Jack Lenor Larsen's LongHouse Reserve, home to a spectacular sculpture garden including Yoko Ono's "Wishing Tree," became the site of great music, food, and art, in "serious moonlight," its 25th year celebration. As maidens in midnight flowy frocks danced around a reflecting pool, partiers slurped oysters and sipped peach bellinis, gathering for a piano recital by Nico Muhly, last year's honoree. Robert Wilson, Ralph Gibson, Mary Jane Marcasiano, Jack Youngerman, Eric Fishl, April Gornik, some of whom had paintings on display for a silent auction to benefit the Longhouse program for young artists, sought a breeze on this steamy night.
At a dinner, created by Alice Waters, Martha Stewart presented awards to Napa Valley based designer, photographer, gardener, Molly Chappellet whose winery supplied a fine chinon blanc, and Luanne Wells, philanthropist and animal lover, emphasizing their contributions to art, beauty, entertaining, and gardening which, for these sisters, is also a statement about respect for the earth, key to Jack Lenor Larsen's mission. Wells encouraged: use everything you can to make beauty. Then the 89-year-old Larsen took the podium, telling a story: Alfonso Ossorio had told him to watch the trees: each year they become more noble.
Nona Hendryx kicked off the dessert part of the night, singing "Let's Dance" for a sound and light Bowie tribute, and then guests danced into the yes, moonlit night.
Rising early for a Sunday, I caught Richard Mishaan's conversation with Pamela Fiori at Guild Hall. A more is more kind of designer for some of the world's most luxurious hotels and private homes, he spoke about layering, and how well that can work. Without missing a beat, Fiori added, with the right eye. When asked where he buys his "gems," Mishaan admitted he was headed next door to Mulford Farm, for the antiques show to benefit the East Hampton Historical Society. Among the many treasures there, I can only imagine what he picked up.
A version of this post also appears on Gossip Central.