12/22/12

American Media, Inc.'s Holiday Party @ Pulse Lounge w/ a Performance by Prince Charming

(L-R) Ashley NYC, Carolina Barrow, Harry W. Stoehr, Anna L. Barrow
 

(L-R) Rich Waltman, Bashe Carter, Shema Carter, Ashley NYC
 
The Prince Charming band performs
 
the NY DJ duo known as 'Wet Cassette'
 
beautiful atmosphere contained a pool on the rooftop

12/19/12

Opera Star Alyson Cambridge Attends Town & Country's and J. Mendel 's Holiday Party Benefiting the Dia Art Foundation



with opera star Alyson Cambridge
(L-R) Carmen Barrie, opera singer Alyson Cambridge, designer Gilles Mendel, Ashley NYC

Last night I went to TOWN & COUNTRY's and J. Mendel's holiday party held at Mendell's Madison Avenue store, which benefited the Dia Art Foundation. The event was hosted by designer Gilles Mendel, Alexandra Kotur (Town & Country's Creative Director) and Nathalie de Gunzburg (Chairman of Dia Art Foundation). It was a festive affair filled with fabulous dressed fashionistas, over flowing champagne and holiday cheer!

One of my favorite opera stars, Alyson Cambridge, graced the event and we had a great conversation about issues we both were familiar with, such as us both being biracial and multi-cultural. She's as intelligent as she is talented.

Alyson Cambridge tells Ashley and New York:
 
"I have always been an admirer of J. Mendel gowns and was thrilled to be invited and attend this evening's event. As an opera singer and never at a loss for events, concerts, or occasions to wear beautiful clothes, I have come to J. Mendel for some of my most favorite gowns! One of my best memories was wearing a J. Mendel canary yellow, tulip-like, plush gown I wore from the 2011 spring collection for two concerts -- in San Francisco and Beijing. When I walked onstage, the gasp from the audience was audible! As a performer, you want to come to the stage not only with your voice and beautiful music, but also with an unforgettable and powerful presence that the audience will remember and cherish as part of the experience. Gilles' gowns are so elegantly impactful -- stunning in their structure, design, fabrication, color, and pure 'wow' factor."
                               
    Alyson Cambridge dressed in a J. Mendell gown (mentioned above) backstage following her 2010 San Francisco Symphony performance

(L-R) Gilles Mendel, Alexandra Kotur, Nathalie de Gunzburg, Philippe Vergne - - (photo credit Joe Schildhorn/BFAnyc.com)

(L-R) Lei Xi, Peggy Liu, Ashley NYC
(photo by Joe Schildhorn of the Billy Farrell Agency)
Atmosphere of holiday party (photo by Joe Schildhorn/BFAnyc.com)

For more photos of the party check out Billy Farrell Agency's photo album: http://www.bfanyc.com/home/event/5135
 
 

Alyson Cambridge as 'Julie' in Show Boat at Lyric Opera of Chicago, 2012

Alyson Cambridge has quite a year ahead in 2013!
 
In 2013 Cambridge returns to Washington National Opera as 'Julie' in Showboat, will be a soloist for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir for a national TV and radio broadcast and debuts the role of ‘Vi’ in Gershawn’s “jazz-opera” Blue Monday at New York City’s legendary Cotton Club. She also records her second CD featuring jazz and crossover favorites from the American Songbook, will embark on a multi-city solo concert tour in China and will begin a run of engagements of her celebrated role of 'Mimi' in La boheme in London, San Diego, Washington and beyond.


For Alyson’s schedule and further announcments, and as they are allowed to be made public, please visit her website for details:  www.AlysonCambridge.com
photo credit Enrique Vega




12/13/12

The Museum of Modern Art's Jazz Interlude Gala Honoring Director Spike Lee


Gala chair Sherry Bronfman
Spike Lee's family pose with Sherry and Hannah Bronfman
Spike Lee accepts award
with Tonya Lewis Lee (R) and Spencer Means (L)

On December 12th The Museum of Modern Art’s 2012 Jazz Interlude Gala honored artist, activist and filmmaker Spike Lee and philanthropists Mera and Donald Rubell. The night started with a cocktail reception in the museum. It was followed by a delicious benefit dinner with live music by jazz musician Terence Blanchard, whose music actually has been featured in numerous Spike Lee films. The evening ended with an after-party with dessert, dancing and great music by jazz artist Jason Moran and the Bandwagon. The 2012 Jazz Interlude event chair was Sherry Bronfman, with co-chairs Eboni S Gates and Noel Hankin.

I have always been a fan of Spike Lee’s bold and social justice themed films. Lee never shies away from calling a spade and spade and uses his platform to shine a light on causes that matter to him. Lee’s beautiful wife Tonya Lewis Lee and their incredibly stylish children, Satchel and Jackson, attended the event as well.

                                            
                                    (L-R) Tonya Lewis Lee, Satchel Lee, Jackson Lee         
                                 








with Paper Magazine's Kim Hastreiter



 
with Humberto Petit (right) and Ruthard C. Murphy (center left)

(L-R) Kevin G. Chavers, novelist Ginger McKnight-Chavers, Ashley NYC, Wayne Winborne
The Prudential Foundation's Lata N. Reddy

Sheree Whitfield
Sherry Bronfman and Hannah Bronfman, Tonya Lewis Lee and Satchel Lee



Whitney Art Museum's 2012 Gala Sure Was Lovely!

