Spring is in the air and I could not be more thrilled about it. This is such a lovely season, filled with vibrant colors, not only in nature, but in many designer collections as well. Citrine, coral, lime, neon pink, and cobalt blue are the hot hues of the moment. These bursts of color are guaranteed to give a fresh and exciting lift to any wardrobe that may have gone drab during the winter months. Some of the collections that are earning excellent editorial attention include Jil Sander, Herve Leger, and my favorite spring line from Gucci. This collection is fun and flirty for the season, featuring micro mini dresses in tropical prints belted at the hips, and long flowing caftans. You can’t go wrong by making an investment in one of these dramatic pieces from one of the world’s most influential fashion houses.

Another collection that has been the talk of the town recently is that of Yves Saint Laurent. In mid-March, I was invited to an incredible YSL trunk show hosted by Laure Heriard Dubreuil and Frederic Dechnik at their chic Miami Beach boutique, The Webster. The multi-brand boutique carries the best must-have designers, with the YSL inventory as an obvious choice, since the pair worked for the fashion house together in Paris.

Their connection to YSL certainly served as quite the boon for all of us South Florida fashionistas, as the dynamic duo was able to secure personal appearances from the CEO of Yves Saint Laurent, Valerie Hermann, and the president of Yves Saint Laurent USA, Laura Lendrum, for the show.

Valerie and Laura presented 12 new looks from YSL’s “Edition Soir” collection. I have seen my fair share of fashion trends, and I have to say that this is such an innovative and unique line. The capsule collection addresses various needs in eveningwear for the contemporary woman. There will be 14 silhouettes overall in 26 looks that will be available off-the-rack, in case you get a last-minute invite to a black-tie affair. At the same time, Creative Director Stefano Pilati created a “demi-couture” service for a more customized look. Here’s how it works: first choose from seven different fabrics such as radzimir, organza, mousseline, satin, or grain de poudre, then decide from 14 color selections, and finally pick from seven embroideries including crystal, raffia, feather, and sequin. The service takes three months from start to finish.

Kate Winslet, Penelope Cruz, and Catherine Keener have all made red carpet appearances in ensembles from the line, which features hues of midnight blue, fuschia, titanium, ivory and, of course, basic black. There are also satin shoes, minaudières in crocodile, and fur boleros in mink and fox to go with the gorgeous gowns. One of my favorite looks was the silk satin, floor-length dress in royal blue, with the matching fox fur, worn by Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, at the Sidaction AIDS Benefit in Paris.

What I love about this collection is not only that it is so classy, but also the customization aspect of the demi-couture service. It is the perfect demonstration of a designer who is in touch with the woman who wears him. YSL is answering women’s needs with this line, and that is a trend that I see on the fashion forefront. Women want what they want. And more than ever we are becoming more selective with our purchases, therefore, it is paramount that the fashion houses listen and understand the needs of their clients and deliver. YSL certainly has, perfectly blending convenience with customization.

This emerging trend from the Edition Soir collection defines the new luxury: modern-day tailor-made. YSL is all about strong, powerful women, and this collection aims to appeal to a wide range of individuals who want to create their own look and feel unique and special. Mr. Saint-Laurent’s ultimate goal was to provide women with their complete wardrobe when going to a business lunch, when traveling, when spending a weekend in the countryside, and last but not least, when going to a cocktail party or black-tie ball.

Overall it is shaping up to be a beautiful season. Throw in some fabulous jewels from Lanvin—big and bold is the way to go this season—and you will be all set.

Many would assume that Allison Stern’s prominent position as vice chairman for New York’s Wildlife Conservation Society has something to do with her husband Leonard’s dominating presence on the Forbes 400 list. That is not the case. The beautiful blonde society maven has been an animal lover since birth, and found herself naturally drawn to the zoo more than 20 years ago.

