HOLIDAY HOUSE 2014: Gala Night

reporter/photographer: Miguel Dominguez

Iris Dankner, with Honoree Myra J. Biblowit, President of The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF),
and Co-chair of Holiday House, Christopher Hyland, giving a cheer to the guests at the event.

November 19 was the night of the Opening Gala at Holiday House NYC.

Everybody's mood and behavior was like that of one big family reunion on New Years Day. Great, great fun was had by all, especially me. It was one of those events where photographing the revelers really added to the merriment, not just for me, but for all of my subjects as well.

Barbara Schorr, Holiday House Director of Production and Events,
handing out rose buds to the participating designers of the show house

HOLIDAY HOUSE 2014: Interiors Review

reporter/photographer: Miguel Dominguez

November 18, on the eve of the opening night gala, Press Day at Holiday House NYC took place.

From November 20th through December 21st, at the Academy Mansion, the designer's show house benefitting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, is one of the best holiday outings to make for an inspiring and highly enjoyable cultural treat.

MEXICAN DAY OF THE DEAD at Kimball Office Furniture

reporter/photographer: Miguel Dominguez

It happened on November 30th, the night before Halloween. Sort of a warm up before the big event of the Halloween Parade, when for one night, New York shows New Orleans how much they need to improve their Mardi Gras. For all intents and purposes, the Kimball Office space became a Mexican enclave complete with non-stop Mexican cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, and even a Mariachi band.

NANCY C. DONAHUE & HARRY KING'S Annual Fashion Reunion 2014

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

Nancy C. Donahue and Harry King, hosts of the party with Joey Mills peeking in the back

Café Un Deux Trois was the place on May 19th, where Nancy C. Donahue and Harry King had their annual get together with friends from the fashion industry. The usual guests, well known names in the fashion/beauty field, plus an assortment of  "Supermodels" whose heyday encompasses every decade back to the 60s, greatly appreciate these reunions, and judging by their high spirited behavior, they all were truly hellbent into having a blast.

Cocktails at St. Regis with Jacob&Co.

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

On April 25th, the St. Regis Hotel, one of the premier luxury hotels in New York City, arranged and hosted a small, intimate cocktail reception for the presentation of Jacob&Co. jewelers.

THE ART OF RUBE GOLDBERG: Selected by Jennifer George - book signing

reporter: Miguel Dominguez
text & Pathé image: Wikipedia

On April 10th, Paul Stuart was again the site for a culturally important exhibit and book signing about the much beloved and mesmerizing contraptions devised by Rube Goldberg.

Jennifer George

HARRY KING & NANCY C. DONAHUE Annual Fashion Reunion 2013

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

Hair wizard Harry King and model Nancy C. Donahue, the party hosts

For the second time in as many years, I was overjoyed to attend the annual Models Reunion Party to which Harry and Nancy invited me. It was just a lot of dear old friends from the Fashion Industry getting together at Parlor on May 21st, just to have a good time.

This is a photo album of the event.

CARL HANSEN & SONS Showcases New Acquisitions

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

Carl's Grandson Erik Knud Hansen

On January 25th, at the showroom in Tribeca, Knud Erik Hansen, CEO and third generation of family-run, global company Carl Hansen & Son, introduced classic furniture designs of Kaare Klint, Mogens Koch, and Ole Wanscher to an American audience. With these pieces, Carl Hansen & Son, the world’s largest manufacturer of Hans J. Wegner designs, expands its offerings of Danish masters.

Although long known in Denmark and throughout Europe, Ole Wanscher’s Egyptian and Colonial Chairs, Mogens Koch’s Folding Chair and Kaare Klint’s Safari Chair have had little exposure in the US except to avid enthusiasts through direct sales, auction houses and antiques dealers. As of now, as Knud Erik Hansen explained, these designs which Carl Hansen & Son has recently acquired the license to produce, mark the beginning of an expansion into a wider offering of classic Danish designs to complement their Hans J. Wegner oeuvre.

Happy Birthday PATRICIA FIELD!

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

What is "Star Quality?"

As the paparazzo I was for many years, I can tell you Star Quality is the ability to be your unselfconscious self in front of the cameras and still photograph like a million bucks.

Birthday girl Patricia Field has it by the truckload, the reason why I decided to make this article about her birthday—wouldn't you know it, one of the biggest names in Fashion would have her birthday on February 10th, right smack in the middle of Fashion Week—mostly as a portrait album.

I am only sorry it had to happen during Fashion Week, what with me running around like a headless chicken all over the city and could only stay very briefly at the going ons taking place at TOY, a rather cool hangout inside the Gansevoort Hotel by the HiLine park.

PLEATS PLEASE by Issey Miyake - Book Launch

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

A special installation at the ISSEY MIYAKE Flagship Store in Tribeca was featured on November 28th, to celebrate the launching of Issey's new book PLEATS PLEASE, published by Taschen Books.

