BD Wong, Lucia Hwong Gordon and Zang Toi
Estelle Parsons and Arthur Penn	Diana Williams and Julie Crosby

Hot And Magical

HE Pierre was hot and magical. The Women’s Project 24^th Annual Women of Achievement Gala was in full swing.  And not even a blanket of snow could keep the city’s most glamorous residents away from the festivities.

The crowd was a mix of Hollywood and Broadway royalty and New York’s elite.  It was a happy reunion for honoree Estelle Parsons and presenter Arthur Penn, who directed her in her Oscar-winning role in the iconic Bonnie and Clyde.  The octogenarian actress is soon heading off on 44-week American tour with her hit Broadway play August: Osage Count. Talk about a woman of achievement! 

Honoree Lucia Hwong Gordon dazzled in one of Zang Toi’s latest gowns and accessorized her stunning ensemble with the designer himself upon one arm. 

On her other arm was Law and Order: SVU actor B.D. Wong, who presented Lucia with her award.   They met while collaborating on the Tony-award winning play M. Butterfly for which Lucia wrote the score and Mr. Wong played the starring role. 

The professional accomplishments of honorees Susan K. Reed, editor-in-chief of O, The Oprah Magazine, and Susan Sobbott, president of Amex Open, truly inspired the crowd.

Renowned scholar and president of the Union Theological Seminary, Rev. Dr. Serene Jones, introduced Ms. Reed.  Nell Merlino, founder of national Take Our Daughters to Work Day presented Ms. Sobbott with her award. 

This group of diverse and dynamic power-house women truly brought home the message of the evening.

Lt. Gov. of Connecticut Michael Fidele, Veronica Atkins Mersentes, Alexis Mersentes, Liliane Montevecchi and Domenico Vacca
Liliane Montevecchi	Carmen Dell’Orefice, Dr. Ruth Westheimer and Liliane Montevecchi

Ball Of The Year

PRIL showers couldn’t stop guests from pouring into the Pierre Hotel as Boys’ Towns of Italy threw their sixty-fourth annual Ball of the Year Gala.

The night was filled with stars from all walks of fame. And who said you needed to be Italian to grace the red carpet?

Dr. Ruth Westheimer, Carmen Dell’Orefice, Lainie Kazan, Tommy Tune, Arlene Dahl, Luciana Gimenez and Mercedes Ellington were just some of the guests who attended.

Joe Piscopo took over as emcee and shared a few chuckles with the audience. The SNL alum had us all envisioning 1983 again!

This year’s honorees included master designer Domenico Vacca, famed for both men's and women's fashions and Broadway’s own Liliane Montevecchi, who wowed the audience with her electrifying cabaret show.

Veronica Atkins Mersentes was honored for her humanitarian work in the fields of health and nutrition. Her passion is childhood obesity and diabetes II, and her foundation is fully behind the effort.

In came Lt. Gov. of Connecticut Michael Fidele, and a wonderful night was had by all, especially those dancing to the Peter Duchin Orchestra.

With a fashion presentation from Domenico Vacca and a fabulous performance from Liliane Montevecchi, the gala lived up to the name Ball of the Year.

F you were among the lucky 300 guests from around the world at Larry Herbert's 80th birthday party, you knew you were at the best party in Palm Beach, in Florida, in the U.S. 

The elegant Breakers Hotel was scene for the magnificent backdrop of a well lived life.  Larry Herbert is inventor, innovator, philanthropist, and family man par excellence.

The four day gala, organized by Michele Herbert, aided by Lisa, Vicky, Richard and Loren, his four children and grandkids, was a lovefest tribute to one man's life well lived and in service to his country.

The glitterati included Patti LaBelle, Ivana Trump, Dennis Basso, Denise Rich on and on and on into the starry night.  If you were there, it was an experience of a lifetime. Even 80 looks good on Larry.