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Diane Kronstad Editor of FashionsDigest Covering LIVE - Latest in Fashion, Beauty,Tech, Dining,Travel & Lifestyle in NYC and beyond.

Michele Oka Doner’s “Talisman: A Sacred Grove” Opening Celebration in NYC

Michele Oka Doner’s “Talisman: A Sacred Grove” Opening Celebration in NYC

On March 9, a special Talisman Art celebration took place at the historic Park Avenue Armory in New York City. Hosted by philanthropists Elihu Rose and Barbara Tober, the evening gathered artists, patrons, and cultural leaders to celebrate the major Park Avenue Installation: “Talisman: A Sacred Grove” a striking new public artwork by American artist & author Michele Oka Doner.

Over 150 guests were welcomed by Michele Oka Doner’s sons, Jordan Doner and Jeremy Doner, along with her husband, Fred Doner. Attendees included HRH Prince Sultan bin Fahad bin Nasser bin Abdulaziz and Princess Deena Aljuhani Abdulaziz, Paola Antonelli, Carrie Rebora Barratt, Laurie Beckelman, Cora Cahan, Amy Cappellazzo, Kyle DeWoody, Layla Diba, Tiffany Dubin, Jane Farhi and James Barron, Joanna Fisher, Anthony Haden-Guest, Rachel Hovnanian, Yue-Sai Kan and Alan Pollack, Harold Koda and Alan Kornberg, Irina and Andres Serrano, Betsy Sussler and Ruben. Guests gathered inside the Armory for an intimate evening of conversation and celebration honoring Doner’s visionary work and the spirit of creativity that continues to shape New York’s cultural landscape.

 

 

The discussion offered guests a deeper look into Doner’s inspiration and the symbolism behind A Sacred Grove, now installed along the Park Avenue Mall across from the Armory. Blending reflections on nature, mythology, and the urban environment, the conversation highlighted the enduring dialogue between art, place, and community in New York City. with Michele Oka Doner and Micky Wolfson (founder of The Wolfsonian Museum) & author Kai Bird. “I wanted to bring back the primeval forest that used to exist here in New York,” said Oka Doner. “It’s an organic thing, it’s alive, and it will change as the city does.” “Michele Oka Doner’s objects demand participation & dialogue,” added Wolfson. “These talismans are a sort of new language through her, which is the intimate element of her creations.

After the conversation, guests walked across the street to the debuted Talisman, A Sacred Grove installation with a natural grove of twenty-one different species of trees that support three hundred hand-formed heads on the mall between East 66th and East 67th Streets in front of the Park Avenue Armory. It is the first sculptural installation of its kind installed under the Fund for Park Avenue in its twenty-six-year history.
Oka Doner’s work can be found in collections of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Whitney Museum of American Art, Chicago Art Institute, Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum (Smithsonian), the Louvre – Paris, Victoria & Albert Museum, London, as well as in museum collections at the University of Michigan, Harvard, Princeton, Yale, and Oxford, among numerous others nationally and internationally.

 

After taking in the beauty of the installation with flowing lights shimmering against the dramatic New York City backdrop—guests made their way back inside the historic Park Avenue Armory, entering the building’s ornate Tiffany Room. There, glasses of champagne circulated as art lovers gathered around a dozen lavish seafood towers, generously provided by restaurateur Keith McNally of the celebrated Balthazar. The elegant setting offered the perfect pause to reflect on the evening and the luminous new work by Michele Oka Doner, bringing together art, conversation, and New York’s timeless cultural energy.

The project was commissioned by The Sculpture Committee of The Fund for Park Avenue, with additional support from The Lionheart Foundation, The New York Foundation for the Arts, and Barbara Tober’s Acronym Fund.

The art work: The talismans is drawn from folklore and mythic forms that hang from trees native to the area and will be visible especially after dark, when fiber-optic lights illuminate them. Over nine months, the vegetation will evolve, transforming the iconic boulevard with a poetic reflection on nature, myth, and the enduring relationship between the urban landscape and the natural world. The talismans range from five inches to a foot and a half, handcrafted out of pulp and organic materials. Placed on a raised platform, planted with bushes, foliage, and twenty-five trees native to Manhattan, sourced from Long Island and Upstate New York, with a dedicated “water nanny” to maintain them. The installation took four days to complete, involving cranes and a team of ten.

www.fundforparkavenue.org
 www.lionheart.org

 

Photos:  Diane Kronstad & Patrick McMullan

 

 

 

Valentine's Day Gift Guide 2026 For That Special Someone

Take a look in Fashions Digest Valentine’s Day Gift Guide 2026  for that special person in your life.

