Seeing Matt Starr at the launch of his first book, Mouthful, one thing is for sure: he’s not like any other writer I know. Most writers’ book parties are quiet affairs full of tweedy personas in an old bookstore. Starr’s party was in—like many of the events he’s hosted for his imprint Dream Baby Press—an odd location: a subterranean boxing gym. There was no card table folded out with stacks of books to sign. Instead, things kicked off with a marching band performance. The ring was equal parts theater-in-the-round and alter for Starr’s unique style of literary fervor. From the moment he stepped into the spotlight in his black t-shirt, black jeans, and black boots, the crowd of 400 downtown, subculture Cool Kids™ was transfixed. 

Starr’s erotic, comical poems are racy, unabashed, and deeply, deeply human. He pushes the emotions around adolescent love, sex, and shame to their furthest points, describing feelings everyone can remember from their respective youth, but dare not speak of. They describe everything from teenage love to Paddington Bear to shoplifting from CVS. (The latter was featured in The New Yorker.) For many, if not most, we let these cringing memories fade with time. Starr’s work calls them back, and punctuates them with laughter, assured by the hindsight of age that we’ve all been there. And it’s all done through a bright smile. Matt Starr is basically a modern Leonard Cohen, if he was a pleasure to have in class. He’s a happy-go-lucky Lou Reed, raised in the suburbs with good parents. All of the ins and outs of growing up and discovering one’s self informs Starr’s poetry. 

“A lot of the poems were about me learning how to acknowledge so many of these feelings, and writing about these situations,” he says. “I feel like I was chipping away at a rock, like carving out my David. I’d do touch ups for a long time, just working on the penis a little more.”

To that end, the humor in Starr’s work isn’t just for comedic effect, it also acts as a salve to tell people it’s alright to remember these things and to go back to those days. “I want my writing to be accessible,” Starr says. “It’s not explicitly ‘comedy.’ Annie Hall is a comedy, but it’s not. The humor is what gets to through it. It softens the edges.”

The event saw some 400 people fill the gym to watch the performances, a mix of readings from Starr himself, fellow writers and artistic performers, GIRLS’s Jemima Kirk, people from Starr’s past, present, and future, and a Drake impersonator. Starr performed too, reading a selection of poems from the book, but that’s not the first place anyone attending would see him. During any of Starr’s and Dream Baby Press’s events, which he produces with his business partner Zach Roif, he can be seen bounding around the room checking sound levels, prepping the next performer, making sure the supply of Van Leeuwen ice cream or coolers of Recess drinks were still stocked, and going over his own remarks. If that sounds like a lot, it absolutely is. But judging from the look on his face, there’s no place he’d rather be. 

“I so revere the punk spirit of doing it yourself. I wanted to be a part of that tradition,” says Starr. “Only I knew how to make this book the way I wanted it.” The imprint’s planning to continue publishing other young, energized writers in this space, and has a new kind of literary scene galvanized around them. Mouthful represents the tenor of these books: youthful, funny, and genuine. According to Starr, “I want it to be fun to read, because it was really fun to write.”

[Photos by Cobrasnake]

I went to Claud just once, right when it opened two years ago.

I can remember nothing but the wonderful company I kept that evening, that the staff was delightful, and that these people were serving up one serious slice of chocolate cake.

Tall, dark and heavy, the restaurant's Devil's Food Cake (for two) has become a social media staple. So what better way to celebrate the downtown spot's second anniversary than paying homage to the foodie favorite in the form of a cheeky limited edition trompe l'oeil candle?

Dig in and light up - hand-painted chocolate layers, “finishing salt” fashioned out of wax shavings and a soft chocolate scent... Just the indulgent accessory for a well-appointed, in-the-know home.

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Kenneth Cole certainly takes his business seriously, as evidenced by the fact that his massive Westchester estate features three different office spaces.

Now on the market for $22 million, Kenneth Cole's Purchase, NY home sits on 14-acres of , which, it turns out, is just enough room for a saltwater pool and patio, five-hole putting green, pickleball, basketball and tennis courts, meditation garden, and a one-acre freshwater pond with koi and carp, a half mile jogging path, a gazebo, and a life-size dollhouse.

A real suburban dream home, no?

Certainly one to take his business seriously, the interior of the designer's massive Westchester estate features three different office spaces, atop seven bedrooms and six bathrooms.

Thinking of settling down and ready to commute?

