Southampton to Buckingham
by R. COURI HAY
Buckingham Palace
Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, welcomed a perfumed pack of swells from Southampton to London for three days of festivities on behalf of the Prince of Wales Foundation, including a dinner celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the Great Steward of Scotland’s Dumfries House Trust.
In 2007, the Prince of Wales Foundation took out a $20 million loan to save Dumfries House and its treasures from being sold at auction. The prince said, “My main focus was to create jobs, hope and opportunity in the local community. The surrounding area of the estate is one of the most economically deprived areas of Scotland, where families suffer from third- and fourth-generation unemployment.”
The evening’s décor paid tribute to Caledonia through green plaid tablecloths topped by antlers festooned with candles and surrounded by a wreath of wildflowers flown in from the Scottish heaths. After a round of toasts, bagpipe players and dancers in swirling kilts with daggers in their socks accompanied a chorus singing songs from the Highlands. Among those slipping into their best bib and tucker were Prince Pierre d’Arenberg, Patricia Hearst-Shaw, Jamie Figg, Audrey and Martin Gruss, Ambassador Brenda and Mr. Howard Johnson, Lynn Wyatt, Geoffrey Kent, Tom Quick and Michael Donnell, Rosemary and Wafic Saïd, and Harriet and Warren Stephens. dumfries-house.org.uk
The Tower of London
On another evening, the prince organized a dinner at the Tower of London accompanied by a private viewing of the Crown Jewels. One grande dame noticed that the dazzling display was missing a crown and, perhaps hoping to try it on, asked where it was. Luckily, no Pink Panther had penetrated the six-foot walls and massive security to swipe Queen Elizabeth’s crown, nor was it available for selfies: it had been cut loose for HRH’s visit to Parliament. princeofwalesfdn.org
Saint Phillips of the Highlands
Gillian Hearst Shaw and her husband, entertainment attorney Christian Simonds, gathered their families at one of America’s most picturesque and historic churches, Saint Phillips on the Highlands, for their daughter Sloane Phoebe Simonds’s christening. Sloane, adorable in a dainty white dress, cooed as the Reverend Francis Geer sprinkled holy water on her forehead. Among those beaming with pride were Sloane’s godmother and Gillian’s sister, the actress Lydia Hearst; Kimberly Rockefeller; art expert Tom Knapp; and assorted grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins. Following the ceremony, Gillian’s glamorous mother, Patricia Hearst Shaw, hosted an elegant luncheon at her stately, art-filled home facing the Hudson River. Her prize-winning French bulldogs frolicked on the lawn with Sloane’s sisters—and future babysitters—Harper and Hadley. stphilipshighlands.org
The High Line
James Franco attended the High Line Summer Party, where he talked with Parks Commissioner Mitchell Silver about the legacy of NYC’s master builder Robert Moses. Franco laughed when a guest told him, “You look good in a dress”—a reference to the actor’s Lemonade-spoofing drag performance in his web series Making a Scene with James Franco, proudced by INE Entertainment. Franco, who is the new face of Coach for Men fragrance, joined 1,000 revelers, including Princess Noor Pahlavi, Fabiola Beracasa, June Ambrose, Chloë Grace Moretz, Friends of the High Line cofounder Robert Hammond and gala cochairs Toby and Larry Milstein. thehighline.org
The Conservatory Ball
Artist Dale Chihuly’s stunning exhibition of monumental glass sculptures at the New York Botanical Garden amazed the garden’s patrons at the annual Conservatory Ball. Sol del Citrón, a fiery yellow globe of exceptional beauty, depth and detail, was the exhibition’s focal point. Chihuly said, “I designed this installation with the garden and the visitor experience in mind. The water features were especially inspiring to me. I draw and paint every day, and this is another way for me to create artworks and release energy.” Fe Fendi, Janna Bullock, and Muffie Potter Aston and her husband, Dr. Sherrell Aston, were among those who enjoyed a delicious dinner by Starr Catering Group and the exquisite floral tablescapes by the Chosen Few’s DeJuan Stroud. The evening, chaired by Alexandra Lebenthal, Gillian Miniter, Deborah Goodrich Royce, Catherine Marlette Waddell, was presented by the Bank of America and raised $1.7 million for children’s education. Chihuly’s works are on display at the always dazzling NYBG until October 29. nybg.org
Fragrance Foundation Awards
Karlie Kloss, Carolina Herrera and Katie Holmes led the applause for Achim Daub, the president of Symrise, the global fine fragrance company, when he accepted the Perfume Extraordinaire Award at the Fragrance Foundation Awards. The winner was Quartana’s perfume Poppy Soma, created by master perfumers Emilie Coppermann and David Apel. It is part of a collection that explores the allure behind the world’s nine most poisonous flowers, including the poppy. six-scents.com
Diamonds for the Beach
LJ Cross designer Lisa Jackson debuted her new Diamonds for the Beach collection at Copious Row in Southampton. “My goal is to create a mood that evokes a relaxed attitude while conveying a sophisticated aesthetic. My recurring theme is informal luxury. Think modern with a twist. Diamonds for the Beach is an extension of this philosophy.” Guests included the always chic Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos, Heather Mnuchin, Caroline Hirsch, Charlotte Bonstrom Assaf, Jean Shafiroff and Ms. World Elite 2017 Lidia Szczepanowski. LJ Cross’s flagship shop is on Madison Avenue. ljcrossny.com