Bash Compactor: Stilettos In the Grass
Every year in Prospect Park, the Junior Committee gathers supporters for The Summer Soiree benefit party at the Audubon Center at the Boathouse in the heart of the Park. And even this years threadbare theme; Beach Blanket Bingo, which conjures up washed-up images of bouncy jalopies, drive-in movie theaters and strummed ukuleles, couldnt keep a good party down. With barely a trace of Frankie and Annette in sight (thankfully), an eclectic mix of Brooklynites came together for the fun, youthful energy and an open bar. I hear there are a lot more fashion interns this year, says one uncertain Park Sloper referring to some of this years high profile sponsors and supporters; Anthropologie, Bumble and Bumble and Vogue Magazine, Theyre the only ones wearing stiletto heels on the grass.
Brooklyn has Vogue magazines Sally Singer, the event co-chair, alongside mayoral progeny Emma Bloomberg, to thank for that. She has made it her personal responsibility to increase the attendance of stylish partygoers more frequently seen outside The Beatrice Inn than zipping across the river on the Q train. Fighting back the crowd of doting flesh-pressers and insider-y air-kissers (Take that Keegan Singh!), I asked Ms. Singer just why a woman such as herself, who is known for taking up residence in The Chelsea Hotel, cares so much about a public park in a borough other than her own. Because, she said, despite her swanky Manhattan address, she and her children still visit Prospect Park regularly. And while others get their workouts in running through the Olmsted-and-Vaux-designed park, Singer gets hers dragging fashion industry writers, stylists and emerging artists therewhich isnt too hard; after all theyre all Brooklynites, too.