British people have a name for their royal family that grasps at its weird status as both a family and a money-making enterprise. They call it ‘The Firm.” The U.S. has dispensed with the monarchy, but it still has The Firm. They’re known as the Kardashians. The Kardashians live lives of fairy-tale glamor and opulence, their influence powered not by a factory or an investment portfolio, but by making the most fascinating version of themselves. And they work hard at it.
Unlike the monarchy, the Kardashians are at liberty to market their name and have done so liberally. The most successful of these name-trepreneurs is Kim, the middle daughter. She has created many brands, but it is her shapewear line, Skims that has really caught fire. It took in $500 million in revenues last year, according to CEO Jens Grede, and sales were up 86% year over year in April, at a time when the sector was down generally. Founded in 2019, it was valued early last year at $3.2 billion. (That’s $2 billion higher than iconic shapewear brand Spanx ever rose.)
In this interview, Kardashian, who is on her first ever TIME cover this week representing Skims as one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential Companies of 2023, discusses the role she plays at Skims, and how the brand has changed the way people see her, and how it led to her founding her own private equity fund late last year.
Tell me a little bit about what a day at Skims looks like for you?
I’ll get up, I’ll work out, I’ll take my kids to school and then I’ll come straight here to my office and have Skims meetings about what our next campaigns will look like and what our next commercial will look like and photographers and directors that I want to work with and who I think will be good for what campaign. Then I’ll have a full fit meeting that will take maybe an hour to two hours. And I’ll have a fit model to see it on a different body type. I always like to see it on myself. I know how I like things to feel. There’s never been a product that I haven’t seen and approved. Maybe one time, when there was a supply chain issue, where I said ‘O.K. we need this product. Let’s do it in a ribbed material.’ I don’t happen to be the biggest fan of ribs and now it’s our best-selling fabric. So of course, I’ll keep it but that was surprising to me.
Did you notice a tipping point, where you thought, ‘Oh, this is going to be so much bigger than my other businesses?’
Obviously you dream big and you have big hopes but this definitely exceeded everything that I ever imagined especially starting as primarily a shapewear brand. I’m also the kind of person where I never get too excited, but there are those moments. I remember I walked into some Hollywood party and there were a lot of well-known people and one of the girls, an actress, she literally yelled ‘Skims!’ as soon as I walked in the room, and someone just lifted her top and goes, ‘I’m wearing a Skims!’ I don’t know if it’s called imposter syndrome or whatever, I still always feel that, but I think it’s part of what keeps me going. I never dreamed that this would be my life.
Do you think Skims’ success has changed the way people see you?
I do. I think at the beginning when I didn’t really understand where my path or my career was going because I was just kind of winging it, I would do licensing deals with a lot of different companies that would contradict themselves, like a cupcake brand with a weight loss pill at the same time. I wanted to eat that cupcake, but I also wanted to lose weight. I think people maybe have appreciated or seen growth and an evolution. And I think that people can see the work in it.
Beauty standards have expanded, but let’s not pretend they don’t exist. You’re the model for many of your campaigns. Do you worry about aging?
I understand that maybe in my 50s I’m not going to be wanting to pose in my underwear and do campaigns all the time. Some days I feel confident, some days I don’t. I am mindful of that. Having a sustainable brand was always the goal. I love being a part of the campaigns, but I am very realistic that it’s not sustainable forever to be in every single one of them. I mean, I hope we all give ourselves as much grace as possible. We’ll do anything we can to look as young as we can. We’re not going to go out not trying, but I am realistic that there will be a time when I might do certain campaigns that are pajamas and robes and more covered up.
Skims was launched in 2019. In 2021, it was valued at $1.6 billion, and then nine months later at $3.2 billion. Is that kind of success important to you?
I do think it’s important when people want to invest. It validates that people believe that you will be successful, and they will invest themselves to help grow the business. I’ve learned so much about that space. Especially having started my private equity fund and learning about the companies that they invest in and what it really takes to grow a business.
Tell me a bit about SKKY Partners; what sort of companies are you hoping to invest in?
Anything from consumer brands to even [the] food and beverage space; anything from fashion and retail to beauty and haircare. We have a really good team; my partners did the investments in brands like Supreme and Beats by Dre and were able to build them up and sell them and there’s something really culturally relevant about those. In order to ultimately make an investment, we have to feel we really believe in the culture behind what the brand is. I’ve been on both ends; I’ve been on the side where I’ve had investments that have been great relationships, and I’ve had investments that maybe a partner didn’t really understand the DNA of what I was about. I’ve just done so many licensing deals and deals that just haven’t worked out. And I feel like I can really support them on the other end to really be a founder’s investor. I think we have a different perspective and a different advantage that people are really recognizing in this space.
Do you think that without Skims you would have been able to start a private equity fund?
I don’t think I would have had the curiosity and the information to understand what a real good investor brings to the table. I’m close with ours, and I have a lot of friends in the business now and I’ve learned a lot and I don’t think I would have understood it enough. Skims has taught me everything.
You’ve had so much success. What do you still feel like you will have left to prove? Why are you still working so hard?
I think I’m just a curious person. And I just like to learn. There are times when I get a bit overwhelmed, which is really rare. And I will take a minute and just say ‘Can we clear my schedule for a day? I just need to be with my babies, and I just need to take it all in.’ I am getting to a place where I feel like there’s nothing more precious than time. I think sometimes people don’t realize how important time is and live their life as if it’s endless. I think I’ve realized that for a really long time because of my dad passing when I was 22. I do have limits and it’s not that I feel like I need to prove anything. It’s that I just genuinely like trying new things and seeing what I like and don’t like and sometimes I like to do things that are just uncomfortable. I think sometimes you need a little kick in that way to see what you’re really made of.
On a recent flight to Chicago, Allison Levy said she was “white-knuckling” the armrest as the plane rumbled and shook for brief periods of time.
Ms. Levy, 47, who lives in Arlington, Va., started to take deep breaths and tried to reassure herself: “It’s like a bumpy road — it’s not a big deal.”
But, she added, “if I knew the person next to me, I’d definitely grip their thigh.”
Airplane turbulence, which is usually caused by large changes in airflow in the Earth’s upper atmosphere, is generally a minor nuisance.
But this year alone, there have been multipleinstances of severe turbulence on flights that have led to dozens of passenger injuries. And scientists have warned that we may have bumpier flights in the years ahead because of elevated carbon dioxide emissions that are warming the atmosphere, which can alter the speed and direction of the wind.
