Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/452972
CATHERINE D. ANSPON OBSERVES THE GLITTERING SCENE. PHOTOGRAPHY LEAH WALKER WILSON. SOCIAL SPARKLE TENENBAUM & CO.'S DIAMOND-DUSTED HOLIDAY PARTY "SNOW IS JUST MOTHER NATURE SHOWING OFF HER DIAMONDS" was the sentiment of an impressive gilded invitation that beckoned guests to "A Celebration of the Season at Tenenbaum & Co. Classic Jeweler." The ambassadors of the Noel night, Tenenbaum's discerning proprietors, Tony Bradfield and Kevin Black, cultivated a dramatic fête that paired 300 ardent clients with touches such as catering by Tony's, abundant flutes of Veuve Clicquot bubbly and an elegant ice bar as libation station. In a tented aerie at the emporium's entrance, lounge singer Julie Johnson crooned beloved standards, from carols to jazzy tunes. This was not a pop-in-and-out obligatory social stop. The lucky invited ones lingered and indulged, thanking the hosts and clinking flutes but mostly flocking 'round the impeccably curated display cases and doing some serious shopping. These vitrines featured extraordinary estate treasures, spanning the Art Deco era to '60s La Dolce Vita stunners such as a Bulgari platinum and diamond bracelet weighing in at 50 carats; the latter would have been right at home in the jeweler's recent exhibition at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Van Cleef & Arpels, Tiffany & Co., Cartier, Buccellati and David Webb, as well as other contemporary and timeless classics, were the language spoken by the stones at this ultimate bauble bash. Gem gazers: Donna and Robert Bruni; Phoebe Tudor; Laura and William Henson; Sarah Lee Marks with David Leff; Susan Glesby sporting a magnificent Cartier brooch; Brian Teichman and Andy Cordes; Monsour Taghdisi (Tenenbaum & Co. is the presenting jewelry sponsor for the Ballet Ball Taghdisi co-chairs this month); Saks' brigade Bobby Dees and wife Wezy, Sylvia Forsythe, and Matthew Brown; Patti and Don Murphy; Cathy and Joe Cleary; Jerry Ann and Victor Costa; Gabrielle and Rallin Welch; Kathryn and Jeff Smith; Ceron; Kate and David Searls; Hetta and Jesse Heath; Marguerite Swartz in some sensational pearls; Terry and Joseph Agris; Cathy Cagle and pal Missy Cash; Tootsies tandem Fady Armanious and Chris Goins, joined by her gallerist beau, Josh Pazda; The Social Book's Scott Evans; artist Michel Muylle, chatting with Michael Pearson; Bart Truxillo with visiting gent Paul Yue, in from NYC and California; and adorable sisters Elizabeth Suffield Wilhite and Caroline Suffield, beginning their bijoux collections. Above: Art Deco diamond and 49-carat aquamarine necklace, price upon request, at Tenenbaum & Co. WHOSE JEWELS WOULD YOU LIKE TO INHERIT? As told to social editor, Anne Lee Phillips. CERON: "David Webb." PAT BREEN: "I really don't think very much about that, as my husband has given me some really nice jewelry. However, Elizabeth Taylor or Jackie Kennedy Onassis." CHRIS GOINS: "Lauren Santo Domingo." CAROLINE SUFFIELD: "Kate Middleton." SYLVIA CARROLL: "Lynn Wyatt." ALECIA LAWYER: "I already did — my great grandmother's from Paris, Texas" (pointing to a cameo brooch). FEBRUARY | PAGE 17 | 2015 Alberto Rubio Donna Bruni Robert Bruni Brian Teichman Andy Cordes Elizabeth Suffield Wilhite Christina Stith Pat Breen David Searls Kevin Black Tony Bradfield Cathy Cleary Monsour Taghdisi Harriet Gertner Gil Gertner Rallin Welch Gabrielle Welch Joe Cleary Jesse Heath Matthew Brown Susan Glesby Sylvia Forsythe Phoebe Tudor Victor Costa Hetta Heath Laura Henson Kathryn Smith Jeff Smith Marguerite Swartz Sal Montes Wezy Dees Bobby Dees Fady Armanious William Henson Josh Pazda Chris Goins Don Murphy Patti Murphy Kate Searls Caroline Suffield Jerry Ann Costa