Features
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Visionary Women On The Rise
Last week Thursday, the Women’s Forum for the Economy & Society hosted its annual New York cocktail with a panel discussion on “How to Accelerate Women’s Economic Growth” at the Skyroom of the French Institute, aka Alliance Française. The evening was co-hosted by the Women’s Forum for the Economy & Society, Madeira Global and FIAF, with the support of Assouline. Celebrated author Angella Nazarian, also signed copies of her new book, Visionary Women, a highly inspiring good read that I highly recommend.
“When we connect with others, we can create fuel that will make this world a better place and certainly fast forward women and girls,” Kim Azzarelli
“I am a true believer in peer mentorship. It’s a must for the advancement of young women and girls.” Angella Nazarian, author of Visionary Women published by Assouline.
(L-R) Women’s Forum consultant Jean-Christian Agid, President and CEO of Pro Mujer Rosario Perez, author Melanne Verveer, author Angella Nazarian and author Kim Azzarelli attend Women’s Forum for the Economy & Society New York Cocktail at French Institute Alliance Francaise (Photo by Andrew Toth/Getty Images for Assouline) 
Author Angella Nazarian signs a book at Women’s Forum for the Economy & Society New York Cocktail at French Institute Alliance Francaise on September 17, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew Toth/Getty Images for Assouline) 
View of atmosphere at Women’s Forum for the Economy & Society New York Cocktail at French Institute Alliance Francaise on September 17, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew Toth/Getty Images for Assouline) 
(L-R) Author Angella Nazarian, author Melanne Verveer, author Kim Azzarelli and President and CEO of Pro Mujer Rosario Perez speak at Women’s Forum for the Economy & Society New York Cocktail at French Institute Alliance Francaise on September 17, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew Toth/Getty Images for Assouline) 
Author Angella Nazarian speaks at Women’s Forum for the Economy & Society New York Cocktail at French Institute Alliance Francaise on September 17, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew Toth/Getty Images for Assouline) 
“We are at an inflection point where data shows that women are rising more and more to the top. The data also shows that when we invest in women and girls, we can get to the world we want to see.” Ambassador Melanne Verveer, co-founder of SenecaWomen 
President of FIAF Marie-Monique Steckel (L) speaks at Women’s Forum for the Economy & Society New York Cocktail at French Institute Alliance Francaise on September 17, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew Toth/Getty Images for Assouline) 
Author Kim Azzarelli attends Women’s Forum for the Economy & Society New York Cocktail at French Institute Alliance Francaise on September 17, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew Toth/Getty Images for Assouline) 
Model Tasha de Vasconcelos attends Women’s Forum for the Economy & Society New York Cocktail at French Institute Alliance Francaise on September 17, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew Toth/Getty Images for Assouline) 
(L-R) Publisher Martine Assouline, President and CEO of Pro Mujer Rosario Perez, author Melanne Verveer, author Angella Nazarian, author Kim Azzarelli and publisher Prosper Assouline attend Women’s Forum for the Economy & Society New York Cocktail at French Institute Alliance Francaise on September 17, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew Toth/Getty Images for Assouline) 
(L-R) Publisher Prosper Assouline, Alexandre Assouline, President of FIAF Marie-Monique Steckel and publisher Martine Assouline attend Women’s Forum for the Economy & Society New York Cocktail at French Institute Alliance Francaise on September 17, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew Toth/Getty Images for Assouline) 
Theater producer Francine Lefrak (L) and author Kim Azzarelli attend Women’s Forum for the Economy & Society New York Cocktail at French Institute Alliance Francaise on September 17, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew Toth/Getty Images for Assouline) 
Jessica Seeley (L) and Women’s Forum consultant Jean-Christian Agid attend Women’s Forum for the Economy & Society New York Cocktail at French Institute Alliance Francaise on September 17, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew Toth/Getty Images for Assouline) 
Author Jenny Santi attends Women’s Forum for the Economy & Society New York Cocktail at French Institute Alliance Francaise on September 17, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew Toth/Getty Images for Assouline) “Twenty years after the Beijing conference, it is time to speed up the empowerment of women around the world, to be more energetic, and to create more opportunities,” notes Jacqueline Franjou, CEO of the Women’s Forum for the Economy & Society.
Among the powerful women portrayed in Visionary Women, Rosario Perez, former president and CEO of Pro Mujer, concluded that “We can’t underestimate the power of showing someone who they can make it.” A member of the Women’s Forum Mexico Advisory Committee, Perez added that “women in Latin America do not have the same access to opportunity and resources but they have the will and drive. Our mission at Pro Mujer is to provide that helping hand so that women can help each other.”
