Ladies who Lunch

Central Park Conservancy (1)

Central Park Conservancy (2)

I have never seen a fashion parade quite like this on 5th Avenue in all my years in Manhattan. Opulence, elegance, humor, chicness… anything goes when you are lunching with the world’s elite of society in Central Park’s stunning Conservancy at 105th & 5th for the 31st annual Frederick Law Olmsted Awards Luncheon.

Through the grand gates we arrived, heralded by trumpeters in the garden and champagne sparkling in flutes. Under a tent exploding in spring blossoms, we dined on mint pea soup and Maine lobster salad crafted by Abigail Kirsch. The event hosted by the Women’s Committee of Central Park Conservancy does more than just look fabulous at every age; they raise millions of dollars to ensure this park, for New Yorkers and for all those who vist from around the world, will remain beautiful and preserved for future generations to enjoy. Through robust applause, Anne S. Harrison (my new idol) announced they raised over 3 million dollars this season and furthermore accepted the largest gift to date of 100 million dollars to the Conservancy by Jenny & John Paulson.

So next time you lay on the lawn and gaze up at the trees or walk over the historic bridges in Central Park taking in this sweet escape from our concrete jungle, know that these lovely women are helping keep that possible for all of us, for all the years to come.

Special thanks to Tiffany & Co. for having me as their guest~

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The next three ladies are my new style icons. Chic, chic, chic.

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Of course, you know who was there! 

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Still in my natural beauty phase I started in Paris, I wore a very 20s inspired day dress by Primary New York and what I call a Renoir garden hat by Zac Posen

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From the booklet above:

Central Park by the numbers…

40,000,000 annual visitors

200,000+ annual plantings

20,300 trees

9,000 benches

900+ annual volunteers

80 acres of woodlands to get lost in

58 miles of paths for leisurely strolls

55 sculptures and statues

36 bridges and arches

7 lakes and ponds

7 lawns for picnicking

4 boat landings for romance

24 thoughts on “Ladies who Lunch

  1. It seems unreal to se this in the heart of Manhattan. Great pictures, as always. They feel just like a little touch of spring and freshness. It’s so grey and rainy here in France that it felt really good. (And these hats, wow. Some ladies have an incredible sense of fashion.) Once again, wonderful job!

  2. ,,,simply lovely. you captured the moments of the affair beautifully. i adore your simplicity and natural beauty. the women you deemed your style inspiration, i can certainly see why. so lovely, so classic, so elegant i would choose them, too!,,,

  3. When I was looking through all the beautiful images and gorgeous ladies in magnificent hats, I was like..”BUT WHERE ARE YOU??!?!” for you are the chicest of them all, obvi.

    Then,

    Radiant in your natural phase Jamie!

  4. What a magical shoot! At first I thought, Do we really need to see another set of bourgeois white women lunching? But the creativity and whimsy of their ensembles was definitely photo worthy. I love how you shoot candids. Well done.

    Sound of Chic
    http://soundofchic.om
    Classic style set to an indie soundtrack

    1. Ah! So nice to read! I completely agree. I loved all the humor and the personal style. It was just delightful to be around people who seemed so comfortable in their own skin and so interested in doing something unique to their own taste. I’m so glad you said that!

  5. I second several of the comments, you look stunning without makeup! There is something to be said for natural beauty.

    I agree with your new style icons, beautiful women that have not been enhanced but look beautiful.

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