The Tamesis
Bunny Mellon, the Listerine heiress and horticulturist, was as famous for her gardens as for her collection of Jean Schlumberger pieces for Tiffany & Co. loved How much effort went into transforming the Park Avenue Armory into a brief Eden on Thursday night. To launch its latest Blue Book collection, the epitome of fine jewelry excellence, the brand opened its Rolodex, bringing clients, ambassadors and friends from far and wide to the Upper East Side for a rare experience.
In fact, the late Mellon would become today’s quintessential VIC (very important customer). Throughout her life, she purchased hundreds of pieces by her close friend Schlumberger and regularly hosted Schlumberger at her 5,000-acre farm in Virginia. It was in Oak Springs that the two reveled in their shared love of nature. (Mellon was also said to be an influencer, even potting, planting and weeding while wearing her custom jewelry.)
Schlumberger’s diamond depictions of flora and fauna continue to have a profound impact on Senior Vice President, Chief Artistic Officer Nathalie Verdeille and Tiffany Design Studio. The latest Blue Book is no exception. Revealed on models wearing Givenchy on Thursday, these sculptural silhouettes recall Schlumberger’s design codes while pushing the boundaries of excellence in jewelry making. Shoppers flying in from around the world got a taste of it last month when Gwyneth Paltrow showed up to the Oscars wearing a stunning vivid yellow diamond necklace unique to the new collection.
For this year’s Blue Book Gala, the Park Avenue Armory is a fitting choice—the Silver Room and Veterans Room of this Gilded Age military facility, designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany in 1881, remain two of the last intact examples of its interior design.
When it comes to Oscars, the influence of stars is equal. Teyana Taylor paired her ice suit with a big, curly Calvin Klein coat; even with the 85-degree heat outside, she still stayed dressed. Greta Lee wore a shimmering Marc Jacobs bandeau that echoed the night’s color theme (though nothing stole the show more than the aquamarine and chrysoprase pairing in the famous Bird on a Rock design around her neck). Diane Kruger proudly pointed out the themed embellished bird creatures on her Sabina Bilenko Couture outfit, pausing to dutifully rock a beaded fringed skirt for photographers. On the red carpet, “Rosie Huntington-Whiteley “But tonight’s not really special,” smiled the supermodel, who was wearing a fitted strapless gown from The New Arrivals. She immediately headed over to her friend, Tiffany Home artistic director Lauren Santo Domingo, who was out for a spin in a vintage Dior piece.
Alison Oliver was delighted to be in town for the event. Although she has never lived in New York, she is no stranger to its energy. “When we were filming Task “In Philadelphia, it’s only an hour away on Amtrak, so I take the train here whenever I can,” says the Irish actress. Considering her solo viewing status, could this dream come true one day? One day, she has the opportunity to perform a play in the city.