Among the other attendees at the cocktail event were former and future delegates of the Women’s Forum for the Economy & Society, such as Martine and Prosper Assouline; Alexandre Assouline, Rising Talents Laetitia Garriott de Cayeux and Hannah Seligson; Actress Kiera Chaplin; television producer Carole Holmes Delouvrier; member of the House of Lords and 30% Club co-founder Mary Goudie; Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Research Alliance Executive director Olivia Flatto; Assouline Vice-President Stéphanie Labeille-Sczyrba; philanthropist Francine LeFrak; corporate social responsibility expert Susan McPherson; Art dealer and gallery owner Eric Mourlot; Starlite Randall; authors Jenny Santi and Delphine Schrank; visual artist Jessica Seeley; FIAF President Marie-Monique Steckel; Founder of Amor and humanitarian Ambassador Tasha de Vasconselos; WeConnect International President Elizabeth Vazquez; and Marissa Wesely.
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The Importance of van Gogh
vanGogh 
Vincent Willem van Gogh (March 30, 1853 – July 29, 1890). Dreamer. Post-Impressionist Dutch artist. And trailblazer. Even as we live now in the 21st century.
“Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together.” Vincent van Gogh
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House tour: Art-filled homes and gorgeous views from The Hamptons
Art-Filled Home in Amagansett
This art-filled home was actually the last stop of our day long tour of the beautiful homes designed and furnitured by Hampton-based architect Kevin O’Sullivan. One of his associates, Luke Ferran, led the tour of this custom one story home hidden within the trees in Amagansett. We discovered this exquisite warm woods throughout the property that allowed the house to be integrated seamlessly with the surrounding land, and of course, the noteworthy art collection from the homeowners. At the end of our tour, we all agreed that this property impressed us all, and was an excellent way to end our delightful day.
“We appreciate Kevin O’Sullivan’s collaborative nature every step of the design build process.” KOS Private Client
Sagaponack
We actually started our tour in Sagaponack where Kevin O’Sullivan met us at this gorgeous oceanfront home which he of course designed and furnished. This picturesque beach home had a modern twist, complete with custom rugs and high-end upholstery. The fine abode included a master bathroom with heated floors and a bathtub with an ocean view and a beautiful outdoor space with pool, hot tub and outdoor kitchen. One interesting aspect of the design was the reversal of the layout, with the living room and kitchen space on the top floor, and the bedrooms on the bottom floor.
“Kevin O’Sullivan is the rare talent that is able to seamlessly incorporate the outdoors inside, in tandem with beautiful design materials and art.” KOS Private Client
“We have learned in building two projects with Kevin O’Sullivan to trust his initial input implicitly. He’s never wrong about design and architecture.” Kevin O’Sullivan’s Private Client
Christian Liaigre furniture, high-end custom upholstery adorned the surroundings of a Sagaponack home designed by KOS 
Kevin O’Sullivan of Kevin O’Sullivan + Associates 
Sharing a laugh: Courtney Lukitsch, Valerie Goodman, Kevin O’Sullivan The Boathouse in Sag Harbor
The Boathouse master bedroom was all about easy elegance with its French linen theme with rough hues and woods. Kevin O’Sullivan’s Estate and Garden Party
Kevin O’Sullivan Estate in East Hampton 
World beats from Hampton-based band Europa – www.radioeuropa.net 
Vyna St. Phard, Courtney Lukitsch of Gotham Pr, and Valerie Goodman 
Valerie Goodman of Valerie Goodman Gallery
The inventive, and carefree catering was provided by The BAR Truck – www.barbevtruck.com Picture credit High End Weekly™
All rights reserved
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Paola Navone’s Frankfurt
Paola Navone/Photo credit How To Spend It Paola Navone to design the Partner Country presentation
Italy the fifth Ambiente Partner Country next year in Frankfurt, GermanyPaola Navone has been chosen to create the special presentation for Italy, the Partner Country of Ambiente 2016. Detlef Braun, Member of the Executive Board of Messe Frankfurt GmbH, announced this officially at a press conference in her home town, Milan: “Italy and Germany are linked not only by important cultural and economic relationships. Italy is also a country renowned for outstanding design. Therefore, we are delighted that Paola Navone, a personality of high standing on the international design scene, has agreed to create the Ambiente Partner Country presentation.
