New York City’s stylish mayor joins A-list guests to celebrate PR guru R. Couri Hay’s birthday at the chic new restaurant.

New York, NY – On a vibrant evening at the grand opening of La Piazza, Mayor Eric Adams brought his signature dapper charm to a star-studded celebration. The event doubled as a birthday bash for renowned PR guru R. Couri Hay

A Plant-Based Feast for the Mayor

Staying true to his plant-based diet, Mayor Adams enjoyed a curated selection of dishes crafted by Fabrizio Barretta, La Piazza’s critically acclaimed chef. Barretta, flown in by owners Juljan and Ledjo Musabelliu from their flagship restaurant in Venice, Italy, ensured the mayor’s meal aligned with his health-conscious lifestyle. The menu showcased La Piazza’s commitment to fresh, innovative cuisine, making it a new hotspot for NYC’s foodies.

A-List Guests Light Up the Night

The guest list read like a who’s-who of New York’s elite. Among the attendees were Ann Dexter-Jones, ex-wife of British-American rock band Foreigner’s guitarist Mick Jones, alongside fashion designers Julia Haart and Nicole Miller. Socialite Liliana Cavendish, travel writer Joe Alexander, and lighting designer Bentley Meeker added to the eclectic mix. Author Michael Gross was also spotted, fresh off buzz about his upcoming tell-all book on St. Barts, diving into the lives of the stars and billionaires who flock to its shores.

Other notable names included Liz and Todd Shapiro, New York Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright, event maestro Herb Karlitz, designer TC Chou, and plastic surgeon Dr. Tony Berlet with his wife, Kerry Berlet. Kerry, host of the hit podcast Once Upon a Surgery, has been captivating audiences with in-depth interviews featuring her husband’s patients, offering a unique glimpse into the world of cosmetic surgery.

La Piazza: NYC’s New Culinary Gem

La Piazza’s opening marks a bold addition to Manhattan’s dining scene. With its Venice-inspired elegance and a menu helmed by Chef Barretta, the restaurant is poised to become a go-to destination for both locals and tourists. Owners Juljan and Ledjo Musabelliu have brought their passion for hospitality to Midtown, creating a space that blends sophistication with warmth.

Why La Piazza’s Opening Matters

• Culinary Excellence: Chef Fabrizio Barretta’s menu combines Italian tradition with modern flair, catering to diverse diets, including plant-based options.
• Star Power: The presence of Mayor Adams and high-profile guests underscores La Piazza’s appeal to NYC’s elite.
• Midtown Revival: Located at 20 East 49th Street, La Piazza adds vibrancy to Midtown’s evolving dining landscape.

For those looking to experience La Piazza’s magic, reservations are now open. Whether you’re a food enthusiast or simply curious about NYC’s latest hotspot, this is one opening you won’t want to miss.

Follow La Piazza on social media for updates and check out their website for bookings. Stay tuned for more NYC events that bring together style, cuisine, and star power!

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Celebrating Philanthropy: Jean Shafiroff Hosts Event for New York Women’s Foundation

On April 2, 2025, Jean Shafiroff—renowned philanthropist, author, advocate, TV host, and fashion influencer—opened her home to friends and family for a vibrant gathering in support of the New York Women’s Foundation (NYWF). As a longtime board member and dedicated supporter of the organization, Jean, author of Successful Philanthropy: How to Make a Life By What You Give, brought together a dynamic group to celebrate the Foundation’s mission and impact.

The New York Women’s Foundation: A Legacy of Impact

Founded in 1987, the New York Women’s Foundation has become a global leader in women-led grantmaking, with a focus on gender, racial, and economic justice. The Foundation has distributed over $130 million in grants, empowering community leaders and fostering transformative change.

A pioneer of trust-based philanthropy, NYWF redefines traditional giving by prioritizing early investment in emerging women-led initiatives. This approach amplifies community voices, builds agency, and ensures funds are used effectively. By breaking down barriers and fostering meaningful dialogue, the Foundation not only provides grants but also cultivates sustained progress and collaboration.

A Night of Connection and Celebration

Guests enjoyed light bites and sipped Aphrodise sparkling wine while mingling in support of a shared cause. The evening brought together an inspiring group, including Ana Oliveira, Candace Bushnell, Julia Haart, Victor De Souza, and many others, all united by their commitment to advancing justice and opportunity.

