Photo By Drew Altizer

Tod Donobedian, Susie Tompkins Buell, and Paul Smith

Bodacious Brits, Sumptuously Swiss & Flying Sculpture

“It’s May, it’s May, the lusty month of May! That darling month when everything goes blissfully astray!” So singeth Camelot’s Guinevere, and we concur. Following hard on the heels of T.S. Eliot’s cruelest month of April, and March being pierced to the roote, we’re in favor of any month that encourages wayward behavior (especially since the trust funds went astray).

And while we haven’t gotten our Morris Dance outfits back from the eco-cleaners yet, we’ve been doing a little maypole dancing ourselves. Read on, fair maidens and handsome knights, to learn what frolics have been afoot!

The Redcoats Are Coming…To Union Square! Along With Summer Shades!

A rather more sartorial British Invasion occurred when (Sir) Paul Smith arrived to christen his namesake boutique on Geary Street. The self-proclaimed hippie designer, who spent some time in the Haight in its heyday, was welcomed by an enthusiastic and eclectic throng of afficionados, many sporting his signature multicolored stripe pattern on jackets, slacks, shoes, and hats. The boutique, which offers clothing for men and women, as well as housewares and one-of-a-kind items, is decorated in Smith’s eclectic aesthetic of “trash and treasures,” with many pieces of art and arcana (including a covetable Henry Moore drawing) from his personal collection. Smith proved to be as colorful as his palette, regaling his fans with his shock at being knighted, and describing his coat of arms as a “coat with many arms.” Long may they wave! Seen amongst the nobility: Ricky Serbin, Michael McKenna, Fati Farmanfarmaian, Willie Brown, Joel Goodrich, Karen Caldwell, Andrea Schnitzer, Elizabeth Touw, Jay Jeffers, Stephanie Roumeliotes, Jessica Mullens, Roberta Economidis, Simone & Nick Helfond, Susie Tomkins Buell, and many chic and unique of all stripes.

Meanwhile, the daughter of another Sir Paul descended upon Neiman Marcus for a posh party in the Rotunda, transformed into a “circus pub” of a fashion tableau very vivant of Stella McCartney’s Spring Collection. Doe-eyed models mingled with guests, playing foosball, sinking a shot of pool, nibbling cotton candy, and flirting with the double decked-out crowd who displayed “I [heart] Stella” buttons in any manner of creative locations. The petite guest of honor was particularly taken with a two nine-year-old fans who brought items for her to autograph. “You remind me of my kids at home,” she cooed. “Just make sure to mind your Mum!” Seen on the scene: Sally Debenham, Yurie Pascarella, Mireille Schwartz, Betsy Linder, Pam Joyner, Hillary Armstrong, Damion Matthews, and many other stars in the glittering firmament.

The Brits weren’t the only ones inspiring a bolstering of the economy in Union Square. The opening of the Ilori sunglass boutique on Post saw a frenzy of adventurous and savvy shoppers slipping on stylish shades, ringing out the register, and eyeing the $20,000 yellow-gold, diamond encrusted Sama sunglasses, one of a series of only five pairs ever made (three are for sale; Princess Caroline, for whom they were originally designed, has two for herself). Stylist Jennifer Rade, who works with the likes of that deity of fashion herself, Angelina Jolie, was on hand to guide inspiration. “Sunglasses express confidence and personality,” she states. “It’s an easy way to take a risk. I suggest going with some color, branch out.” And what’s her pick for SF? “Geeky chic,” she says. “Smart and funky.”

Swiss Bliss—Opera Guild Hosts Akris Fashion Show

Haider Akerman, the chief designer (and founder’s grandson) of the luxe Swiss fashion house Akris, was the featured designer for the Opera Guild’s Spring Fashion Show at Neiman Marcus. In true national form, Ackerman showed luxury daywear that was elegantly understated and beautifully tailored, with a strong emphasis on fabulous fabric over flash. (How many manufacturers maintain factories in Switzerland?) Opera Guild patrons were particularly impressed with the intricately woven coats in geodesic patterns, perfect for schussing in St. Moritz or shopping in San Fran. Neiman’s constructed a runway especially for the event, which drew Opera supporters Bob & Chandra Friesee, Ann & Dan Girard, Toni Wolfson, Victoria & Guy Kornblum, Lisa Grotts, Anette Harris, Anne Marie Massocca, Katie Jarman, Sobia Shaikh, Sandy Mandel, Teresa Medearis, Sandra Farris, Deborah Bocci, and many members of the gilded Guild.

