ARTS AND CULTURE NIGHT Benefiting Retail Orphan Initiative (ROI)

reporter/photographer: Miguel Dominguez

Vinus & Marc, an authentic Vintage Cocktail Lounge, Wine bar and Bistro celebrated its first Anniversary on August 19, 2014 by hosting "Arts & Culture Night from the Prohibition Era,"  a food tasting event benefiting Retail Orphan Initiative (ROI) to promote their inspirational volunteer initiatives.

Venus & Marc owner Paula Levy with artist Ron Ferri

AN EVENING OF OLD HOLLYWOOD GLAMOUR: Benefit Auction for the NY Center for Children

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

Hand painted by children who are being helped by the NY Center for Children,
these fans were being sold to the guests as part of the fund raising

On June 3rd at Magnises, the Junior Committee of The New York Center For Children arranged a cocktail party with a silent auction to benefit an institution that is very dear to all the members' hearts.

Bettina Bennett and Mom-to-be Peyton Hostetler,
Co-Chairs of the Junior Committee of the NY Center for Children

An Afternoon at MAGGIE NORRIS Atelier

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

New Orleans born, Maggie Norris attended the School of the Delgado Museum of Art. She then moved to New York City to attend the Art Students League at Parsons School of Design.

Ralph Lauren recruited her as Creative Designer, and she quickly became Senior Design Director of the Women's Collection, where she oversaw all the Women's ready-to-wear and accessory collections and was in charge of seeking out inspiration for the overall direction of the line. Then, in 1998, she moved to Europe to work as Chief Designer for Mondi's Women's Collection.

2000 saw the return of Norris to the United States, where she founded Maggie Norris Couture in New York City. In 2003, she joined the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA).

Maggie's designs are sewn, embroidered and beaded completely by hand. Clearly the kind of treasures heirlooms are made of. If not reserved to be passed down from mother to daughter, institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Fashion Institute of Technology would be deliriously happy to have them donated into their permanent collections

MY BEVERLY HILLS KITCHEN by Alex Hitz - Book Signing

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

TV Personality Chef, Restauranteur and Author Alex Hitz

The sparkling way of ending the New York 2012 party season Shoe Designer Vanessa Noel arranged for her friend Alex Hitz, could only be matched by the AVENUE Magazine event I attended 5 days earlier, and previously reported in this blog just before this article. Her beautiful boutique was packed to the rafters with the Celebrities, Glitterati and all manner of V.I.P's that make up her circle of friends. It was the kind of gathering that even I, when I was a Celebrity photographer back in the 80's and 90's, very seldom came across. Very impressive!

The motive for such a festive occasion, which took place on December 18th, was the signing of Alex's cook book My Beverly Hills kitchen, featuring "Classic Southern Cooking with a French Twist", launched on October of last year, and the book was selling like hot cakes.

Alex with Hostess of the event Vanessa Noel