The 47th Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club Annual President’s Dinner
La crème de la creme of the interior design world showed out in force at the 47th Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club Annual President’s Dinner on Monday evening, April 1st at New York City’s Cipriani 42nd Street. The benefit dinner is one of the organization’s biggest fund raising events. The 100 year old nonprofit serves underprivileged kids age 6–18 with after school programs in sports, performing arts and tutoring in the Bronx. Manhattan’s Spring social calendar must be seen black tie event is also a prelude to The Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse on May 1st.
The gala event chairs acclaimed designers Alexa Hampton, Mara Miller, Jesse Carrier, and Christopher Spitzmiller mingled with 700 hundred lifestyle trendsetters and those who adore them.
Elite guests swirling in swag attendance included Kathy and Othon Prounis, Richard Mishaan, Juan Montoya, Suzanne Kasler, Alex Papachristidis, Thom Filicia, John Rosselli, Chad Stark, Ellen Kravet, Brian Sawyer, Amy Astley, Stellene Volandes, Whitney Robinson, Ashley Stark, Bjorn Wallander, Campion Platt, Shelia Bridges and Susan Magrino.
Former big baller for the Kansas City Royals, Executive Director of the Kips Bay Boys and girls Club Daniel Quintero was joined by his dynamic staff KBGC Event director of Special Events Nazira Handal and development of director Samantha Valerio Nottingham.
Over savory bites and cocktails talk turned to new commissions, trade secrets, resources, the latest technologies and velvet scraps of gossip.
This year’s Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club Showhouse is a Upper Eastside townhouse located at 36–38 East 74th Street. The 30 talented interiors designers chosen take on the amazing task of transforming the raw space into a luxurious showpiece. The perfect tableau to showcase individual artistic vision is a coveted opportunity. The 1920 townhouse has a spiral staircase, elevator, ten working fireplaces, garden and art studio. The posh digs are on the market for a cool 30 million dollars.
The dinner was cochaired by the ever fabulous designers Architectural Digest 100 Jamie Drake and Architectural Digest 100 Hall of Fame Bunny Williams. Guests were lured to the beginning of dinner by drumming of the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club drum corps.
Cocktail time was preceded by a wonderful candlelight supper of cold lobster with haircots verts dressed with lemon and oil followed by braised short ribs served with risotto asparagus.
Editor of Galerie Magazine, Margaret Russell presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Peter Marino. The Uber successful architect Peter Marino has received the highest international industry awards for his worldwide residential, retail, culture, and hospitality designs most notable The Getty, Dior, CHANEL, Barneys, Armani, Louis Vuitton and Bulgari. Dressed in his signature black leather biker chic he was humble and emotional when he said, “ one of the most positive organizations in New York” and “we all care about two things — the kids and our visual environment. All of us work hard to make the world look better.”
President, Marketing and Publishing Director Michael Clinton accepted the Lalique award for Hearst Magazines who was honored. Hearst Magazines is one of the world’s largest publishers of magazine media across all platforms. Hearst Magazines is home to luxury shelter publications Elle Décor, House Beautiful and Veranda.The evening was highlighted by a salsa performance of the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club dance troupe.
The president of the Board of Trustees James Druckman whom owns the New York Design Center, home of the finest in design and furnishings showrooms stretching over a city block in Murray Hill.
After desserts of chocolate cake with coffee ice cream or strawberry shortcake, James led a golden balloon auction that raised funds for Kips Bay Summer Camp. A golden balloon rose for each donation of $600 that covers the cost of one child to attend Camp Sebargo at Harriman State Park.
Save the Date. The Kips Bay Boys and Girls and Club Showhouse Opening Night Cocktail Reception is on May 1st. The much anticipated Showhouse opens to the public on May 2nd. The celebration ended with guests leaving with Schumacher totes stuffed with design industry magazines, Town & Country magazine and one pound tin of Louis Sherry chocolates. This year’s annual Kips Bay President’s Dinner raised 1 million dollars for more than 10,000 young people at ten locations throughout the Bronx with essential after-school and enrichment programs.
