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Last night, President Obama dined in New York’s Upper East Side; a few short blocks away, Harry and Laura Slatkin and Tommy and Dee Hilfiger toasted newly-minted Architectural Digest editor in chief, Amy Astley. The latter event was held at the Slatkins’ Neo-Renaissance-style home, and suffice it to say, the setting made for an occasion that was just as stately. “It’s filled with scented candles and my wife’s finesse,” Harry Slatkin said of the seven-story address he’s shared with wife Laura for more than ten years. As for the hostess, she seemed to be channeling Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in her Valentino attire. “When you talk about fashion, it’s important that you think about your home the same way,” she said. “Homes should always be filled with a beautiful fragrance that is very inviting, and decorated in the same way that you would put on a great pair of shoes or a purse to accentuate your outfit.”
The founder of Nest Fragrances demonstrated her nose for entertaining in everything from the hors d oeuvres of her own recipes (caviar dip and truffled grilled cheese sandwiches), to the strategically placed candles lining the foyer; an enticing aroma of English apricot, black tea leaves, and a hint of amber greeted guests upon arrival which included Kenneth Cole, Lauren duPont, Aerin Lauder, and Claiborne Swanson Frank. “Citrus scents are very invigorating and create a happy mood that’s perfect for entraining large groups,” Laura said. Even Astley couldn’t help but comment: “This house smells so good!”
The guest of honor was furthermore delighted at the support from her close friends and colleagues in attendance. “I said, ‘Are you sure you want to do it during Fashion Week?’ I’m really touched that so many people went out of their way during such a time.” Dressed in a colorful Vita Kin design, Astley revealed she has also been busy making the rounds at the Spring 2017 shows. “I’m interested in it from a house perspective, too,” she said. “I think fashion designers have amazing tastes and aesthetics.” With her first Architectural Digest September issue featuring Marc Jacobs’s home on the cover, Astley noted the move is just the latest in a long line of intersections between style and design. In fact, early in her career she worked as an associate editor at House Garden. “To me, fashion and homes go together,” she said. “Fragrance, food, tables, homes, fashion—it’s all about presentation. It’s all a pleasure in life.”