This is unwelcome news for everyone, especially those of us who are already scared of flying, like Ms. Levy.
Here are several ways to help calm your nerves if you’re eager to travel but dreading potential turbulence.
Put things in perspective.
Turbulence is not usually a cause for concern. It’s far more common to encounter low to moderate turbulence than the severe kind that throws heavy drink carts into the air.
“While pilots can ease most turbulence, it is still unavoidable or unexpected for some flights, but planes are designed to safely withstand the impacts,” the Air Line Pilots Association, a prominent pilots’ union, said in a statement.
It may also help to know that, according to a 2020 study, it has never been safer to travel on a commercial airline.
Passenger injuries from turbulence are rare. In the 13 years spanning 2009 to 2022, for example, a total of 34 passengers were seriously injured because of turbulence, according to data from the Federal Aviation Administration. And the last turbulence-related death on a major airline happened more than 25 years ago, the National Transportation Safety Board said in a 2021 report.
Traveling by plane is much safer than traveling by car: The odds of dying during a commercial flight in the United States are too small to calculate, according to the National Safety Council. Meanwhile, the chances of dying in a motor vehicle crash are 1 in 93, the nonprofit advocacy group says.
Skip the alcohol.
It might be tempting to reach for an alcoholic beverage in the hopes of calming your nerves, but “remember that what you eat and drink impacts your anxiety and how you are feeling,” said Dr. Uma Naidoo, the director of nutritional and metabolic psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital and the author of “This Is Your Brain on Food.”
Too much alcohol is dehydrating and can also produce feelings of nausea. That’s a bad combination with turbulence, which can leave passengers queasy, too.
“Staying hydrated, perhaps skipping the coffee or wine on the plane, can help create a sense of calm,” Dr. Naidoo said.
Try deep breathing.
If turbulence (or the mere thought of it) makes your heart race, taking steps to control your breathing can be a simple and powerful way to help soothe your body, Dr. Naidoo said. One example is 4-4-8 breathing: Take a breath in for four counts, hold your breath for four counts and then exhale for eight counts. Repeat.
“With practice, they can become a normal part of your response to stress and anxiety,” Dr. Naidoo said.
Consider therapy.
Some travelers might find it helpful to try exposure therapy, which involves gradually facing specific fears and anxieties until they feel less frightening.
Brenda K. Wiederhold, a psychologist in San Diego, regularly sees patients who have an intense fear of flying. For more than two decades, she has used both real-life scenarios and virtual reality to help expose patients to various scenarios like airplane turbulence.
Turbulence is akin to rolling waves, she tells her clients. “You don’t think, Oh my goodness, this boat is going to crash!” she said. Instead, you think: There are waves today.
Other patients, including some with anxiety disorders, may benefit from medication like Xanax, but such a drug should be taken only under supervision of a doctor.
Buckle that seatbelt.
Strong turbulence can sometimes appear without warning, a phenomenon known as clear air turbulence. The Federal Aviation Administration advises passengers to wear their seatbelt at all times, not just when the seatbelt light is on, and to secure children under the age of 2 in an F.A.A.-approved car seat or restraint device to reduce the possibility of injuries during unexpected turbulence.
“The biggest danger is not being secured,” said Kristie Koerbel, who has worked as a flight attendant for 21 years. “If you are seated with your seatbelt fastened, there is no reason to fear turbulence.”
Plan ahead.
Where you sit can make a difference. Passengers in window seats are less likely to be struck by any projectile objects, suitcases falling out of overhead bins or ceiling tiles coming down, said Sara Nelson, the president of the largest flight attendant union. In addition, seats near the front and next to the wing will typically be less bumpy compared to the back of the aircraft. In severe turbulence, though, where you’re sitting won’t make a difference, Ms. Nelson said.
Think about what calms you in general and try to do some of those activities on the flight. For her trip to Chicago, Ms. Levy brought a sketchbook for doodling, her favorite music and some crossword puzzles. She also spoke to her doctor about taking a low dose of Xanax (though she isn’t convinced that it helped).
Finally, keep an eye on the weather. Thunderstorms typically develop in the warmer months of spring, summer and fall, according to the National Weather Service, and can create turbulence. If you have the flexibility to postpone your flight, you might try for a day with clearer skies in the hopes of a smoother ride.
And remember, “the plane is not going to take off if it’s not safe,” Ms. Nelson said.
Each day 700,000 cars, taxis and trucks pour into Lower Manhattan, one of the busiest areas in the world with some of the worst gridlock in the United States.
Vehicles sit in traffic while exiting the Williamsburg Bridge on May 10, 2023 in New York City. CNN — Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock
President Joe Biden’s administration is set to allow New York City to move forward with a landmark program that will toll vehicles entering Lower Manhattan, after a public review period ends Monday.
In practice it works like any other toll, but because it specifically charges people to drive in the traffic-choked area below 60th street in Manhattan, it would be the first program of its kind in the United States.
Proposals range from charging vehicles $9 to $23 during peak hours, and it’s set to go into effect next spring.
The plan had been delayed for years, but it cleared a milestone last month when the Federal Highway Administration signed off on the release of an environmental assessment. The public has until Monday to review the report, and the federal government is widely expected to approve it shortly after.
From there, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) can finalize toll rates, as well as discounts and exemptions for certain drivers.
New York City is still clawing out of from the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Congestion pricing advocates say it’s a crucial piece of the city’s recovery and a way to re-imagine the city for the future.
“This program is critical to New York City’s long-term success,” New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said last month.
The plan would also mark the culmination of more than a half-century of efforts to implement congestion pricing in New York City. Despite support from several New York City mayors and state governors, car and truck owners in outer boroughs and the suburbs helped defeat proposals.
In 2007 Mayor Michael Bloomberg called congestion “the elephant in the room” when proposing a toll program, which state lawmakers killed. A decade later, Gov. Andrew Cuomo — who had long resisted congestion pricing — said it was “an idea whose time has come” and declared a subway state of emergency after increased delays and a derailmentthat injured dozens. Two years later, the state gave the MTA approval to design a congestion pricing program.
Ultimately, it was the need to improve New York City’s public transit that became the rallying cry for congestion pricing.
Worst gridlock in United States
Each day 700,000 cars, taxis and trucks pour into Lower Manhattan, one of the busiest areas in the world with some of the worst gridlock in the United States.
Car travel at just 7.1 mph on average in the congestion price zone, and it’s a downward trend. Public bus speeds have also declined 28% since 2010. New Yorkers lose 117 hours on average each year sitting in traffic, costing them nearly $2,000 in lost productivity and other costs, according to one estimate.
