Woody Allen
CATEGORY: Thinkers
INDUSTRY: Film
What Makes Them Haute : Woody Allen is a screenwriter, director, actor, comedian, author, playwright and musician whose career spans over half a century. He has won four Academy Awards and has more screenwriting Academy Award nominations than any other writer in the industry. Despite friendly recognition from the Academy, Allen has consistently refused to attend the ceremony or acknowledge his Oscar wins.
Sid Richardson & Mercedes Bass
CATEGORY: Power Couples
INDUSTRY: Oil
What Makes Them Haute : Sid Richardson Bass, an American investor and billionaire, controls one of the country’s largest privately owned oil companies. He and his philanthropist wife, Mercedes, split their time between their Texas and New York homes.
Carmelo & Lala Anthony
CATEGORY: Power Couples
INDUSTRY: Sports
What Makes Them Haute : Carmelo Anthony is a professional basketball player who currently plays for the New York Knicks. Since entering the NBA, Anthony has become one of the most well-known and popular players in the league and has been named to the All-Rookie team, to the All-Star team six times and to the All-NBA team five times. Anthony married Lala in 2010 in NYC. The couple has one son together.
Bennahmias is also involved with many philanthropic causes, partnering with Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Tony Awards to sell watches on behalf of charities.
Francois-Henry Bennahmias
CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs
INDUSTRY: Jewelry
What Makes Them Haute : Francois-Henry Bennahmias has been president and CEO of Audemars Piguet North America since 1999, overseeing all financial, operational, sales and marketing for the brand. Throughout his tenure, the brand has experienced rapid sales growth and has opened several stores throughout the U.S., securing North America as the number one market for the 100-year-old luxury Swiss watch brand. Bennahmias is also involved with many philanthropic causes, partnering with Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Tony Awards to sell watches on behalf of charities.
André Balazs
CATEGORY: Originators
INDUSTRY: Hospitality
What Makes Them Haute : This famous hotelier currently owns eight trendy hotels throughout New York, LA and Miami. His properties include The Mercer Hotel, Chateau Marmont, Sunset Beach, and five Standard Hotels. Balazs’ company also owns several luxury New York City residences that include 40 Mercer, One Kenmare Square and the William Beaver House.
Brian Benstock
CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs
INDUSTRY: Automotive
What Makes Them Haute : In his executive role at Paragon Honda, Brian Benstock has wide ranging responsibilities. He is currently the VP & GM of Paragon Honda,VP & GM of Paragon Acura and GM of White Plains Honda. Benstock is also a Board Member of the Tri-Honda advertising association and President of the New York Acura advertising association.
Maria Bartiromo
CATEGORY: Thinkers
INDUSTRY: Media
What Makes Them Haute : In 1995, Maria Bartiromo became the first journalist to report live from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange and has since been revered as one of the top business news broadcast journalists. She is currently the anchor of CNBC’s Closing Bell program and the host and managing editor of The Wall Street Journal Report.
Leon Black
CATEGORY: Billionaires
INDUSTRY: Finance
What Makes Them Haute : Leon Black is the founder of Apollo Management, one of the world’s largest private equity investment managing firms. Over the past twenty years, the company has grown to manage more than $50 billion, specializing in buying companies that are in debt and then selling them for a profit.
Lloyd Blankfein
CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs
INDUSTRY: Finance
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE: Lloyd Blankfein is the Chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs. He is also the Gala Chairman of the Rockefeller family’s Asia Society in New York and serves on the board of the Robin Hood Foundation, a charitable organization seeking to alleviate poverty in New York. He is also on the Board of Overseers of Weill Cornell Medical College.
Tory Burch
CATEGORY: Designers
INDUSTRY: Fashion
What Makes Them Haute : Tory Burch exploded on the fashion scene in 2004 and has since evolved from a small fashion label operating out of her New York City apartment into a fashion powerhouse with 83 stores worldwide. Her fashion line is carried at over 1,000 department and specialty stores worldwide including Saks Fifth Avenue, Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s.
Michael Bloomberg
CATEGORY: Billionaires
INDUSTRY: Politics
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE: Michael Bloomberg became the Mayor of New York City in 2002, was reelected in 2005 and convinced the city council to extend the two-term limit so that he could run for a third term in 2008. Bloomberg earned his fortune by selling financial data and analytic tools to companies on Wall Street, which he eventually turned into his namesake company, Bloomberg L.P. The company now has its own magazine, cable network and radio station. He’s also an active philanthropist and recently donated $1.1 billion to his alma mater, Johns Hopkins University.
Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter & Beyoncé Knowles
CATEGORY: Power Couples
INDUSTRY: Music
What Makes Them Haute : This music duo is one of the wealthiest couples in the entertainment industry. Beyoncé is currently ranked number 32 on Forbes’ list of most powerful women in the world. At the 2010 Grammys, she made history as the first female artist to earn a whopping six Grammys in the same evening. Likewise, hubby Jay-Z also has broken several industry records. He’s also the creator of the clothing line Rocawear, which boasts annual sales of $700 million. The couple welcomed their first child, Blue Ivy, in January 2012.