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A night out in Monte-Carlo always promises to be oozing in Côte d'Azur chicness, but then there’s the night out: the Gala de la Croix Rouge, or the Red Cross Gala, benefiting the local organization. Hosted by His Serene Highness Prince Albert and Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene, the black tie affair is a storied party for a reason, bringing together world-class style for an unforgettable experience.     

Regarded as the crown jewel in the Monaguese summer social calendar, the charitable evening still has the same fairytale-type atmosphere and hallowed reputation as when Princess Grace presided over the gala from 1958 to 1982. The reins were handed to HSH Prince Albert in 1982, who has championed its legacy ever since. 

On Friday evening, attendees decamped from luxury vehicles in couture, diamonds, and tuxedos upon arrival at the legendary Salle des Etoiles venue. Once inside, guests hotfooted it to the terrace to drink in the views of the French Riviera during golden hour while clicking crystal flutes filled with Ruinart Champagne. 

As is tradition, Prince Albert and Princess Charlene were the last to arrive, meaning the festivities could truly begin once they took their seats. For the occasion, the South African-born Royal who has long been revered for her elegant style, opted for a pristine white Bardot-neckline gown by Louis Vuitton with a Bijou clutch bag from the maison. Adding a dazzling finish to complement her Hollywood waves, yellow diamond drop earrings by Graff glittered from her lobes. The couple were accompanied by budding philanthropist Camille Gottlieb, Princess Stephanie of Monaco's daughter and Princess Grace’s granddaughter, who was resplendent in a sparkling bordeaux-hued number by Serbian designer Liastublla.

Over ambient live music, a four-course dinner by Chef Thierry Saez Manzanares was served while the evening’s masters of ceremonies, stunning Belgian TV host Tatiana Silva and entrepreneur and former athlete Taïg Khris, took to the floor. Post-dessert, the duo presented the winners of six covetable lot prizes, including a scene-stealing Van Cleef & Arpels necklaces, a yacht experience, watches by Audemars Piguet and Dior, and even an Hermès Kelly bag, which was named, of course, in honor of Princess Grace in 1977. Speaking of the endearing fascination around the American actress-turned-royal, a video montage was beamed onto screens on the walls showing archival footage of the iconic Princess and other famous guests in all their historic glitz and glamor.

While only a handful would win the night’s actual prizes, there were plenty of special moments in store for the entire audience. First, the roof of the venue retracted to reveal a better glimpse at a spectacular fireworks display over the bay. Then, the equally-epic sounds of English funk band Jamiroquai would reverberate around the room as guests rose from their seats to dance. “This used to be easier when I was a young man,” the outfit’s singer Jay Kay jokingly told the crowd—his signature hat still omnipresent although now much smaller than in the group’s ‘90s and ‘00s heyday. The award-winning frontman’s voice still rang out crystal clear and his impressive dance moves across the stage proved why the opening beats of Space Cowboy are just as likely to get the party started now as when it was released in 1994. 

Also in attendance on the night were Dame Shirley Bassey, Pierre Dartout, Princess Alexandra, Madame Pierre Casiraghi, Madame Charlotte Casiraghi-Rassam, and Andrea Casiraghi.

[Photos courtesy Red Cross Gala]

London's closed door-loving social scene is becoming slightly more democratic, at least with regards to their chocolate gate-keeping that is...

Private club mainstay Robin Birley has popped another stone into his ever growing crown of beloved spots - 5 Hertford Street, Oswald's - with the opening of Birley Chocolate Shop. Just a door down from his bakery, which boasts London's top croissant - the new boutique serves a range of chocolate treats formerly only accessible inside the halls of his posh members-only establishments. 

Milk Chocolate Banoffee Sticks, Dark Chocolate Pistachio Bars, Lime Yoghurt Ice Cream, there's certainly something for everyone (who's willing to shell out the cash, of course).

It's all very Chelsea, it's all very pretty.

You know you want to go.

[Photos via Birley Chocolate]

Normally we could not care less about NYC Restaurant Week, but Chef Angie Mar's piqued our interest for sure with her 3-weeks only program at her downtown epicurean haunt Le B.  smartly named the Young Gourmands Club.

This $60 three-course menu will be available Tuesdays, Thursday and Saturdays from July 23rd to August 10th in an effort to make the restaurant's unique take on fine dining more approachable for all ages. 

Chef Mar's own first fine dining experience was certainly an aha moment, when she dined at Canlis in Seattle as an eight-year-old.  “I was so thrilled to be there, and the experience that day is still imprinted in my mind, and in many ways, I believe it set me on the path of falling in love with cuisine and the world of hospitality.”

