Haute Living’s NYC Haute 100 for 2015

New york is home to some of the most influential people in the world. Our annual Haute 100 list celebrates the city’s top billionaires, athletes, thinkers, power couples, philanthropists, originators, hoteliers, designers, entrepreneurs, and entertainers.

Lala & Carmelo Anthony

CATEGORY: Power Couples
INDUSTRY: Sports
What Makes Them Haute:
Carmelo Anthony is a professional basketball player who currently plays for the New York Knicks. Since entering the NBA, Anthony has become one of the most well-known and popular players in the league and has been named to the All-Rookie team, to the All-Star team six times, and to the All-NBA team five times. The pair married in 2010 and has one son together.

Sid Richardson Bass 

CATEGORY: Billionaires
INDUSTRY: Oil & Gas
What Makes Them Haute:
Sid Richardson Bass, an American investor and billionaire, controls one of the country’s largest privately owned oil companies. Along with his father and two of his brothers, he was the largest shareholder in the The Walt Disney Company from 1984 until after the stock market crash in 2001. A celebrated philanthropist, he donated $20 million to Yale University for the study of humanities.

Lloyd Blankfein

CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs
INDUSTRY: Finance
WHAT MAKES him HAUTE: Lloyd Blankfein is the Chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs. He also serves as the Gala Chairman of the Rockefeller family’s Asia Society in New York, and holds a position on the board of the Robin Hood Foundation, a charitable organization aimed at alleviating poverty in New York. He is also on the board of Overseers of Weill Cornell Medical College.

 

Maria Bartiromo

 

CATEGORY: Thinkers
INDUSTRY: Media
What Makes her Haute:
In 1995, Maria Bartiromo became the first journalist to report live from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange and is revered as one of the top business news broadcast journalists today. She is currently the anchor of CNBC’s Closing Bell and the host and managing editor of The Wall Street Journal Report.

 

André Balazs

CATEGORY: Originators
INDUSTRY: Hospitality
What Makes him Haute:
This famous hotelier currently owns a portfolio of hotels throughout New York, Los Angeles, and Miami. His properties include: The Mercer Hotel, Chateau Marmont, Sunset Beach, and The Standard hotel in five different regions. Balazs’ company also owns several luxury New York City residences including 40 Mercer, One Kenmare Square, and the William Beaver House.

Leon Black

CATEGORY: Billionaires
INDUSTRY: Finance
What Makes him Haute:
Leon Black is the founder of Apollo Global Management, one of the world’s largest private equity investment managing firms, which specializes in leveraged buying transactions. An avid art collector, Black reportedly paid $119.9 million for a painting by Edvard Munch, setting a new world record for the most expensive piece of art ever purchased at auction.

 

Michael Bloomberg

 

CATEGORY: Billionaires
INDUSTRY: Politics
WHAT MAKES him HAUTE: Michael Bloomberg became the Mayor of New York City in 2002, was reelected in 2005, and convinced the city council to extend the two-term limit so that he could run for a third term in 2008. Bloomberg earned his fortune by selling financial data and analytic tools to companies on Wall Street, which he eventually turned into his namesake company, Bloomberg L.P. The company now has its own magazine, cable network, and radio station. An active philanthropist, he recently donated $1.1 billion to his alma mater, Johns Hopkins University.

 

Daniel Boulud

CATEGORY: Originators
INDUSTRY: Food
WHAT MAKES him HAUTE:  Daniel Boulud’s Upper East Side restaurant DANIEL is widely regarded as one of the best restaurants in the world and was previously awarded three Michelin stars and five Forbes stars. The famed restaurateur has continued to expand his empire by opening Bar Boulud in London, db Bistro Moderne in Miami, and Boulud Sud on the Upper West Side.

 

Chris Burch

CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs
INDUSTRY: Fashion
WHAT MAKES him HAUTE: Chris Burch is the founder and CEO of Burch Creative Capital, a firm with offices in New York City and Shanghai that manages venture investments and brand development. He is also the co- founder of Tory Burch LLC along with his ex-wife, Tory Burch.

Edgar Bronfman, Jr.

CATEGORY: Billionaires
INDUSTRY: Business
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE: Edgar Bronfman, Jr. currently serves as a managing partner at Accretive LLC, a private equity firm focused on creating and investing in technology companies. He previously served as the CEO of Warner Music Group from 2004 to 2011, and as the chairman from 2011 to 2012. Throughout his tenure, he increased the company’s digital music sales and grew the company’s presence online through social media. His net worth has been estimated at around $2.5 billion.

 

Tory Burch

CATEGORY: Designers
INDUSTRY: Fashion
What Makes her Haute:
Tory Burch exploded on the fashion scene in 2004, evolving from a small fashion label operating out of her New York City apartment into a fashion powerhouse with 140 stores worldwide. Her fashion line is carried at more than 3,000 department and specialty stores worldwide including Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and Bloomingdale’s.

Shawn “Jay Z” Carter & Beyoncé Knowles

CATEGORY: Power Couples
INDUSTRY: Music
What Makes Them Haute:
This music duo is one of the wealthiest couples in the entertainment industry. Since rising to fame in the late ‘90s as the lead singer in Destiny’s Child, Beyoncé has gone on to win an astounding 20 Grammy Awards and sell 75 million records as a solo artist. Jay Z is also considered one of the world’s best-selling recording artists of all time, with more than 100 million record sales and 17 Grammy Awards under his belt.

