(Long Island, N.Y.) It was a mixed bag of tricks, treats and special events for Halloween week beginning with Gloria Cressler’s Cocktail Reception, International Trade,Cultural Fashion Show and Charity Gala held on Wednesday October 27, 2010 at the Austrian Cultural Forum in midtown Manhattan.
President’s & CEO’s of fortune 500 companies, international diplomats, designers, models, buyers, celebrities, royalties and members of the press attended this glamorous event hosted and produced by Ms. Gloria Consolacion T. Cressler, Public Relation and Event Planner from Gloria Cressler Enterprises & Elite Professional Networking Group.
Special celebrity guest was Race Car Driver David Donohue. Mr. Donahue is the son of the legendary Race Car Driver Mark Donohue. He is currently active in Grand-Am’s Rolex Sports Car Championship’s Daytona Prototype Class for Bromus Porsche. Mr. Donahue has won several endurance classics, including the Rolex-24 hour at Daytona and the 24 hours of Le Mans in France, as well as Championships in IMSA’s Supercar and CART’s Super Touring Series. He’s competed in IMSA, CART, NASCAR, and Grand-Am. Mr. Donahue holds a production car closed course speed record at just over 196mph in a Porsche Carrera GT.
For more information please visit www.grand-am.com
The fashion collection was presented by Lizzi London of London, England featuring models Cynthia Kirchner (Model for Victoria Secret), Model/Actress Denise Dietrichs (Top 20 for Victoria Secret Angel Tour) and Miss Russia New York Angelina Shipilina.
Lizzi London’s childhood passion for abstract art, influenced by Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali, led to her desire to observe visuals, manipulate materials and mold on bodies as an alternative to blank canvases and flat drawings. Her design collection features a diverse array of casual, chic, urban, cocktail, formal and the avante guarde. The inspiration of art truly lies within a woman’s necessity to accent her beauty from inside and out. This is captured from the influence and graceful movements of the exotic peacock. The vivid lines punctuated with structures, generous textures and volumes emphasize each individuals’ character. Lizzi London’s calculated designs with precisely detailed rhinestones, beaded sequins and knots in the rawest form produce techniques that highlight the endless creativity in art.
After the show I had the pleasure of interviewing Diane, Kimberly and Christina Scali, realty TV stars from the new Oxygen Realty TV Show, “Jersey Couture.” The show features their New Jersey Boutique Diane & Co.
For more than thirty-three years, Diane & Co. has helped the everyday woman learn that it is possible to look and feel fabulous. What makes Diane & Co. so unique is their desire to fulfill their customers’ expectations.
They treat each of their clients in a unique manner. Their approach to shopping is different and solely provides one-on-one customer service. When you enter their boutique, you will be greeted with a smile by one of their professionally trained consultants who understand your individuality. With listening ears, a keen sense of style, and a vision of perfection they will style you to your perfect garment limited only by your imagination.
At Diane & Co. you will only find the newest styles and trends in evening and formal wear. They carry extraordinary gowns, cocktail dresses and suits as well as Sweet 16, Bat Mitzvah and prom gowns. The boutique is a favorite among prom shoppers and has sold over 3,000 prom gowns to thousands of young ladies. Each of their prom clients are paired with the dress of their dreams. No matter if you want Princess or Sophisticated they have it all from over 100 manufacturers. For more information please visit Diane & Company Website.
Supporters came out to celebrate the New York Restoration Project’s Fifteenth Annual Hulaween Event hosted by Bette Midler on Friday October 29, 2010 at the Waldorf Astoria.
A highlight of this year’s Hulaween event was honoring United States Senator John F. Kerry. Senator John F. Kerry received “Wind Beneath My Wings” Award for his vigorous leadership in the national climate change debate. Included in his many environmental contributions, Senator Kerry co-authored the Senate’s comprehensive energy and climate change legislation, introduced legislation to improve standards for clean air and millions of dollars in funding to clean America’s waterways, harbors and drinking water. Senator Kerry has worked to strengthen the Safe Drinking Water Act. He has been a champion of protecting America’s National Parks and National Forests from pollution, excessive logging and overdevelopment while ensuring that endangered species are preserved for all Americans to experience. A vocal opponent of opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling for more than a decade, Senator Kerry is committed to ensuring future generations of Americans experiencing the national treasures.