The toll is designed to reduce the number of vehicles entering the congestion zone by at least 10% every day and slash the number of miles cars travel within the zone by 5%.
Congestion comes with physical and societal costs, too: more accidents, carbon emissions and pollution happen as belching, honking cars take up space that could be optimized for pedestrians and outdoor dining.
Proponents also note it will improve public transit, an essential part of New York life. About 75% of trips downtown are via public transit.
But public-transit ridership is 35% to 45% lower compared to pre-pandemic levels. The MTA says congestion fees will generate a critical source of revenue to fund $15 billion in future investments to modernize the city’s 100-year-old public transit system.
Yuki Iwamura/Bloomberg/Getty Images
Congestion pricing is designed to improve New York City’s subways and buses, which have struggled to recover since the pandemic.
The improvements, like new subway cars and electric signals, are crucial to draw new riders and improve speed and accessibility — especially for low-income and minority residents, who are least likely to own cars, say plan advocates.
New York City is “dependent on public transit,” said Kate Slevin, the executive vice president of the Regional Plan Association, an urban planning and policy group. “We’re relying on that revenue to pay for needed upgrades and investments that ensure reliable, good transit service.”
Improving public transportation is also key to New York City’s post-pandemic economic recovery:If commutes to work are too unreliable, people are less likely to visit the office and shop at stores around their workplaces. Congestion charge advocates hope the program will create more space for amenities like wider sidewalks, bike lanes, plazas, benches, trees and public bathrooms.
“100 years ago we decided the automobile was the way to go, so we narrowed sidewalks and built highways,” said Sam Schwartz, former New York City traffic commissioner and founder of an eponymous consulting firm. “But the future of New York City is that the pedestrian should be king and queen. Everything should be subservient to the pedestrian.”
Benefits, critiques and mitigation measures
While no other US city has yet implemented congestion pricing, Stockholm, London and Singapore have had it for years.
These cities have reported benefits like decreased carbon dioxide pollution, higher average speeds, and congestion reduction.
Just one year after London added its charge in 2003, traffic congestion dropped by 30% and average speeds increased by the same percentage. In Stockholm, one study found the rate of children’s acute asthma visits to the doctor fell by about 50% compared to rates before the program launched in 2007.
Some groups are fiercely opposed to congestion charges in New York City, however. Taxi and ride-share drivers, largely a low-income and immigrant workforce, fear it will hurt drivers already struggling to make ends meet. The MTA said congestion pricing could reduce demand for taxis by up to 17% in the zone.
Commuters and legislators from New York City’s outer boroughs and New Jersey say the program hurts drivers who have no viable way to reach downtown Manhattan other than by car, and that this would disproportionately impact low-income drivers. (But out of a region of 28 million people, just an estimated 16,100 low-income people commute to work via car in Lower Manhattan, according to the MTA.)
Other critics say it could divert more traffic and pollution from diesel trucks in Manhattan into lower-income areas like the Bronx, which has the highest rates of asthma hospitalization in the city.
The MTA and other agencies have plans to mitigate many of these adverse effects, however.
Taxis and for-hire vehicles will be tolled only once a day. Drivers who make less than $50,000 a year or are enrolled in certain government aid programs will get 25% discounts after their first 10 trips every month. Trucks and other vehicles will get 50% discounts during overnight hours.
Additionally, the MTA pledged $10 million to install air filtration units in schools near highways, $20 million for a program to fight asthma, and other investments to improve air quality and the enviornment in areas where more traffic could be diverted.
The stakes of New York City’s program are high, and leaders in other cities are watching the results closely.
If successful, congestion pricing could be a model for other US cities, which are trying to recover from the pandemic and face similar challenges of climate change and aging public infrastructure.
“It’s good to see New York City’s program is moving forward,” said the Los Angeles Times Editorial Board last month. “Los Angeles should watch, learn and go next.”
This is the second time I am writing about Pastis, the New York City Parisian-style brasserie which got its fame in the Meatpacking District. Thank you very much Sex in the City for all the scenes that you filmed at the restaurant. The owners, Keith McNally and Stephen Starr, have now taken their signature “je ne sais quoi” vibe that they created over the years and brought it to the Wynwood district of Miami.
Eliot (husband) and I dined there last night with our neighbor Maurice Zarmati, a long-time top executive with Carnival Cruise Lines. He certainly knows the hospitality business better than most. He made friends with all the important staff members so we can easily get reservations on busy nights.
From the minute we walked in, to the minute we left, we felt like we were experiencing the high life. The service was impeccable. They also must have spent a fortune on the decor because you absolutely feel like you are in a very upscale Parisian bistro. The white tiles paired with rich wood tones give you a feeling of total elegance. The curb appeal is the brick archway that leads into a garden area where patrons can opt to dine outdoors. Equipped with its own sizable bar area, the garden area is better for spotting the new arrivals.
The snazzy restaurant was obviously designed for people watching because the restaurant is totally open to the garden area. It’s very exciting to see who arrives next. Last night was filled with fashionistas who forgot to cover certain areas of their bodies. Maurice, who is single, was certainly creating a little stir for himself. It’s amazing how the unattached can spot others who supposedly are available. Eliot was doing his fair share of looking. The women last night looked like runway models.
Now let’s get to the food. Maurice and I had Dover Sole à la Meunière and Eliot had Duck. Maurice started off with Crispy Artichokes, Eliot had Escargots and I had Oysters. We also pigged out on desserts. The men had Creme Brulee and I had Profiteroles.
I dare to say that Pastis has that New York special “something in the air” that most restaurants in Miami are missing. I’m not complaining. The restaurants here are wonderful but when something shines you just have to spotlight it.
Ooh la la!
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We finally got to experience Alex Nuñez’s award winning, brilliant and unique installation which uses canvas like you have never seen before. We were fully submersed in the scale of her work (16’ x 65’) which is currently being displayed at Fountainhead Studio. Alex, me, Eliot, Danielle Nuñez.
The canvas is covered with 50 lbs of double sided mirrors and iridescent confetti, which shift according to the audience’s path. The sense of equilibrioception is activated navigating this space of undulating canvas.
Fans are placed beneath this large canvas to create a kinetic sculptural painting. This unique combination allows the work to be seen in constant motion, altering space and distorting areas of vision. The large scale, hypnotic motion and sound of the work transform the painting into a living character. The fans mimic a rapid, mechanical breath, pulsating life into a vivid array of line and color.
Alex received the C12 Emerging Artist Fellowship Award from Hunter College’s MFA in Studio Art program.
Love being in the middle of art.