The presentation of products distinguished by particularly good design is an important aspect of the world’s leading trade fair for consumer goods and Paola Navone is looking forward to this exciting project: “The know-how that makes the Italian design industry unique in the world will be the protagonist at the partner country presentation. With its many companies big and small. With its endless stories to tell. Stories of centenary craft traditions of entrepreneurs, of courageous complicity between creation and production that have built in so many ways – and still build – the history of design in Italy.” With her creations, Navone has not only made a name for herself on the Italian design scene. Back in the eighties, she developed her own unique, internationally acclaimed style. During her career, she has worked for companies such Alessi, Egizia, Natuzzi, Reichenbach and Roche Bobois. Moreover, she has been the creative director of the Italian furniture manufacturer, Gervasoni, since 1998.
Messe Frankfurt’s Ambiente consumer goods fair 2016 
Messe Frankfurt’s Ambiente consumer goods fair 2016 
Messe Frankfurt’s Ambiente consumer goods fair 2016 
Messe Frankfurt’s Ambiente consumer goods fair 2016 Paola Navone has ties to Ambiente going back many years. She has curated and designed several special presentations for Messe Frankfurt, including the product displays of the ‘extra – soft touch’ and ‘extra – remix’ series at Ambiente 1997 and 2001 respectively. She also designed Café ‘Waterbar’ at Ambiente 2005.
Following Denmark, France, Japan and the USA, Italy is the fifth Ambiente Partner Country and visitors and exhibitors can look forward to another impressive presentation. It addition to the Partner Country presentation, the plans also include a Partner Country Day with exhibitor activities and events.
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The Met’s New Pop-Up Store
The Metropolitan Museum store welcomes paper enthusiasts to its pop-up store: the Paper Project, a reinterpretation of the Museum shop, that goes back where it all began in 1910 in the museum’s Great Hall.
From the humble postcard to cutting-edge jewelry design, the pop-up store features a staggering 500 products, every one made of paper, crafted in all its most creative manifestations. This edit of products honors what paper can mean in the hands of a variety of makers and designers, and includes approximately 25 feet of postcards and new prints that showcase the richness of the Met’s unrivaled collection. If you have a fascination with paper like I do, then you’ll be delighted to have the opportunity to purchase reproductions of their favorite artworks from the Museum’s galleries, including masterpieces by the likes of Rubens, Rossetti, Picasso, Gauguin, Modigliani, Klee, and Hopper, as well as beloved items currently not on view, such as rarely seen works on paper by Michelangelo, Van Gogh, and Leonardo da Vinci.
The pop-up celebrates the best of the Met: our originality, quality, variety, and style. Prices from $2–$475
As you visit the Paper Project pop-up, you will encounter an expansive spectrum of color, displayed across monolithic benches that recall the bronze and marble found in the Met’s famous Great Hall. The architectural features of the store have allowed the museum to highlight treasures from their collection, creating synergy between the products and the environment they inhabit.
The Paper Project pop-up is open through the holiday season Sunday–Thursday: 10:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 10:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. -
The Must-Have of The Week
1. Peter Muller-Munk; Normandie pitcher 
2. Roi Fou Mat at Avenue Road 
The Milan Weave Grainy Leather Cesca Tote at Lulu Guinness 
Richard Schulman, Portraits of the New Architecture 2, Assouline 
Georges Pelletier, Glazed ceramic fish sculpture, signed, Circa 1970, France. 
Ocean agate table on patinated steel base, Curator’s Eye 
Antonio Pineda Modernist coffee set c. 1959-60 1. Silver to Steel: The Modern Designs of Peter Muller-Munk (www.cmoa.org). 2. Roi Fou Mat at Avenue Road , www.avenueroad.com. 3. Milan Weave Grainy Leather Cesca Tote at www.luluguinness.com. 4. Richard Schulman, Portraits of the New Architecture at www.assouline.com. 5. Georges Pelletier, Glazed ceramic fish sculpture, signed, Circa 1970, France, www.hartergalerie.fr. 6. Ocean agate table on patinated steel base, www.curatorseye.com. 7. Antonio Pieneda Modernist coffee set at www.historicaldesign.com.
