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So I have to admit I had never heard the term “Maycember.” And I know it’s meant to describe the last stretch of chaotic school activities before summer break begins but can it also please apply to New York in spring? I’m just back from Los Angeles where Jonathan Anderson showed his first cruise collection at the new LACMA building at sunset. (Can’t wait to go back and see the Geffen Galleries again when I am in L.A. for the Hermes show in June). On Saturday Gucci took over Times Square and Tom Brady walked the runway. This week: Lincoln Center Theater has its annual benefit. Louis Vuitton is showing at the Frick. I’m interviewing the author of Art Cure, a great book that shows how art might actually help us live forever (or at least longer). And we are celebrating our annual Jewelry Awards with breakfast at Marcel (now open for lunch and brunch!). So “Maycember” it is.
-Have you been to Villa Kerylos? The villa on the sea in Beaulieu-sur-Mer was built in the early 1900s by archaeologist Theodore Reinach in homage to the Greek art and artifacts he loved. It’s a place that my decorator friends speak of with deep reverence. I finally got to visit while I was there to see the new Chanel High Jewelry collection and it is indeed astonishingly beautiful. It’s open to the public and I urge you to go. We stayed at the Maybourne Riviera with that great pool that seems to float in the sky. (You should also visit Santo Sospir, with its Jean Cocteau “tattoos”).
The Chanel High Jewelry collection was one of my favorites—reminded me of the boldness of their Sport collection—full of signs and secrets and unexpected color. I’ll be writing about it soon. (And yes, while flying home my Coco Crush bangles set off the alarm. “I never take them off,” I told the guard. They understood.)
With Michael Patmanidis and David Netto in Athens.
-I have not booked my Greek summer dates yet but I know many of you have (the DMs are incoming!). I’m updating my Snob’s Guide to Athens but I’ve messaged many of you to remind you that if you want a tour of the Acropolis or any of the museums with my favorite guide Michael Patmanidis, message him soon. He gets booked early. I’d do the same for Ari Vezené’s Manári Taverna. More to come.
-What I have actually booked is a weekend at the Hedges Inn in East Hampton, newly done by contributing editor David Netto and now owned by the team behind the Colony in Palm Beach. It looks gorgeous—and the restaurant, too.
-Part of my carry-on only methodology has always been an x-large L.L. Bean tote. I prefer long handles and a zipper but I had no idea that was the subject of such debate.
-The tote also is great to bring ouzo, ice, and Sant Ambroeus sandwiches into the park for a pre-Shakespeare in the Park picnic. This summer it’s Romeo & Juliet and The Winter’s Tale. Waiting in line for the free tickets is an NYC ritual but for a small donation you can reserve tickets (and make sure this great tradition continues).
-I’ll be in London the first week of July and the Zurbarán show at the National Gallery will be one of my first stops. But jewelry queen Rachel Garrahan (she co-curated that amazing Cartier show at the V&A) just posted about the Elizabeth I show at Philip Mould Gallery (on through July 10th). “A masterclass in the projection of power and myth making,” is how she described it. I’m there.
–Borgo is in the top ten of the New York Times’ Best Restaurants List and we couldn’t agree more.
-The Tony nominations are out. The awards are on Sunday, June 7. I’d see Death of A Salesman, Ragtime, and Schmigadoon! before that if possible. Or book tickets for the week of June 8. I always see theater that week. Especially the Tuesday after the Tony awards for a show I really loved. Not going to say what I’m seeing on June 9 or June 10 because you know how superstitious I am.
-A Snob’s Guide to Death. Yes, we did it.
-Note to friends and family: I like the idea of a living funeral (a la Barbara Corcoran). But I’ll want to plan it myself. That tracks doesn’t it?
P.S. If you want to chat about any of the above, email me at stellenesgemsofwisdom@hearst.com.
X Stellene
Editor-in-Chief Stellene Volandes is a jewelry expert, and the author of Jeweler: Masters and Mavericks of Modern Design (Rizzoli).