“I, myself, have lived here in New York all of my life,” explains Leonard, the savvy billionaire behind Hartz Mountain Industries, one of the largest, privately held real estate companies in the U.S. We are in the Central Park Zoo, the site of the forthcoming Allison Maher Stern Snow Leopard exhibit, which will be revealed during the upcoming Safari Gala on June 10. The Sterns are serving as co-chairs of the annual event. “My wife has lived here since the early ’70s. She’s passionate about the [wildlife] cause, and I don’t think you can be more passionate than starting from the bottom up. When my wife got involved, there were no social connotations, not when she was walking up and down this pathway behind me with a cart trying to explain to people why the monkey is a worthwhile animal to preserve. That’s the way Allison started.”

Allison may have begun at the zoo as a tour guide, but it didn’t take long for the powers that be to recognize her prowess and determination and reward her with promotions. In the subsequent decades, she has consistently worked towards the betterment of one of New York’s finest institutions. Founded as New York’s Zoological Society in 1895, the WCS now operates the Bronx Zoo, New York Aquarium, Central Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, and Prospect Park Zoo. Outside of city limits, the WCS is vested in saving all types of wildlife, namely through science, international conservation, education, and the management of the world’s largest system of urban wildlife parks.

No longer solely a New York institution, the name was changed to reflect the work that the society does on a global scale. “In the past 20 years, our international work has grown so fast,” Allison explains. “It is very diverse and expansive work that we do all around the world. We have projects working with endangered species around the globe. In addition, we brought national park systems—200 acres of parks—into being in the last 20 years. We are wildlife. We are conservation, and we are still a society, which kind of feeds back to the New York Zoological Society. We changed our name to reflect more of what we do now, because conservation is so important. If we don’t conserve what’s out there, there will be nothing left.”

WCS has always been at the forefront of conservation and field research, and today it is actively involved in nearly 300 field programs in more than 50 nations. “We have some of the finest scientists, field biologists, and field vets on the planet,” Allison states.

This does not come cheap, and just as the original construction of the Bronx Zoo in the late 1800s relied on the generosity of wealthy benefactors, the Society is dependent on donations. While the $10 admission fee covers some of the operating costs, as do the grants from the New York government, much of funding comes from private donors and foundations, and, of course, the annual fundraising gala at the Central Park Zoo, which, thanks to Allison’s bravado, is on track to be a huge success this year.

“For 40 years, the gala was held up in the Bronx,” explains Leonard. “Any time anyone involved with the organization had to face the annual gala, they would say, ‘God, do we have to go to that place?’” Allison believed that moving the event to Manhattan would allow the Society to raise larger funds each year, and when Steve Sanderson came on board as president in 2001, she was thrilled to find out he was a fellow advocate for the relocation of the gala. The new location proved to be an instant hit.

It was a $7 million leadership gift to the WCS Gateways to Conservation campaign that resulted in the Allison Maher Stern Snow Leopard exhibit that will open following the gala. (“My husband was so kind to name it in my honor,” says Allison, “since I am a cat person.” “My name is not involved because I never walked up and down as a zoo guide,” Leonard retorts.) The attendees will have a special opportunity for a sneak peek at the fantastic animals that evening before the exhibit opens to the public the following day.

Once again, the Sterns’ forward thinking is resulting in vast funds being raised for the society. The troubled economy is weighing heavy on any fundraiser’s mind, but Leonard suggested direct mailings asking for a $1,000 donation in exchange for a listing in the evening’s program. Donors do not have to attend the gala (where a table is going for $50,000), and many responded positively to the idea. The Sterns raised more than $1 million before invitations were even sent out.

Famed event designer Preston Bailey is creating this year’s gala, which keeps a “less is more” -theme in mind, with Great Performances providing the catering. “The whole idea this year is green, organic, local—showing off the conservation side,” says Allison. “The dinner is all organic food, coming from within 100 miles of New York. Even the Tory Burch gift bags are reusable. Everything that will be in the gift bag will have something to do with conservation, being green, eating green, green coffee. I am even wearing green!”