Circle In The Square—SFMOMA Director’s Circle Dinner

Once a year, SFMOMA hosts a gala dinner in honor of its premier patrons, members of the Director’s Circle. The evening begins with a lecture from a major art world figure such as Jeff Koons, Chuck Close, or Wayne Thiebaud, and moves on to a convivial seated dinner that reads like a who’s who of modern art afficianados. This year, Director Neal Benezra invited his directorial counterpart from the Centre Georges Pompidou, Alfred Pacquement, to speak (in exquisitely accented English) about the museum’s expansion into a dramatic new space in Metz, just south of the Luxembourg border, and plans for another in Abu Dhabi developed in conjunction with the Louvre. Pacquement’s wife, Caroline, had worked at the American Embassy in Paris with event co-chair Gretchen Leach, so the Franco-American relations were warm and widespread. In his introductory comments, Benezra gave fond and effusive thanks to the Director’s Circle for enabling that afternoon’s spontaneous performance art: the sight of Ellsworth Kelly’s eighteen-foot-high Stele I sculpture flying past his office window on the way to installation in the museum’s new rooftop sculpture garden (opening this month). “We live for these moments!”

Basking in the Gallic glow: board chair Charles Schwab & event co-chair Helen Schwab, photorealist painter Robert Bechtle & Whitney Chadwick, vintner Sir Peter & Eileen Michael, whose artisan nectars were truly appreciated by all, Jim & Susan Swartz, Carolyn & Preston Butcher, Dolly & George Chammas, Carol & Dixon Doll, Maria Manetti Farrow, Ann & Robert Fisher, Drue & Art Gensler, Phyllis Moldow, Lisa Miller, Christine Murray, Diana Nelson & John Atwater, Speaker Nancy Pelosi & husband Paul, Becca Prowda & Daniel Lurie, Norman & Norah Stone, Kay & Frank Woods, Mary & Harold Zlot, and many modern shakers and movers. (See photos on pg 13.)

It’S Easy Being Green

And since green is where the green is going, where to go to go green? You could improve your carbon and karma credits with a visit to Bardessono, the greenest hotel in America, newly opened in Yountville. The brainchild of Seattle polymath developer Phil Sherburne, Bardessono was designed to be ultra-luxe for the guest while remaining ultra-light on the planet. Furniture was hand crafted from fallen trees by artisan Evan Shively, concrete was mixed with material from nearby quarries, even the flagstones were cut from the original Bardessono family farmhouse found on the property. But before you break out the Birkenstocks, consider the heated floors, filtered water, zillion-count cotton sheets from Coyuchi, and in-room massage tables and indoor-outdoor showers, and a host of other mindful details. Add a discreet set of rooms for meetings and events, a superlative spa with custom floral skincare, a dining room that ably caters to the French Laundry set, a concierge team that can arrange for an entire itinerary, an on-premise bicycle shop for borrowing…and you get the green thought in a green shade.

And while you’re going sustainable in Wine Country, your friends Gordon and Gavin encourage you to head up the road to Angwin, where Cade Winery is busy making “green” whites and reds for the Plumpjack Group. (Remember when they were the first to introduce non-cork corks? These guys are on it, even with their day jobs.)

Of course, the greenest place to be before Earth Day was the Opera House for the twentieth anniversary of the Goldman Environmental Prize. Lauded by Robert Redford, introduced by Al Gore, narrated by Christiane Amanpour, serenaded by Tracy Chapman, and hosted by uber-philanthropist Richard Goldman and his family, the awards honor grassroots environmental activists from each continent. Honorees are given $150,000 to continue their vital work, and international recognition for their work, which is arduous, often hazardous, frequently life-threatening, and consistently inspirational. These eco-warriors are putting it all on the line for our survival as a species. Like the planet they are saving, may they grow forth and prosper.

It’s May, it’s May, the month of Yes You May… so use your permissive permission wisely and well!

Jennifer Raiser thinks Julie Andrews was the best Guinevere.