Daniel Boulud
CATEGORY: Originators
INDUSTRY: Food
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE: Daniel Boulud’s Upper East Side restaurant Daniel is often regarded as one of the best restaurants in the world and was previously awarded three Michelin stars and five Forbes stars. Nonetheless, the famed restaurateur continues to expand his empire by opening Bar Boulud in London, db Bistro Moderne in Miami and Boulud Sud on the Upper West Side.
Kenneth Chenault
CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs
INDUSTRY: Finance
What Makes Them Haute : This Harvard Law School graduate has been CEO and chairman of American Express since 2001. Chenault was previously honored with the Third Lantern Award by the Old North Foundation for his commitment and dedication to public service, an honor that he shares with some prestigious people including President Bill Clinton, Boston’s Mayor Thomas Merino and Senator Ted Kennedy.
Chris Burch
CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs
INDUSTRY: Fashion
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE: Chris Burch is the founder and CEO of Burch Creative Capital, a firm with offices in New York City and Shanghai that manages venture investments and brand development. He is also the co-founder of Tory Burch LLC along with his ex-wife, Tory Burch.
Maggio and Ignazio Cipriani
CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs
INDUSTRY: Hospitality
What Makes Them Haute : Though the drama of the Cipriani elders lingers, the young heirs to the empire have already shown determination to take on the family business. They have helped open Cipriani 42nd Street and Club 55, along with the newest Cipriani location in Abu Dhabi.
Hillary & Bill Clinton
CATEGORY: Power Couples
INDUSTRY: Politics
What Makes Them Haute : This political husband and wife team is on a mission to change the world. As the former Secretary of State, Hillary has firmly advocated for peace in the Middle East, introduced the Global Hunger and Food Security Initiative and pushed for the Senate to sign the New START treaty, an arms reduction agreement with Russia. Since leaving Presidential office, Bill has been involved in public speaking and humanitarian work. He created the William J. Clinton Foundation to promote and address international causes such as prevention of AIDS and global warming.
Andrew Cuomo
CATEGORY: Thinkers
INDUSTRY: Politics
What Makes Them Haute : Queens native Andrew Cuomo is the 56th Governor of New York. He previously served as the United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development from 1997 to 2001 and as the Attorney General of New York from 2007 to 2010. Since entering office, Cuomo has been hard at work on his five-point plan to build a “new” New York that will include stabilizing the financial problems, increasing jobs and “restoring honor and integrity to the state government.”
Steven Cohen
CATEGORY: Billionaires
INDUSTRY: Finance
What Makes Them Haute : Steve Cohen’s hedge fund, SAC Capital, has 800 employees and manages $14 billion in equity. He is ranked #41 in Forbes’ list of richest Americans, with an estimated net worth of $9.3 billion. Cohen is also a prominent art collector and has amassed over $700 million worth of artwork. He is reportedly building a private museum for some of his artwork on his Greenwich property.
Clive Davis
CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs
INDUSTRY: Music
What Makes Them Haute : As the former President of Columbia Records, founder and President of Arista Records, Chairman and CEO of the RCA Music Group and Chairman and CEO of BMG North America, Clive Davis certainly knows the music industry. He is currently the CEO of Sony Music Entertainment Worldwide and credited with signing classic artists such as Janis Joplin, Bruce Springsteen and the Grateful Dead.
Mark Consuelos & Kelly Ripa
CATEGORY: Entertainers
INDUSTRY: Television
What Makes Them Haute : Mark Consuelos broke into the entertainment industry in 1995 with a leading role in All My Children. Soon after, he fell in love with his costar, Kelly Ripa, and the two were married in a secret Vegas ceremony in 1996. Six year later, Ripa replaced Kathie Lee Gifford as the host of a morning show. The couple has three children together.
Alicia Keys and Kasseem “Swizz Beatz” Dean
CATEGORY: Power Couples
INDUSTRY: Entertainers
What Makes Them Haute : This musical power couple were married in July 2010 and welcomed their first son, Egypt, the following October. Alicia Keys became famous for her gorgeous looks and standout voice, but her recent recognition has come with her charitable work, particularly her Keep a Child Alive foundation that provides help to families with HIV/AIDS in Africa. Swizz Beatz has produced hit singles for many elite rap, hip-hop, soul and R&B artists, such as DMX, Beyonce, T.I., Styles P, Cassidy and Busta Rhymes.
Daniel Craig & Rachel Weisz
CATEGORY: Entertainers
INDUSTRY: Film
What Makes Them Haute : Daniel Craig is a film actor that has gained international notoriety for playing British secret agent James Bond. Though he was initially greeted with skepticism, his debut in Casino Royale was highly acclaimed and earned him a BAFTA award nomination. His third Bond film, Skyfall, premiered in 2012 and is now the highest-grossing film in the series. Craig started dating actress Rachel Weisz in late 2010 after being friends for many years. The two were married in an intimate ceremony in June 2011.
Oscar De la Renta & Annette Engelhard
CATEGORY: Power Couples
INDUSTRY: Fashion
What Makes Them Haute : Oscar De la Renta is one of the world’s leading fashion designers. He received the CFDA lifetime achievement award in 1990, and 23 years later, he’s still going strong. His wife, Annette, is actively involved in various philanthropies and organizations within the community and serves on the board of the Met, the New York Public Library, the Morgan Library, the Animal Medical Center and the Engelhard Foundation.