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After having fun at the art installations, Alex Nuñez and Danielle Nunez took us to the Soho House in Edgewater/Wynwood. What a great escape. We laughed and compared life notes for hours. Thank you gals for sharing your membership.
Not only does Miami have great weather, the best beaches, plenty of sunshine, outstanding restaurants and an exciting nightlife, it now has City Life Guru.
The new digital publication is like no other. Co-founders, Alison Davis and Michelle Roth Maloy, have created a new type of newsletter that provides hidden gems all over Miami that most of the mainstream publications will never talk about.
While City Life Guru may occasionally cover the typical glitz and glamour of Miami, the newsletter is going to provide a platform where local experts recommend specialty restaurants, pop-up exhibits, boutique clothing shops, native theater productions, unique marketplaces, and home furnishings from all over the world.
Miami has needed a publication like this for a long time. It’s a city that embraces a multicultural population. People who live in Miami, or tourists who visit here, are usually curious, sophisticated world travelers who enjoy different cultures, ethnic food and diverse social practices.
Here are some of the areas that most folks know very little about:
Allapattah—Diverse Latin neighborhood
Aventura—World class shopping
Bal Harbour—Luxury open air mall and fancy restaurants.
Coconut Grove—Historic hamlet filled with jungle/lush landscaping and bayfront and sidewalk cafes.
Coral Gables—Mediterranean architecture, luxury suburban life.
Doral—World class golf courses and parks.
Downtown Miami/Brickell —Industry and entertainment meet city life.
Everglades Area—Hiking, biking, camping, canoeing, and airboats. Explore the wetlands.
Hialeah—Hispanic culture and fun and games.
Historic Overtown—A Black heritage with rich history.
Key Biscayne—Sandy beaches, nature preserves, and outdoor restaurants.
Little Haiti—Lively arts and culture to Creole flavors.
Little Havana —The heart of Miami’s Cuban diaspora.
Miami Beach: Mid Beach—Enjoy South Beach cool and North Beach calm.
Miami Beach: North Beach—The relaxed Miami Beach neighborhood from 60th streetto Surfside.
Miami Beach: South Beach—Life of the rich and famous. Very seasonal. Fancy restaurants.
Miami Design District—The luxurious destination for fashion, art, architecture, and five dining.
Miami Gardens —International food and quiet parks
North Miami Beach Area—Home to 44,000 multicultural residents celebrating inclusivity, creativity, and innovation.
South Dade—Farmland, exotic fruit stands, and the unique ecosystems of two national parks.
Sunny Isles Beach—Quiet beaches, family activities, romantic hotels.
Surfside —Lavish resorts, Jewish comfort food, Sandy white beaches.
Wynwood —Home to art galleries, retail stores, antique shops, eclectic bars, artisanal eateries and street art.
One of the recent “finds” that Alison and Michelle just uncovered in Little River is a vegetarian restaurant that offers healthy, clean, homemade style food that you can purchase by the pound. Maria Laura Alemann, along with her husband, opened Plantisserie in order to introduce Miamians to all of her new dishes. She “veganized” all of her childhood favorite recipes: curries,lasagnas, stuffed eggplants, empanadas and even pizzas.
Plantisserie is located at:
7316 NE 2ND AVE Little River Miami, Fl 33138
The restaurant now has a cult-like following among non-vegetarians and vegans alike. One of the secrets is that Maria hires actual grandmothers to cook traditional recipes. I personally think that’s brilliant. Everyone appreciates a home cooked meal even if it’s done remotely.
Alison and Michelle have a knack for gallivanting around to find new things and places for all of us. They have been doing it for years. They met in their 20s. Alison said, “Michelle’s dad is from Argentina and her mom is from Brooklyn. My mother is from Argentina and my father is from Maine. We had a lot in common when we met in Buenos Aires. I was working in advertising. She had an internship with a law firm. We quickly became great friends. She moved in with me for a year and a half. We traveled around Buenos Aires and discovered it was very multicultural. We both loved the differentneighborhoods. There was so much to do. We loved exploring together.”
Every weekend they went to markets, galleries, restaurants, and bars uncovering unique places. Michelle returned to her hometown of Miami a few years later and continued her law career becoming an Assistant State Attorney and then a defense attorney. Alison’s advertising career took her to New York, Singapore, Indonesia and eventually to Miami
Alison added, “We are both married now. Michelle has children. We still find plenty of time to enjoy Miami together the way we did in Buenos Aires”.
Michelle lives in Miami’s Bay Harbor. She actually grew up in Miami Beach. Alison lives in Williams Island. She also lived in Morningside for several years and before that across from the Standard Hotel in Miami Beach. They are both well acquainted with Miami.
The women point out that unlike most other cities many Miami residents are grateful that both English and Spanish are spoken here. “The Cubans and the South Americans love living in Miami and they want to stay here forever,” added Alison. “They are just nostalgic about their native tongue. They make every effort to speak English but they don’t to forget the Spanish language. Many Americans who live in Miami speak enough Spanish to communicate with their new friends and neighbors.”
One of the most valuable elements of City Life Guru are the city guides that allow you to walk through the different areas of Miami and know exactly where you are going. Alison explained “We want people to take our guides and walk through the streets and discover things on their own. We just finished Little Haiti. It’s such a fantastic neighborhood. The area has the most unique places plus incredible galleries and restaurants. Look for the Caribbean marketplace on Saturdays. It’s incredible.”
Alison and Michelle invite everyone who are interested in Miami to go to their website and sign up for the newsletter.www.citylifeguru.com.
Alison and Michelle will shortly be launching a major advertising and marketing campaign for their new venture. It should be the talk of the town.
Meet Susan Sall Warner. I have been an advisor and publicist on her upcoming book, “Never Say Never, Never Say Always,” for a year and a half.
The podcast that we just did together, number 26, explains how important her Scottish Terrier, Winston, is in her life, especially when she was deep in grief.
Winston has constantly been at Susan Warner’s side since her son David, and then her husband Michael, died six years ago. Everyone who owns a dog knows the irreplaceable comfort that a dog brings on a daily basis. When crises strikes, their companionship is irreplaceable. Pets represent normalcy, consistency, devotion, tender love, no judgement, and loyalty.
Susan’s upcoming book, “Never Say Never, Never Say Always,” will devote a chapter to Winston because he holds a very special place in her life and recovery. He could probably tell us secrets about Susan no one knows. Winston is a major part of Susan’s return to normalcy and a major part of her heart. Everyone who meets Winston knows he deserves so much credit.
I received the text below from my friend. We were on the same art tour in Buenos Aires. That’s where she bought the painting from one of the most popular artists in Argentina. When you know the artist and the history behind the painting, you absolutely adore it.
(We have been inside the Dakota several times). We were lucky to have had several clients who lived there. We never toured Lauren Bacall’s apartment. The minute I saw this story, I knew I had to share it with you.—LWH)
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Lauren Bacall was more than just an actress and singer; she defined an era with her timeless style. Her distinctive voice and sultry looks placed her in the top 20 of the greatest female stars in Classic Hollywood Cinema.

