FashionEtc.com April 30th, 2024

Pouring rain, raging thunder, and sweltering heat couldn't stop Ali Wise and Dani Stahl's BFF's from celebrating their birthdays at the Dream Downtown, a new hotel with a great vibe (and wonderful air–conditioning—thank God!) that will open imminently.

The truly inclement weather may have forced the Black Eyed Peas to cancel their free concert in Central Park, but nothing was going to deter Tinsley Mortimer (in Hervé Léger), Nicole Mellon, Alex Kramer, Stacy Bendet (in Alice + Olivia), Gregg Bello, or Leslie and David Schulhof from having a few Rosemary Orange Cocktails while Leigh Lezark DJ'd.

The sprawling chrome, wood, and glass space was filled with metallic snakeskin couches for the evening. Black leather banquettes will remain for a soon-to-open steakhouse. Outside, through floor-to-ceiling glass doors, a vine-covered metal staircase leads up to the "beach club," where goings on in the glass-bottomed pool can be observed by guests in the lobby. Is exhibitionism de rigueur for hotels since The Standard was built? Hmmm...

But back to the party at hand. "Even though it's rainy, it feels like a bright, sunshiny day in New York, because it's Ali and Dani's birthday," said Dori Cooperman, looking amazing in a tight black Dolce & Gabbana.

Wise, resplendent in Yves Saint Laurent, was thrilled to be inaugurating the Dream Downtown.

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For over 40 years, Hale House has been helping infants, children and families in dire straits in New York City, and thanks to its board and supporters, Clara McBride "Mother" Hale's good works have continued and expanded.

On June 6th, Hale House held its 2011 Spring Dinner Dance at 583 Park Avenue, a very elegant affair honoring Alexandra Lebenthal, Alina Cho, and Diandra de Morrell Douglas, who have all been deeply committed to aiding those in need.

"We have to focus, during these difficult economic times, on the fact that there are children right in our back yard, right in the city of New York, that need so much help," said Douglas, herself a mother of four, looking gorgeous in a short black Dolce and Gabbana. "During these difficult times, when government funding is being cut back, these great programs are relying more and more on private donations to make up the difference. In New York there are so many single mothers and families in great need of our help."

Lebenthal, in a long blue and white print Douglas Hannant, had this to add: "This organization means a lot to me because every single dollar directly affects people and helps people, so I feel very tactile about it."

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They say the the mark of a great host is the ability to make it look effortless. And Douglas Hannant and Frederick Anderson proved "They" right again when they hosted 120 friends on the Friday night of a summery weekend at Georgica restaurant in East Hampton. Co-hosts Alina Cho, Anne Hearst and Pamela Gross (in Douglas Hannant of course) helped set the tone.

Anderson was greeting everyone at the door—seemingly without a care in the world, though Frederick confided there might be a something on his mind.

"We have nice weather, summer is here, and I'm ready to relax—even though I'm not relaxed, we have three shows next week," he laughed. "I can pretend I'm relaxed." Douglas, it seemed, was ready to embrace the season. "It's just a summer kickoff to see my friends and have a good time," said Hannant, "so everyone can loosen up, have a few drinks and some good food."

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Sunny with a cool breeze was the perfect weather leading into "An Evening at the Alhambra", the theme for this year's New York Botanical Gardens Conservatory Ball.

Trumpeters playing music from Carmen, Bizet's Seville-based opera, greeted arriving guests from just beyond the parking lot. "I thought the Alhambra was in Granada," I said to Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia. "The Seville Alhambra is just as beautiful, though less well-known," he replied.

The Botanical Gardens recreated an Alhambra-style garden in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, and this New York Alhambra was very impressive indeed. The indoor courtyard, replete with fountains, arcades, and the most fragrant flowers imaginable—including jasmine and gardenias— transported one directly to Spain.

The exterior garden was incredible as well, with multiple varieties of roses and all sorts of beautiful flowers. (In her speech later in the evening, Chairman Maureen Chilton made the point that "this is the largest botanical garden in any U.S. city with a million plants under our care." Quite an achievement.)

This special affair was filled with beautiful people, too. I asked another of the night's chairs, Cosby George, why she chose to support the event. "It provides such wonderful education for all the children in the New York Metropolitan area in science, an education they wouldn't get otherwise," she explained.

No wonder the evening raised $1.7 million.

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