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Didier Ludot, The Style Harbinger
Vaughanb 1973 
Yamamoto 2006 
Alaïa – Summer 1992 Evening outfit in black cotton satin and white broderie anglaise Provenance: Bettina 
Pierre Balmain – Winter 1953 Black velvet cocktail dress embroidered with chiffon roses by the Lesage Company 
YSL Jump 2001 
Paco Rabanne Dany 1969 
Balenciaga, Oeillets, 1960 
Chanel 1960 
Chanel 1960 
Chanel Romy Schneider 1963 
Dior Louvecienne 1957 
Sothebys Paris Sale 
Mugler 1978 
Balenciaga – 1965 Evening dress in point d’esprit tulle by Brivet, entirely covered with appliqué pink feathers by Albert 
YSL 1969 On 8 July, www.sothebys.com’s Paris, in association with Kerry Taylor Auctions, will stage its first auction of Haute Couture, which gathers together 150 items from the private collection of Didier Ludot.
Didier Ludot, France’s greatest “fashion antiquarian”, surely needs no introduction: his legendary Palais-Royal gallery is a must for any fashion-lover visiting Paris. Specialising and dealing in vintage fashion for more than forty years, he has carefully selected and set aside many of the most important pieces he has handled for his own personal collection.With designs by Paul Poiret, Yohji Yamamoto, Madame Grès, Christian Dior, Cristobal Balenciaga, Azzedine Alaïa, Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, John Galliano and Comme des Garçons, Didier Ludot’s collection provides a comprehensive overview of 20th-century fashion. The 150 items in the sale are a vibrant tribute to French haute couture and the time-honoured expertise of its craftspeople, including tailors, embroiders, leatherworkers, feather merchants and lace makers. Each piece was carefully chosen by Monsieur Ludot for its technical skill, its beauty, the trademark style of the couturier who created it, or the elegance of the woman who wore it. It is to these women, famous and anonymous alike, whom Didier Ludot owes his vocation. This sale unveils their wardrobes and personal style: Chanel’s sequinned “little black dress” owned by Romy Schneider; the Duchess of Windsor’s psychedelic 60s dress; Loulou de la Falaise’s Yves Saint Laurent hat; Mona Bismarck’s Balenciaga cape; the sculptural dresses Alaïa created for Bettina; the impeccable Dior jacket designed for Josette Day; Barbara Hutton’s Cartier jewel box – and so the list goes on. These elegant women of past and present are an endless inspiration for our fantasies.
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Q&A with famed designer Jacques Grange
December 2014Right after Jacques Grange was awarded the Trophé Des Arts award by FIAF, I sat down with the world-renowned talent, who designed such splendid interiors for the likes of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé, decorated the Château Gabriel, in Benerville-sur-Mer, in the style of In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust. Those projects are supremely impressive, but Jacques Grange’s list of stellar clients doesn’t end there. French actress Isabelle Adjani, Princess Caroline of Monaco, Alain Ducasse, François Pinault, Robert Agostinelli, Valentino, and Karl Lagerfeld are also among his long list of clients. In the US, the designer provided the decoration of Paloma Picasso’s jewelry shop, and The legendary Mark Hotel on Madison Avenue, to name a few.
Renowned interior designer, Jacques Grange. Photo by The Selby. My first encounter with Jacques Grange began while I was working for famed photographer, and antique dealer, Roger Prigent. And so it was only natural that we began our conversation at his hotel suite in The Mark Hotel, reminiscing about our late friend, and the people surrounding him during the last years of his life. Mr. Grange noted how Mr. Prigent had a premonition that his career will blossom in the US, and deemed Mr. Prigent as “Top Hat”.High End Weekly™: Looking back at your long and illustrious career as an interior designer, what does it mean to you to be awarded the Trophé Des Art?Jacques Grange: Receiving an award can feel somehow abstract. However, being on the stage, and seeing my friends and colleagues brought a lot of warmth to the moment. As you know, during the evening, there was a video in which the actress Catherine Deneuve spoke about our friendship, and my career … That instant really touched me. Feeling the love of so many people who I hold dear made the difference, that love ultimately made the moment unforgettable. It was not so much about the trophy and its significance, but it was more about the people’s acknowledgement.High End Weekly™: In an international scale, you have inspired a whole school of interior designers, taste makers, and creatives. What do you say to new designers who are entering the industry. In your opinion, how should they present their ideas to clients?