“I wanted to create this experience for children because I think it is very important for us to expose them to the world of cuisine, and to build the most wonderful and lasting memories with their families and loved ones. These children are the restaurant industry's future patrons, and I strongly believe that this initiative is both important, but also a fun and approachable way to inspire the next generation of gourmands.”

The limited menu is a re-imagination of her team's childhood favorites, including a Grilled Cheese prepared table side, Lollipops of Lamb Bourguignon, Unicorn Cake” served à la mode, Chicken Nuggets, a Banana Split and more. There's even an option for a bespoke cocktail pairing - Smoked Shirley Temples, Orange "Hi-B" -  should your foodie youth be interested in a full experience.

 [Photos courtesy Le B.]

New York certainly is not wanting for concierge doctors. After all, this is a city of busy people with places to go and work to do. But a concierge doctor who's as often seen in gowns as she is in scrubs?

Upper East Side native Amanda Kahn is the It Girl go-to when it comes to everything from standard check-ups and sick day questions to all the most cutting edge aesthetic procedures on the market. 

Radiofrequency skin tightening or Kybella injections, anyone?

You specialize in weight management, longevity and anti-aging - does everyone just constantly bombard you with questions at parties?
I love giving advice (albeit, informal) to anyone who will listen! I am passionate about innovative topics and love to discuss with people who may not know about these relatively new fields.

What drew you into that field specifically?
I am a very classically trained primary care physician, but I was dismayed that we were not always taught to look at patients holistically. I try to integrate cutting edge treatments with the basics of care, particularly in the newer frontiers of anti-aging and longevity medicine. With the right personalized care, patients can feel and look better with age, which is invaluable.

What's the number one treatment patients are asking about these days?
Radiofrequency microneedling (such as morpheus 8) for the body! Many patients seek this for their face, but I worry about fat pad loss causing people to look older. We do, however, welcome fat loss on the body. I love that morpheus 8 on deep settings on the body can melt fat while tightening skin. It is also helpful for cellulite!

Which New York neighborhood do you reckon has had the most work done?
Tweakments are ubiquitous. My office is on the upper east side, which is certainly in an epicenter of aesthetics, however many downtown New Yorkers are high utilizers of dermatologists, plastic surgeons and other aesthetic providers.

As a big beauty fan, what's your nightly routine look like?
My nightly routine is very much centered around soothing my easily irritated skin, while still using actives with anti-aging benefits. I have sensitive skin, so I always cleanse with Bioderma micellar water with organic Sheisedo cotton pads. I tone with Blue Mercury’s M-61 soothing toner with arnica and centella.  I apply plated exosome serum followed by Kajer Weis beautiful hydration serum.  I then apply a new prescription peptide therapy with cooper called GHK-Cu. It is compounded for me and has been shown to work better than retinol at building collagen and skin elasticity with less irritation. After my serums, I use Augustinus Bader Rich Cream to lock in moisture. Every other night I'll apply Altreeno prescription retinoid. About once a week I’ll start with Blue Mercury’s power glow peel, which is exfoliating without sensitizing my skin.

Are there any treatments you personally wouldn't want to try?
There are some anti-aging protocols that are very "out there." For example, I am wary of ozone dialysis of the bloodstream, touted as a detoxification treatment. It sounds invasive and intense.
I would also never get morpheus 8 on my cheeks, because I want to preserve the youthful fat pads there.

What are your thoughts on the rise in popularity of Ozempic and Wegovy?
I started prescribing these GLP-1 medications several years as part of my primary care practice at Penn, long before they were on-label with the FDA and before they exploded in popularity. It was gratifying to finally ofer safe and effective medical solutions for obese and overweight patients, many of whom were able to transform their lives and become healthier without surgery in a matter of months. After the whole 'ozempic craze,' I still think they are valuable medications. In longevity medicine, we are using them in micro-doses to decrease whole body inflammation, reduce pain, cut alcohol craving and help with binge eating disorders.

Is there an ideal age to start botox preventively?
I started botox in my mid 20s in my 11s. I was constatnty frowning and squinting while studying. I think preventing dynamic wrinkles with small amounts of botox as soon as they are recognized is much easier than trying to fix them later.

It seems like everyone is dissolving their fillers these days. Do you think the overly touched aesthetic is toning down?
Yes, I do in general think that people are dissolving softer filler that can migrate and cause an unwanted pillowy appearance. While I do not practice facial aesthetics, I am a fan of higher consistency filler that and mimic age related bone loss and provide an optimized bone scaffold for skin.