The Cayre Family

CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs
INDUSTRY: Real Estate
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE: Joe Cayre founded Midtown Equities LLC (MEQS) in 2000 to expand his real estate holdings. He went on to develop projects like Midtown Miami and 5 million square feet of retail and office space in Washington, D.C. A leading philanthropist, he serves on the boards of several institutions including his own, The Joe and Trina Cayre Foundation. His sons, Jack and Michael, also currently work in the family business. Jack serves as a principal overseeing day-to-day operations of the firm’s investment platform. Michael is responsible for commercial acquisition and leasing activities.

 

Kenneth Chenault

CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs
INDUSTRY: Finance
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE:
This Harvard Law School graduate has served as CEO and Chairman of American Express since 2001. Chenault previously received the Third Lantern Award by the Old North Foundation for his commitment and dedication to public service, an honor that he shares with prestigious individuals including President Bill Clinton, former Boston Mayor Thomas Merino, and Senator Ted Kennedy.

Hillary & Bill Clinton

CATEGORY: Power Couples
INDUSTRY: Politics
WHAT MAKES  THEM HAUTE:
This political husband and wife team is on a mission to change the world. As the former Secretary of State, Hillary has firmly advocated for peace in the Middle East, introduced the Global Hunger and Food Security Initiatives, and pushed for the Senate to sign the New START treaty, an arms reduction agreement with Russia. Since leaving Presidential office, Bill has been involved with public speaking and humanitarian work. He created the William J. Clinton Foundation to promote and address international causes such as prevention of AIDS and global warming.

Steven A. Cohen

CATEGORY: Billionaires
INDUSTRY: Finance
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE: Steven Cohen’s hedge fund, SAC Capital Advisors, has 800 employees and manages $14 billion in equity. He is considered one of the world’s richest Americans, with an estimated net worth of $11.1 billion. Cohen is also a prominent art collector and has amassed more than $700 million worth of artwork. He is reportedly building a private museum for some of his artwork on his Greenwich property.

Mark Consuelos & Kelly Ripa

CATEGORY: Entertainers
INDUSTRY: Television
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE: Mark Consuelos broke into the entertainment industry in 1995 with a leading role on All My Children. Soon after, he fell in love with his co-star, Kelly Ripa, and the two were married in a secret Vegas ceremony in 1996. Six year later, Ripa replaced Kathie Lee Gifford as the host of a morning show. The couple has three children together.

 

Daniel Craig & Rachel Weisz

CATEGORY: Entertainers
INDUSTRY: Film
What Makes Them Haute:
Daniel Craig is a film actor who has gained international notoriety for playing British secret agent James Bond. Though he was initially greeted with skepticism, his debut in Casino Royale was highly acclaimed and earned him a BAFTA award nomination. His third Bond film, Skyfall, premiered in 2012 and is now the highest-grossing film in the series. Craig started dating film and theatre actress Rachel Weisz in late 2010 after being friends for many years. The two were married in an intimate ceremony in June 2011.

Andrew Cuomo

CATEGORY: Thinkers
INDUSTRY: Politics
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE:
Queens native Andrew Cuomo is the 56th Governor of New York. He previously served as the United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development from 1997 to 2001 and as the Attorney General of New York from 2007 to 2010. Since entering office, Cuomo has been hard at work on his five-point plan to build a “new” New York that includes stabilizing the financial problems, increasing jobs, and “restoring honor and integrity to the state government.”

 

Clive Davis

CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs
INDUSTRY: Music
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE:
As the former President of Columbia Records, founder and President of Arista Records, Chairman and CEO of the RCA Music Group, and Chairman and CEO of BMG North America, Clive Davis certainly knows the music industry. He is currently the CEO of Sony Music Entertainment Worldwide and credited with signing classic artists such as Janis Joplin, Bruce Springsteen, and the Grateful Dead.

Robert De Niro

CATEGORY: Entertainers
INDUSTRY: Film
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE:
Leading man Robert De Niro continues to release blockbuster hits, now acting as a producer in many of the films he stars in. With more than 90 films under his belt, he’s received numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards and one Golden Globe Award. De Niro is also a force in Tribeca real estate and dining, owning such fixtures as the Greenwich Hotel and its restaurant, Locanda Verde.

 

Barry Diller & Diane Von Furstenberg

CATEGORY: Power Couples
INDUSTRY: Fashion & Media
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE: Diane Von Furstenberg is the President of the Council of Fashion Designers of America and arguably one of the top fashion designers in the world. She even has one of her famous wrap dresses displayed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Barry Diller is a media mogul who currently holds the position of Chairman of Expedia and InterActiveCorp, which is the parent of internet powerhouses like Match.com, Citysearch.com, and Ask.com.

 

Jamie Dimon

CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs
INDUSTRY: Finance
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE: Jamie Dimon is the CEO and Chairman of JPMorgan Chase. Since the financial crisis began, Dimon has been fervently trying to rebuild and revolutionize the banking system, using the opportunity to acquire Bear Stearns and Washington Mutual.