Twelve time Grammy Award winning Singer-Songwriter Paul Simon performed at the event to a Halloween costumed audience. Comedian Judy Gold lent her “golden” touch as the evening’s emcee.
Proceeds from NYRP’s Hulaween gala support the non-profit’s greening initiatives including restoration of Higbridge Park and the organization’s fifty-five community gardens, youth environmental education program and its signature citywide tree planting program, Millions Trees NYC.
New York Restoration Project (NYRP) carries out Founder Bette Midler’s dream of a cleaner, greener New York City. NYRP restores, revitalizes and develops under-resourced parks and community gardens throughout the city’s five boroughs. The organization works tirelessly to ensure that every New York City resident, family and neighborhood has access to vibrant, green spaces. By providing enriching educational and community programming, NYRP also works to instill both individual and civic respect for nature and responsibility for contributing to New York City’s environmental sustainability.
NYRP adopted a bold Strategic Plan in June 2007 achieving the organization’s mission.
Focusing on four principal strategies, NYRP is drawing upon its expertise and commitment to excellence in horticulture, landscape design, community outreach and educational programming. In addition to becoming a leading advocate and partner in local greening and beautification efforts, NYRP further looks to become a model for other cities seeking to revitalize and restore neglected and under-developed open spaces.
Other celebrities that attended to give their support included Actor Gilles Marini, John McEnroe, Actress Marlo Thomas, Fashion Designer Michael Kors, Patty Smyth and Talk Show Host Phil Donahue.
For more information please visit www.nyrp.org
Last but not least on Saturday, October 30, 2010 I attended a special Halloween Saturday edition of the new Bloody Mary party hosted by Susanne Bartsch and Desi Monster at the new Hudson Hotel event space Good Units. The event was a fabulous bloody good time. Guest hosts Paticia Field and Slick It Up joined Susanne and Desi along with guest stars Joey Arias, Bunny Luv and Dee Dee Luxe. Music was by Johnny Dynell, Michael Magnan and DJ Will Automagic.
Susanne Bartsch was born September 19, 1951. She is a Swiss entrepreneur and infamous party promoter whose outlandish over-the-top monthly parties at the Copacabana in the late 1980s united the haute and demi-monde and made her an icon of New York nightlife. Ms. Bartsch’s name according to the New York Times was once the night life equivalent of a couture label, thanks to the numerous extravaganzas she created in cities from Montreal to Miami.
Ms. Bartsch was born in Switzerland and left her family at seventeen to relocate to London, where she became intimately involved with celebrities including Mick Jagger. In 1981 she relocated to Manhattan and opened a clothing boutique. Because of her love for the underground nightlife, she organized weekly parties at Savage, then Bentley’s and finally the Copacabana. Susanne created “Love Ball 1” in 1989 and was inspired by drag balls in Harlem. Susanne and her second husband, gym owner David Barton, have one child Bailey born in 1994.
She continues to be the queen of the nightlife here in New York City and has been featured on Page Six of the New York Post for her over-the-top antics at New York City nightclubs. As usual her parties are filled to capacity and are always shut down by the New York City Fire Department as a fire hazard.
For more info please visit www.susannebartsch.com
Celebrities that attended included celebrity hairstylist to the stars/radio host Colin Lively and cabaret star/actress Jori Jordon and fashion designer Count Vlad.
I had the pleasure of interviewing Ms. Jori Jordon who entertains the patrons with her provocative banana dance much the same way that the famous 1920’s star Josephine Baker did.
Jori was born and raised in Oak Park, Illinois, a small suburban town right outside of Chicago. She studied numerous forms of dance over a sixteen year period attending schools such as the Ben Verene Dance Center under the tutelage of Mr. Verene.
Ms. Jordon moved to Manhattan and began working as a dancer in music videos and on tours with many of the nation’s top Hip-Hop acts including Kanye West, Pharrell Williams, the Wu-Tang Clan, the Pharcyde, Grandmaster Mele Mel and many others.
For more info please visit her new site www.jorijordon.com or jorijordon.blogspot.com