While the name may not ring a bell to some, her films such as The Big Sleep, To Have and Have Not, as well as Key Largo are classics, and her romance with fellow acting legend Humphrey Bogart has gone down in the history books. During her career, she won several prestigious awards: a Golden Globe, Tony, as well as several Academy Award nominations. She was a legend in her own right, and her multi-million dollar home where she spent decades of her life is more than worth a look into.
The Most Coveted Real Estate in New York City
It’s no secret that some of the most expensive and luxurious apartments in New York City are the ones directly across from Central Park. And it’s not surprising that with all the success she experienced in her life, Lauren Bacall had the financial ability to own one of them – one worth $26 million. For 53 years until her death in 2014 at age 89, she lived in the Dakota Building on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. After her death, people got to glimpse inside her apartment for the first time when it was put on the market before all of her possessions were sold at auction.

The $26 million price tag certainly has something to do with the history of the Dakota Building, which has been home to many well-known figures and much history. Not to mention, her apartment was more like a standalone home thanks to its nine rooms.
Nine Rooms
Some may say that having a place with nine rooms shouldn’t be counted as an apartment, and it shouldn’t. At 4000 square feet, Bacall’s place was so huge that it is one of the most historic and famous properties in all of New York City’s history. If you take a look at just the master bedroom, you’ll see that it is a staggering 22 feet wide with doors that open into a study room, and its own bathroom and walk-in closet.
NYT
As for the rest of the apartment, you’ll find a huge balcony overlooking the iconic Central Park. As for the kitchen, it wasn’t some hole in the wall with minimal space. Nor was it shoved into a corner of the living room. Bacall’s kitchen was huge and opened up into the 24-foot by 19-foot dining room that was linked to the family room. But that’s not all. This place included a guest bedroom, a gallery, and a library – everything you could ever want or need in a home all inside an apartment.
The Dining Room
Being rich and famous gives you the ability to buy whatever you want. For Bacall, she was in love with French-inspired designs. Many of her furnishings were of French design based on the Louis XIII style.
As for Bacall’s dining room, she managed to bring her love of French design into perfect harmony. The color pallet she used was nearly flawless with its deep blues in the rug highlighted by the rustic reds that can be seen in the wall hanging. Incredibly though, the wall decor is the highlight of the whole room. The poster created by Jules Cheret actually sold for $7,000 and is called The Belle Epoque.
French Posters and Fine China in the Dining Room
The Belle Epoque poster isn’t the only decor on the walls in Bacall’s lavish formal dining room. There were several hanging around the room that showcased her love for French design. Although these posters were beautiful and fabulous, Bacall’s style paired the French with collectible china that she placed under the stylish posters.

