High fashion is great, but when you have to hike through Central Park, comfort is the real luxury.
The Central Park Conservancy Women’s Committee’s Fall Luncheon features some of the city’s finest women spread out throughout the park, one of many dining areas set in particularly picturesque locations throughout the expansive grounds, including the Glade Arch. Take a seat. Or Bethesda Terrace.
Before the COVID-19 lockdown, all events were held in one location, but the location has been changed to maintain social distancing and remain that way. And a new nomadic social group appears to have figured out the secret.
At Wednesday’s event, several women at lunch were seen stripping off their sneakers and putting on high heels as they crossed the grounds, getting ready for appetizers.
Socialite and philanthropist Gillian Miniter was seen walking in wearing blue and white Keds with a blue and white floral shift dress before changing her shoes.
“Getting into the car and going down all the stairs with high heels on is a little difficult,” Minitar says. “I put on my Keds and do a little switcheroo before anyone sees me.”
He added, “One of the great things about this event is that we’re all over the park.”
Socialite Dori Cooperman was heard saying she brought Chanel espadrilles for her walk down Fifth Avenue.
Page Six also heard conversations from guests about how difficult it was to return to a life of tottering around in stilettos after taking a long break for social events during the pandemic. In response, one woman declared that this is not a “post-corona” life. This issue is as important as life after 50.
For those who didn’t have shoes on both feet, there was a minicar to transport the swans to the various tables. Socialite Muffy Potter Aston, wearing Italian leather boots, can be heard proclaiming, “They look like Popemobiles!”
Fe Fendi, Elise Newhouse, Emily Chen, Susan Magrino and Margo Nederlander also attended the event, hosted by Shops at Columbus Circle and South Flagler House.
After lunch, guests including Sharon Jacob, Katherine Gage Boulud, Ainsley Earhart and Fiona Rudin gathered at the Bethesda Fountain to toast the nearly $430,000 raised to keep the park beautiful.
