French Heritage Fête Celebrates Legacy & Culture With Style & Song

The French Heritage Society hosted its third annual Summer Soirée at the home of Kenneth and Maria Fishel in Bridgehampton. The festive evening took place poolside with support from DESTREE, rosé wine from Whispering Angel, and silver tableware by Christofle. Grammy-nominated vocalist Jennifer Jade Ledesna offered a special musical tribute in honor of Josephine Baker and her French-American legacy, with Revel Rouge curating the event.

The unforgettable soirée was hosted by the committee, comprising CeCe Black, Maria Fishel, Rosann Gutman, and Ann Van Ness. Guests included FHS Trustees Jennifer Farrell, Brenda Howard, Liz McDermott Barnes, Maureen Nash, and Jean Shafiroff, as well as Benefactor supporters Melanie Boude, Patricia Cossutta, Garry Boxer, Francine Crocker, Linda Donn, Alina and Richard Dovere, Joseph Fichera, Sandra Flax, Kenneth Hausman and Malathi Srinivasan, Vincent and Gabriella Khristov, Hyela Makoujy, Stephanie Mattera, Pamela Morgan, Valere Shane, Nancy Stone, Nabys Vielman, and Nina Yacavino.

Additional guests included Jacques Acoca, Chris Arlotta, Pauline Argenson and James Demmert, Elizabeth Baltz, Louise Braver, Sharon Bush and Robert Murray, Talia Carner, Wendy Federman, Sylvia Hemingway, David Jimenez, Cheri Kaufman, Suzan Kremer, Alberto Mariaca, Julissa Perez, Lauren Roberts, Paola and Arnold Rosenshein, Nicole Salmasi, Ramona Singer, Paula and Robert Smalley, Andrea Wernick, and Pamela Wright.

Remarks were made by Maria Fishel, FHS Executive Director Jennifer Herlein, and Olivia Bourrat, Director of Museums and Cultural Heritage at Villa Albertine. The latter emphasized the French Heritage Society’s role as an ambassador for continued heritage preservation.

Proceeds from the Summer Soirée support FHS’s mission to ensure that the treasures of our shared French architectural and cultural heritage endure, inspiring future generations.