Robert De Niro
CATEGORY: Entertainers
INDUSTRY: Film
What Makes Them Haute :Leading man Robert De Niro continues to release blockbuster hits, now acting as a producer in many of the films he stars in. He recently teamed up with director Martin Scorsese for the upcoming flick The Irishman. De Niro is also a force in Tribeca real estate and dining, owning such fixtures as the Greenwich Hotel and its restaurant, Locanda Verde.
Charles and James Dolan
CATEGORY: Originators
INDUSTRY: Entertainment
What Makes Them Haute : This father-son duo is quite a power pair. American billionaire Charles Dolan is the founder of Cablevision Systems Corporation and HBO and is worth approximately $3.1 billion. His son, James Dolan, is Executive Chairman of Madison Square Garden Inc. and President and CEO of Cablevision Systems Corporation. James also is the manager of the New York Knicks, the New York Rangers, the New York Liberty and the Connecticut Whale.
Nick Denton
CATEGORY: Originators
INDUSTRY: Media
What Makes Them Haute : Nick Denton is the founder of Gawker Media, which is the parent company to eight prominent blogs including the ever-popular NY-based Gawker.com. Other websites in this vast network include Gizmodo, Jezebel, Lifehacker, and Cityfile. In total, the blogs reel in approximately to 17.5 million U.S. Visitors each month—more than the online edition of The New York Times.
Andrew Farkas
CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs
INDUSTRY: Real Estate
What Makes Them Haute : Andrew Farkas entered the real estate scene when he founded Insignia Financial Group in 1990, which became one of the world’s leading commercial real estate companies. He then founded the real estate investment firm, Island Capital Group, of which he is now Chairman and CEO. Farkas also owns Island Global Yachting, a company that owns and manages luxury yacht marinas in top boating destinations all over the world.
Barry Diller & Diane Von Furstenberg
CATEGORY: Power Couples
INDUSTRY: Fashion, Media
What Makes Them Haute : Diane Von Furstenberg is the president of the Council of Fashion Designers of America and arguably one of the top fashion designers in the world. Von Furstenberg even has one of her famous wrap dresses displayed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Barry Diller is a media mogul who currently holds the position of Chairman of Expedia and InterActiveCorp, which is the parent of internet powerhouses like Match.com, Citysearch and Ask.com.
Tom Ford
CATEGORY: Designers
INDUSTRY: Fashion
What Makes Them Haute : Tom Ford is the former creative director of Gucci, for which he is credited with turning the almostbankrupt fashion house into an empire valued at $4.3 billion upon his departure. He now heads the eponymous Tom Ford fashion label, which boasts 21 freestanding stores throughout the world. Ford is famous for dressing some of Hollywood’s hautest leading men including Brad Pitt, Tom Hanks and Johnny Depp.
Jamie Dimon
CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs
INDUSTRY: Finance
What Makes Them Haute : Jamie Dimon is the CEO and Chairman of JPMorgan Chase. Since the financial crisis began, Dimon has been fervently trying to rebuild and revolutionize the banking system, using the opportunity to acquire Bear Stearns and Washington Mutual.
Larry Gagosian
CATEGORY: Thinkers
INDUSTRY: Art
What Makes Them Haute : Larry Gagosian is the owner of the Gagosian Gallery chain, which has locations in NYC, London, Los Angeles, Rome and Athens. It has become a predominant figure in the contemporary art scene, repping the likes of Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons and Damien Hirst. Gagosian was previously ranked number one in ArtReview Magazine’s annual Power 100 List and was awarded with France’s highest civil distinction, the “Legion of Honour.”
Rudy Giuliani
CATEGORY: Thinkers
INDUSTRY: Politcs
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE: Rudy Giuliani served two terms as Mayor of New York City from 1994 to 2001. He previously served in the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, eventually becoming U.S. Attorney. He prosecuted a number of high-profile cases including ones against organized crime and Wall Street financiers.
Carl Icahn
CATEGORY: Originators
INDUSTRY: Finance
What Makes Them Haute : Carl Icahn is the Chairman of Icahn Enterprises, a holding company that manages various investments. According to Forbes, Icahn’s net worth is roughly $20 billion, making him the 15th richest American and the 26th richest man in the world.
Carolina Herrera
CATEGORY: Designers
INDUSTRY: Fashion
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE: Luxury fashion designer Carolina Herrera is known for dressing several of the country’s First Ladies, including Jacqueline Onassis and Michelle Obama. She was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America in 2008, the Style Awards Designer of the Year in 2012 and the “Mercedes-Benz Presents” title for her 2011 collection. She’s also been on the cover of Vogue seven times.
Jeffrey Immelt
CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs
INDUSTRY: Business
What Makes Them Haute : Jeffrey Immelt replaced fellow Jack Welch as General Electric’s CEO in 2001. GE has since grown into the world’s second largest company, a multibillion-dollar conglomerate with more than 300,000 employees across the globe. Immelt has also been named number one in Barrons’ list of World’s Best CEOs on three occasions.
