Hall of FAME Gala – Interior Design Magazine

Hall of FAME Gala – Interior Design Magazine

December 4th, 2013 – 6:28 PM  49 degrees …..

Page 26

The 29th annual Hall of Fame celebration saw record attendees—the enthusiastic, well dressed crowd of more than 2200 filled the Grand Ballroom of the historic Waldorf Astoria Hotel.  Stylish ballgowns, sparkly cocktail dresses, traditional tuxedos and European tailored suits were donned  by architects, artists, designers and more

Cindy Allen and Mark Strauss of Interior Design Magazine know how to host a Gala. Twelve gloriously stocked open bars conveniently located near each jaw dropping chandelier throughout the Art Deco influenced ballrooms.  There was plenty of room to float and mingle at the cocktail party ….. award winners, nominees, fashion icons, talented design teams and powerhouse publishing groups created a quiet roar during the chat and step on the 3rd floor of the swank adjoining ballrooms.

Each year Interior Design Magazine offers opportunities for design groups to nominate creative projects, fabulous furniture, luminous lighting, tactful textile design and a bevy of other categories to acknowledge accomplishments for the year.  Individuals belonging to the design community are asked to vote online for the item or project they feel is most deserving of  “Best of Year”.  The results are announced and rewarded at another party the following night.  This Gala and dinner was to acknowledge the “Hall of Fame”, nominees and inductees.

This was not your average New York soiree . . . . the black tie influenced, lavish social was enjoyed by the movers and shakers of the International design community. The Italian product design firm representatives mixing with Chinese Architects and the oil rich Texans all seemed to enjoy sophisticated social hour.

There was a formal sit-down dinner directly after the cocktail hour (5:30-7:00).  The winners of “Hall of Fame” were announced, celebrated and became part of design history. This year’s Interior Design inductees are: Paul Masi and Harry Bates of Bates + Masi Architects, Colin Burry of Gensler, Lyndon Neri and Rossana Hu of Neri & Hu, and Kenneth Wampler of The Alpha Workshops.

We thoroughly enjoyed our evening at the luxurious Waldorf Astoria and will remember the Edelman Leather sponsored Glam-Gala as “Best of Year”.

    The Waldorf Astoria New York City
         Moments before the call for dinner I captured Editor-in Chief of 
        Interior Design Magazine Cindy Allen  in this behind the
        scene moment as she thanks an ID team member for
        correctly spelling the Hall of Fame winner names
          That’s Norm standing between Kirk Heasley and Joan Bucci
            DIFFA team wonderfully represented at “Hall of Fame” awards.
              Jim and Jo Furr . . . Furr-real glamour with this couple, Jim eloquently 
              introduced his  lovely wife and spelled her name twice !!
                Helene Oberman (Interior Design Magazine) – I think champagne is her color
                  Paris Picket wearing Nicole Miller and Antonia Bernal wearing ASOS
                    Superstar Architect/Designer David Rockwell  casually strolls into dinner
                    with legendary Interior Designer,  Alexandra Champalimaud
                      Chandelier after Chandelier seducing you with every turn and this 
                      is just the corridor  . . . . 
                        Lorraine and Steven
                          Tori Mellot from Traditional Home Magazine
                            Marisa Marcantonio, Jayne and Joan Michaels and well dressed friend
                              Steven Rappos, of Knoll talks with 
                               Pollack VP, Susan Sullivan and Pollack, Design Director Rachel Doriss 
                                I jumped up on a chair to take this photo and didn’t spill a drop of wine
                                  and another adjoining ballroom  – who knew – I need to mingle –
                                  I think I see Dustin O’ Neal.
                                    Chicago’s finest John Brennan – reminded me that this was not his wife –
                                    his wife wouldn’t mind (the lovely Betty Ann) – “we were just talking …. 
                                    what’s that picture for anyway?”
                                      Danielle Grey wearing Tom Ford  poses with Jennifer Torres
                                        Look at the stunning necklace worn by Hilda Longiotti 
                                          Olivia, Ellie and Sonya. . . . . Charlie might be looking for new Angels . . . 
                                            Global textile designer, Lorraine Statham and Kimberle Frost 
                                            (VP of  Design at Designtexrumor has it that Designtex won a “Best of Year” award
                                              Ms. Williams wearing Badgley Mischka
                                                Tuxedo Heaven  . . ..all are classic .. all are different . . all are distinguished 
                                                  Jeff Petersen (Architectural Digest) with the stylish Brown Jordan executives 
                                                    Brandon, Andrew, Elaine and Kathy – don’t they look like a great rock band ?
                                                      Beverly Spencer, Kimberly Sudy, Shannon Andrew and Raul Garcia
                                                        Janet wearing a gorgeous Tom Ford gown and carrying a Balmain bag –
                                                        this ensemble was stunning, I wish I’d gotten a better picture
                                                          Interior Designer Danielle Colding, so elegant so graceful so talented
                                                            Pretty ladies . . . pretty dresses
                                                               Abigail French (Herman Miller), Anne Wood (Herman Miller) and Sarah Morgan (Knoll)
                                                              For more than a century, The Waldorf Astoria has combined luxury with a wealth of amenities and services. This 42-story Art-Deco hotel, located in mid-town Manhattan, beckons New Yorkers and visitors alike. An official New York City landmark since 1993, The Waldorf Astoria is synonymous with elegance and grandeur.  If you’re going to be grand . . .  do it at the Waldorf Astoria.


                                                              here’s your QUICKIE -38 second video of cocktail party mingling !!!!

                                                              Rio Hamilton

                                                              Rio Hamilton is a business development professional with vast marketing and sales experience.He specializes in brand promotion for the luxury interior design and lifestyle industries. Rio works with companies, individuals and groups on concentrated brand identity and elevation. He has a popular website that chronicles "the who's who" at design and fashion events throughout greater New York.

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