HE ladies from the Society of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, led by Janna Bullock, Jamee Gregory and Muffie Potter Aston, hosted a holiday soiree in Janna's sumptuous East Side townhouse. The cause celebre was the center's first new holiday decor in 12 years, designed and installed by Bill Tansey. The party featured vases decorated by 30 top fashion designers, including Mark Badgley, James Mischka, Tory Burch, Diane von Furstenberg, Douglas Hannant, Marc Jacobs, Francisco Costa, Ralph Lauren, Oscar de la Renta and Zang Toi .
Meredith Waga Pérez of Belle Fleur filled them with flowers to suit each one’s unique design. They were displayed and sold in a silent auction. More than $28,000 was raised to support future decorations.
Leading the bidding were Vera Safai, Georgette Mosbacher, Leslie Perkin, Wendy Carduner, Hilary and Wilbur Ross, Michèle Gerber Klein, Barbara and Kevin McLaughlin, Audrey Gruss, Coco Kopelman, Tony Perez, Janet Striffler, Michel Cox Witmer, Lisa and Chris Errico, Karen May, Lisa McCarthy, Jon Heinemann, Ruth Fleischman, Liz Gardiner and Anne Grauso.
There were carolers in Edwardian costume, Paul Katz playing Cole Porter on the baby grand, champagne and hors d'oeuvres. The house was filled with amazing art including two Winter Trees on Oak Paneled Boxes by artist Michelle Marie. Cheri Kaufman surprised Janna, Muffie and Jamee with Philip Stein Teslar diamond watches.
Many of the prettiest women and the members of the Decor Committee, which included Jessie Araskog, Bambi de la Gueronniere and Lavinia Snyder, and the SMSKCC staff, including Olivia Striffler and Leigh Brawer, wore red T-shirts with a large star on the front made from Swarovski crystals, designed by Steven Stolman. You can order them at startee@mskcc.org. It's a gift that’s perfect for Valentine's Day or even the Fourth of July.