Tommy Hilfiger
CATEGORY: Designers
INDUSTRY: Fashion
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE: Over the past 25 years, the eponymous Tommy Hilfiger brand has taken the vision of classic American sportswear and made it into one of the world’s most recognized lifestyle brands. Today, there are more than 1,000 Tommy Hilfiger stores worldwide, with plans to expand into new markets in the coming years.
Marc Jacobs
CATEGORY: Designers
INDUSTRY: Fashion
What Makes Them Haute : Marc Jacobs in charge of four powerhouse fashion labels: The Marc Jacobs Collection, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Little Marc and Louis Vuitton (he’s their creative director), but this NYC born designer doesn’t seem overwhelmed. Jacobs recently signed on to serve as the creative director of Diet Coke and created a series of whimsical and feminine packaging for the soft drink giant to celebrate its 30th anniversary in Europe.
Edgar Bronfman, Jr.
CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs
INDUSTRY: Media
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE: Edgar Bronfman Jr. has been the Chairman and CEO of Warner Music Group since 2004. Throughout his tenure, he has increased the company’s digital music sales and has grown the company’s presence online through social media. His net worth has been estimated at around $2.5 billion.
Woody Johnson
CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs
INDUSTRY: Finance
What Makes Them Haute : Woody Johnson is the heir to the Johnson & Johnson fortune and now serves as Chairman and CEO of the Johnson Company. He also owns the New York Jets and has taken significant steps to rebuild the team over the last ten years. Johnson is frequently cited as a devoted philanthropist, creating the Alliance for Lupus Research, and is a strong supporter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Marc Holliday
CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs
INDUSTRY: Real Estate
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE: Marc Holliday is the CEO and President of SL Green Realty, the largest commercial landlord company in New York City. The company currently controls 85 properties throughout the New York metro area, totaling to more than 40.8 million square feet.
Paul Tudor Jones II
CATEGORY: Billionaires
INDUSTRY: Finance
What Makes Them Haute : Paul Tuder Jones II is a self-made hedge fund billionaire who founded Tudor Investment Corp. 30 years ago. One of his earliest achievements occurred in 1987 when he predicted “Black Monday,” an event that allowed him to triple his earnings. Since then, Jones has been an active philanthropist and founded the NYC povertyfighting group, the Robin Hood Foundation. He also formed the One to One Charitable Fund, which is said to have raised more than $125 million total for disadvantaged children.
David Koch
CATEGORY: Billionaires
INDUSTRY: Finance, Manufacturing
What Makes Them Haute : With a net worth of $31 billion, David Koch is the fourth richest person in America as of 2012 and the second richest resident of New York City. He is the co-owner and executive vice president of Koch Industries, a privately owned energy conglomerate whose subsidiaries include Georgia Pacific and Invista. He is a major supporter of the arts and has contributed to several charities including Lincoln Center, Sloan Kettering, a fertility clinic at New York-Presbyterian Hospital and the American Museum of Natural History’s David H. Koch Dinosaur Wing.
Donna Karan
CATEGORY: Designers
INDUSTRY: Media
What Makes Them Haute : Donna Karan launched her infamous fashion brand in 1985 with her line of practical clothing for women. Twenty-five years later, Donna Karan Inc. also includes the Donna Karan lines and the younger DKNY line, along with accessories, eyewear, intimates, fragrances, home collections and more. A native of Long Island, Karan has always stated that the city of New York will remain an influence in all of her designs.
Jeff Koons
CATEGORY: Thinkers
INDUSTRY: Art
What Makes Them Haute : Jeff Koons is well known in the art industry circuit for his reproduction of everyday objects and American pop-culture icons. His work can be viewed in several famous New York art houses including MoMA, the Whitney Museum, and the Guggenheim. Koons was previously chosen by BMW to design a car as part of the company’s Art Car series, an honor that has been given to many famed artists of the past, including Andy Warhol.
Thomas Keller
CATEGORY: Thinkers
INDUSTRY: Food
What Makes Them Haute : Thomas Keller is a chef, restaurateur and cookbook writer that has won multiple awards from the James Beard Foundation, notably the Best California Chef in 1996 and the Best Chef in America in 1997. In 2005, he was awarded the three star rating in the inaugural Michelin Guide for New York for his restaurant Per Se.
Bruce Kovner
CATEGORY: Billionaires
INDUSTRY: Finance
What Makes Them Haute : Bruce Kovner is founder and Chairman of Caxton Associates, one of the world’s top ten hedge funds. The Harvard graduate underwent his first trade in 1977 for $3,000 and is now worth an estimated $4.5 billion. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the Institute for Advanced Study, which has been home to notable thinkers like Albert Einstein.
Calvin Klein
CATEGORY: Designers
INDUSTRY: Fashion
What Makes Them Haute : This American fashion designer was born in the Bronx to Jewish-Hungarian immigrants. He briefly studied at New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology, but never graduated. In addition to clothing, Klein has also given his name to a range of perfumes, watches and jewelry.
Henry & Marie-Josée Kravis
CATEGORY: Power Couples
INDUSTRY: Finance
What Makes Them Haute : Henry Kravis co-founded the private equity firm, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co, which currently boasts total assets of approximately $60 billion. Marie-Josée Kravis is a former Canadian newscaster, but now takes an active interest in the New York City community, serving as senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and on the International Advisory Board of the NY Federal Reserve.
