The ladies of The Real Housewives of New York City sure know how to throw a party, and Jessel Taank made sure hers had all the elements of style (pun intended).
There were no cackling hags at Jessel’s charitable cocktail party at her Chelsea apartment, but there were a lot of high fashion heads in the room. The RHONY women — minus fashion figure Jenna Lyons — were all in attendance for Jessel’s star-studded event, a celebration on behalf of one of her clients, Esha Soni, and her line of luxury handbags and totes.
“I’m really excited to launch my first-ever fashion consultancy,” said Jessel. “It’s called ‘The Know,’ as in ‘you’re in the know.’”
The Housewife explained that she used to run P.R. for Michael Kors, and Soni ran the fashion brand’s creative design.
“I’ve just seen her flourish into this incredible designer, and I really want to support her as she goes onto her own endeavors,” said Jessel.
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The event was in partnership with CITTA, a New York-based non-profit organization that ensured proceeds went toward building schools for impoverished children in India. CITTA’s Founder, Michael Daube, was at the party, as were some big names in the fashion industry.
Who Were the Guests at Jessel’s Party?
Mickey Boardman, New York socialite and editor for Paper magazine, was one of many colorful guests at Jessel’s event.
Once listed as one of the Most Photographed Faces in New York by New York Magazine, he has been a big part of CITTA for more than a decade. A quick look at Boardman’s Insta reveals he’s at all the enviable fashion events, whether interviewing powerhouse Diane von Furstenberg for New York Magazine’s The Cut or smiling away with actress and fashionista Chloë Sevigny at other charitable events.
He is also close friends with Lynn Yaeger, but more on her later.
Jessel’s party also had Sally Singer, Head of Fashion at Amazon and former Creative Director at Vogue. Savannah Engel, founder of the New York City-based communications group Savi — serving a large clientele, including Adidas, Burberry, and Bershka — was also in attendance.
Umindi Francis, founder of the global brand consulting firm UFCG (Umindi Francis Consulting Group) also arrived at Jessel’s shindig. Her A-list clientele includes Versace, Louis Vuitton, Vogue, and the Council of Fashion Designers of America.
Tomorrow London’s chief development officer, Julie Gilhart — part of the Business of Fashion (B.O.F.) 500 in 2022 — was also seen mingling away.
Guests also rubbed elbows with New York stylist Felicia Garcia, former editor for W fashion magazine.
Who is Princess Deena Al-Juhani?
Jessel wasn’t the actual princess of the party, at least not after Saudi royal and businesswoman Princess Deena Al-Juhani arrived in style, wearing a furry yellow and purple diamond-patterned coat. Not only is the real-life princess known for her royal status, but in the fashion world, she is well-renowned for once being the editor-in-chief for Vogue Arabia.
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“A successful event in the fashion world is all about who’s there, and that’s really my goal here,” Jessel told RHONY producers, adding she wanted to get Soni’s name out there.
Who is Lynn Yaeger?
RHONY’s Ubah Hassan and Sai de Silva also brought the chic to the party, but jaws dropped (literally) when Vogue editor and fashion columnist Lynn Yaeger entered the room. Known for her eccentric and distinctive style — including her red bob, cupid’s bow lips, and rouge circles under her eyes — the fashion icon made heads turn.
“I never get impressed by anyone,” Brynn told her fellow Housewives before words failed her. She later told producers Yaeger is “iconic.”
Yaeger wrote the famous fashion column Elements of Style (later renamed Frock Star) for The Village Voice.
Fun fact: While writing for Vogue in 2013, Yaeger referred to Jenna Lyons — then the executive director for J. Crew — as “brilliant.”
“OK, Jessel, we get it; that’s legit,” Brynn continued, comparing Yeager’s legendary status to those of former model Grace Coddington and the late André Leon Talley, both of whom served as director-at-large for Vogue.
Yaeger’s unique style has influenced many top-name designers, including Alexander Wang and Marc Jacobs, per The New York Times.
Fashionistas would be well to raise their glasses — including champagne with carrots and “two buck chuck” wine — for Jessel’s successful charitable event.
More to come on The Real Housewives of New York City, airing Sundays at 9/8c on Bravo and the next day on Peacock.
