Monday, February 24th, 2014 7:12pm 29 degrees
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I was not prepared for the visual delight of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel's stunning 36th floor Grand Ballroom filled with breathtaking Orchid flower arrangements. The New York Botanical Garden Orchid Dinner featured table designs by Robert Couturier, Shawn Henderson, Hilary Pereira , Philip Gorrivan and a host of other talented design professionals. This event also showcased spectacular products by manufacturers like Baccarat, Dedar, Fendi Casa , Brunswig & Fils and many others.
I almost didn't attend .. . . Monday blahs, I wasn't dressed for a cocktail party, winter in New York, etc..... I had a lot of excuses and then thought why not just go and see what this is all about. After all the Orchid Dinner is one of the most anticipated winter social evenings and the hotel is well known for its prestige. So I found a good flower joke and headed off to 80 Columbus Circle at 60th Street in Manhattan.
What does the letter A have in common with a flower? Both are followed by bees !
Glamour, orchids, drama, style, orchids, laughter, color, allure, fashion, ravishment, star quality, charm and did I mention orchids. More than 200 well dressed design professionals gathered for cocktails, dancing, mingling and formal dinner. Rare and exceptional orchids were sold during the cocktail hour and orchid specialists were on hand to assist and answer questions. Each of the round dinner tables was lavishly styled with orchids and cleverly imagined centerpieces. The evening was stunning.
All proceeds from the Dinner underwrite the development of the Garne's orchid research collection, which helps maintain the highest horticulture standards of orchid conservation.
The Time Warner Center, where Mandarin Oriental, New York is located, to date is the largest
multi-use building development in the history of New York City. The Time Warner Center is 2.8 million square feet and was constructed at a cost of USD 1.7 billion. It is spot on the Columbus Circle, the point from which all distances to and from Manhattan are measured.
Mandarin Oriental opened in December 2003 and is truly one of the most beautiful hotels in New York City. Thank you VERANDA Magazine, Hearst Publications and BNY Mellon for the remarkable event.