The goal is to raise $2 million during the evening, which is almost 20 percent of what the zoo brings in through admission tickets each year. Once the invitations go out, the Sterns hope that people are called to action and compelled to make the donation that will allow some of New York’s most treasured institutions to continue to thrive.

While balancing her role as one of the best known female producers in Hollywood with her status as a doting mother of two, Jane Rosenthal still found time to pioneer one of the film world’s most important events—the Tribeca Film Festival. How does Rosenthal succeed in her multifaceted career? She likens it to a precarious circus act. “It’s all about keeping balls in the air and spinning plates,” she says with a smile. Born and raised in Rhode Island, Rosenthal attended Brown and New York University. She has since seen her name dominate the credits of such successful franchises as Meet the Parents and Analyze This, as well as iconic films like Marvin’s Room and Wag the Dog.

After the harrowing events of September 11, residents of trendy Tribeca were forced to vacate their homes. Once they returned, a constant reminder of that dreadful day and an ever-present sense of fear loomed. Suddenly Tribeca was the last place on anyone’s evening agenda, and the spirit and camaraderie that once pulsed through this golden triangle was gone. Rosenthal took this as a call to action. Along with her partner Robert De Niro, Rosenthal sought to breathe new life into Tribeca. Armed with talent, connections, and perseverance, the duo planned a film festival that would celebrate filmmaking in New York, and would premiere in a mere 120 days.

Upon its launch in 2002, the festival was an immediate success, attracting more than 150,000 visitors and raising more than $10 million to support the Tribeca merchant community. “My aspiration was to bring people downtown and try to create a new sense of normal,” recalls Rosenthal. “We have had more than two million people come downtown and participate in Tribeca since the first festival.” Now in its eighth year, the festival is set to attract its largest audience and an international roster of films. Rosenthal expresses pride in the festival’s success. From the festival’s first year, when Nelson Mandela spoke about the importance of renewing the spirit, to today, when filmmakers from around the globe flock to Tribeca to showcase their works, the Tribeca Film Festival has evolved into one of the industry’s most important events.

This year, Rosenthal’s picks for must-see films: Entre Nos (a heartwarming story about a mother who moves to New York on her husband’s whim only to find herself abandoned by him with two children to see through a New York City summer); The Lost Son of Havana (the story of baseball legend Luis Tiant’s return to Cuba); Only When I Dance (which follows two teenage dancers from the favelas of Rio di Janeiro to fame and recognition), amongst others. The common theme amongst all of these—the success of a dream realized—is perhaps a telling sign that success and tenacity is always on Rosenthal’s mind.

By Haute Living

When celebrity guests and international VIPs gather to use their influential forces for good, the whole world smiles.

When celebrity guests and international VIPs gather to use their influential forces for good, the whole world smiles. And thanks to the efforts of Operation Smile supporters, more than 130,000 children from all corners of the globe have been grinning from ear to ear.

On a balmy Manhattan evening in early May, 800 of the world’s most elite philanthropists will convene on Cipriani Wall Street to show their support for Operation Smile. The nonprofit organization performs life-altering surgery on children who are born with cleft lips, cleft palates, and other facial deformities. Now in its 27th year, they reach the youth of the world in more than 51 countries.

Leading plastic and craniofacial surgeon, Dr. William P. Magee, Jr., along with his wife, Kathleen, who worked as a nurse and social worker, founded the charity in 1982 after a trip to the Philippines. Their international travels with a group of medical volunteers revealed hundreds of children ravaged by deformities. It took little introspection to decide to heed the call to action and use their skills to serve the world. Today, Dr. Magee serves as the chief executive officer of the children’s medical charity alongside his wife, who serves in her fulltime volunteer role as president.

The upcoming charity gala, the 7th annual Smile Event, is one of the largest fundraiser of the year for Operation Smile. A long list of celebrity supporters are involved with the cause, including past fashion sponsors like Calvin Klein, Carolina Herrera, Missoni, Monique Lhullier, and Versace. It seems fitting that those who have mastered the art of looking good would “pay it forward” in such a way to those whose inner beauty shines brightly.