The Mark Hotel Jacques Grange: The interior designer should learn how to seduce the client by presenting fresh and creative ideas to the table. He or she must discover their own style. First of all, you have to Learn, Learn, Learn. Start your own vocabulary, and make it grow overtime. After that, you must become very honest with yourself, and above all, know who you are. The interior designer need to see design as a business, reinforce their design skils by building into them. It’s not easy, but it must be done that way. Also, the designer needs to ask himself some deep and personal questions, such as: Do I like design? How do I perceive it?Building a design career is not just about having talents. Many people have talents, but the designer need to go further than that. The role of the designer is to imput psychology into their work, as well as showing respect to the clients. You need to convince them of your ideas, as well as to carefully listen to theirs. If you know who you are, you will have a successful career.High End Weekly™: Your interiors are often described as eclectic, with an effortless elegance feel to them. Yet they are all carefully edited, constructed for fine living – in the most comfortable, and beautiful fashion. And so when you approach a project, what do you look for first?Jacques Grange: Space and light. As well as analyzing carefully the way my clients live. The stories of their life are translated into the projects. As I mentioned previously, a designer need to consider and respect their clients’ lives. It is that simple.
A bathroom at The Mark Hotel, designed by Jacques Grange 
Guest bathroom at The Mark Hotel High End Weekly™: I know that you like working with artisans in your projects. Here at The Mark Hotel, which you were commissioned to designed back in 2008, you tapped a number of artists, including Ron Arad, Eric Schmitt, Paul Mathieu, and others. Since you are constantly in demand and traveling the world, do you often look for new talents?Jacques Grange: Yes, absolutely. I’m always curious about new talents. And I love visiting all the great museums around the world, namely the ones in Chicago, and New York. I’m often looking at who the museums are introducing to the public, because normally, their taste level is high-end. When it comes to art, I like to see the quality of the art in these institutions, because when I visit the antique dealers in their galleries, I get to compare the quality. This is a fine reference for designing well, it is important for an interior designer to consider it.
Lobby of The Mark Hotel, designed by Jacques Grange High End Weekly™: During your travels, what do you look for in hotels when it comes to luxury?Jacques Grange: The sound of silence in the bedroom. [Pause, and smiles]. Light and harmony. Comfort in every details. For example, the bathrooms at The Mark Hotel are simply marvelous. The details are what I look for because they are very important. A hotel should feel like a home away from home.
Ron Arad lighting at The Mark Hotel “Renovating The Mark Hotel was so exciting, but it had its challenges. The lobby is small for a hotel, and so when I designed the floors, I wanted to keep the public’s attention right there. The whole idea of the black and white striped floors was to keep people’s attention away from the ceiling, which is in fact, quite low.” Jacques Grange
Sightseeing in New York: “Un Velo” at The Mark Hotel This concludes Part I of II of our tête-à-tête with Jacques Grange at The Mark Hotel -
Leading Actors Couple Up at the NYU Tisch Gala 2015
Morgan Macgregor, Michael C Hall The NYU Tisch School of the Arts annual gala honoring Michael C. Hall, Steven Lutvak and Robert L. Freedman, with a special tribute to Mel Silverman, took place this past Monday, at Lincoln Center’s Frederick P. Rose Hall. The evening was hosted by Anna Deavere Smith and featured special presenters Peter Krause, Tyne Daly and Winnie Holzman. The gala performance, directed by Bill Castellino, celebrated the incredible accomplishments of Tisch students, both past and present. Proceeds from the gala supported the education of talented young artists from around the world. Tisch Big Apple Award for Outstanding Achievement in Theatrical Arts went to Steven Lutvak ’83 and Robert L. Freedman ’83. The evening concluded with the Tisch Big Apple Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Performing Arts to actor Michael C. Hall, Class of ’96.
Dean Allyson Green, Ewan McGregor 
Michael C. Hall, Dean Allyson Green 
Lauren Graham, Peter Krause 
Robert Freedman, Allyson Green, Steven Lutvak 
Ewan McGregor poses alongside his wife Eve Mavrakis on the red carpet while attending the 2015 NYU Tisch School Of The Arts Gala held at the Frederick P. Rose Hall 
Michael C. Hall, Peter Krause -
A New Way To Look at Photography
Cut Apple and Gingham Dress, Self Portrait Highlights of the 35th annual AIPAD Photography Show New York included several collections of contemporary, modern, and 19th-century photographs, as well as photo-based art, video, and new media. Cig Harvey‘s Cut Apple and Gingham Dress, Self Portrait (above) was certainly one of the photographs that brought social media to his heads, and created an incredible amount of renewed interest and admiration for the British artist. The fine art photography show was held at the Park Avenue Armory from April 16-19. Presented by The Association of International Photography Art Dealers (AIPAD), the show is the longest-running and foremost exhibition of fine art photography.
Steve McCurry, Fleeting Moments Of Beauty Frame By Frame 
Adam Katseff, River XI; River XII 
A series of prints on 19th Century Vintage Cabinet Card, 2014 
Earlie Hudnall, Jr., Mother with Sons, 1973 