Charles and James Dolan

CATEGORY: Originators
INDUSTRY: Entertainment
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:
This father-son duo is quite a power pair. American billionaire Charles Dolan is the founder of Cablevision Systems Corporation and HBO and is worth approximately $3.1 billion. His son, James Dolan, is Executive Chairman of Madison Square Garden Inc. and President and CEO of Cablevision Systems Corporation. James also is the manager of the New York Knicks, the New York Rangers, the New York Liberty, and the Connecticut Whale.

Andrew Farkas

CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs
INDUSTRY: Real Estate
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE:
Andrew Farkas entered the real estate scene when he founded Insignia Financial Group in 1990, which became one of the world’s leading commercial real estate companies. He then created the real estate investment firm, Island Capital Group, of which he is now Chairman and CEO. Farkas is also the mastermind behind Island Global Yachting, which owns and manages luxury yacht marinas in top boating destinations all over the world.

Tina Fey

CATEGORY: Entertainers
INDUSTRY: Film & Television
WHAT MAKES HER HAUTE: Tina Fey is an American actress, comedian, writer, and producer best known for her work on Saturday Night Live, 30 Rock, and Mean Girls. She has received eight Emmy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, five Screen Actors Guild Awards, four Writers Guild Awards, plus a spot on The New York Times best-seller list for five weeks thanks to her autobiographical book “Bossypants.”

Tom Ford

CATEGORY: Designers
INDUSTRY: Fashion
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE:
Tom Ford is the former creative director of Gucci, for which he is credited with turning the almost-bankrupt fashion house into an empire valued at $4.3 billion upon his departure. He now heads the eponymous Tom Ford fashion label, which boasts 21 freestanding stores throughout the world. Ford is famous for dressing some of Hollywood’s hautest leading men including Brad Pitt, Tom Hanks, and Johnny Depp.

Larry Gagosian

CATEGORY: Thinkers
INDUSTRY: Art
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE:
Larry Gagosian is the owner of the Gagosian Gallery chain, which has locations in NYC, London, Los Angeles, Rome, and Athens. It has become a predominant figure in the contemporary art scene, repping the likes of Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons, and Damien Hirst. In 2010, the French government awarded Gagosian the Legion d’Honneur with the rank of Chevalier.

Rudy Giuliani

CATEGORY: Thinkers
INDUSTRY: Politics
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE:
Rudy Giuliani served two terms as Mayor of New York City from 1994 to 2001. He previously served in the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, eventually becoming U.S. Attorney. He has also prosecuted a number of high-profile cases including ones against organized crime and Wall Street financiers.

Matt Harvey

CATEGORY: Athletes
INDUSTRY: Baseball
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE:
Matt Harvey is a pitcher for the New York Mets. During his major league debut in 2012, he set a new club record with 11 strikeouts. Classified as a power pitcher, Harvey a four-pitch repertoire that includes a fastball, slider, curveball, and change-up.

Carolina Herrera

CATEGORY: Designers
INDUSTRY: Fashion
WHAT MAKES HER HAUTE: Luxury designer Carolina Herrera is known for dressing several of the country’s First Ladies, including Jacqueline Onassis and Michelle Obama. She was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America in 2008, the Style Awards Designer of the Year in 2012, and the “Mercedes- Benz Presents” title for her 2011 collection. She’s also been on the cover of Vogue seven times.

Dee & Tommy Hilfiger

CATEGORY: Designers
INDUSTRY: Fashion
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE: Throughout the past 25 years, the eponymous Tommy Hilfiger brand has taken the vision of classic American sportswear and transformed it into one of the world’s most recognized lifestyle brands. Today, there are more than 1,000 Tommy Hilfiger stores worldwide, with plans to expand into new markets in the coming years. Dee has also recently taken the fashion industry by storm with a new line of luxury handbags.

 

Marc Holliday

CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs
INDUSTRY: Real Estate
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE: Marc Holliday is the CEO and President of SL Green Realty, one of the largest commercial landlord companies in New York City. The company currently controls 85 properties throughout the New York metro area, totaling more than 40.8 million square feet.

 

Arianna Huffington

CATEGORY: Originator
INDUSTRY: Media
WHAT MAKES HER HAUTE: After selling her news site, The Huffington Post, to AOL for $315 million in 2011, Arianna Huffington could have retired. But instead, the Greek-born entrepreneur went on to serve as the chair, president, and editor-in-chief of the newly formed Huffington Post Media Group.  In addition to writing fourteen books and hosting a radio talk show, the media mogul serves on several boards, including HuffPost’s partners in Spain, the newspaper EL PAÍS and its parent company PRISA; Onex; The Center for Public Integrity; and The Committee to Protect Journalists.

Jeffrey Immelt

CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs
INDUSTRY: Business
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE:
Jeffrey Immelt replaced Jack Welch as General Electric’s CEO in 2001. Since then, GE has grown into the world’s second largest company, a multibillion-dollar conglomerate with more than 300,000 employees worldwide. Immelt has also been named number one in Barrons’ list of World’s Best CEOs on three occasions.

