Party in the Park

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PIP, PIP, Partay!!!!

The undisputed Grande Dame of Boston’s springtime social events, Party in the Park celebrated its 15th anniversary, this year for the first time in Franklin Park.

Known as “The Hat Party,” the fundraiser to benefit the Emerald Necklace Conservancy began with free-flowing bubbly and little nibbles and continued with a luncheon under a tent that would do Cecil Beaton proud.

Front and center: the event’s founder, Wendy Shattuck, chairs Ellie Chu, Danielle Frissell, Julie Gordon, Elena Matlack, Kathleen McIntrye and Holly Safford, Duxbury dame Lynn Dale, polo-playing Brahmin Sukey Forbes, fashionista Elisha Daniels, statuesque brunette Molly Dunne, the incomparable Vanessa Kerry, the Liff sisters—Ingrid, Olivia and Ursula (in whose mother’s memory the afternoon’s award is named), the gorgeous Rita Weiner and pretty much every other woman of consequence in Boston, as well as a few men, like Palm Beach society scribe Krystian von Speidel and hotelier extraordinaire Philipp Knuepfer.

Vanessa Kerry, Julie Gordon and Rita Weiner at Party in the Park

Tania Lingos and Tatiana Lingos at Party in the Park

As always, the outfits were to die for, and the picture hats, fascinators, pillboxes, cloches, etc. were beautiful and over the top. Also as always, nearly everyone repaired to the after-party at the Four Seasons, where the Bristol Bar kept the Champagne and rosé flowing. (Because it was such a gorgeous day, a few defectors opted for the outdoor bar overlooking the harbor at the Intercontinental.)

The afternoon’s karmic payback went to the woman on the trolley who asked the driver if he could drop her at her house on Comm. Ave., to which the driver replied, “I can’t. The residents won’t let us drive up there.”

Meanwhile, the afternoon’s best remark was a tie, between the woman who described her ensemble as “Very high-Victorian, high-priced call girl,” to a woman wearing a decidedly cheerful outfit, who said, “I look like I’m dressed for my ex-husband’s funeral!”


Avez-vous dish? Dirt? A spectacular social occasion? Call J.S. at 617-859-1400, ext. 303, or send an email to jonathan@improper.com.


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