RENPHO x Headspace Eyeris Zen Eye Masager- Ditch the stress and recharge with the Eyeris Zen Eye Massager thats ultra-quiet, lightweight & comfortable, melting away eye strain & migraines while immersing you in calming music,  guided meditations–perfect for flights, screen marathons or unwinding at night. $129.99 includes Headspace app Shop here www.renpho.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Veronique Gabai EAU D’AZUR Parfum 85 ml- Sunlight on the French Riviera & gentle warmth of the Mediterranean—this unisex fragrance unfolds on the skin, becoming a signature scent uniquely yours as it interacts with your natural chemistry, revealing layers of elegance, subtlety & intimacy, evoking the carefree sophistication of sun-soaked coastal days and the quiet luxury of timeless beauty. Notes: Italian Lemon, Olibanum, Lavender, Guatemalan Cardamom, Paraguayan Petitgrain, Haitian Vetiver, Orange, and Amber. $290.00 shop here
veroniquegabai.com

Kuru Unisex Loft Slipper- A warm & comfy moccasin for inside/outside that molds to your feet in a cozy interior & ergonomic support that eases plantar fasciitis while keeping your feet happy all day. $149.00 in 4 shades shop here www.kurufootwear.com

 

 

 

 

 

RevitaLash RevitaBrow Advanced Brow 1.5 ml-
Exclusive, scientifically advanced formula promotes noticeable brow growth within a few weeks  while enhancing flexibility and natural shine—all without irritation.
 $60.00 shop here
www.revitalash.com

Targus 17” Voyager EXP Travel Backpack- Save on flights by traveling with this sturdy, comfortable backpack that qualifies as a personal item with no expensive carry-on fees and opens like a suitcase for easy access on long trips with features: checkpoint-friendly, expandable design (27L–30L), padded laptop sleeve with SafePort protection, 13” tablet pocket, clamshell main compartment with lockable zippers, RFID-blocking organizer with a hidden tracker pocket, ergonomic ventilated back panel with padded shoulder straps, water bottle pocket, MOLLE webbing, trolley strap & reflective accents for added visibility & versatile for what you life carries. $89.99 shop here www.us.targus.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Initio Parfums Prive Oud For Greatness Neo- For a fragrance that smells expensive with a rich blend of natural oud wood and agarwood oil that unfolds alongside exotic spices and delicate florals, including a clean, almost regal lavender note that brings out the intensity of the oud with a tiny  spritz that goes a long way lasting 6–8 hours, melting into a sensual, warm veil on the skin—irresistible, captivating & addicting. shop here www.initioparfums.com

HOTO SNAPBLOQ R-A04 Electric Mini Rotary Tool Kit- Mini rotary tool kit includes 38 accessories, Lightweight & serious versatility into a compact design that spins up to 22,000 RPM with variable speed control on long charge– perfect for engraving, sanding, polishing, drilling and carving. $99.99 shop here www.hototools.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kiyomi Bakuchiol Serum -If you have sensitive, irritated, or “angry” skin and can’t use retinol, this plant based serum is the solution as a gentle yet effective treatment for radiant, even & smoother skin without the irritation to help prevent cell damage that can lead to premature aging while reducing inflammation for a calmer, balanced complexion, and improves skin tone by soothing, protecting & minimizing the appearance of brown spots/fine lines  powered by Bakuchiol,that refines skin texture, while 5-ALA & Niacinamide supports skin renewal, visibly evens complexion & the sugar beet extracts provides lasting hydration for plump, dewy skin with ethically sourced ingredients. $49.90 shop here kiyomi-skin.com