Jared Kushner & Ivanka Trump
CATEGORY: Power Couples
INDUSTRY: Publishing, Real Estate
What Makes Them Haute : Ivanka Trump still proves that she’s an unstoppable force with her role as Executive Vice President of Development & Acquisitions at The Trump Organization. In addition to her own jewelry venture, Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry, the heiress has plans to launch a footwear line, a handbag collection with Mondani and an outerwear collection. Trump is currently married to Jared Kushner, heir to the New York Observer. The couple have a nearly two-year-old daughter.
Dylan & David Lauren
CATEGORY: Thinkers
INDUSTRY: Food
What Makes Them Haute : Dylan and David Lauren are the children of clothing designer, Ralph Lauren. Dylan owns New York City’s Dylan’s Candy Bar, the largest candy store in the world. David is currently the Senior Vice President of Advertising, Marketing and Corporate Communications at Polo Ralph Lauren.
Edward Lampert
CATEGORY: Billionaires
INDUSTRY: Finance
What Makes Them Haute : Edward Lampert is the Chairman of Sears Holdings Corporation, which includes Sears, Kenmore, Lands End and Kmart (which he helped to rebuild after bankruptcy). He’s also the founder, Chairman and CEO of ESL Investments, a private investment company that Lampert started at the ripe age of 25.
Ralph Lauren
CATEGORY: Designers
INDUSTRY: Fashion
What Makes Them Haute : This ambitious fashion designer and brilliant businessman is most notable for his Polo Ralph Lauren clothing line. His company is continuing to expand internationally, with stores in Chile, Korea and Malaysia.
Kenneth Langone
CATEGORY: Philanthropists
INDUSTRY: Finance
What Makes Them Haute : Kenneth Langone is the co-founder of Home Depot and the former director of the New York Stock Exchange. He’s also an active philanthropist, contributing millions of dollars to various charities that include the Ronald McDonald House, the Robin Hood Foundation and New York University. Both the NYU Langone Medical Center (of which he is Chairman) and the Langone Program at NYU’s Stern School of Business are named after him.
The LeFrak Family
CATEGORY: Billionaires
INDUSTRY: Real Estate
What Makes Them Haute :
The LeFrak Organization was founded in 1901 by the late Harry LeFrak. His son, Samuel LeFrak, helped to grow the company by developing LeFrak City, a five million-squarefoot residential complex in Queens. Richard, Samuel’s son, is now the firm’s Chairman and CEO, while Richard’s two sons, Harrison and James, are also top executives. Over time, the LeFrak Organization has grown into one of the world’s leading building firms, controlling 70,000 apartments in the New York metro area alone.
Leonard & Ronald Lauder
CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs
INDUSTRY: Beauty
What Makes Them Haute : Born and raised on the Upper East Side, brothers Leonard and Ronald took their mother’s face cream concoction that she made in her kitchen and turned it into one of the nation’s largest beauty conglomerates. Estée Lauder is the parent company for some of the nation’s top cosmetics brands including Clinique, MAC, Aveda, Bobbi Brown and La Mer. Both brothers make Forbes’ list of World Billionaires.
Howard Lorber
CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs
INDUSTRY: Real Estate
What Makes Them Haute : Howard Lorber is the President and CEO of the holding company Vector Group and Chairman of Prudential Douglas Elliman, the largest residential real estate brokerage in New York. In 2010, Vector Group acquired part of Borders Group Inc. for $25 million, adding Lorber to their Board of Directors.
Susan Lyne
CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs
INDUSTRY: Internet Shopping
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE: Susan Lyne is the founder and Chairman of the online luxury fashion retailer, Gilt Groupe. Through its exclusive, discounted online sales events, Gilt Groupe singlehandedly changed how people shop. The company has seen exponential growth in the past year, branching out from fashion to other luxury goods sectors and has launched the city-specific deal website, Gilt City.
Samuel Irving Newhouse, Jr.
CATEGORY: Billionaires
INDUSTRY: Media
What Makes Them Haute : Samuel Irving Newhouse is the Chairman and CEO of Advance Publications, which most notably owns Condé Nast, the publisher of more than two dozen magazines including Vogue, Vanity Fair, Glamour, Bon Appétit and The New Yorker. He is also well known for his philanthropy and a generous $15 million donation to Syracuse University, which resulted in the school naming the SI Newhouse School of Public Communications after him.
William Mack
CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs
INDUSTRY: Internet Shopping
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE: William Mack is a third-generation real estate tycoon best known for co-developing the Time Warner Center. He is the founder and Chairman of AREA Property Partners (formerly known as Apollo Real Estate Advisors), a company that has invested more than $11 billion in more than 500 transactions since its inception. Mack also serves as Chairman of real estate investment trust Mack-Cali Realty, as a board member of the Regional Advisory Board of JP Morgan Chase and Chairman of the board for the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation.
Vikram Pandit
CATEGORY: Thinkers
INDUSTRY: Finance
What Makes Them Haute : Vikram Pandit has been the CEO of Citigroup since 2007. Since the economic crisis began, Pandit has been the subject of scrutiny as he has tried to rebuild the world’s largest financial services network and the American banking system. Pandit currently serves on the boards of his alma maters Columbia University and Columbia Business School, where he received his PhD in Finance.