Such a cause can’t help but tug on the heartstrings, meaning that the list of Operation Smile supporters is long and well recognized. This year’s Executive Committee Chairs include Vanessa Trump and Donald Trump Jr.; Lacey Tisch-Sidney and Lowell Sidney; and Gillian Hearst Simonds and Christian Simonds. Smile Committee Chairs include Haley Bloomindale, Georgina Chapman, Lydia Hearst, Dabney Mercer, Minnie Mortimer, Maggie Rizer, and Olivia Palermo.

7th Annual Smile Event to benefit Operation Smile

What A black tie VIP dinner with a specialty live auction followed by a cocktail and dessert after-event
When Thursday, May 7, 2009
Where Cipriani Wall Street
Who 800 guests from Manhattan and around the globe join forces to help children worldwide
Why One surgery can change a child’s life forever; you can make a difference
Dress Black Tie
Contact tsoutiriou@operationsmile.org

Known throughout New York’s history books as the watering hole for the well-to-do, the Oak Room at the Plaza Hotel has taken on a new chapter in its storied life. This time, the author is California native Eric Hara, the celebrated executive chef of David Burke & Donatella, and Fishtail by David Burke, amongst others. To the Oak Room, Hara brings much-needed, lighthearted, American gourmet cuisine. Armed with a plethora of seasonal ingredients and the skill of a true craftsman, Hara deftly creates masterpiece after masterpiece.

His dinner menu opens with an array of simple yet well-calibrated appetizers such as foie gras torchon “PB&J,” served with a toasted brioche, strawberry-vanilla jam, macadamia nut butte,r and a sliver of apple on the side to create the perfect complement to a satiny-smooth torchon. Avid followers of David Burke & Donatella may recall this whimsical dish, but Hara’s latest version is a little less kitschy. Seafood appetizers such as bone marrow-crusted boat scallops are equally memorable and reflect Hara’s skill with seafood.

For the next course, an array of meats, from Dover sole to branzino (a Mediterranean sea bass) and 50-day Niman Ranch prime New York strip (a personal favorite) are sure to satisfy the discerning palate. Entrées include mustard-poached Hamachi, complemented by corn-spinach ragout, chanterelle purée and caviar crème fraiche, pan-seared turbot with cauliflower truffle purée rock shrimp and cumin flan, and the pièce de résistance—an ash-cured venison.

Armed with a charming personality, a passion for cooking, and a vision for his latest restaurant, there is no doubt that Eric Hara will do great things for the Oak Room.

The Oak Room at the Plaza Hotel
10 Central Park South
New York, NY 10019
212.758.7777

She began her formal education by pursuing visual arts and painting before a detour to law school where she earned a double major in business and law. Following her schoolings, she found herself completing a few design projects for friends and relatives, and she realized that was where her passion lay. After a brief stint of soul searching, Burki decided to pursue that passion and made the commitment to interior design.

She began her business in Southport, Connecticut, in 2002 and quickly gained an extensive following. Her keen eye for chic furniture pieces mixed with her unwavering ability to fuse all aspects of a room proved to be a successful combination. Burki’s extraordinary gift to inspire and excite her audience resulted in a reputation that has attracted government dignitaries and officials, fashion moguls, business magnates, and an affluent array of citizens residing on the “Gold Coast” of the East Coast, in Fairfield County, Connecticut.

Burki’s design projects have since graced the pages of many interior design magazines and books, and her work has been described as clean, graceful, and full of beauty. She has an intuitive ability to recognize the best and to quickly see through what is not.

Her stellar reputation as an impeccable designer grew as more substantial projects emerged. Clients recongized her as an artist with an uncanny ability to combine classical elegance with genuine warmth and comfort, and trusted her suggestions wholeheartedly. Yet during many design processes, she found herself constantly challenged by a lack of readily available furniture pieces to complete the desired looks. Luckily, her business education quickly combined with her inherent creativity, and she took matters into her own hands and began creating her own pieces.  She organized a team of talented artisans who truly understood her style to produce the designs. This organically grew into a business venture that debuted in September 2008 as Kat Burki Home, a highly regarded and elegant home collection.