Birdfy Feeder Pro Smart Bird Feeder with Camera & Stand- Solar-Powered Smart Birdbath Fountain to turn your backyard into a bird spa with a 2K dual-lens camera to watch every splash in crystal-clear detail & AI recognition for over 6,000 bird species you’ll know exactly who’s stopping by for a soak, powered by a 9000mAh battery & built-in solar panel that keeps running without messy cords that’s easy clean, tough enough for the outdoors & sends you real-time notifications to never miss the action, just sit back enjoy the show as birds (and their curious friends) splash, flutter, & strut like they own the place—-Backyard entertainment upgraded. $214.99 shop here www.birdfy.com 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Link2care Watch2Care Vital Smartwatch- No health guesswork or expensive walk in visits for a next-gen health interface powered by biometrics & TCM to read  your body in real time on a full touchscreen display fusing modern biometrics with ancient Chinese medicine to generate a single, intelligent health score, clear signals & Smart insights for total body awareness using advanced sensors & principles for activity tracking that translates complex Heart Rate, HRV, SpO2, Skin Temperature, Sleep & Fitness health signals into one daily score—so you know your body, where you stand & what to do next. $389.99 in various styles includes charger & case shop here www.link2care

EMUAID Barrier Repair Hydrating Face Cream 1.7 fl oz- Nutrient-rich moisturizer that keeps sensitive skin hydrated and nourished throughout the winter months with the same advanced transdermal technology as EMUAID First Aid Ointments to penetrate deeply, delivering lasting hydration & protection from within that’s Infused with postbiotics & ceramides locking in essential moisture while fortifying the skin’s natural barrier, leaving skin healthy, resilient, and comfortable. $47.00 Shop here www.emuaid.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kismile 5-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer K8126-  Enjoy delicious meals with 85% less oil  for effortless cooking, making every dish both healthier & irresistibly crunchy since designed for foolproof cooking featuring five pre-programmed modes to take the guesswork out of your favorite recipes with dual versatile, stackable, travel-ready, compact bowl design that fits perfectly into any kitchen & easy to store & the dishwasher-safe parts ensure quick, hassle-free cleanup. $109.99 shop here kismile.com

vildwerk. Presents Dancing For Our Wonderful World NY Live Arts Theatre

On December 17, Vildwerk.— a nonprofit committed to environmental advocacy through dance presented Dancing For Our Wonderful World, a four-night program at the NY Live Arts Theater in NYC that fused artistic excellence with ecological urgency. Running December 17–20, the series featured eight works spanning contemporary and classical voices, including two world premieres by Bradley Shelver and Antonia Franceschi. The program also showcased repertory by an illustrious lineup: Christopher Wheeldon, OBE; Gianna Reisen; Jacqulyn Buglisi; Annabelle Lopez Ochoa; Virginie Mécène; and Henning Rübsam—each contributing a distinct perspective to a performance that framed dance as both celebration and call to action.

The lobby housed The Ruby Initiative photo exhibition, highlighting Ruby, an endangered Burmese Roofed Turtle, and raising funds through merchandise and donations for her protection. wildwerk.betterworld.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

During the presentation, Chiara Gorodesky, founder of Vildwerk, remarked that art and nature have always gone hand in hand, adding that the opening night was sold out. The evening translated conservation into movement, using dance and the performing arts as a conduit for awareness. Each of the eight works on the program unfolded as an intellectual inquiry as much as a sensory experience. That season, vildwerk. collaborated with the World Wildlife Fund and Nature and Culture International, whose teams worked closely with the artists, grounding the choreography in real-world conversations about environmental realities. The result bridged fieldwork and footlights, asking not only what needed to be done globally, but what could be done locally—right here in Manhattan by New Yorker’s ready to move toward change.

 

 

 

Performers included former Royal Ballet principal, Edward Watson, MBE, who flew in from London to dance in ASYLUM, which Antonia Franceschi choreographed specifically for him. Other stars in the program included Mira Nadon, Megan LeCrone (former New York City Ballet), Preston Chamblee, and Craig Hall (NYCB), Isabella Boylston (American Ballet Theatre), Renan Cerdeiro (former Miami City Ballet), Benjamin Freemantle (former San Francisco Ballet), Grace Sautter (Martha Graham Dance Company), Gianna Reisen (former Los Angeles Dance Project), Bryan Testa (GALLIM), Alyssa Bulin and Peter Mazurowski (freelance), as well as members of the Buglisi Dance Theatre, and the Joffrey Concert Group.

