MAGGIE NORRIS & MICHEL PIRANESI: 'Marlene' Eyewear + Jewels by the tableful

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

On January 30th, designer Maggie Norris and jeweler Michel Piranesi banded together at Selima Optique to show off their latest creations. For Maggie, it was the unveiling of her new design in eyewear, 'Marlene'. V.I.P.s in the worlds of fashion, the performing arts and the social scene made up the spirited crowd.

ATELIER COURBET: New Designs in Textiles by ANNA KARLIN

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

On May 18th, Interior Design Magazine, which had done a cover on Anna Karlin stools, arranged for a presentation of Anna's new designs in fabrics, being executed by the prestigious Hosoo of Kyoto, and what better place to do it in, than at that den of luxury, Atelier Courbet, which carries other lines of the Hosoo output among its treasures.

Anna Karlin stools

THE DRAWN BLANK SERIES: Bob Dylan's Work on Paper

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

Dealing in only original vintage posters, no reproductions, The Ross Art Group also deals with selected limited edition prints and original paper art. It is in this latter category that on May 8th, the gallery, located in the very heart of Touristland, NYC (around the corner from Rockefeller Center), an exhibit on the original watercolors, gouaches and limited edition prints of music legend Bob Dylan, was arranged to benefit the T.J. Martell Foundation which is the music industry's largest foundation that funds innovative medical research focused on finding cures for leukemia, cancer and AIDS. The Foundation sources and supports early-stage research projects aimed at developing more effective clinical treatments for patients which otherwise might not be funded.

The Sopranos' "BACALA" Gets Saucy

reporter: Miguel Dominguez
copy: Steve Schirripa web site

On May 7th at Grace's Trattoria, Steve Schirripa, who played the role of Bobby Baccalieri on The Sopranos, unveiled three different kinds of his organic pasta sauces, Uncle Steve’s Marinara Sauce, Tomato Basil, and my favorite, spicy hot Arrabiata.

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.

THE RIPPLE EFFECT: Nomi Network 4th Annual Gala and Award Ceremony

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

Farah Zulaikha with Diana Mao, Co-founder and President of Nomi Network, and Joe Flippin

Nomi Network’s 4th Annual Gala and Awards Ceremony took place on May 7th at the New York Academy of Medicine, to further Nomi Network’s commitment to raise awareness about human trafficking and encourage attendees to take a stand against this global crisis. It paid tribute to Shannon Sedgwick Davis, CEO of Bridgeway Foundation, and Blake Mycoskie, Founder of TOMS shoes.

At far left, Shannon Sedgwick Davies, with Mamie Gummer seated in center, and
Diana Mao, and Shandra Woworuntu, survivor of human trafficking to the right

MARGINS: Frank Webster Paintings

reporter: Miguel Dominguez
copy: Frank Webster web site

On May 16 at f The Lodge Gallery, the art exhibit of MARGINS, Frank Webster's paintings and drawings of a landscape/architectural theme took place.

WAYS TO WILLS: Important Lecture About Estate Planning

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

Founder of HK & Co. and promoter of this event, Helen Kim, with Author Herbert Nass,

and Arts International Director Joyce Chasan

On March 4, guests gathered in Joyce Chasan's Arts International loft to hear Herbert Nass, a trusts and estates lawyer for many of today's famous celebrities. He offered an engaging look at how to avoid some of the most common pitfalls made in estate planning, advising what not to do when setting up an estate plan, or administering an estate, and giving helpful tips that will save families money and potential emotional trauma.

STARGAZER: Luis Alves Collage

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

On May 9th at the Chelsea Eye Art Gallery, Luis Alves Collage had an exhibit of his latests art series.

I also published a previous exhibit of a series Luis did on Kate Moss. Please click here to go to the article.

Luis Alves with Chelsea Eye Art Gallery art curator Tracy Von Becker-Legge

ART AS FURNITURE: Aldo Bakker

reporter: Miguel Dominguez
biography: Hans den Hartog Jager
archival images: http://www.aldobakker.com/

Aldo Bakker with two of his 'Tonus' stools

On May 10th, the exhibition ‘Aldo Bakker & the European masters’ opens at Atelier Courbet, New York. On show are new editions of the Tonus in urushi, oak and bronze, a new silver pourer, and other recent works.

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.

LLADRO Unveils 'NATURO fantastic'

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

April 28th was the date  the Lladró showroom in midtown Manhattan had a presentation of their latest series in ceramics that goes by the name of 'NATURO fantastic'.

MANSION IN MAY: BLAIRSDEN Show House

reporter and photos: Miguel Dominguez

copy: Mansion in May

Just having opened on May 1st and ending on the 31st, Blairsden is the sort of venue that interior designers are always dreaming they could do from top to bottom. A lot of them would consider such privilege the highest point of their careers. Located in at the end of the New Jersey Gladstone train line and within one hour from Penn Station in New York (For information on how to get to Blairsden, please click here), it's one of the best Spring outings one can have this month, for not only seeing the beautifully designed rooms is as much a cultural experience as going to the Metropolitan Museum, but the house has an extensive terraced garden and is surrounded by acres of hilly parkland, turning the visit into a very relaxing day in the country.