What's your favorite non-surgical body contouring method to use?
I use radiofreuqency and various energy modalities to burn fat and increase collagen and elastin in the skin. I also use injectable enyzymes that break down fat (brand name kybella) which can treat weight loss resistant pockets and tighten the skin while the immune system sweeps away fat. I typically supplement these treatments with injectable vitamins and essential amnio acids like methonine, inositol, choline and l-carnatine which has a synergistic effect for destroying fat.

At home red and blue light therapy masks - are those legit?
I am optimistic yet cautious. I think photobiomodulation is great in theory for fine line, wrinkles and acne, however I am not sure that the home devices can deliver on these promises. The evidence is based on small studies and I am excited to see where this technology will go.

What's the closest cream or serum you've found to the fountain of youth?
GHK-CU prescription peptide serum - studies have shown that this potent peptide can increase collage production more than retinol, reducing fine lines and improving overall skin health. This promising peptide has also been studied with wound healing and reducing scar formation.
I also love injectable prescription antioxidants like glutathione and NAD, a key helper molecule for cellular functioning, often touted as the shot of youth. These supplements support vitality, energy, improved cognition and skin radiance.

Of all the cult favorite workouts in the city, which ones do you think are the most effective?
I am a die-hard Tracy Anderson fan! I have never felt stronger, more flexible and grounded in my body

What are you most excited for next?
I am exicted for longevity medicine pricinples and treatments to become more accessible to all patients. I continue to encourage my patients to have more agency and advocate for themselves within healthcare, to ensure that they live and age well.

[Photos courtesy Dr. Amanda Kahn]

It may already be mid-July, but the start of the social season out East is just now officially upon us. Like clockwork, last weekend The Parrish Art Museum welcomed over 650 guests to a double evening of stylish midsummer fun. 

Actors, artists, collectors, curators, business leaders and more raised over $1 million throughout the two-day al fresco affair in support of the East End art institution's programs and education initiatives, including “Access Parrish,” a community initiative that provides art-making, movement workshops, and gallery tours for adults and children with special needs.

To kick off the weekend, on Friday Co-Chairs Laurence Milstein and Kendall Werts hosted a flock of fashionable partygoers to dance late into the night on the museum's terrace to music by DJs Angel + Dren and Anna of the North.

Saturday, a more mature crowd took their turn at celebrating, starting off with cocktails in the Meadow followed by an elegantly laid dinner.

Curious to see what the fun looked like at the multi-night soirée?

Larry Milstein, Kendall Werts

Jack James, Daniel Walters

Bracie Aston, Cole Kosarin

Saxon Sharbino

Sharareh Siadat

Charlotte Vaccaro, Ava Eisenhofer

Astrid Hill Llyod, Andrea Pemberton

Joey Wölffer

Melissa Gottesman, Lilah Ramzi, Larry Milstein

[Photos by BFA]

New York simply just doesn't have enough fancy, expensive cocktail bars...

This fall, the Eleven Madison Park team is unveiling a hidden lounge tucked away above the fine dining favorite. 

Clemente Bar will feature a menu of adventurous cocktails and plant-based bar bites served amongst art installations by contemporary artist Francesco Clemente. 

As if one new venture wasn't enough, they'll also be tacking on Alba, an 8-seat tasting counter with drink pairings, in the adjoining space next door.

What do you reckon a martini will run you?

[Photo via @elevenmadisonpark]

Eating al fresco has reached new heights at Beaverbrook Estate, the luxury hotel and spa elegantly perched in the country outside of London. Earlier this spring, the property launched the fourth year of its hit festive dining experience, inviting guests to book hot air balloon tied tables in their Italian Garden overlooking the Surrey Hills.

In keeping with the theme's spirit, the red-and-pink stiped balloons, styled by Summerill & Bishop, are complemented by the menu offerings below, three-course Japanese tastings served in wicker boxes on matching striped placemats, paired with champagne flights. 

Hot air balloons have certainly been having a moment. Back over the holidays the notoriously over-the-top members club Annabelle's in Mayfair theatrically transformed their facade into a giant, ornate hot air balloon complete with tasseled swags, gilded throat and woven basket entryway.

The ever genius Rebecca Gardner at Houses & Parties dreamed up a whimsical tabletop collection inspired by the romantic flight option of yore.

So yeah, I don't know, maybe buy stock in hot air balloons?

At the very least, book a flight to the UK.

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[Photos via Beaverbook]