This corner of Bacall’s formal dining showed just how much of a collector she was. Instead of using the fine china for dinners, she proudly displayed them. But it wasn’t just plates that she admired – she lavished the room with pristine lamps and other art pieces that rested on nearly every piece of furniture.
Bacall’s Unique George III Dresser
Despite the fact that Bacall favored the French style, she also collected pieces from all around the world and different times. She had a beautiful George III oak Welsh dresser that held some of her china collection that dated back to the late 18th century.

While the Welsh dresser was in fact from England, it was designed to mimic French style. The dresser was made from oak which was unique for furniture during that time period. Typically, furniture was created from mahogany or sometimes satinwood or giltwood, but very rarely oak, which is why this piece sold for a whopping $6,875.
The Pretty Pink Master Bedroom
Just like the rest of Bacall’s home, her bedroom features prized collections and various artwork. You’ll find behind her bed one of the many gallery walls that she has decorated with her best collection. But the artwork that is on the walls isn’t what makes this bedroom so stunning: it is the unobstructed view of Central Park.

What also makes this bedroom stand out among the other rooms of this lavish apartment is the color scheme. Throughout the rest of the house, Bacall chose blue, white, brown, and rustic red, however, with her bedroom, she used softer tones of lavender and pink which are not found anywhere else in the rest of her home.
The Master Suite
One thing is certain: Bacall loves to fill every available space in her home with antique furniture, collectibles, and fine art. Unlike some places that appear to be crowded with collectibles, Bacall made it cozy. Take the master suite for example, where the working fireplace is adorned by metal plates and figurines that she collected over the years is highlighted by a very modern lounge.