Eli & Abby Manning
CATEGORY: Power Couples
INDUSTRY: Sports
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE: This Manning brother was destined to be a quarterback. He’s the son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning and the younger brother of Peyton Manning. Manning is the sixth quarterback in history to start 100 straight games. He met his wife, Abby, in college.
Sean Parker
CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs
INDUSTRY: Internet
What Makes Them Haute : Sean Parker co-founded the file-sharing computer service Napster and became the first president of the social networking website Facebook. Parker currently serves on Spotify’s Board of Directors and has a net worth of approximately $2.1 billion.
Richard Meier
CATEGORY: Originators
INDUSTRY: Architecture
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE: The “starchitect” is the brainchild behind the three glass towers amongst the brownstones in the West Village at 173 and 176 Perry Street and 165 Charles Street, which have attracted celebrity inhabitants such as Martha Stewart, Natalie Portman and Calvin Klein.
Richard Parsons
CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs
INDUSTRY: Finance
What Makes Them Haute : This former CEO of Time Warner is now the Chairman of Citigroup. His financial advice is coveted by some of the most powerful individuals including President Obama and Secretary of Treasury Timothy Geithner.
Rupert Murdoch
CATEGORY: Billionaires
INDUSTRY: Media
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE: The global media mogul is founder, Chairman and CEO of News Corp., the conglomerate that reigns over Fox, the New York Post, the Wall Street Journal and HarperCollins Publishers. According to Forbes, Murdoch is the 91st richest person in the world, with a net worth of $11.2 billion.
Ronald Perelman
CATEGORY: Billionaires
INDUSTRY: Finance
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE: A self-made billionaire, Ronald Perelman made his fortune by buying various companies at cheap prices and then later reselling them for a profit. Perelman is a notable charity donor and is often regarded as one of the top philanthropists in the world.
Stewart Rahr
CATEGORY: Billionaires
INDUSTRY: Pharmaceuticals
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE: This Pharma Billionaire and Philanthropist Stewart “Stewie Rah Rah” Rahr has been living the American dream. Rahr went from making 50 cents per hour doing deliveries for his father’s pharmacy to becoming one of the wealthiest men in the world. He sold his company, Kinray, the world’s largest privately held distribution company of generic pharmaceutical products for $1.3 billion. But Rah Rah isn’t all work and no play. He’s a fixture at red carpet events and his annual “Celebration of Life for Exceptional Friends” at his Hamptons estate is one of the hottest tickets in town.
Peter Peterson
CATEGORY: Philanthropists
INDUSTRY: Finance
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE: Throughout his impressive career, Peter Peterson has served as the U.S. Secretary of Commerce under Richard Nixon and Chair of the Federal Reserve Bank of NY. He has also authored numerous books on American political and financial issues. Peterson also established The Blackstone Charitable Foundation and his namesake foundation, the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, which aims to increase public awareness regarding fiscal issues that pose a threat to the future of the United States.
Denise Rich
CATEGORY: Philanthropists
INDUSTRY: Charity
What Makes Them Haute : Denise Rich is a Grammy Award-winning songwriter who has been a staple in the New York City social circuit for years. But she’s also widely regarded for her philanthropic efforts. Rich created Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research in 2008 in honor of her daughter who passed away from leukemia. The charity’s annual Angel Ball has raised more than $13 million for cancer research.
Mikhail Prokhorov
CATEGORY: Billionaires
INDUSTRY: Finance
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE: Mikhail Prokhorov is the founder of ONEXIM Group, a private investment fund based in Russia with assets valued at approximately $17 billion. He may be the second richest man in Russia, but this billionaire has also been making it big in New York as the majority owner of the New Jersey Nets. He’s also part owner of the Barclays Center arena.
Emily Rafferty
CATEGORY: Thinkers
INDUSTRY: Art
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE: Emily Rafferty started working at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1975 as an assistant in the development office. She subsequently worked her way up to the top and is now president of the museum. She is the first woman to run the day-to-day operations in the Met’s 135-plus year history.
JR & Loren Ridinger
CATEGORY: Power Couples
INDUSTRY: Internet Shopping
What Makes Them Haute : Their online shopping site, Market America, has generated more than $2.5 billion in accumulated retail sales. The Ridinger’s continue to be ahead of the curve, launching programs like their MA CashBack program. The Ridingers most recently made headlines after they acquired shop. com, the Bill Gates-backed online comparison shopping engine, whose strengths lie in strong technological advances that will seamlessly facilitate the shopping experience for the customer.
Ryan Reynolds & Blake Lively
CATEGORY: Entertainers
INDUSTRY: Film/Television
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE: Ryan Reynolds is a Canadian film and television actor best known for his starring roles in Blade: Trinity, X-Men Origins: Wolverine and Definitely, Maybe. Reynolds began dating his Green Lantern co-star Blake Lively in 2011 and got married the following year. Lively is best known for her starring role in the teen drama series Gossip Girl.
Alex Rodriguez
CATEGORY: Athletes
INDUSTRY: Sports
What Makes Them Haute : Alex Rodriguez is widely regarded as one of the best baseball players of all time and has broken many MLB records. He is the youngest player ever to hit 600 home runs and has 14 100-RBI seasons in his career.
