iconic trucker hats which were gifted to everyone in the gift bags!
Last night we were on the scene with over 200 guests to celebrate the launch of Woodbridge Wine Soda, the brand’s latest innovation – a first-of-its-kind RTD experience that combines crisp white wine with the refreshing flavor, sweetness, and pop of everyone’s favorite classic sodas.
Attendees sampled the newly launched Wine Sodas, while enjoying performances by electric violinist and DJ, Kat V, and exploring rooms decked out in the bright colors of the Wine Soda cans.
The lively event celebrated the launch of Woodbridge Wine Soda to introduce the drink designed to make wine more accessible and less intimidating, blending sophistication with fun for a beverage that consumers can drink whenever, wherever and however they want.
The new RTD comes in variety six-packs containing three flavors: Grapefruit, Lemon Lime, and Orange – a perfect blend of quality white wine and natural flavors, at 7% ABV per serving.
In The Hamptons: Jean & Martin Shafiroff Host Stony Brook Southampton Hospital Summer Party Kick Off
It was another busy weekend in The Hamptons, but we made time to be with New York philanthropist and author Jean Shafiroff, and her husband, vice chairman of wealth management and investment banking firm Stifel, Martin Shafiroff, as the pair hosted the Stony Brook Southampton Hospital Summer Party Kickoff at their beautiful Southampton home on July 29th.
Among the many notable guests were: fashion icon Fern Mallis, Presidential award recipient and former Vicar General for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Fr. Alex Karloutsos and his wife Xanthi; Media Personality and TV Host, Valerie Greenberg; TV personality and property developer Harry Rubin, former creative director for H by Halston and TV personality Cameron Silver; celebrity photographer and columnist Patrick McMullan; NY State Assemblyman Fred Thiele; Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman, Chief Administrative Officer of Stony Brook Southampton Hospital, Robert Chaloner, philanthropists and Hospital trustees Laura Lofaro Freeman and Allison Morrow.
“My husband Martin and I are so pleased to be able to support the hospital in every way we can. The Summer Party is the hospital’s biggest fundraiser and all proceeds go to the Emergency Departments in both Southampton and the new East Hampton facility. Stony Brook Southampton Hospital is the only hospital on the South Fork and provides first class healthcare services to our community. The Hospital is essential for everyone who spends time here, as no one wants to live in a community without access to excellent healthcare,” says Jean Shafiroff.
“It is wonderful to see so many of our loyal and generous donors together again and to be able to thank so many of them in person for all they do. Our Summer Party, the longest and most successful fundraiser in the Hamptons has been a ‘gala in your garden’ in host-at-home format for the last three years. Next year, for our 65th anniversary, we are planning to be back in person,”adds Robert Chaloner.
Guests enjoyed the beautiful waterfront patio and gardens, as well as delicious catering by Cornelia Guest Events all donated by Martin & Jean Shafiroff. Alex Donner donated the entertainment. In a town of excess and beauty, it is reassuring to know that many people are committed to providing affordable healthcare for all.