The last look at the summer social scene — the Hampton Classic’s Grand Prix Sunday lunch under the VIP tents — brought out New York Mayors Michael Bloomberg and Rudy Giuliani, their better halves Diana Taylor and Judy Giuliani, Katie Couric, Matt Lauer, Brooke Shields, Martha Stewart, Marla Maples, The Real Housewives of New York City star Countess LuAnn de Lesseps, Jill Zarin and Kelly Bensimon. And whether you were at Broadway producers Stewart F. Lane and Bonnie Comley’s main tent table or James Lipton’s, in a private chalet, it was a time to raise one last glass of afternoon rosé and negotiate air kisses under statement hats. Oh and outside, there was a serious competition for the Grand Prix Prize, won by New York City’s Karen Polle, 23, who holds dual citizenship with Japan.
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Countess Luann de Lesseps and Christopher Robbins. (Photo: Rob Rich/SocietyAllure.com) |
Why do we love it? “The horse show grounds itself are so spectacular. The horses are some of the best in the country. The riders are exceptional,” enthused longtime Board Member and former competitor Kelly Klein. She looked around and smiled. “It’s the Hamptons. The weather is perfect. There are no hurricanes. It’s all falling together.”
The always put together Diana Taylor had finally worn something new. A financial and philanthropic powerhouse, as well as a favorite on Best Dressed lists, Taylor struck a note of freedom for photographed women everywhere by showing up in the same outfit two years in a row at the Classic. When the press complained, she told us, she wore it again. Statement made, the Fashion Police should know, she has moved on to new sartorial high notes.
Making their entrance, Rudy and Judy Giuliani were all smiles, glowing as if they were newlyweds and finishing their sentences as if they had been high school sweethearts. We wondered what the former Republican Presidential hopeful had to say about his old friend, once The Donald, now The Candidate. “I am a good friend of Donald’s for 25 years,” he told us. “I believe that he is bringing an amount of attention to the Republican candidates that they wouldn’t have without him. They should be grateful for that. I wish back in ’07 that we had a Donald and had 24 million listening to the debate instead of six. It’ll mean the best candidate will emerge, because more people will be paying attention. So, I think Donald, whether he gets the nomination or not, has already made a contribution.”
“And speaking of golf, by the way,” Judy added, “We must say we are golfing with Donald.”
“He’s a fine golfer and has a wonderful golf course,” she shared. “And we love golfing with him.”
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Judith Giuliani and Rudy Giuliani. (Photo: Rob Rich/SocietyAllure.com) |
And then, as if by magic, we saw Marla Maples, the Trumpster’s second wife. She told us she’s gotten a New York apartment, to move here from Los Angeles. “I’m here because Jason brought me,” she told us. That’s Jason Binn, who launched Niche Media in 1992, leaving three years ago to create DuJour Media. He brought Marla over to Bloomberg’s table to reminisce. “How are you?” she greeted. “If I’m not good, there’s something wrong with the measuring system,” quipped the three term Billionaire Mayor.
Let the fall season begin!