In it, the story of this line of clothing is explored through a vast array of texts and images, which trace the journey from inception, through material development, to public reception, and also reveals the creation of the original thread and the pleating process.

ICONS by Markus & Indrani - Book Launch

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

MARKUS + INDRANI, globally esteemed celebrity and fashion photography and director duo who have captured many of todayʼs most provocative pop culture legends, celebrated the international release of their first full photography book, ICONS, with a public art exhibition at Lincoln Centerʼs David Rubenstein Atrium on November 8th through the 13th.

The 30 piece exhibition included Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Jay Z, Kanye West, David Bowie, Iman, Will Smith, Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, Eva Mendez, Kate Winslet and Daphne Guinness.

To kick off the weeklong affair, a VIP Red Carpet Cocktail Event was held on November 7th at Lincoln Centerʼs Alice Tully Hall.

Markus + Indrani

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

AVENUE Magazine Honors Amanda Hearst

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

In order to celebrate Socialite and Model Amanda Hearst gracing the cover of the latest issue of AVENUE Magazine, last December 13th AVENUE Magazine got in cahoots with ladies undergarments boutique La Perla, in order to throw the kind of bash that made all the other Holiday parties to which I went pale by comparison. 

La Perla's CEO Suzy Biszants and the event's Honoree Amanda Hearst with Rachel Roy

RE:MIX LAB Fueled by Hyundai

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

To launch the newest incarnation of the RE:MIX LAB event series, Hyundai revealed on September 27th at the Chelsea Market three custom built vehicles representing the ultimate in style, design, performance and innovation. Each car has its own personality and features top of the line modifications, socially connected technology and the most current gear available. Showcasing personalization on a higher level, these one-of-a-kind builds are the epitome of future forecasting and the masterpieces of the event’s “Exhibits in Collaboration” installation.

CELA NY debut benefits New York Organ Donor Network

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

Owner and designer Kelly Mayo with her new line

On September 6th at Sea Thai’s Moon Room in the HiLine District, Cela New York debuted their newest collection during Fashion’s Night Out 

With champagne and complimentary mini massages provided by Exhale Mind & Body Spa, guests enjoyed music by DJ Spyfno of Hot 97 and BET; and were able to pre-order a Cela New York bag with a portion of the proceeds being donated to the New York Organ Donor Network. Guests also had the opportunity to register as an organ donor.

All Cela New York products are produced in New York City. Ms. Mayo is adamant about advocating the preservation of the Garment District in Manhattan. Cela uses the highest quality of leather and handbag hardware materials that she took great care in sourcing in the United States. Ms. Mayo takes great pride in Cela New York being entirely manufactured in New York City and in ensuring all materials are produced within the USA.

AVENUE Shows: Antiques, Art and Design at the Armory

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

The AVENUE Shows that took place on September 20, is a whetting prelude to the much admired Winter Show at the Armory. It is also the most imposing exhibit of art and luxury items outside of the Metropolitan Museum.

This article is a perfect case of words being not just superfluous, but detrimental in describing the feast for the eyes this event was.

Enjoy!

JEROME LUCANI Photo Exhibit

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

On September 17th at Brasserie Beaumarchais, one of the most unassuming but elegant, and nicest restaurants in the HiLine District, Photographer/Artist Jerome Lucani had a wonderful exhibit of his mosaic like photos, with the single exception of a female nude done in relief.

Fashion Night Out - Fall 2012: EFVA ATTLING

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

 Efva in double vision

Fashion Night Out for me ended at the High Line Park District, where the neighborhood was teeming with the kind of crowd one would expect on Halloween in the West Village. I made it a point to finish the evening at Efva Attling's jewelry store, having been tipped by Rizzoli Books that the newly published Antonio book was being presented there.

Downstairs was as crowded as it could be, so I made my way to the second story, just in time to see the space getting filled with Efva's close friends for a more relaxed time socializing.

ABINGDON THEATRE 20th Season Kick-Off Party

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

Jan Buttram, Artistic Director at the Abingdon Theatre Company

Abingdon Theatre Company—which has produced 77 new American plays in its 20-year history, kicked off its 2012-2013 Season with a wonderful party that felt to all partiers attending like a gathering of old, intimate friends, since according to ATC, "It's our 20th Season and we want to celebrate with all the Artists that we know and love".

MANHATTAN DREAM: KILAME Shoes Show & Sale

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

Pamela Quinzi, the artistic genius,
creator of Kilame Shoes

On August 15th at XVI Lounge, Designer Pamela Quinzi and Giuseppe Conte presented a fashion show celebrating Pamela's 3 years of establishing her company in New York, and her fashion collection KILAME. The event was hosted by Italian Magazine A.R.T. Artistic Resource of Tomorrow