Carl Icahn

CATEGORY: Billionaires
INDUSTRY: Finance
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE:
Carl Icahn is the Chairman of Icahn Enterprises, a holding company that manages various investments. With net worth of approximately $23.5 billion, the Queens native is hailed as one of the richest individuals in the world. He’s made substantial financial contributions to his alma mater, Princeton University, as well as Mount Sinai Hospital in New York.

Marc Jacobs

CATEGORY: Designers
INDUSTRY: Fashion
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE: Marc Jacobs is head designer for his namesake label, as well as Marc by Marc Jacobs, a diffusion line with more than 200 retail stores in 80 countries. Jacobs previously served as the creative director of Louis Vuitton, where he spearheaded the company’s first ready-to-wear clothing line.

Derek Jeter

CATEGORY: Athletes
INDUSTRY: Baseball
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE: Derek Jeter is a former shortstop who played 20 seasons of Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees. A five-time World Series champion, he’s regarded as a central figure of the team’s success of the late ‘90s and early 2000s for his hitting, base running, fielding, and leadership abilities. In 2014, he created a new media platform called The Players Tribune, which provides daily sports conversation and publishes first-person stories directly from athletes.

 

Woody Johnson

CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs
INDUSTRY: Finance
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE: Woody Johnson is the heir to the Johnson & Johnson fortune and currently serves as Chairman and CEO of the Johnson Company. He also owns the New York Jets and has taken significant steps to rebuild the team throughout the last 10 years. A devoted philanthropist, Johnson created the Alliance for Lupus Research, and remains a strong supporter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Paul Tudor Jones II

CATEGORY: Billionaires
INDUSTRY: Finance
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE:
Paul Tuder Jones II is a self-made hedge fund billionaire who founded Tudor Investment Corp. 30 years ago. His is famously credited as predicting “Black Monday,” a phenomenon that allowed him to triple his earnings. Jones is also an active philanthropist and founded the NYC poverty-fighting group, the Robin Hood Foundation, as well as the One to One Charitable Fund.

Donna Karan

CATEGORY: Designers
INDUSTRY: Fashion
WHAT MAKES HER HAUTE: Donna Karan launched her infamous fashion brand in 1985 with her line of practical clothing for women. Nearly 30 years later, Donna Karan Inc. also includes the Donna Karan lines and the younger DKNY line, along with accessories, eyewear, intimates, fragrances, home collections, and more. A native of Long Island, Karan has always stated that the city of New York will remain an influence in all of her designs.

Thomas Keller

CATEGORY: Thinkers
INDUSTRY: Food
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE:
Thomas Keller is a chef, restaurateur, and cookbook author who has won multiple awards from the James Beard Foundation, notably the Best California Chef in 1996 and the Best Chef in America in 1997. In 2005, he was awarded a three-star rating in the inaugural Michelin Guide for New York for his restaurant, Per Se.

Alicia Keys and Kasseem “Swizz Beatz” Dean

CATEGORY: Power Couples
INDUSTRY: Entertainers
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:
This musical power couple were married in July 2010 and welcomed their first son, Egypt, the following October. Alicia Keys became famous for her gorgeous looks and standout voice, but her recent recognition has come with her charitable work, particularly her Keep a Child Alive foundation. Swizz Beatz has produced hit singles for many elite rap, hip-hop, soul, and R&B artists such as DMX, Beyonce, T.I., Styles P, Cassidy, and Busta Rhymes.

Calvin Klein

CATEGORY: Designers
INDUSTRY: Fashion
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE: This American fashion designer was born in the Bronx to Jewish-Hungarian immigrants. He briefly studied at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology, but never graduated. In addition to clothing, Klein has also lent his name to a range of perfumes, watches, and jewelry.

 

David Koch

CATEGORY: Billionaires
INDUSTRY: Finance & Manufacturing
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE:
With a net worth of $42.2 billion, David Koch is considered one of the richest people in the world. He is the co-owner and Executive Vice President of Koch Industries, a privately owned energy conglomerate whose subsidiaries include Georgia Pacific and Invista. He is a major supporter of the arts and has contributed to several charities including Lincoln Center, Sloan Kettering, a fertility clinic at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, and the American Museum of Natural History’s David H. Koch Dinosaur Wing.

Jeff Koons

CATEGORY: Thinkers
INDUSTRY: Art
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE: Jeff Koons is well known in the art industry circuit for his reproduction of everyday objects and American pop-culture icons. His work can be viewed in several famous New York art houses including MoMA, the Whitney Museum, and the Guggenheim. Koons was previously chosen by BMW to design a car as part of the company’s Art Car series, an honor that has been given to many famed artists of the past, including Andy Warhol.

Bruce Kovner

CATEGORY: Billionaires
INDUSTRY: Finance
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE: Bruce Kovner is founder and Chairman of Caxton Associates, one of the world’s top 10 hedge funds. The Harvard graduate underwent his first trade in 1977 for $3,000 and is now worth an estimated $5 billion. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the Institute for Advanced Study, which has been home to notable thinkers like Albert Einstein.

 

Henry & Marie-Josée Kravis

CATEGORY: Power Couples
INDUSTRY: Finance
What Makes Them Haute: Henry Kravis co-founded the private equity firm, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co, which currently boasts total assets of approximately $60 billion. Marie-Josée Kravis is a former Canadian newscaster, but now takes an active interest in the New York City community, serving as senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and on the International Advisory Board of the NY Federal Reserve.