Aby Rosen
CATEGORY: Originators
INDUSTRY: Real Estate
What Makes Them Haute : This real estate developer boasts a portfolio of some of New York’s most prized landmark boutique hotels. After years of co-ownership, Rosen became the sole owner of the Seagram Building, Lever House and the Gramercy Park Hotel. He currently has plans to develop the site at 610 Lexington Ave. into a glass hotel and condominium tower.
David Seelinger
CATEGORY: Originators
INDUSTRY: Business
What Makes Them Haute : David Seelinger is the Chairman and CEO of EmpireCLS Worldwide Chauffeured Services. The company is based in the New York area, but has subdivisions in over 650 cities across the globe. Seelinger’s firm is also behind private aviation services and concierge travel services, proving CLS’s dedication to providing their clients with the utmost in comfort and luxury.
Stephen Ross
CATEGORY: Originators
INDUSTRY: Real Estate
What Makes Them Haute : Stephen Ross is the founder, Chairman and CEO of The Related Companies, New York’s powerhouse real estate firm that is responsible for trophy developments like Time Warner Center, the W Hotel Union Square and One Union Square South luxury high-rise. Ross also owns 95 percent of the Miami Dolphins.
Julian Schnabel
CATEGORY: Thinkers
INDUSTRY: Art
What Makes Them Haute : Julian Schnabel is an award-winning artist and filmmaker. His masterpieces can be found in museums all over the city, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, MoMA and the Whitney Museum. Schnabel has won a Golden Globe, as well as BAFTA, a César Award, two nominations for the Golden Lion and an Academy Award nomination.
Wilbur Ross
CATEGORY: Billionaires
INDUSTRY: Finance
What Makes Them Haute : Wilbur Ross launched the W.L. Ross & Co. investment fund with $440 million in capital and a small staff that he recruited from Rothschild. Ross teamed up Edwin Crawford, the former Chairman of CVS, to create Crawford-Ross, a consulting and brokerage firm that that buys and rebuilds health care companies.
Ian Schrager
CATEGORY: Originators
INDUSTRY: Hospitality
What Makes Them Haute : Ian Schrager entered the hospitality industry back in the ‘70s as the co-owner and co-founder of the infamous Studio 54 nightclub. In 2005, Schrager sold Morgans Hotel Group, a company he founded, to create Ian Schrager Company that owns, develops and manages hotels, residential and mixed-use projects.
Billy Rudin
CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs
INDUSTRY: Real Estate
What Makes Them Haute : Billy Rudin’s real estate holdings are some of the largest and most respected privately owned portfolios in the city, thus attracting some of New York’s most prestigious clients. Throughout his tenure running the family business, Rudin has singlehandedly helped lead the revitalization of downtown Manhattan and the birth of “Silicon Alley.”
Stephen Schwarzman
CATEGORY: Billionaires
INDUSTRY: Finance
What Makes Them Haute : Stephen Schwarzman is the Chairman and co-founder of the private equity and financial advisory firm, The Blackstone Group. In March 2008, Schwarzman donated $100 million to the New York City Library, which led to the main building being renamed in his honor.
Martin Scorsese
CATEGORY: Thinkers
INDUSTRY: Film
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE: Critics and film scholars have called him the best living American director, with several of his movies occupying spots on the AFI’s list of greatest movies of all time. He is a recipient of the AFI Life Achievement Award for his contributions to the cinema and has won an Academy Award, a Palme d’Or, Cannes Film Festival Best Director Award, Silver Lion, Grammy Award, Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and DGA Awards. Scorsese‘s latest project entitled The Wolf of Wall Street is slated hit theaters on Nov. 15 — just in time for awards season.
Rob and Jerry Speyer
CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs
INDUSTRY: Real Estate
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE: Critics and film scholars have called him the best living American director, with several of his movies occupying spots on the AFI’s list of greatest movies of all time. He is a recipient of the AFI Life Achievement Award for his contributions to the cinema and has won an Academy Award, a Palme d’Or, Cannes Film Festival Best Director Award, Silver Lion, Grammy Award, Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and DGA Awards. Scorsese‘s latest project entitled The Wolf of Wall Street is slated hit theaters on Nov. 15 — just in time for awards season.
Jerry Seinfeld
CATEGORY: Entertainers
INDUSTRY: Film/Television
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE: Jerry Seinfeld is a stand-up comedian, actor, writer and television/film producer that is best known for playing a semi-fictional version of himself in the smash sitcom Seinfeld, which he co-created and co-wrote with Larry David.
Hal Steinbrenner
CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs
INDUSTRY: Sports
What Makes Them Haute : Hal Steinbrenner and his brother, Hank, jointly own the New York Yankees. Steinbrenner was elected Chairman of the Board of Yankee Global Enterprises, LLC in 2007. He also serves as Chairman and CEO of Steinbrenner Hotel Properties and holds a seat on the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Club of Tampa Bay.