Surprisingly the lounge does not throw the scheme of the room off but ties everything together quite nicely. But what good is a lounge without books? Here you will find a large bookshelf filled with knickknacks, and her favorite books.
Gallery Walls in the Master Suite
While the fireplace is the perfect spot for Bacall to feature her candlesticks and decorative metal plates, you’ll also find yet another gallery wall. Here she has featured portraits of ships as well as floral designs with the splash of accent colors.
One of the main reasons why this apartment can feature so much fine art is the fact that the walls are 13 feet high. This of course gives an art collector all the space they need to showcase the work that they have.
Yellow Walls in the Guest Bedroom
When it comes to the guest bedroom, you won’t find the typical color scheme. Here Bacall decided to use bright and cheerful colors. The yellow walls and the highlighted blues allow this room to have a whimsical feel. Once again you will find expensive art hanging on the walls. The painting behind the bed which depicts a woman holding a basket of fruit was created by Andres Segovia from Spain back in the 1920s and was sold at auction for $18,750.

Although the walls are a cheerful shade of yellow in this guest bedroom, the blue bedspread and rug just so happen to match her living room couches and walls. The unique tiered shelving piece that rests in the room’s right corner definitely adds an interesting touch to the overall look and feel of this room.
The Blue Living Room
It’s very clear that Bacall was known for her style, and despite the living room being quite formal, she managed to pull off a refreshing color scheme with her choice of baby blues alongside robin’s egg blue. Due to the choice of colors, the room is not stuffy or dreary but in fact works wonderfully with the natural light.

Here you will find the soft blues really tie into her collection of statues and knickknacks. The actress who liked to collect things from all around the world has placed Indian-inspired elephant statues alongside a rustic table that features crane and the camel.
The Baby Grand Piano
When you have the money to burn why wouldn’t you get yourself a baby grand piano? Although Bacall was known for her musical skills, it’s clear that she didn’t play much in her older years. The baby grand piano works more as a tabletop that showcases family photos.
This particular piano was created by Mason and Hamlin which was a New England-based piano company founded back in 1854. Due to Bacall’s status, her piano sold for $6,875 which is just above the starting price for a new piano. We can only imagine how difficult it was to get that into the apartment or out of it.
One of the things that makes this apartment so unique is the five working fireplaces scattered about the apartment. Many apartments in New York do not have such lavish comfort. Add to that, each of the fireplace mantles offers detailed ornate carvings.

Here in the sitting room, Bacall gives a nod to the overall theme of wildlife that is showcased in many of her other rooms. And while the couches are not your average grandma couches, they are quite comfy. Many will say that trying to pull off patterned couches is hard to do these sofas not only ground the room but the white actually offset the dark wood of her coffee table as well as the fireplace.
French Style Mirrors
Bacall’s apartment offered a stunning nine-room living space. This allowed her the freedom to obtain as much antique furniture and art as her heart desired. In the sitting room, you’ll find an ornate French-style mirror that highlights and expands the Regence Provincial Walnut Commonde. This piece of furniture is estimated to have been created in the mid-18th century and sold at the auction for $3,750.
Another stunning feature is the secretary desk that was also crafted in Bacall’s beloved French Style. The walnut Louis XV provincial bureau, which was also created around the 18th century, sold for a whopping $5,000. Both pieces of furniture that Bacall had tied in with the hardwood flooring making them a lovely addition to this room.
There is no doubt about it, Bacall loved her art. She moved into the Dakota at the age of 36 and remained there until she was 89, during which she had plenty of time to decorate the lavish apartment and build her astounding collection. Some will even go so far as to say that Bacall’s apartment was more of a museum than a home.
You’ll find that nearly every inch of the walls within her home was covered by framed artwork. Some pieces were a pretty penny and somewhere just works that the actress admired. Although, not all of her pictures were pricy paintings, many of them were photographs and posters.
The Pelican Painting
It’s not surprising that the collection Bacall had was priced more than her furniture. The painting Bacall owned from painter James Audubon of an American White Pelican sold at the auction for $173,000.