As a brand devoted to eternal grace and original style, Kat Burki Home is a lifestyle line that combines all avenues of luxury into a definitive collection. The look of the brand is timeless, classic, and stylish, and it resonates with its customers. The brand also thrives on customization, providing the customer the opportunity to upholster any of the 29 furniture choices with more than 200 fabric options, making possibilities endless and each customer’s combination unique. The line has since garnered a following of national consumers, including New York socialites and Hollywood elite.

Kat Burki Studio
35 Old Post Road
Southport, CT 06890
888.881.7677
info@katburki.com
www.katburki.com

By Monique Stringfellow

Perini Navi created one of the meanest crafts on the water today.

From the Romans to the Renaissance, Italian art and craftsmanship have always set the standard, seemingly regardless of industry. No surprise then that one of the hottest commodities afloat today comes from renowned Italian shipbuilder Perini Navi. Based in Tuscany, the Perini Navi shipyards are the birthplace of watercraft built for some of the world’s most illustrious boat owners, including Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, Rupert Murdoch, and Tom Perkins.

Exemplifying the firm’s Italian-rooted quest for perfection is Baracuda, which was launched in October 2008 and can be considered the culmination of more than 25 years of nautical innovation. The boat, which is the 46th vessel in the Perini Navi fleet, stands out first and foremost because of its aluminum hull. Its distinctive gray-gold coloring catches the light, making the 164-foot tri-masted boat instantly recognizable to yacht spotters in ports around the globe. The owner, who chose the hull’s unique color, paired it memorably with a rich purple sail. Being that historically, the color has been affiliated with royalty, the choice results in the ship’s unmatched regal quality. The rectangular portholes add to the eye-catching exterior, and also provide an influx of light on the lower deck not typically seen on similar crafts. From afar, the silver hull and aerodynamic portholes call to mind a shark, an impression that is reinforced by the ship’s graceful movement through the sea.

Naval architect Ron Holland once again joined forces with Perini Navi to produce a yacht that maximizes both comfort and speed. Baracuda is a high-performance vehicle equipped for rough sailing conditions, and the three rigged masts are engineered for extreme navigability. The ship was constructed in Italy, with the exception of the hull, which was built in Turkey at the Yildiz shipyard, the hull-building headquarters for most Perini Navi constructions and an important part of its operation.

In addition to advanced technical specifications and use of innovative materials that ensure competitive maneuvering ability and speed, Baracuda is, in some ways, the ultimate vacation vessel. The keel is adjustable so that the boat can access harbors and inlets, and the reversed transom makes it easy to hop into the waters for a swim or dive. Water babies exit the yacht via a staircase on a hydraulically operated platform that descends 20 centimeters below sea level.

The interiors, which were designed by British interior architect John Pawson, offer a continuation of the unique stylings apparent on the ship’s exterior. Pawson is noted for his minimalist designs (he is responsible for quite a few Calvin Klein store interiors), and because his focus is not primarily yachts, he approached Baracuda as he would any earth-bound project. The resulting one-level main deck is much more open than other crafts, with unbroken architectural lines, including in the floor and ceiling timbers. The owner’s suite is full beam (an industry term meaning it spans the entire width of the ship), a feature that allows for enough space for a central king-size bed and his-and-her bathrooms. For the four guest cabins (which can accommodate up to eight), Pawson selected furniture that is an eclectic mix of bespoke modern and classic pieces.

Baracuda’s killer designs and intriguing interiors combine to result in a stunning flagship of the Perini Navi fleet currently impressing yacht spotters around the world.

The Cher House

Colombian designer Catalina Echavarria created an award-winning masterpiece that encompasses a world of fantasy and functionality. The estate, known as “The Cher House,” thanks to the stunning crooner who made it her East Coast retreat for many years, comes complete with all home furnishings and designs.