 

 

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The night continued to sparkle in eclectic energy with an intimate dinner and VIP auction, including cocktails, delicious bites, and up-close moments with dance-world stars set the perfect scene.” Barbara Tober set the tone, with a paddle raised for $25,000 pledge in support of vildwerk. Guests jumped into the bidding, chasing experiences that mixed nature experienced with purpose—from a whale-watching getaway to private tours of the Garden State Tortoise Conservatory.

Guests included Emily Avsar, Samantha Bass, Zara Beard, Judy and Nick Bunzl, Celina Chien, Caroline Coleman, Daniel Fox, Lola Koch, David K. Israel, Jeannette and Alex Sanger, Donna Sanzone, Jerald Tenenbaum, and Désirée Von la Valette.

vildwerk. imagines a future in which the arts serve as a catalyst for environmental stewardship. By presenting evocative dance works and forging cross-disciplinary partnerships, the organization seeks to awaken awareness, ignite conversation, and galvanize communities to take meaningful action in safeguarding the planet for generations to come.

vildwerk.
219 W 19th Street
New York, NY, 10011

For more information, please visit: vildwerk.org

AAF Music for Medicine Gala Supporting the Open Medical Institute & Salzburg Weill Cornell Seinars

On December 2nd, set in a swanky New York club, the American Austrian Foundation’s Music for Medicine benefit was a sold-out evening where elegance met artistry, and philanthropy didn’t miss a beat. Guest’s generosity advanced the mission of the Open Medical Institute, equipping physicians worldwide with the skills to raise the standard of medical care in their home countries and beyond. President of AAF, Robert P. Wessely noted “The appreciation for medical expertise is under review and under attack, so we are particularly delighted that in a year when many of the resources we relied on were not available, so many of you still came forward to support this work. You have all picked up the slack, and the donations are what these programs depend on.”

 

The evening commenced with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, as guests mingled in anticipation before moving to the ballroom for a podium talk beginning with Wolfgang Aulitzky, CEO of OMI “We began the otology program in 1996 to introduce technologies that were not available to many physicians, including sinus surgery and cochlear implantation. One of the doctors came from Nigeria. He later wrote to tell us that he now leads the most active cochlear implant team in the country. In a nation of more than 240 million people, that kind of progress represents a major step forward for patients—especially children.”

 

 

 

Pablo Legorreta, AMDA Chairman, then took the podium, stating: “Through OMI’s partnership with Alianza Médica para la Salud (AMDA), a total of 5,412 doctors have benefited from seminars in Salzburg over the past ten years. Remarkably, we have also launched our own seminars in Mexico, where last year we trained more than 500 Mexican doctors, as well as 118 physicians from across Latin America.”

Guests were then treated to an intimate performance by members of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, whose masterful interpretations of Schubert and Beethoven enveloped the room, captivating the audience and lending the evening a moment of rare musical intimacy. Dinner followed, accompanied by a spirited  auction, featuring highlights such as exclusive trips to Oaxaca, Mexico, and VIP access to the forthcoming Mozart Festival in Salzburg—an unforgettable celebration of music, culture, and generosity.”

The event welcomed a distinguished group of supporters, including AAF board members Jeanne Andlinger, Mathias Bostrom, Jonathan Coleman, Margaret Crotty, William Eacho, Antonio M. Gotto, Stephen Harnik, Tom McGrath, Alexander von Perfall, Zev Rosenwaks, Peter Schlegel, Cynthia Sculco, Robert Seber, Michael Stewart, Barbara Tober, and Nancy Wolf, and guests Skylar Brandt and Vladimir Rumyantsev,Katharine Eltz-Aulitzky (Executive Director of AAF), Barbara Friedman, Chiara Gorodesky, Michael and Diane Kellen, Michele Gerber Klein, Lola Abigail Koch, William Ivey Long, Ashley von Perfall, and Samuel H. Selesnick.

The American Austrian Foundation is a nonprofit with a global mindset, focused on closing knowledge gaps by offering fellowships to talented individuals pursuing postgraduate studies in medicine, media, and the arts. What began as a bilateral exchange has grown into an international network spanning more than 130 countries. Along the way, the Foundation has partnered with American, Austrian, and global organizations to bring its programs to life.

For more information, please visit: www.americanaustrianfoundation.org

Top Trending Health & Beauty Gift Guide 2025

Take a look inside Fashions Digest Top Heath & Beauty Trending products in Holiday Gift Guide 2025 for gifts to add on your list.