Igor Krutoy & Olga Krutaya

CATEGORY: Originators
INDUSTRY: Real Estate & Entertainers
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE: Igor Krutoy is a Russian composer, performer, producer, and musical promoter. In 2011, he made waves in the real estate industry when he purchased two condos at the Plaza Hotel in Manhattan for $48 million—at the time, the highest price ever paid for a single condo unit in New York. He and Krutaya married in 1995 and have two children together. Krutoy also has a son from a previous marriage.

Jared Kushner & Ivanka Trump

CATEGORY: Philanthropists
INDUSTRY: Finance
What Makes Them Haute: Ivanka Trump serves as the Executive Vice President of Development & Acquisitions at The Trump Organization, where she oversees the company’s real estate and hotel management initiatives. She also resides as the principal of the The Ivanka Trump Lifestyle Collection, which includes fragrance, footwear, handbags, outerwear, and eyewear collections. Trump is currently married to Jared Kushner, heir to the New York Observer.

Edward Lampert

CATEGORY: Billionaires
INDUSTRY: Finance
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE: Edward Lampert is the Chairman of Sears Holdings Corporation, which includes Sears, Kenmore, Lands End, and Kmart (which he helped rebuild after bankruptcy). He’s also the founder, Chairman, and CEO of ESL Investments, a private investment company that he started at the age of 25.

 

Kenneth Langone

CATEGORY: Philanthropists
INDUSTRY: Finance
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE: Kenneth Langone is the co-founder of Home Depot and the former director of the New York Stock Exchange. He’s also an active philanthropist, contributing millions of dollars to various charities that include the Ronald McDonald House, the Robin Hood Foundation and New York University. Both the NYU Langone Medical Center (of which he is Chairman) and the Langone Program at NYU’s Stern School of Business are named after him.

Leonard & Ronald Lauder

CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs
INDUSTRY: Beauty
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE: Born and raised on the Upper East Side, brothers Leonard and Ronald took their mother’s face cream concoction that she made in her kitchen and turned it into one of the nation’s largest beauty conglomerates. Estée Lauder is the parent company for some of the nation’s top cosmetics brands including Clinique, MAC, Aveda, Bobbi Brown, and La Mer.

David Lauren & Lauren Bush Lauren

CATEGORY: Power Couples
INDUSTRY: Fashion
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE: David Lauren is the Senior Vice President of Advertising, Marketing, and Corporate Communications at Polo Ralph Lauren, where he is responsible for overseeing the company’s global advertising and marketing campaigns. His wife, Lauren Bush Lauren, serves as the CEO, Creative Director, and Co- Founder of FEED Projects.

Dylan Lauren

CATEGORY: Thinkers
INDUSTRY: Food
WHAT MAKES HER HAUTE: Dylan Lauren is the brain behind Dylan’s Candy Bar, a chain of boutique candy stores with locations in New York City, Miami, East Hampton, and Los Angeles. In 2011, she married hedge fund manager Paul Arrouet wearing a bridal gown designed by her father, Ralph Lauren.

Ralph Lauren

CATEGORY: Designers
INDUSTRY: Fashion
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE:
This ambitious fashion designer and brilliant businessman is most notable for his Polo Ralph Lauren clothing line. His company is continuing to expand internationally, with stores in Chile, Korea, and Malaysia.

The LeFrak Family

CATEGORY: Billionaires
INDUSTRY: Real Estate
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE: The LeFrak Organization was founded in 1901 by the late, Harry LeFrak. His son, Samuel LeFrak, helped to grow the company by developing LeFrak City, a five-million-square-foot residential complex in Queens. Richard, Samuel’s son, is now the firm’s Chairman and CEO, while Richard’s two sons, Harrison and James, are also top executives. Today, the LeFrak Organization has grown into one of the world’s leading building firms, controlling 70,000 apartments in the New York metro area.

Howard Lorber

CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs
INDUSTRY: Real Estate
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE: Howard Lorber is the President and CEO of the holding company Vector Group and Chairman of Prudential Douglas Elliman, the largest residential real estate brokerage firm in New York. In 2010, Vector Group acquired part of Borders Group Inc. for $25 million, adding Lorber to its Board of Directors.

Susan Lyne

CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs
INDUSTRY: Internet Shopping
WHAT MAKES HER HAUTE: Susan Lyne is the vice chairman of the online luxury fashion retailer, Gilt. Through its exclusive, discounted online sales events, Gilt has single-handedly changed how individuals shop online. The company has seen exponential growth in recent years, branching out from fashion to other luxury goods sectors and has launched the city-specific deal website, Gilt City.

William Mack

CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs
INDUSTRY: Internet Shopping
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE: William Mack is a third-generation real estate tycoon best known for co-developing the Time Warner Center. He is the founder and Chairman of AREA Property Partners (formerly known as Apollo Real Estate Advisors), which has invested more than $11 billion in more than 500 transactions since its inception. Mack also serves as Chairman of real estate investment trust Mack-Cali Realty, as a board member of the Regional Advisory Board of JP Morgan Chase, and Chairman of the board for the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation.