A beacon of island living at it finest, the property is located on Key Biscayne’s revered Mashta Island, a serene residential enclave on an island within an island. One enters the home after passing through a tranquil rock garden that mixes African wood with lush exotic plantings. The stunning front glass doors reveal an infinity waterfall that appears to drop directly into the ocean, which stretches as far as the eye can see.

Dark woods and clean lines combine to resonate a resort-like atmosphere with the power to put even the most stressed soul at peace. The property is “paparazzi-proof,” with two electronic gates made out of engraved wood, property-wide security cameras, and a perimeter of lush landscaping. The grounds boast an infinity pool, Jacuzzi, waterfall, and private beach with cabana bath and over-sized dock.

The interior boasts 7,500 square feet of space, complete with seven bedrooms, eight baths, a full gym with spa and steam shower, and a climate-controlled wine cellar. The entire home has been updated and upgraded, and a highlight is the home automation system by HomeControlTechnologies.com. The touch of one button controls the music, lighting, pool, spa, temperature, window shades, security systems, and cameras throughout the entire property.

Price: $12,900,000
Location: Key Biscayne, Florida
Realtor: Jorge E. Uribe
Phone: 786.371.8777
Realty: ONE Sotheby’s International Realty
Website: www.jorgeuribe.com

Juicy Hill

Sitting high atop a Bahamian hill, one would expect nothing less than stunning water vistas in all directions. Juicy Hill offers such a slice of the island life, located on two acres in Harbour Island Bahamas. The ranch-style estate was inspired by a 17th-century sugar plantation home on Guadelupe. The 4,000-square-foot main cottage is tucked away in the perfect spot to offer a serene escape, while the 1,500-square-foot wrap-around porch offers a myriad of places for a lazy afternoon with a summer novel. Prepare a meal in the chef’s kitchen, and then dine by the light of the setting sun in the screened area of the porch, which features two sitting areas and dining for 12. A small guesthouse is situated just off the north porch. The master suite includes a dressing room and full bath, with double French doors that afford aquatic views of the bay and the ocean.

Harbour Island is one of the oldest settlements in the Bahamas, located off the northeast coast of Eleuthera Island, approximately 200 miles from the South Florida coast. Juicy Hill rises above the town’s village and famous pink sand beach. This spectacular property is an ideal setting from which to enjoy the island’s many tropical wonders.

Price: $5,850,000
Location: Harbour Island Bahamas
Realtor: Gregory Graham
Phone: 242.356.5030
Realty: Graham Real Estate
Website: www.grahamrealestate.com

Two Trees Farm

Two Trees Farm in Bridgehampton, New York, is up for grabs, to the delight of equestrian aficionados everywhere. Sitting on 115 acres of prime real estate in the Hamptons, this equestrian facility features 100 horse stalls in three different barns. Only a property that can boast such magnitude could be worthy to serve as the site of the Mercedes-Benz Polo Challenge during the heyday of the Hamptons in summer months. The year-round riding center is open to all skill levels from professionals to amateurs.

The charming main house on Two Trees farm is rumored to be the oldest house in Bridgehampton, originally built as the Haines’ shingled farmhouse in the late 1600s. Features of the four-bedroom, three-and-a-half-bath home include a gourmet kitchen, four wood burning fireplaces, an attached studio apartment, and a detached garage that can also serve as an additional barn. Of course there is a pool and spa, as well as an all-weather tennis court. A second house also sits on the property along with generous staff accommodations..

Two Trees Farm has received preliminary zoning approval for a 19-lot subdivision featuring estate parcels of more than two acres each, including some with pond frontage. This plan includes 68 acres of open space and keeps the equestrian facility and barns intact with room for a polo field and paddocks.