Jean Shafiroff’s event underscored the power of collective action and the importance of organizations like the New York Women’s Foundation in shaping a more equitable future. Through her tireless advocacy, Jean continues to inspire others to make a difference through purposeful giving.

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My Unorthodox Life

Netflix Show & Shapewear +Body

Julia Haart, who left her insular Orthodox Jewish community at age 42 and was the subject of the Netflix reality show My Unorthodox Life, is relaunching her shapewear line +Body , which she had put on the back burner as she dealt with her very public divorce from tycoon Silvio Scaglia.

“I did a soft launch, and then before I did the official launch, the s**t hit the fan in my life, so to speak, and I just put everything on hold,” Haart explained. She used the hiatus to improve the product. “Think how the Apple iPhone constantly gets upgrades; since I was restarting anyway, we perfected things and made little tweaks to make the product even better, so the current product is just extraordinary.”

The line, +Body by Julia Haart, with five styles currently available, is a gamechanger, a totally new concept in shapewear – its delicate, colorful look, lightweight fabric and technological innovations are like nothing on the market.

Attractive Shapewear

The first thing you’ll notice when perusing the website is that the garments are pretty. So pretty, they can be worn as-is, as a dress or top, or under clothing as shapewear. The thin, lacy fabric holds you firm with its exclusive PowerBond 2.0 technology. And forget the blandness of traditional shapewear – the pieces come in vibrant colors thanks to a special dying technique Haart’s team developed.

Haart has created an entirely new category: luxury shapewear that’s designed to be seen. The innovative garment construction eradicates the back-center seam, adds padded bra cups – in various sizes, for a perfect fit – and offers a deep-V underwire that supports and shapes the body while offering unrivaled comfort.

Thin, Comfortable Fabric

+Body fused all the layers of typical compression garments into one single layer. “It’s as thin as a piece of paper. It’s powerfully compressing, but comfortable,” said Haart. “It actually learns your body and heats to it and puts more pressure and power in the places where you need it most. So the more you wear it, the more comfortable it gets.” +Body is so thin, you could wear it under anything, but it’s not adding girth.

Choose Your Cup Size

Most shapewear is sold by clothing size, but not by cup size. Shapewear compresses, so if you’re wearing shapewear that includes your breasts, but is not your cup size, you’re getting what is termed “pancake boob,” flattening out your breasts. Some brands leave a cutout, so you have to wear a bra plus shapewear. “What we’ve done is juxtapose the two and created a hybrid that is sold not only by dress size, but by cup size, so you could buy an extra small DD or an extra small B. It’s literally created to enhance every curve of a woman’s body,” Haart said.

+Body sizes range from extra-small to 3x-large – and choose your cup size.

Like Liposuction, Tummy tuck & Boob Job

One celebrity called it “liposuction, tummy tuck, and boob job in a $198 dress.” “It smooths you out, and you’re pushing everything up into the breast and then properly holding them in place because it’s the right cup size,” said Haart. “It’s an actual bra, you’re improving the cleavage. It solves every problem that shapewear has.”

Activism in Ukraine & Rwanda

In addition to her business pursuits, Haart is an activist, lending her voice and fundraising for a number of causes, including women’s issues like abortion rights; she’s on the board of the ERA and is a member of the International Associated Press for Honest Reporting. She’s been on the ground in war-ravaged Ukraine, having delivered medical supplies and ambulances, and opened a women’s shelter there.

She recently went to Rwanda with The Body Agency Collective, which is involved in ensuring women’s sexual health and wellness globally, delivering menstrual cups and other products, and educating people about sexual wellness and AIDS. bodybyjuliahaart.com

Ameon Skincare Brand Ambassador

Haart formed a partnership with the skincare brand AMEON, founded by Alina Mehrle, a cancer survivor whose skin improved dramatically after her oncologist recommended cryotherapy. “I’m really excited about it. It’s an incredible product,” Haart said. “ Alina walked out of that ordeal stronger than ever and determined to turn that diagnosis into something positive.”

The partnership came about when Haart met Mehrle’s husband, a Ukrainian film director, in an elevator. He’d done a documentary about the situation in Ukraine, and asked Haart to help him get the word out. She held an event for that, and met his wife there, and that’s how the AMEON partnership came to be. “It actually came about through activism for Ukraine,” she said. “But I love the product,” she added. “I really believe in it. I very rarely advertise for brands. I do it very, very infrequently, because I don’t want to advertise something I don’t believe in.”  ameonskin.com

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