The Whitney Museum of American Art held their annual fall gala on Tuesday night.  It was cool partying in the actual galleries, such a beautiful environment. The DJ played a lot of good hip hop music at the after party, including some great throw back jams. Be sure to check out their new exhibits: http://whitney.org/Exhibitions  
Ms. Jay (America's Next Top Model)
enterpreneur Hannah Bronfman
(L-R) Meaghen Stark, Jessica Sciacchitano, Alissa Huemann, Ashley NYC
(L-R) Ashley NYC, celebrity photographer Gabrielle Revere, baker Kate Sullivan, photographer David Levinthal
(L-R) artist Mahlot Sansosa, correspondant Julie Walker, Ashley NYC



with Arielle Patrik

The Guggenheim Young Collector's Anniversary Party

(L-R) Jie Xia, Ashley NYC, Nicole Thompson, Amanda Deverux

12/11/12

Interview with Warburg Realty's Linette Semino on the Real Estate Industry and HGTV's 'Selling New York'

Linette Semino
 
The much anticipated season's premiere episode of HGTV's hit show Selling New York, which features real estate brokers from three Manhattan real estate companies (Gumley Haft Kleier, CORE, and Warburg) introduced a new agent, Linette Semino, an Associate Broker with Warburg Realty. In 2010, Linette appeared in the final episode of MTV'sThe City’ where she showed a lead cast member an apartment in Murray Hill. When Linette is not selling high-end properties throughout Manhattan, she is supporting prestigious charitable and philanthropist organizations. She has become a fixture in the real estate industry and Manhattan's society. Ashley And New York had an opportunity to interview Linette
Linette Semino and client O'Neal McKnight in the season premiere of  'Selling New York'
Linette Semino, her husband and attorney Matt Semino, and Ashley NYC at WINTER ANTIQUES SHOW Young Collectors Night
 

Ashley & New York: How was your experience starring in the reality show “Selling New York”?
Semino: My experience starring in the season’s premiere episode of HGTV’s “Selling New York” was amazing. Warburg Realty is one of the four firms featured on “Selling New York,” so I was thrilled to be in the show. When I began working with recording artist O’Neal McKnight, I knew that his personality and the types of properties he was looking for would be an ideal fit for the show. In 2010, I appeared as a real estate agent on MTV’s hit show“The City,” so I already had some on-camera experience. In 2013, I will be starring in another episode of “Selling New York” where I am working to sell an exceptional loft in Chelsea. That episode will be a lot of fun!
 Ashley & New York:  How long have you been a Real Estate Broker and what do you like most about it? What are some challenges?
Semino: I obtained my Salesperson License in 2006 and my Associate Broker License in early 2012. I represent sellers, buyers, landlords, renters, and any type of residential property in New York City. What I enjoy most about being a real estate broker is that every transaction comes with its own unique set of challenges. As a natural problem solver, I find enjoyment in navigating through complicated problems and prescribing solutions to them. I also enjoy the negotiating stage of a transaction, as it is the most delicate step of the process and where I have to be the most diplomatic. On the other hand, my least favorite aspect of my profession is the “waiting period” between a contract being signed and the closing which could take 3-5 months.
Today’s real estate sales professionals face many challenges. In New York City, the most impactful challenges are low housing inventory and a very strict lending environment where not only the buyers have to be approved by the lenders, but also the buildings where the units are located need to be approved. In addition, the financial fiscal cliff and the possibility of higher capital gains and personal income taxes in 2013 are currently suppressing buyers’ and sellers’ confidence in the economy. The rental market also has its own unique set of challenges. Rental rates in 2012 are 3% higher than they were in 2011 and there is also a significant lack of inventory. Many of the other challenges we face are related to the actual real estate transactions. Despite how complicated this profession can be at times, it is also very financially and personally rewarding.
 Ashley & New York:  What are some misconceptions about the real estate industry?
Semino: In my opinion, the main misconception about the real estate industry is that sales agents are not hardworking people. This is a false impression because the majority of agents work six or seven days a week. We work on commission, so this business isn’t always fun and games as most people think it is. To be successful in this industry, an agent has to be extremely available and accommodating. This industry is very demanding and sales agents work very hard.
 Ashley & New York:  What is some advice you would give to those considering a career in the real estate business?
Semino:  Anyone considering becoming a real estate salesperson needs to examine the different brokerages and understand how these companies operate. Most importantly, I’d advise that they thoroughly assess their personal finances to see if they have the ability to cover their expenses for at least a year. I truly believe that it takes 2-3 years for new brokers to begin building their network and to start making money; that is unless they have a lot of wealthy contacts who become their clients at the outset.
See season premiere of ‘Selling New York’ starring Linette and recording artist O’Neal McKnight: http://youtu.be/YgtFxLGZxSQ
Linette Semino’s website: www.LinetteSemino.com




 
 

12/5/12

MoMA Art Film Benefit Honoring Quentin Tarantino

(L-R) art collector Odeta Rose, director Quentin Tarantino, Ashley NYC
(L-R) actress Nichole Galica ('Django Unchained'), movie star Jamie Foxx, Ashley NYC

On Monday night the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) held their annual MoMA Art Film Benefit which honored Quentin Tarantino. Tarantino is often imitated, bet never duplicated, being one of America’s most contemporary filmmakers. Producers and actors he’s worked with came out to support the event including Jamie Foxx, Harvey Weinstein and his wife and fashion designer Georgina Chapman, actress Diane Kruger, actor Steve Buscemi and actress Nichole Galica. Chelsea Clinton, Hannah Bronfman, Mary Alice Stephenson, Odeta Rose and other fabulous ladies were also in attendance. RZA (of Wu-Tang Clan) performed on stage. Was nice to see so many people from Los Angeles!

Chelsea Clinton
 
Mary Alice Stephenson (world renowned style and beauty expert)
 
Gavin Doyle
 
with RZA (center) and Odeta Rose (right)