INITIO PARFUMS PRIVÉS SIDE EFFECT 90 ml- Unisex Oriental fragrance crafted to linger—rich, warm, and unmistakably sensual with a long-lasting scent blended with natural notes of cinnamon, rum, saffron, sandalwood & tobacco that beckons with, smoky undertones & spicy sweetness for an addictive, sexy, opulent aroma that’s Perfect for the season. $420.00 Shop here initioparfums.com

RENPHO Red Light Therapy Face Mask- Achieve firmer, brighter, and more youthful-looking skin with long-term results at-home skincare you can take anywhere. This cordless mask delivers full-face coverage with 324 high-performance LEDs and 3 targeted light modes for a professional-grade treatment without the clinic visit powered by 630nm red light, penetrating deeper layers of skin to support cellular regeneration & encourage renewal—naturally syncing with the skin’s 28-day rejuvenation cycle. $199.99 shop here www.renpho.com

Echo Flask 12 oz- First smart hydrogen water bottle that Powers up your day by neutralizing free radicals, reducing oxidative stress and signs of aging with high hydrogen output fueling your cells for cleaner energy, sharper focus, and less fatigue, feeling refreshed by delivering the highest amount of hydrogen gas 4x faster than any other bottle in the market. Echo Flask also comes with an innovative app that can personalize a user’s hydration experience by tracking hydration goals & seamlessly integrates data with other health apps. $224.99  shop here echowater.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MCM Ultra Eau de Parfum-Fresh, warm with impressive longevity that combines feminine, sensual & subtly intoxicating notes in a versatile composition suited for a variety of settings and  refined enough for professional environments yet distinctive enough to stand out in a crowd delivering a uniquely elegant presence. Top: Fresh Pink Pepper/Mid: Addictive Tuberose/Base: Sustainably Sourced Cedarwood & Warm Golden Amber. $72.00 shop here us.mcmworldwide.com

Axholt Sharp Brain Nutrition 30 servings- Nourishes the body’s core systems and every region of the brain by strengthening the key biological pathways that support cognitive performance, by treating brain health as an interconnected ecosystem—each layer reinforcing the next, much like the tiers of a pyramid—to support enduring vitality from the ground up, building an ideal foundation for sharper thinking & longer health span with all natural ingredients  berries with polyphenols & herbs to promote calm & enhance mental clarity. $119.00 shop here axoltbrain.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Solshine Flocking Fabulous Bond Repair Hair Mask 8 fl oz- For hair that looks  thicker, healthier, smells fresh with touchable texture and all day volume. $26.60 shop here www.solshinehair.com

Avène Retrinal Intensive Multi-Corrective Cream 1 oz- see difference in skin texture, tone (less uneven spots) and see small lines fade away. Formulated with Retinaldehyde, Niacinamide. $68.00 shop here aveneusa.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cool As A Cucumber Barriersmith Lipid Treatment Cream 1.7 fl oz- Amazing relief for angry and sensitive skin that soothes irritation, repairs the barrier & deeply moisturizes with less breakouts. $88.00 shop here www.becoolasacucumber.com

The Barb Sea Salt Spray- Texturizing Sea-salt beach formula wave spray that works on all hair types for touchable soft texture that’s never stiff, sticky, or dehydrated, with a few spritzes and a quick scrunch for effortless, beach-breeze wave with no shoreline required in original or fragrance scent. $30.00 in shop here www.thebarbshop.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BELLAMARQUE Lash & Brow Growth Serum- Achieve naturally fuller, healthier lashes with this Prostaglandin-Free formula serum that offers a safer, gentler alternative to traditional lash enhancers, using nourishing ingredients for strength, shine & visible growth  from root to tip. $67.00 shop here www.bellamarquecosmetics.com

GUESS Bella Vita Paradiso Eau de Parfum 3.4 oz- Vibrant blend of floral & fruity notes that develops into a rich, creamy, warm amber base that sparks instant uplifting joy that’s perfect for daytime, leaving behind a bright, inviting impression wherever you go capturing positivity, confidence & love for life. Top:Italian Mandarin /Pear Blossom /Red Berries. Mid:Jasmine /Gardenia /Tuberose Base: Patchouli /Amber /Musk. $72.99 shop here  www.guess.com

 

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