Kevin Maloney

CATEGORY: Originator
INDUSTRY: Real Estate
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE:
As the founder of PMG, Kevin Maloney has hands-on experience in the acquisition, renovation, financing, operation, and marketing of residential and commercial real estate. He is responsible for all of PMG’s 150 plus real property acquisitions, projects, and capital sources.

Abby & Eli Manning

CATEGORY: Power Couples
INDUSTRY: Sports
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE: This Manning brother was destined to be a quarterback. He’s the son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning and the younger brother of Peyton Manning. Manning is the sixth quarterback in history to start 100 straight games. He met his wife, Abby, in college.

Joseph Moinian

CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs
INDUSTRY: Real Estate
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE: Joseph Moinian is a New York real estate developer who is best known for his superb investment, development, and management strategies. His company, the Moinian Group, boasts a portfolio of more than 20 million square feet of property across every category including office, hotel, retail, condos, and rental apartments. In addition to his various philanthropic endeavors, Moinian is also a member of the Board of Governors of the Real Estate Board of New York and sits on the board of the Skyline Museum.  

Rupert Murdoch

CATEGORY: Billionaires
INDUSTRY: Media
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE:
The global media mogul is the The global media mogul is the founder, chairman and CEO of News Corp., the conglomerate that reigns over Fox, the New York Post, the Wall Street Journal and HarperCollins Publishers. He’s considered one of the richest people in the world, with a net worth of $14 billion.

The Nakash Family

CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs
INDUSTRY: Fashion
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE: The founders of Jordache clothing brand, Joe, Ralph and Avi Nakash, have been in the clothing industry since 1969. The brothers started with a discount designer jeans store in New York City, but after a few years, decided to move on to the clothing manufacturing industry. Today, Heidi Klum serves as the spokesmodel for Jordache.

Miki Naftali

Category: Entrepreneurs
INDUSTRY: Real Estate
What Makes him Haute:
A leader in the international real estate marketplace, Miki Naftali, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Naftali Group, is actively involved both as an investor and developer of luxury mixed-use properties in North America, Asia, and Europe. As one of NYC’s most active developers, the Naftali Group currently owns and manages 14 residential properties totaling more than one million square feet. Naftali formerly served as Chief Executive Officer and President of the Elad Group, where he led the $450 million restoration and reconfiguration of the iconic Plaza Hotel.

Samuel Irving Newhouse, Jr.

CATEGORY: Billionaires
INDUSTRY: Media
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE:
Samuel Irving Newhouse, Jr. is the Chairman and CEO of Advance Publications, which most notably owns Condé Nast—the publisher of more than two dozen magazines including Vogue, Vanity Fair, Glamour, Bon Appétit, and The New Yorker. He is also well known for his philanthropy, including a generous $15 million donation to Syracuse University, which resulted in the school naming the SI Newhouse School of Public Communications after him.

Xavier Nolot

CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs
INDUSTRY: Watches
What Makes him Haute:
Xavier Nolot is CEO of Audemars Piguet North America, overseeing all financial, operational, sales and marketing functions for the brand. He also advises the Audemars Piguet Group in the development of the South American Market.

 

Sean Parker

CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs
INDUSTRY: Internet
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE: Sean Parker co-founded the file- sharing computer service Napster and became the first president of the social networking website Facebook. Parker currently serves on Spotify’s Board of Directors and has a net worth of approximately $2.7 billion.

Richard Parsons

CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs
INDUSTRY: Finance
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE: Richard Parson is the former
CEO of Time Warner and the former Chairman of Citigroup. His financial advice has been coveted by some of the nation’s most powerful individuals including President Obama and Secretary of Treasury Timothy Geithner. Parsons currently sits on the board of directors for the Commission on Presidential Debates.

Ronald Perelman

CATEGORY: Billionaires
INDUSTRY: Finance
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE:
A self-made billionaire, Ronald Perelman made his fortune by acquiring various companies at cheap prices and then reselling them for a profit. Perelman is a notable charity donor and is often regarded as one of the top philanthropists in the world.

 

Mikhail Prokhorov

CATEGORY: Billionaires
INDUSTRY: Finance
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE: Mikhail Prokhorov is the founder of ONEXIM Group, a private investment fund based in Russia with assets valued at approximately $17 billion. He may be the second richest man in Russia, but this billionaire has also been making it big in New York as the majority owner of the Brooklyn Nets.

 

Emily Rafferty

CATEGORY: Thinkers
INDUSTRY: Art
WHAT MAKES HER HAUTE: Emily Rafferty started working at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1975 as an assistant in the development office. She subsequently worked her way up to the top and is now president of the museum. She is the first woman to run the day-to-day operations in the Met’s 135 plus year history.

Stewart Rahr

CATEGORY: Billionaires
INDUSTRY: Pharmaceuticals
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE: This Pharma billionaire and philanthropist has been living the American dream. Rahr went from making 50 cents per hour doing deliveries for his father’s pharmacy to becoming one of the wealthiest men in the world. He sold his company Kinray, the world’s largest privately held distribution company of generic pharmaceutical products, for $1.3 billion. But “Rah Rah” isn’t all work and no play. He’s a fixture at red carpet events and at his annual “Celebration of Life for Exceptional Friends” function.