Price: Upon Request
Location: Bridgehampton, New York
Realtor: Tim Davis 631.283.7300 x211
Realtor: Barbara Sloan 631.283.7300 x224
Realty: The Corcoran Group
Email:  tgdavis@corcoran.com   bsloan@corcoran.com

As the sunny days become longer, I encourage you to find inspiration in the beautiful sights of the season and incorporate color into your wardrobe. Spring and summer suits have the unique ability to carry the wearer throughout the day and well into the night. The following styles represent my choices of the best looks of the season for the well-dressed gentleman. Whether worn on the season’s first outing in the Hamptons or while sipping a cocktail on a New York terrace, don any of these suits and rest assured that you are dressed in the season’s absolute best.

Summer Business Attire

Just because the temperature is rising doesn’t mean that suits can be forgotten during the warmer months. However you don’t have to be miserably hot, either. Summer suits are made out of light wools mixed with silk, which allows for a cooler feeling and a nicer look. Kid mohair, also popular for summer suits, is a special wool that is very breathable and fresh, with the added benefit of being completely wrinkle-free.

The summer suits lend themselves perfectly to nice classic patterns, such as the Prince of Wales. To complete the look, the brown shade and burgundy lines should be matched with the color of shoes. The Solaro is masterful example of a classic gentleman’s spring/summer suit. For colors, I find it difficult to choose between the typical red shine version and the new blue reflex.

The Unusual: Cotton and Linen

This season’s beautiful linen suits combine an old style (the sleek cut) with a new interpretation (the half lining). Men have the option of choosing between the classic American cut of a traditional seersucker and the Italian way, which is to wear a cotton suit without worrying about the wrinkled material. At the end of an Italian workday, if your suit or cotton blazer shows that it needs some rest, it is considered to be a badge of honor.
Colors for these cotton and linen suits vary from the basic blue or light brown to off-white. For the more fashion brazen, I recommend a soft shade of yellow, which is the style for men in Milan right now. Pair the suit with a linen shirt for an edgy effect and you are ready to roll for the entire day, morning through night.

The Rich Choice

Recession or not, it is always important to invest in looking your best. A custom silk suit or blazer, made with the best Super 180’S wool or sparkling summer cashmere is an asset that you are certain to have for the next 10 years. A custom-made garment in these materials delivers a strong and confident statement without coming across as arrogant. The soft material will make you forget you are even wearing a suit, although I can guarantee those around you will certainly take note. A light shade of gray looks formal during the day and makes a classic statement at night, and it is a color that will always be in style.

The Weekend Look

During the hot summer months, when in casual situations, you can feel free to shed the jacket and wear just a shirt, as long as it is the right one: the Player Shirt. When I created this style, I was looking for something to relax in after a long business day. Take off your tie, or even just open one more button and untuck the bottom, and—voila!—the formal shirt becomes a nice sporty item that can be worn in an informal but chic way. I can assure you that you will feel special with this unique piece.

Pair the shirt with colorful cotton pants and it creates the perfect look for the beach. The Player Shirt offers the same level of comfort as a polo shirt but has an added sophistication thanks to the precious cottons (such as sea island cotton or a platinum super light cotton) and linen material.

More than ever, I hope you all enjoy the beautiful season and show it through your outfits. It is a fun way to express yourself, and it will make you look—and therefore feel—much better.

Ciao a tutti,
m@X
Duca Sartoria Atelier New York
425 Madison Avenue Suite 1903
New York, NY 10017
212.582.3225
www.ducausa.com
atelier@ducausa.com

“In the past, people were born royal. Nowadays, royalty comes from what you do.” A social dissection and work ethic voiced by the late Gianni Versace who adopted America as his home and his inspiration…a designer who lived by and embraced this very American ideal.

Consumers may be cash-strapped, but the fashion industry was one of the few beacons of light in a cruel winter of discontent. There was no stopping the haute and fashionable. Intrepid Fern Mallis had little problem filling the Bryant Park tents with strings of leggy blondes and a phalanx of eager photographers.

