The Orchid Dinner - Mandarin Oriental Hotel

Monday, February 24th, 2014 7:12pm 29 degrees

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I was not prepared for the visual delight of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel's stunning 36th floor Grand Ballroom filled with breathtaking Orchid flower arrangements. The New York Botanical Garden Orchid Dinner featured table designs by Robert Couturier, Shawn Henderson, Hilary Pereira , Philip Gorrivan and a host of other talented design professionals.  This event also showcased spectacular products by manufacturers like Baccarat, Dedar, Fendi Casa , Brunswig & Fils and many others.

I almost didn't attend .. . . Monday blahs, I wasn't  dressed for a cocktail party, winter in New York, etc..... I had a lot of excuses and then thought why not just go and see what this is all about.  After all the Orchid Dinner is one of the  most anticipated winter social evenings and the hotel is well known for its prestige.  So I found a good flower joke and headed off to 80 Columbus Circle at 60th Street in Manhattan.

What does the letter A have in common with a flower?  Both are followed by bees !

Glamour, orchids, drama, style, orchids, laughter, color, allure, fashion, ravishment, star quality, charm and did I mention orchids.  More than 200 well dressed design professionals gathered for cocktails, dancing, mingling and formal dinner.  Rare and exceptional orchids were sold during the cocktail hour and orchid specialists were on hand to assist and answer questions.  Each of the round dinner tables was lavishly styled with orchids and cleverly imagined centerpieces.  The evening was stunning.

All proceeds from the Dinner underwrite the development of the Garne's orchid research collection, which helps maintain the highest horticulture standards of orchid conservation.

The Time Warner Center, where Mandarin Oriental, New York is located, to date is the largest

multi-use building development in the history of New York City. The Time Warner Center is 2.8 million square feet and was constructed at a cost of USD 1.7 billion. It is spot on the Columbus Circle, the point from which all distances to and from Manhattan are measured.

Mandarin Oriental opened in December 2003 and is truly one of the most beautiful hotels in New York City.  Thank you VERANDA Magazine, Hearst Publications and BNY Mellon for the remarkable event.

talking fashion from Georgine are Christopher Roshia and 
Francesca Vuillena

Dinner is served . . .talented Interior Designers Aamir Khandwaia 
and Laura Bohn begin with appetizers at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel.

The Belgium beauty in the hat is Georgine and she's wearing GEORGINE

Man about town - New York Times photo-journalist Bill Cunnigham 

Ryan Sullivan stands with
 Douglas Thomas wearing the lovely purple dress

Jean wearing De la Renta just met Neil Edwards right before dinner

Atif, Annalise Taft, Aamir Khandwala  of ROBERT COURTURIER,
Rokue Rey and Ongin Min prepare to sit for dinner

Charlotte Rand VERANDA, Hilary Pereira, Lyndsey Natale VERANDA
 and Serniqua Dougherty from BACCARAT

I took four pictures of Martha Stewart right after we exchanged business cards
the other images will be published upon approval . . . . I've got a crush !

Handsome, talented and busy Interior Designer, David Thiergartner

Pretty in Pink - Joanna Fisher shows her vintage pin to Alana Frumkes 
who is the Executive  Director of  Designer Visions  for Hearst Publications

the lovely and connected -Marissa Marcantonio

Philip Gorrivan and Kevin Sharkey

And the band played on . . . . .

Laura Bohn discusses the upcoming Orchid Show on
March 1-April 21, 2014 which is the nations largest exhibit of its kind.

rare Orchids for sale on left . . . . superb cocktails on the right

Pippa Coleman, Erin Fraser and Tina Swartz

Patti Ruiz-Healy and Charlotte Vino

wearing Escada is lovely Carol Ostrow

 dashing Christopher and glamorous Georgine (sans hat)  mentioned to me
that the Hearst Corporation, VERANDA and BNY Mellon were sponsoring tonight's event

Marilyn Kirchner wears a one of a kind Joanna Mastroianni

sipping a Black Label and loving the view from the 36th floor

Susanna Sulk and design authority Stacey Bewkes from 
Quintessence (fab blog) 

Interior Design Phenom Philip Gorrivan and über
 talented artist Sylvie Bliger

Head and Hand PR Katharina Plath and 
FENDI Business Developer Daniel Lombardi

Alexandra Levenhal (wearing Tahari) and Jay Diamond (Brooks Brothers)

Olivier Olivier, Claudio Abano and Ryan Zoeller
admire Philip Gorrivan's centerpiece and table setting

   

Debonair Shawn Henderson presents an "Ode to Paul Rudolph" inspired table. 
 Calvin Klein Home dinnerware, Fumo fine stem crystal drinkware and 
Ellipse flatware help make his rich, detailed table setting a gorgeous success