Ryan Reynolds & Blake Lively

CATEGORY: Entertainers
INDUSTRY: Film & Television
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:
Ryan Reynolds is a Canadian film and television actor best known for his starring roles in Blade: Trinity, X-Men Origins: Wolverine and Definitely, Maybe. Reynolds began dating his Green Lantern co-star Blake Lively in 2011 and got married the following year. Lively is best known for her starring role in the teen drama series Gossip Girl.

 

Denise Rich

CATEGORY: Philanthropists
INDUSTRY: Charity
WHAT MAKES HER HAUTE: Denise Rich is a Grammy Award-winning songwriter who has been a staple in the New York City social circuit for years. But she’s also widely regarded for her philanthropic efforts. Rich created Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research in 2008 in honor of her daughter who passed away from Leukemia. The charity’s annual Angel Ball has raised more than $13 million for cancer research.

JR & Loren Ridinger

CATEGORY: Power Couples
INDUSTRY: Internet Shopping
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE: JR & Loren Ridinger’s online shopping site, Market America, has generated more than $2.5 billion in accumulated retail sales. The Ridinger’s most recently made headlines after they acquired shop.com, the Bill Gates-backed online comparison shopping engine, whose strengths lie in strong technological advances that seamlessly facilitate the shopping experience for the customer.

Aby Rosen

CATEGORY: Originators
INDUSTRY: Real Estate
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE:
This real estate developer boasts a portfolio of some of New York’s most prized landmark boutique hotels. After years of co-ownership, Rosen became the sole owner of the Seagram Building, Lever House, and the Gramercy Park Hotel. He currently has plans to develop the site at 610 Lexington Avenue into a glass hotel and condominium tower.

Rotem Rosen & Zina Sapir-Rosen

CATEGORY: Originators
INDUSTRY: Real Estate
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:
This powerhouse couple is the driving force behind some of New York’s most prestigious real estate. Zina is the daughter of Trump Soho investor, Tamir Sapir, and Rotem is the “right hand man” of real estate magnate Lev Leviev.

Stephen Ross

CATEGORY: Originators
INDUSTRY: Real Estate
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE:
Stephen Ross is the founder, Chairman, and CEO of The Related Companies, New York’s powerhouse real estate firm that is responsible for trophy developments like Time Warner Center, the W Hotel Union Square, and One Union Square South luxury high-rise. Ross also owns a 95 percent stake in the Miami Dolphins.

Wilbur Ross

CATEGORY: Billionaires
INDUSTRY: Finance
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE: Wilbur Ross launched the W.L. Ross & Co. investment fund with $440 million in capital and a small staff that he recruited from Rothschild. Ross teamed up Edwin Crawford, the former Chairman of CVS, to create Crawford-Ross, a consulting and brokerage firm that that buys and rebuilds health care companies.

Julian Schnabel

CATEGORY: Thinkers
INDUSTRY: Art
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE:
Julian Schnabel is an award-winning artist and filmmaker. His masterpieces can be found in museums all over the city, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, MoMA, and the Whitney Museum. In addition to winning a Golden Globe, a BAFTA award, and a César Award, Schnabel has also been nominated for a Golden Lion and an Academy Award.

Ian Schrager

CATEGORY: Originators
INDUSTRY: Hospitality
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE:
Ian Schrager entered the hospitality industry in the ‘70s as the co-owner and co-founder of the infamous Studio 54 nightclub. In 2005, Schrager sold Morgans Hotel Group, a company he founded, to create the Ian Schrager Company that owns, develops, and manages hotels, residential, and mixed-use projects.

Stephen Schwarzman

CATEGORY: Billionaires
INDUSTRY: Finance
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE:
Stephen Schwarzman is the Chairman and co-founder of the private equity and financial advisory firm, The Blackstone Group. In March 2008, he donated $100 million to the New York Public Library, which led to the main building being renamed in his honor.

Martin Scorsese

CATEGORY: Thinkers
INDUSTRY: Film
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE: Critics and film scholars have called him the best living American director, with several of his movies occupying spots on the AFI’s list of greatest movies of all time. He is a recipient of the AFI Life Achievement Award for his contributions to the cinema and has won an Academy Award, a Palme d’Or, Cannes Film Festival Best Director Award, a Silver Lion, a Grammy Award, and numerous Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs, and DGA Awards.

David Seelinger

CATEGORY: Originators
INDUSTRY: Business
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE: David Seelinger is the Chairman and CEO of EmpireCLS Worldwide Chauffeured Services. With more than 900 luxury vehicles, plus headquarters in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, New Jersey, and Las Vegas, EmpireCLS has become a leader in the transportation industry.

 

Jerry Seinfeld

CATEGORY: Entertainers
INDUSTRY: Film & Television
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE: Jerry Seinfeld is a stand-up comedian, actor, writer and television/film producer who is best known for playing a semi-fictional version of himself in the smash sitcom Seinfeld, which he co-created and co-wrote with Larry David.

George Soros

CATEGORY: Philanthropists
INDUSTRY: Finance
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE: Soros Fund Management was one of the few hedge fund firms that saw the financial crisis as a buying opportunity. Aside from serving as Chairman of the company, George Soros is also a best-selling author, a strong political activist, and one of the city’s most notable philanthropists. Between 1979 and 2011, Soros donated more than $8 billion to human rights, public health and education causes.

