Today I present to you one of my favorite events of the winter design scene. The New York Botanical Garden’s annual Orchid Dinner.
Serving as a fundraising prelude to the annual Orchid Show, the Garden has continued its collaboration with Veranda in bringing together over 25 top NYC designers (see this year’s list below) to create, as usual, the iconic and spectacular orchid centerpieces and tabletops.
The guests described the party as one of the most beautiful evenings in New York. That’s because it’s filled with flowers.
Once off the elevator on the 36th floor of the Mandarin Oriental, guests were greeted with an array of rare and exceptional orchids that were for sale, arranged by the garden’s horticultural staff.
“But they’re already sold,” said Gregory Long, president and chief executive of the Botanical Garden, about 10 minutes into the party. “People line up long before seven o’clock to buy them. They’re rabid about it.”
As I anticipate the glory of the unusual specimens and fabulous table settings that will be on display Monday evening, I thought it would be fun to take a peek at some of my favorites from previous seasons.
Top to bottom, left to right, are shown tables by: Alessandra Branca, David Duncan Antiques, Alex Gaston for Sunbrella, LMD Lewis Miller Design, Hilary Pereira for Christofle, Cullman & Kravis, Richard Lambertson with David Handy Events for Tiffany, Laura Vinroot Poole with John Lupton, Andrew Thomas and Leontine Linens and Philip Gorrivan with Lalique.
It’s one of the prettiest and colorful event of the New York Social Scene.
