A Night of Elegance, Diplomacy, and Revival at The Pierre’s Ambassador Summer Circle

NEW YORK, NY — June 24, 2025 — The Pierre, A Taj Hotel, one of New York’s most storied landmarks, marked a milestone moment this week as it celebrated its 95th anniversary with the Ambassador Summer Circle — an exclusive evening where diplomacy, culture, fashion, and culinary artistry converged in unforgettable style.

Recently restored to its original-day glamour, The Pierre has reawakened the memories of old New York society and delivered a clear message to the city’s distinguished residents: it’s not over — it’s back, and better than ever. Long before online dating and social media, The Pierre was a sanctuary where elegant, discerning New Yorkers gathered for afternoon tea, networking, and in some cases, the hope of meeting a future partner. It was its own refined inner circle — where women dressed to the hilt, men wore Savile Row suits, and one’s charm and polish mattered.

The evening was masterfully curated by Mr. Spiridon Sarantopoulos, General Manager of The Pierre, and Ms. Evie Evangelou, President and Founder of Fashion 4 Development (F4D). The event brought together dignitaries, diplomats, and society figures for an atmosphere rich in history and cosmopolitan elegance.

Gracing the occasion and emphasizing its mission of building bridges through culture and diplomacy, the Permanent Representatives from The Sultanate of Oman, The Czech Republic, Egypt, and others—including representatives from Morocco, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Fiji, Barbados, Panama, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Honduras—underscored the evening’s international spirit.

The hotel’s team prepared a lavish gourmet buffet that revived the culinary grandeur of New York’s finest society gatherings. Guests were treated to an extraordinary spread unseen in years: from fresh shrimps, rainbow-hued tomatoes, and souvlaki, to grilled meats and fragrant dishes evoking the Mediterranean and beyond. A standout touch of Italian tradition came courtesy of The Pierre’s Sicilian chef, whose handmade ricotta and spinach agnolotti, following an authentic Emilia-Romagna recipe, and fresh-served bufala mozzarella transported guests to the sun-drenched coasts of Amalfi and Naples.

A floral arrangement of soft lemon blossoms and pale blue flowers welcomed attendees, with their gentle fragrances mingling with the scents of artfully prepared cuisine. The ballroom itself, an Italian dreamscape, became the ideal setting for a night where history, gastronomy, and fashion intertwined.

A vibrant fashion presentation was a highlight of the evening — headlined by Ukrainian designer Julia Kisla, whose elegant, modern repertoire captivated a room deserving of such artistry. The Greek contingent, including Mr. Spiridon Sarantopoulos, Evie Evangelou, founder of Fashion-4-Development, Dr. Karen Burke and her son Johnny, added further Mediterranean warmth to the evening.

Among the society luminaries in attendance were Lisa Silhanek, longtime head of Fashion Week, and Rosemary Feitelberg from Women’s Wear Daily, the fashion industry’s essential publication. Their presence signaled the evening’s resonance within both diplomatic and fashion circles. Jude Elie, the running candidate for Haiti's President and Emma Liu, a philanthropist and former Miss China 2006, were also there.

The ever-sociable Topper Quinn, though not Greek by lineage, proved a fixture of the Mediterranean social scene — a familiar face aboard Greek ships throughout the season, ever at ease navigating between New York’s elite gatherings and the azure waters of the Aegean.

PC: Emanuel Sosa

Adding to the excitement, a surprise visit by Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe of European royalty still floating between New York, Cannes, and Monaco reminded attendees of The Pierre’s enduring position as a gathering place for sovereigns, actors, and statesmen.

As one guest remarked, “What a night… what a dream come true… the most refined and elegant hotel in New York, where Jacqueline Onassis, sovereigns, and silver screen legends once walked into its luminous ballrooms.”

The evening concluded as elegantly as it began — a lemon blossom and soft blue floral embrace, exquisite gastronomy, and the promise of Fashion 4 Development’s upcoming First Ladies Luncheon, which will soon grace this rarified space once again.

The Ambassador Summer Circle at The Pierre served not only as a testament to timeless hospitality but as a vivid reminder that New York’s grand traditions of elegance, diplomacy, and international friendship are alive, thriving, and more dazzling than ever.

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