Carlos Slim
CATEGORY: Billionaires
INDUSTRY: Telecommunications
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE: Carlos Slim is the Chairman and CEO of Telmex, a telecommunications enterprise based in Mexico City, which operates 90 percent of the telephone lines in Mexico. Its sister company, America Movil, is the largest mobile phone company in Latin America. Slim also owns Grupo Carso, one of Mexico’s major business conglomerates. Slim is also an investor in several New York properties and is the biggest shareholder of Saks Inc.
Leonard Stern
CATEGORY: Billionaires
INDUSTRY: Real Estate
What Makes Them Haute : Leonard Stern is the Chairman and CEO of Hartz Mountain Industries, one of the largest privately held real estate companies in the U.S. The firm boasts more than 38 million square feet of commercial, residential and retail property in the New York City metro area, including the Soho Grand and Tribeca Grand hotels.
George Soros
CATEGORY: Philanthropists
INDUSTRY: Finance
WHAT MAKES THEM HAUTE: Soros Fund Management was one of the few hedge fund firms that saw the financial crisis as a buying opportunity. Aside from being Chairman of the company, Soros is a best-selling author, a strong political activist and one of the city’s most notable philanthropists. Between 1979 and 2011, Soros gave away over $8 billion to human rights, public health and education causes.
Amar’e Stoudemire
CATEGORY: Athletes
INDUSTRY: Basketball
What Makes Them Haute : After eight seasons playing for the Phoenix Suns, Stoudemire signed with the New York Knicks in July 2010. Although Stoudemire has suffered from chronic knee problems and has undergone microfracture surgery on his knees, he won the 2003 NBA Rookie of the Year Award, made six appearances in the NBA All-Star Game and won a bronze medal with the US men’s basketball team at the 2004 Olympic Games.
Arthur Sulzberger, Jr.
CATEGORY: Thinkers
INDUSTRY: Media
What Makes Them Haute : The chairman and publisher of The New York Times has been running the paper’s daily operations since 1992. Under his tenure, Sulzberger has helped the Times become a national newspaper and has won 39 Pulitzer Prizes.
Harvey Weinstein & Georgina Chapman
CATEGORY: Power Couples
INDUSTRY: Fashion, Film
What Makes Them Haute : Harvey Weinstein is the co-founder of Miramax Films and has been credited as Executive Producer for Hollywood classics such as the The Lord of the Rings trilogy. He has served as co-chairmen of The Weinstein Company since 2005. Weinstein wed Georgina Chapman, a former model and co-founder of the fashion label Marchesa, in 2007. The two have a daughter named India Pearl and are expecting another baby this spring.
David Tepper
CATEGORY: Billionaires
INDUSTRY: Finance
What Makes Them Haute : This hedge fund manager specializes in buying stocks from companies that are either bankrupt or distressed and then profiting off of their recoveries. His investments include Bank of America, Hewlett- Packard, Intel and Microsoft. The philanthropist recently donated a large sum of money to his namesake, the Tepper School of Business, at his alma mater, Carnegie Mellon University.
Anna Wintour
CATEGORY: Thinkers
INDUSTRY: Media
What Makes Them Haute : As the editor-in-chief of Vogue and editorial director of Teen Vogue, Anna Wintour has established herself as a true fashion icon and trendsetter. Wintour was recently named Conde Nast’s artistic director and is responsible for developing the company’s overall “creative vision.” She also sits on President Barack Obama‘s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities and is an elective trustee of The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Donald Trump
CATEGORY: Originators
INDUSTRY: Real Estate
What Makes Them Haute : As the patriarch of one of the most iconic families in New York City, Donald Trump hardly needs an introduction. From developing new properties to hosting television shows, there’s nothing The Donald can’t do! Although Forbes estimates his net worth to be around $2.4 billion, Trump has stated that the actual figure is much higher.
William and Arthur Zeckendorf
CATEGORY: Originators
INDUSTRY: Real Estate
What Makes Them Haute : As the patriarch of one of the most iconic families in New York City, Donald Trump hardly needs an introduction. From developing new properties to hosting television shows, there’s nothing The Donald can’t do! Although Forbes estimates his net worth to be around $2.4 billion, Trump has stated that the actual figure is much higher.
Jean-Georges Vongerichten
CATEGORY: Thinkers
INDUSTRY: Food
What Makes Them Haute : Jean-Georges Vongerichten is a French-born chef that commands restaurants throughout the world. His New York eatery, Jean Georges Restaurant, remains one of five restaurants in the city awarded three stars by the Michelin Guide. Vongerichten has also penned five cookbooks, two with food journalist Mark Bittman.
Mortimer Zuckerman
CATEGORY: Entrepreneurs
INDUSTRY: Media, Real Estate
What Makes Them Haute : This Wharton MBA Graduate is the chairman of Boston Properties, one of the largest real estate developers in the United States. Some distinct properties include the General Motors Building and the Times Square Tower. Zuckerman is also the owner of the New York Daily News and owner and editor-in-chief of U.S. News & World Report.
Vera Wang
CATEGORY: Designers
INDUSTRY: Fashion
What Makes Them Haute : This born and bred New Yorker is known for her wide range of haute couture bridesmaid gowns and wedding gown collections. As a former professional figure skater, Vera Wang has also designed outfits for various skating competitions and exhibitions. Her designs have been wore by countless celebrities and featured in hit television shows such as Sex and the City and The West Wing.