James Audubon was more than just a painter though, he was an ornithologist and a naturalist. His works often gravitated to birds, and he wanted to paint them in their natural habitats. One of his more astonishing accomplishments was his book called The Birds of America in which he set out to paint one page a day and identified 25 new species of birds.
Louis XIII Walnut Fauteuils
For most of us, it’s hard to imagine dropping two grand on just a couple of chairs. But for those who collect antiques, two grand is a reasonable price for these Louis XIII style chairs. Bacall managed to keep this pair in pristine condition. With the light blue stitching in the upholstery, these chairs complimented her already lavish home.

The chairs priced for $1,875 at the auction and are considered the top tier of French design and decor. The chairs featured veneer turned wood and leaned towards the architectural, making them works of art in their own rights.
Louis Vuitton Luggage
The very name Louis Vuitton has a ring and style all of its own. For many, they won’t carry around anything else. Celebrities from all generations have fallen in love with Louis Vuitton ever since the company first came on the scene back in 1854. But Bacall’s collection of Louis Vuitton luggage is a class all to itself.
A single duffle from Louis Vuitton can run around $2,000, however, Lauren Bacall’s collection is vintage and rare which also implies very expensive. Her luggage set sold for $37,500.
Director’s Chair
Lauren Bacall was an actress and talented singer so it’s no surprise that her apartment would reflect her career. While many of her things dwell around the fine arts, there are some that directly relate to her job. Take her Director’s Chair for example. This is but one of the many pieces of Hollywood history she had. And while many may say that such an item is priceless, it sold for $4,750.

While everyone knows her as Lauren Bacall, she was born Betty Joan Perske. After she changed her name and starred in To Have and Have Not, her whole world changed and she rose to stardom. Bacall acted alongside some of Hollywood’s best such as Marilyn Monroe, and her husband, Humphrey Bogart.
Bronze Statues
Most of the items in Bacall’s home should be in a museum. But each piece was a part of her life and lifestyle. A few of the more remarkable pieces she had include three bronze statues of the female form. These pieces sold for $30,000 and were created by Robert Graham.

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You can see them here at the left of the photo, amongst all the other art in what seems to be Bacall’s foyer. The quality of the works only further accentuates the feel that you’ve stepped into a museum.
Raw Drawings
During one of Bacall’s last interviews with Vanity Fair, Bacall stated how her apartment became a “map of memories” to her. Each picture, statue, and antique told a story of her life.

The artwork Bacall owned came from all sorts of painters, artists, and sculptors. Names such as James Audubon, David Hockney, Henry Moore, and Max Ernst all added to her massive collection over the years.
Divine Wood Furnishings
All of Bacall’s furniture was unique, decorative, and above all else – functional. The interior of her massive apartment wasn’t flashy or glamorous like many other Hollywood stars’ homes are. Her home was elegant and classy, a trademark of many classical Hollywood stars from the golden years.

Each piece she picked out for her home was hand-carved. It didn’t matter if the furniture was a wooden bench, dresser, or bureaus; each piece was unique by design instead of some carbon copy you’d find in a catalogue. This made the place homey and often gave a sense of coziness to guests who visited. But above all, the pieces of furniture Bacall picked worked as they should. They weren’t something set off in the corner to be admired.
Central Park
One of the main things about living in New York City is the massive amounts of building and skyscrapers. Often times a view is looking out into the busy city streets. But Bacall had unobstructed views of the trees in Central Park.

Bacall’s apartment offered her a stunning and coveted 100-foot view of Central Park. In other words, nearly half of Bacall’s apartment featured breathtaking views of the park. It was this view that Bacall admired the most about her apartment and stated it was an important reason for her to live in the Dakota.
Extravagant Exterior
The Dakota stands at the corner of Central Park West and West 72nd Street in New York City. Every brick and stone holds a place in history.

One of the most stunning buildings in New York City, it is filled with icons and history. It is essentially the spirit of the city that gives hope to those that come to the city looking for a better life and fulling dreams. It’s no wonder that the building has grown significantly over the years.
Roses Adorned Her Gate
Just five weeks shy of her 90th birthday, Lauren Bacall passed away on August 12th, 2014. Fans from all around came to pay their respects by leaving gifts and adorning her gate with roses.

Being one of the last actresses from the Golden Age of Hollywood, her massive stroke came as a shock to many. But in the weeks after her death, fans from all across the country came to honor her and her life.
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