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Jazz Age Swans and Dandies Invade Governors Island Lawn Party

By Patrick Michael Hughes | August 20, 2012 12:20pm

GOVERNORS ISLAND — The threat of stormy weather did not stop 3,500 New Yorkers clad in vintage suits and cloche hats from flocking to the seventh-annual Jazz Age Lawn Party on Governors Island over the weekend.

The Gatsby-esque event is known for stylish picnickers, fervent jazz dancers, glamorous follies and the music of Michael Arenella and His Dreamland Orchestra.

Heidi Rosenau, a 1920s fashion aficionada who works for The Frick Collection, favored cotton printed pastels, florals and candy colors, while Conde Nast’s style maven Gretchen Fenston stuck to solid colors and asymmetrical hemlines..

Noted fashion-industry makeup artist Miss Michelle Coursey sported gossamer 1930s-inspired floral prints, and leaned toward rose tones against an indigo or black background with long ropes of pearls. Another floral knockout was distinguished cellist Jacqueline Choi's Oscar de La Renta dress, a stunning silk jacquard in peach and gold.

With her flame-colored bob, shimmery smokey makeup and dark, strong colors, performance artist Miss Jen Zakzewski gave vintage garb a Downtown edge.

The debonair men’s fashion at the event always adds its own panache to the Jazz Age armada. Street Chic was particularly taken by the fresh interpretations of Seersucker. Peter Hale Cooney III, associate designer at Vera Wang, impressed by adding peach silk touches, tulle and daisy pocket decorations to his well-tailored, muted striped suit.

A wonderfully surprising three piece Toile de Jolie suit worn by writer and performer Ariel Krupnik also added a special sartorial twist from the Downtown world of party icon Susanne Bartsch.