In these besieged financial times, though some may consider a fashion fix ephemeral and an indulgent excess, we cannot ignore the facts posted by New York City’s Economic Development about an industry employing 175,000 people, generating $10 billion in wages, $1.6 billion in tax revenue, and $55 billion in sales each year, proving itself a vital cultural lifeblood of Manhattan.

Under the gimlet eye of a censorious Anna Wintour, willowing models on treacherously high heels tumbled like the current stock market across many runways, including those of Max Azria and Herve Leger. (We hope they weren’t insured by faltering AIG.) Another casualty was PR manager Kelly Cutrone, who was pink-slipped by Yigal Azrouël after erroneously seating Eliot Spitzer’s pricey playmate in a front row, amongst a bouquet of Park Avenue princesses and steely media elite.

The fashion embrace was not limited to the catwalks. Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé’s colossal Christie’s auctions at the Grand Palais in Paris made a momentary mockery of the word “recession,” fetching $484 million over three days. It was patently obvious that owning a piece of art collected by Saint Laurent had bidders gyrating like windmills. The late French tastemaker continues his extraordinary influence on the world of style. Most spectacular of all was the couple’s exemplary largesse: all proceeds were donated to charity.

Rupert Murdoch’s previous record sale of $24,675 million for a downtown apartment “filched” by fashion designer Elie Tahari was shattered on the streets of Tribeca. A mystery owner sprang for the staggering sum of $34.5 million for a glass penthouse on Hudson Street. Neither an investment banker nor a hedge funder, could this high-flyer with deep pockets hail from Seventh Avenue?
On the flip side of the real estate spectrum, celebrity shooter Annie Leibovitz seems to find herself strapped for cash after lengthy and lawsuit-riddled renovations on three properties. Her countless iconic images (which include Vanity Fair covers of Demi Moore, Tom Cruise, Carla Bruni, Tom Ford, Queen Elizabeth, etc.) could be gathering dust, serving as collateral, handed over to an “art lender,” the high-end equivalent of a pawn broker. Is it time for a raise, Graydon?

Infectiously energetic Louis Rose is packing them in under a glorious domed Palladian roof. (The Park Avenue event space is owned by the Rose Family.) Oscar de la Renta’s runways had barely been cleared when Louis and his gorgeous wife, Alexandra Lind, continued the high-fashion stakes with their Red & Black Ball—extravagant merriment, and definitely a rose-tinted evening.

Red being the operative color, on a snowy evening during Fashion Week, I found myself sitting on the scarlet banquettes of La Grenouille beside none other than the living legend James Galanos.
Urbane, amusing, charming: everything one has ever heard of this amazing octogenarian.

When it comes to red carpets and star power, who could possibly compete with achingly beautiful, Oscar-nominee Angelina Jolie in her strapless black Elie Saab gown and the jawdropping 115-carat emerald earrings, paired with a 65-carat emerald ring? What a sublime ambassador for the fashion industry at large.

Following the screening, a permanently bronzed fashion arbiter defended his movie Valentino: The Last Emperor. A cinematic portrayal of the famous designer visiting his earthly treasures (a real estate empire which, amongst other things, includes a Versailles Chateau, a Gstaad chalet and a 152-foot yacht), it is a celluloid distillation of a vanishing world. Not worried about appearing “a bit ridiculous and a bit extravagant. We are what we are,” he said.  Who wants to argue with that?  He is a man who toiled for these spoils.

With Vogue’s advertising pages slipping 25 percent, editors are grasping to bolster sales with a sleeveless First Lady on the cover. Also representing the new Democratic mood, Armani appears to be running on a similar ticket for “change.” Opening an edifice on the corner of Fifth Avenue is a bravado move, but he believes this 43,000-square-foot “prestigious shopping destination,” featuring all levels of his brand under one roof, represents the future and a distinctly American ideal.

The indefatigable and fated Versace once prophetically explained, “I try to contrast; life today is full of contrast….We have to change.” As we sit on the precipice of change everyday, and fashion proves it can rise with aplomb to the inspirational challenge twice a year, it is best for sanguine plutocrats to follow in its wake.