Dori’s World: Summer in the City — and Overseas!

Gabrielle Peacock, Dino Lalvani, Dori Cooperman and David Peacock
Gabrielle Peacock, Dino Lalvani, Dori Cooperman and David Peacock

 Drag Queens and acrobats entertained everyone as the champagne flowed!

Everyone knows that New Yorkers flock overseas during the summertime to enjoy the finest parties, yachts and beaches. So before I left, I made sure to attend a very special event. On June 12, I went to NYC’s dynamic Hudson Terrace for an amazing night in support of the International Rett Syndrome Foundation (IRSF) Reach for the Stars benefit. This event helps fund research for treatments for girls with this developmental brain disorder. The cocktail reception featured music by the amazing DJ Hesta Prynn and Randy Levine, along with a touching reading by Rett Syndrome specialist, Dr. Aleksandra Djukic. The night ended with a live auction MC’d by historian and TV personality, Elyse Luray. Event co-chair Lisa Lebson and manager Lizzie Grubman worked together in support of IRSF’s event. Debbie Peltz, Rachel Peters, Karen Larrain and Matthew and Nicole Mellon came out to show their support.

Nicole Hanley Mellon and Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece
Nicole Hanley Mellon and Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece

Nothing says summer like vacationing in Europe! During the last weeks of June, I flew to London, where I attended several beautiful events including Wimbledon. One evening, I ate dinner in a garden where I spotted Harry Lefrak, Larry Gagosian, Stavros and Marina Livanos and Anne Summers. Another night, Diana Ross performed for guests James Franco, Mat and Nicole Mellon, Fergie, Diane and Alexandra von Furstenberg, Dax Miller, Marie Chantal, Jen Creel and Ilona and Kenny Schachter.

Raj Watumull, Amanda and Mark Hutchin, Wanda Watumull and Sabrina McTaggat
Raj Watumull, Amanda and Mark Hutchin, Wanda Watumull and Sabrina McTaggat

After my countryside events, I headed to Rena Sindi’s birthday party at Cipriani, thrown by Mackrum or “Big Mack,” as I call him lovingly. It was in Saint Tropez! I’m so glad that I got to see Thomas LeClerc, Jonathan and Frida Lourie, Nic Berguen, Cynthia and Henry Gabay, Eva Lorenzo, Al Acquavella, Christina and Stav Lalvanos, and Larry Gagosian. The fabulous London fun continued! It was such a beautiful night for the Serpentine party! Tamara Beckwith, Cynthia Kaufman, Rena Sindi, Fiona and Olympia Scarry, Matthew Broderick, Sarah Jessica Parker, Naomi Campbell, Jade Jagger, Kate Moss, Princess Beatrice, Karen Larrain, Nick Candy, Dino Lalvani, Matthew Williamson, Jason Wu, Daphne Guinness, Jacquetta Wheeler, Tim Jeffries and Nicolas Berggruen were all there. Afterwards, I met up with Marina Livanos, Harry Lefrak and Pia Getty at LouLou’s at 5 Hertford Street.

Diana von Fürstenberg and Alex von Fürstenberg
Diana von Fürstenberg and Alex von Fürstenberg
James Franco and Alexandra von Fürstenberg
James Franco and Alexandra von Fürstenberg

After my English adventures, I traveled back to Saint Tropez to soak up the sun and fun in July. Chrstine and Michael Hirtenstein threw a lovely birthday party for me on their yacht, Il Sole. Sezai Taskent graciously hosted me on his yacht, Orient Star, for a few weeks too. Denise Rich rocked the French Riviera with her Madagascar circus-themed party. Drag Queens and acrobats entertained everyone as the champagne flowed! Guests included Jerry Hall, Bill Wyman, Magic & Cookie Johnson, Lorraine Schwartz, Anne Dexter Jones, Christine and Steve Schwarzman, Joan Collins, Rena Sindi, Sesai and Nur Tasket and Edna Kiddar. It was so much fun dancing all night on the moving dance floor. My summer in Europe was a blast!

Christian Voight, Dori Cooperman, Leana Sindi, Rena Kirdar Sindi Abboud
Christian Voight, Dori Cooperman, Leana Sindi, Rena Kirdar Sindi Abboud