Rob and Jerry Speyer

CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs
INDUSTRY: Real Estate
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE: Jerry Speyer is the co-founder, Chairman, and co-CEO of Tishman Speyer, the prominent real estate firm that owns properties such as the Chrysler Building and Rockefeller Center. He has also served as the chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of NY, vice chairman of the New York Presbyterian Hospital, and chairman of MoMA. Speyer’s son, Rob, has been co-CEO of Tishman Speyer since 2008, and also serves as President of the firm. He helped the company open the city’s first office building that is LEED Gold certified by the U.S. Green Building Council.

Hal Steinbrenner

CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs
INDUSTRY: Sports
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE:
Hal Steinbrenner is co-owner of the New York Yankees. Steinbrenner was elected Chairman of the Board of Yankee Global Enterprises, LLC in 2007. He also serves as Chairman and CEO of Steinbrenner Hotel Properties and holds a seat on the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Club of Tampa Bay.

Leonard Stern

CATEGORY: Billionaires
INDUSTRY: Real Estate
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE: Leonard Stern is the Chairman and CEO of Hartz Mountain Industries, one of the largest privately held real estate companies in the U.S. The firm boasts more than 38 million square feet of commercial, residential, and retail property in the New York City metro area, including the Soho Grand and Tribeca Grand hotels.

Arthur Sulzberger, Jr.

CATEGORY: Thinkers
INDUSTRY: Media
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE:
The chairman and publisher of The New York Times has been running the paper’s daily operations since 1992. Under his tenure, Sulzberger has helped the Times become a national newspaper and win 39 Pulitzer Prizes.

David Tepper

CATEGORY: Billionaires
INDUSTRY: Finance
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE:
This hedge fund manager specializes in buying stocks from companies that are either bankrupt or distressed and profiting off of their recoveries. His investments include Bank of America, Hewlett- Packard, Intel, and Microsoft. The philanthropist recently donated a large sum of money to his namesake Tepper School of Business at his alma mater, Carnegie Mellon University.

Noah Tepperberg, Jason Strauss, Marc Packer and Rich Wolf

CATEGORY: Originators
INDUSTRY: Nightlife
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:
Strategic Group owners, Noah Tepperberg, and Jason Strauss, joined forces with TAO Group founders, Mark Packer and Rich Wolf, to open some of the most famous nightclubs and restaurants in the world. Since their first joint venture in 2008, LAVO Restaurant & Nightclub in Las Vegas, the two groups of nightlife gurus have collaborated on introducing and operating countless hot spots including LAVO New York, AVENUE New York, TAO New York, TAO Las Vegas, TAO Downtown, Bodega Negra, Arlington Club, PH-D Rooftop, Electric Room, Marquee New York, Marquee Las Vegas, and Marquee Sydney.

Donald Trump

CATEGORY: Originators
INDUSTRY: Real Estate
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE:
As the patriarch of one of the most iconic families in New York City, Donald Trump hardly needs an introduction. From developing new properties to hosting television shows, there’s nothing The Donald can’t do! In 2013, Trump spent more than $1 million to research a possible run for President of the United States in 2016.

Vera Wang

CATEGORY: Designers
INDUSTRY: Fashion
WHAT MAKES HER HAUTE: This born and bred New Yorker is known for her wide range of haute couture wedding gowns. As a former professional figure skater, Vera Wang has also designed outfits for various skating competitions and exhibitions. Her designs have been worn by countless celebrities and featured in hit television shows such as Sex and the City and The West Wing.

Harvey Weinstein & Georgina Chapman

CATEGORY: Power Couples
INDUSTRY: Fashion & Film
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE:
Harvey Weinstein is the co-founder of Miramax Films and has been credited as executive producer for Hollywood classics such as the The Lord of the Rings trilogy. He has served as co-chairmen of The Weinstein Company since 2005. Weinstein wed Georgina Chapman, a former model and co-founder of the fashion label, Marchesa, in 2007. The pair has two children.

Anna Wintour

CATEGORY: Thinkers
INDUSTRY: Media
WHAT MAKES HER HAUTE:
As the editor-in-chief of Vogue and editorial director of Teen Vogue, Anna Wintour has established herself as a true fashion icon and trendsetter. Wintour was recently named Conde Nast’s artistic director and is responsible for developing the company’s overall “creative vision.” She also sits on President Barack Obama’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities and is an elective trustee of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

William and Arthur Zeckendorf

CATEGORY: Originators
INDUSTRY: Real Estate
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE: They are the brothers behind the most expensive address in the city: 15 Central Park West. They are also the owners and co-chairmen of Terra Holdings and Zeckendorf Realty, L.P., the brokerage firm that developed 515 Park Avenue—a 43-story luxury condominium in Manhattan. The building has broken records for the highest-priced residential property per square foot in Manhattan history.

Mortimer Zuckerman

CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs
INDUSTRY: Media, Real Estate
WHAT MAKES HIM HAUTE: This Wharton MBA Graduate is the chairman of Boston Properties, one of the largest real estate developers in the United States. Some distinct properties include the General Motors Building and the Times Square Tower. Zuckerman is also the owner of the New York Daily News and owner and editor-in-chief of U.S. News & World Report.