Parties

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It’s a crisp Wednesday afternoon in the Central Park Conservancy Garden, where the lush botanical surroundings feel alive. No, really. A poppy with the wingspan of a pelican glides by, a clutch of foxgloves break into peals of laughter, and several varieties of orchids—mostly phalaenopsis, some cymbidium—are regaling their plans for summering upstate. Rather than witnessing transflormation at work in Upper Manhattan, this is the 44th annual Frederick Law Olmsted Awards luncheon, hosted by the Women’s Committee of the Central Park Conservancy—quirkily known as the “hat luncheon” for the always fabulous and floral-hatted guests.

This year, the event raised a record-breaking $5.4 million, which will go towards supporting the management and care of Central Park. Fundraising efforts for the Conservancy, the park, and local landmarks have enabled the restoration of the historic concert ground benches, the recreation of Bow Bridge’s urns, and essential work on the Conservatory Garden where the now-treasured traditional luncheon was held.

Women’s Committee president Tracey Huff, as well as co-chairs Kate Davis, Darice Fadeyi, Stephanie Hessler, and Erin Isikoff Klatskin, Central Park Conservancy president and CEO Betsy Smith, and board chair Tom Kempner welcomed guests to the colorfully decorated gardens. The luncheon celebrated longtime Conservancy trustees Judy Hart Angelo and Janet Ross as honorees.

Guests—many part of the 1,000-strong Committee—donned their most fascinating fascinators, feathered pillboxes, and headpieces fashioned from all kinds of flowers. Many were by homegrown NYC milliners or imported from established houses in London, while others opted for vintage, and some even DIY-ing their headpieces. Florals was the overarching theme, but there was an avant-garde air, too: Hope Rothschild wore a gravity-defying blue rinse wig with a dove perched on her ringlets. Roseline Neveling paid tribute to the cocktail olive with her own fascinator, while Luisa Diaz’s wide-brimmed floral hat spelled out “kindness.” Conservancy staff wore hats by COTY and CFDA award-winning milliner Patricia Underwood, and were outfitted by Tuckernuck.

Vogue’s Lilah Ramzi-Goettemann was among attendees, an intrepid spectator beneath the wide brims. “Given the Met Gala whirlwind this week, I’ll admit I rather phoned it in—I didn’t have time to properly plan,” she says. “I pinned a Helena Simon poppy brooch to a Destree hat—the brand started in millinery, after all!—and called it a day, pairing it with a floaty 1950s chiffon dress. Fresh enough, but I certainly paled in comparison to the sheer inventiveness of the crowd.” Her favorite look was that of Alexandra E. Bell, the owner of Suzanne Couture Millinery: “which is the place to get a hat—an Upper East Side institution,” says Ramzi-Goettemann. Bell wore cream, black polka-dot vintage Oscar de la Renta dress. “It felt straight out of the 1960s—utterly chic, perfectly proportioned, and quietly fabulous,” she adds. I went up to her because I had to know who she was, and it turned out she’s the sister of Aran Bell, a principal at American Ballet Theatre. One of those perfect New York moments.” There was also a lily-of-the-valley hat worn made by CB Design Sanctuary and worn by Lizzi Longley: “It had a real Dior-esque romance to it.”

Martha Stewart shared her fond memories of visiting Central Park with her father as a child, riding ponies and going out on the lake in a rowboat for a dollar a day. She opted for a gold Libertine coat and a vintage hat she picked up at Arts and Ends in Northeast Harbor, Maine, which she adorned with a pink rose brooch by Helena Simon.

“I love seeing women ‘doll up’ in summer dresses and beautifully crafted hats,” says Stewart. “Everyone goes all out, and to get over 1400 women to do this is an extraordinary feat, and it is because Central Park is so important to all of us. I’ve gone for many years and always see something new and different.”

The Fendi family was also represented by Fe—in custom Emilia Wickstead—and daughters Alessia and Paola—in Emilia Wickstead and vintage Mary McFadden respectively. They explored Europe looking for their own chapeaux: Fe found her Tracey Hilley hat in London, and Alessia’s raffia Patrizia Fabbri hat was sourced in Rome. Paola found a Eugenia Kim hat in her mother’s closet. The Fendis all, of course, opted for Fendi shoes and bags. “Walking down the steps and seeing the flurry of color is such a wonderful experience. There are so many works of art!” says Paola.

Alice + Olivia founder and designer Stacey Bendet wore her own Adley poppy dress with a matching poppy embroidered bomber, which she paired with a sculptural vintage hat customized with more poppies. “I loved supporting our godmother Judy Angelo, who was being honored, and it was so fun to see so many women wearing Alice + Olivia,” she says. Her favorite chapeau? Marie-Noelle Pierce’s blue bird and floral adorned headpiece.

Hill House Home founder and CEO Nell Diamond marveled at a hat made of a spectacular triangle of delphiniums. She wore a fascinator from her friend Rebecca Gardner’s shop, Houses and Parties. (Where you’ll add off-beat gifts like sweetly designed teddy bears and vintage cocktail napkins to your cart, too.) “I loved the colors,” Diamond said of her look, “they were a perfect fit for my Hill House dress… a sneak peek from our upcoming ‘Sunset Gingham’ capsule.”

“I loved the awards presentation,” says Diamond. “What an honor to learn more about the incredible people who help maintain Central Park’s history.”

The Pearl NYC founder and philanthropist Marcella Hymowitz picked up her vintage Yves Saint Laurent hat, with green cording and pearls, last month in Les Puces in Paris. She paired it with a drop-waisted, green and chartreuse lace Zimmerman gown for a ’20s, botanical feel. Hymowitz loved the group of women who arrived in hats inspired by mahjong tiles. “Campy, beautifully executed, and mahjong is so of the moment right now. The fact that they did it as a group made it even better,” she says.

“The best part is coming together in the beautiful Central Park gardens to support keeping our park and our city clean and safe,” she says. “It’s one of the few events where people fly and drive in from all over to be part of it. It’s the rare day when the women of New York leave the black in their closets and pull out all of their color, their playfulness, and their personality! The people-watching is unmatched.”

Sarah Wetenhall, the owner of the iconic Colony Hotel in Palm Beach and Hedges Inn in East Hampton, wore a corset Caroline Herrera dress painted with watercolor florals, and a custom hat by CH Millinery, “a brand known for its work primarily in theater, film, and television,” explains Wetenhall. “I was seeking a hat that not only complemented my dress, but also served as an homage to Central Park. The addition of bees around the flowers was a whimsical element that I just couldn’t resist!”

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Anna Cafolla is American Vogue’s news editor, working across fashion, beauty, culture and living from London. Previously, she has worked at Dazed, Cosmopolitan, and ELLE, and has written for The Guardian, The Face, AnOther, and Conde Nast Traveller. She will hold you hostage until you agree to her restaurant recommendations. ... Read More