As with all Show Houses, always planned to benefit charitable projects and/or organizations, this particular project of the Women's Association of Morristown Medical Center (WAMMC) benefits the expansion of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and a new Pediatric Autism and Child Development Center of the Goryeb Children's Hospital at Morristown Medical Center.

SANTIAGO CALATRAVA: Small Scale Works

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

Marlborough Gallery just signed architect Santiago Calatrava up for representation, and on April 24 his smaller scale works—sculptures of bronze, wood, and alabaster, and also ceramics and drawings—debuted at the Midtown gallery. This is his first representation by a major international gallery, although Calatrava has previously shown in New York’s Museum of Modern Art.

SAKE IN THE CITY II: Wine and Wagyu Beef Tasting

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

On October 28, 2013 at the event space '404', JETRO, the Japan External Trade Organization of New York, presented "Sake and the City II" — Discover Japanese Wagyu.

JETRO, a Japanese government organization that promotes mutual trade and investment between Japan and the rest of the world, brought experts in the Wagyu beef industry and also sake distributors to present seminars and tastings.

In one of the seminars, Yosuke Yamaguchi of ZEN-NOH described Japanese Wagyu. A specialist in horticulture and livestock general planning, Yamaguchi establishes relationships with restaurants, retailers, promoting sales of ZEN-NOH meats to the US, .

Distributors poured a variety of sake, some of which are not available in New York. Several of the choices complement Wagyu.

THE ECLECTIC EYE: Barry Friedman's Collection. Auction Preview

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

When Barry Friedman, the Manhattan based art dealer decided to retire, a diversity of works, drawn from his homes and from his stock, were presented at Christie’s under the banner ‘The Eclectic Eye’. A preview of the items took place on April 24 which has been arranged as a series of four sales that will provide a review of the many spheres in which he has made his mark.

VALTA US Art Exhibit

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

On March 13th at the Mark Borghi Fine Art gallery, Valta Us had a wonderful exhibit of his latest paintings

NATIONAL GOURMET INSTITUTE Open House

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

Because Good Eats is very much a part of New York's cultural life—I will say it seconds in importance, quality and variety only New Orleans'—I decided t would be an enlightening experience for me to attend the open house The National Gourmet Institute had on April 9th at their school in Chelsea.

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

A NIGHT IN THE UKRAINE: Fashions

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

On March 28, the Fashion Committee at the National Arts Club arranged a discussion and a runway presentation celebration of Ukrainian fashions featuring the collections of Oksana Karavanska, Nataliya Kholodylo and Elena Vasilevsky.

WE KISS THE JOY AS IT FLIES: Elisa Lejuez art exhibit

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

S Artpace Gallery presented the second solo show of the Arubian artist Elisa Lejuez in New York on March 21.

This exhibition featured a selection of her new collection "We kiss the joy as it flies" in which she was inspired by the basic authentic Zen philosophy of enlightenment and total awareness of the moment. Elisa's process is intuitive and meditative and goes beyond her mind-enclosed egos. You will discover a composition made of spontaneous gestures, a deeper dimension of reaching new forms. "I'm engaged in a spiritual quest, a secular search for wholeness and see my process of making art as a kind of meditation."says Lejuez.

MAGGIE NORRIS: The Big Egg Hunt

Announcement

For Fabergé's The Big Egg Hunt Charity Event, an innovative and engaging fundraising initiative that will see over 250 large egg sculptures—each designed by globally renowned artists, designers and creatives—Maggie Norris designed the 'Fabergé Rosebud Corset', inspired by the 'Imperial Rosebud' Egg by Peter Carl Fabergé.

These eggs will be placed throughout the five boroughs of New York City, from April 1st to 26th, benefiting both Elephant Family, an organization that helps protect the endangered Asian Elephant, and Studio in a School, a community of professional artists that has been teaching visual arts to hundreds of thousands of New York City children in under-served public schools, daycare centers, and community-based organizations for 36 years.

In addition to the more than 260 egg sculptures that have been created by prominent artists, The Fabergé Big Egg Hunt has commissioned public school students participating in Studio in a School programs to design 24 additional eggs.

This video presents the creation of Maggie's egg.

Click here to read article on Maggie Norris at her atelier.

JOSE ESTEVES: “Dreams” Collection

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

On December 3, 2013, exclusive artist-poet José Estevez unveiled at the Interieurs showroom his latest collection of stunning original lighting works inspired by the magic of dreams and the power of the imagination.

Created in his workshop on the countryside of western France, Jose Esteves’ lighting creations are a balance between art and function.

HAPPY 2ND ANNIVERSARY!

Today, NYC Culture/Style celebrates it's second anniversary!

My deepest gratitude to all my wonderful readers who continue to make it so successful with an average of 150 hits per day.

HOW TO KEEP THE LIGHTS ON BROADWAY: An educational evening about investing in the theatre.

reporter: Miguel Dominguez

Lauren Garzon, Manager of Residential Services at the St. Regis Hotel, with Helen Kim of HK & CO.,
Richard A. Roth, and Ken Davenport

On March 5, Broadway producers Ken Davenport and Richard A. Roth, producers of the Tony Award winning musical, Kinky Boots, shared their methodologies about investing in Broadway shows while guests sipped cocktails and ate delectable hors d'oeuvres in a suite at the St. Regis Hotel.