London in New York

ManhattanSociety.com has a philanthropic purpose to focus and highlight people, places and things in New York of social, cultural and/or charitable significance. But at the end of the day, a good deal of this process involves attending parties and taking pictures.

Accept that Society as a social construct is by design and in reality basically gay. That is ok. There is a reason for everything. And in truth gay men look better, are better to photograph and much more fun to talk to at cocktail parties. There has got to be a reason, however, for a straight man to go to all these gay parties in New York right? So on an average week in NYC, who else gets my camera worked up to snap away? Who do I hope is on your Guest List? Whether it is your A, B, C or D List? Do you really want to know?

Let me provide a little full disclosure first. While I truly and deeply respect the craftsmanship and creativity of fashion designers like Maggie Norris, Tiffany Koury, Marchesa, Vivienne Tam, Nicole Miller, Vera Wang, Zac Posen et. al etc, I am no fashionista and have simply lost interest in attending Fashion Week. I shop at Brooks Brothers, J Press, Jos. Bank, Banana Republic, The Gap, Abercrombie and Macy’s Herald Square, occasionally Lord & Taylor and have made only brief forays into Thomas Pink. While I am no Tom Ford, I do love Gucci shoes but my preference is increasingly Alden of Carmel. Although, Mr. Shiny Shoes himself, the effervescent Micah Jesse turned me on to a pair of silver shoes from Shane and Shawn.

What gets me worked up to snap away? Writers, journalists, philosophers, thinkers…people who have the authority, power and vision to profoundly reshape our culture, that is who I want to photograph. With all due respect to other social photographers including those who work under PMC’s umbrella, Bill Cunningham and even those who work under the growing social monopoly of Getty and Wire Image, I aspire to be more of a Magnum Photographer. The foregoing being said, my brother, Prince Gregory and I have a great deal of respect for the work of Allan Barry and Steve Mack.

Magnum Photographers—that is what I aspire to be. Trust me I know that I am no where near that level… yet. Shooting Hollywood celebs? Perhaps shooting the Vanity Fair party? Not so much interested in that at all. And that is no disrespect to craft of acting. I am just far more interested in Broadway performers. Definitely. You see it is what my friend Tia Walker has defined as The Quest for “it”—-Rocky’s “eye of the tiger” that I see in the eyes of emerging talent on Broadway. This intrigues me and lights up my eyes more than Hollywood Establishment posing on the red carpet.

So without further adieu: This is my list, unaffected and not the result of schmoozing with publicists.

MANHATTANSOCIETY.COM’S: THE LIST OF TOP 10 HOTTEST WOMEN IN NYC

1-Shoshanna Lonstein Gruss: This New York based fashion designer and socialite defies labels and is definitely one of the more polite, well mannered, friendly and beautiful ladies to encounter while covering society events. She is well grounded, married to a gentleman who most right minded people would consider an upgrade over former beau Jerry Seinfeld. Shoshanna seems to have fun with her beauty, and it obviously has not gone to her head. Her heart is in the right place. She supports among other things, the Hassenfeld Center at NYU and Society of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. With all due respect to Cityfile that states that she bares a striking resemblance to Jerry Seinfeld’s wife, Jessica, Jessica bares as much of resemblance to Shoshanna as First Wok does to Shun Lee Palace or that Brother Jimmy’s does to The Palm.

2-Olivia Palermo, the City Star: for her beauty, definitely not her acting. Olivia gets credit for being one of the first paisan’s to legitimately crack the upper echelon’s of New York Socialites and in the process made covering society a tad more interesting.

3-Ashley Alexandra Dupre: While I supported Eliot Spitzer, was saddened to see him resign, Ashley did not kill anyone. She is not a criminal. She is hot, deal with it. See also, Ashley’s blog on Global Grind Surviving Spitzer.

4-Valeria Tignini: Renaissance model, actress, writer, blogger and founder of ValSecrets.com. You just do not expect women this beautiful to be that talented, soulful, intelligent or to be that nice to everyone. Val is just REAL. That women like Val exist should be comforting to men everywhere that God when he gets things right can design such beautiful and soulful creatures with great values. Galileo and Silvana Tignini should be commended for the fine job that they have done raising Val.

5-Rachelle Hruska, Founder of GuestofaGuest.com is like your goofy best friend who cracks you up and warms your heart but yet is clueless how hot she is. Happy Birthday gorgeous!

6-Linda Michelle of HDOnline.com: frequently seen as the hottest young thing interviewing folks at Micah Jesse’s parties. See her model card.

7-Ivanka Trump: Uber model beauty, an Ivy degree and the TRUMP name–enough said. In some people’s minds she is #1 on any list.

8-Philanthropist & NYJL Board Member, Amy Phelan tied with Salon TEA-emptress Tracy Stern and Vogue’s Valerie Boster.

9-CNN’s Soledad O’Brien: A serious journalist with megawatt smile and endless heart. A girl you could bring home to mom that Dad would also approve of. America has a love affair with this gifted and soulful lady.

10-Hamptons Magazine’s Christina Greeven Cuomo tied with Rory Tahari, the creative director of Elie Tahari

Let’s get real this is an imperfect process when you have the walking work of art Cristina Greeven Cuomo as #10. If I woke up on a different side of the bed this morning, she could be Number 1. Truth told there is no way that I want to put a family member of one of my heroes, former New York Governor Mario Cuomo at the bottom of any list. Capische? “The List” is not based upon what the Fashion Community or even Society would label #1. The perspective is that of a NY observer and social documentarian who just straight up can see and feel the highest levels of feminine beauty that radiates from well beneath the surface of the profoundly beautiful exteriors of these classic women. It is also a Real Housewives of NYC free zone, although we give a special nod to Kelly Bensimon and there is a special place in my heart for Bond Queen, Alexandra Lebenthal, a real wife, mother, philanthropist and Wall Street professional you can trust who’s star and stock will never stop rising. To all of you, thanks for giving me a reason to go out.

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