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Articles by Mary J. Hilliard
The Art of Our Time
Tuesday, June 20, 2023. Yesterday was a beautifulend of Spring/beginning of Summer day in New York. The Juneteenth holiday establishing a new long weekend. The city was quiet from my location although there were lots of people out walking, sunning, skootering, skating, with temps reaching up to 80. I had dinner on Friday night with Mary Hilliard, the great social photographer whose work has graced these pages.
Up Close and Personal
Monday, May 22, 2023. Sunny and cooler yesterday in the high 60s, low 70s; after a rainy weekend. I had dinner the other night with Mary Hilliard who has retired after a very busy career as one of the most prominent wedding and social photographers in New York, Palm Beach and Europe. Mary’s now involved in archiving her work which is a vast assignment— although she’s enjoying it.
This Was Then: The Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's “Dinner with D.V.”
The date was December 7, 1987. New York was at the height of its “Nouvelle Society.” The Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art was holding its annual fundraiser. The evening was called “Dinner with D.V.” Diana Vreeland had joined the museum to organize exhibitions for the Costume Institute in 1971 after being unceremoniously dumped as editor of Vogue after 18 years of service. Because she never commanded the million dollar salary that Anna Wintour is said to command today, Mrs.
Save Venice’s 50th Anniversary Il Gran Gala a Venezia
Almost anybody can go to Venice, mingle with the disconsolate touristic swarms shuffling from St. Mark’s Square to the Rialto, to the Accademia Bridge, taking a few selfies and buying a trinket or an ice cream along the way.
11 Exercises To Do Without Leaving Your Bed
We’ve all had mornings where the alarm goes off, signaling it’s time for your workout—but you just cannot even. Or maybe you have a big day of work ahead of you, and the very act of getting out of bed is daunting and unwelcome. Here’s a compromise: instead of hitting the snooze button again, here are simple exercises you can do without leaving your bed. Productive procrastination anyone? 1.
Going with the flow of the Nile
What bliss to “go with the flow,” as I did recently, especially delightful as the “flow” is Egypt’s Nile River and I was aboard the Zein Dahabeya, Abercrombie & Kent’s luxuriously reconfigured sailing boat, during a two-week trip to Egypt and Jordan. On board the yacht, with cabins for only 12 people, my small group of six was treated to delicious over-abundant meals and attentive friendly service from the staff as we floated for four days between Luxor and Aswan.
Why Fixating on Your Weight in College Is So Unhealthy
It seems like everywhere you turn these days there’s a new must-try diet guaranteed to help you lose weight and have more energy. Or, maybe a celebrity flaunting their weight loss and six-pack on a magazine cover, and some Instagram influencer giving you major life envy, attempting to get you to buy dietary supplements and teas that will miraculously make your life Instagram-worthy too.
This Was Then: Valentino's 30th Anniversary Exhibition in New York | New York Social Diary
Today we’re re-running a Social History from Mary Hilliard’s archive from September 1992, the opening of Valentino’s 30th Anniversary Retrospective Exhibition at the Park Avenue Armory. It was such a glamorous affair that we first ran it as a retrospective in 2010. Today we return to it. It is now a piece of New York’s social history, of time now gone by, but includes many of our citizens today … as you will see, and enjoy the moment. The evening was a black tie celebration, hosted by Mr. and Mrs.
This was Then: Malcom Forbes' 70th, Part II
Palais Mendoub, the site of Malcolm Forbes Birthday Party. Photographs by Mary Hilliard Malcolm Forbes was the most celebrated magazine publisher of his day although there were others far richer and with larger media empires. Forbes was famous for his lifestyle, which was viewed as a kind of flashy irreverence. He appeared to be the ultimate WASP who could “get down” with the best of them. He liked a good time. After a lifetime of marriage and fatherhood, he and his wife divorced in 1985.
This was Then: Malcolm Forbes' 70th Birthday, Part I
Malcolm Forbes is a name that only vaguely, if that, resonates with anyone under fifty today. Yet when he died 27 years ago at the age of 70, he was one of the most famous personalities in America as a result of his flashy talent for his great publishing success as well as other business success and the art of self-promotion.
Look Who’s Talkin’
In the (mostly) good old days, being a social photographer and going to benefits and parties like the ones shown here, was much more fun and interesting. There were many fewer photographers covering New York “society” and, as I was lucky enough to cover parties for prestigious publications like Vogue, The New York Times, WWD and Town & Country, I was one of the few granted almost unlimited inside access to the best events in town. Often only Bill Cunningham and I were invited inside.
Here’s Why You Keep Getting UTIs (& What To Do)
If you find yourself dealing with frequent urinary tract infections, know you’re not alone. UTIs are the second most common infection, according to Everyday Health, and actually account for millions of doctor visits annually. If you find yourself dealing with multiple UTIs —specifically, more than twice in a span of six months—this is considered a recurrent UTI. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases estimates that one in five women have a recurring UTI.
11 Exercises You Can Do Without Leaving Your Bed
We’ve all had mornings where the alarm goes off, signaling it’s time for your workout—but you just cannot even. Or maybe you have a big day of work ahead of you, and the very act of getting out of bed is daunting and unwelcome. Here’s a compromise: instead of hitting the snooze button again, complete a short workout without actually leaving your bed. Productive procrastination anyone? 1.
This Was Then: The Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's “Dinner with D.V.”
Social History• BY: Mary Hilliard The date was December 7, 1987. New York was at the height of its “Nouvelle Society.” The Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art was holding its annual fundraiser. The evening was called “Dinner with D.V.” Diana Vreeland had joined the museum to organize exhibitions for the Costume Institute in 1971 after being unceremoniously dumped as editor of Vogue after 18 years of service.
How to Stay Healthy When Everyone on Campus Is Getting Sick
When the new semester year starts, everyone is excited to be back on campus and seeing their friends again. Everything seems fun and new—until you’re a month in and your nose starts feeling stuffy, or your body starts to ache. Now what do you do? Almost all students will at some point suffer through some of the most common illnesses during college; these range from the stomach flu to the common cold to strep throat, according to Dr. Christina Johns, senior medical advisor for PM Pediatrics.
The April 1987 PEN dinner
Social History• BY: Mary Hilliard Twenty-four years ago this month, at the Metropolitan Club, there was a PEN dinner to beat all previous PEN dinners. It was chaired by Gayfryd Steinberg who was then one of the reigning queens of New York Society. The top ticket was $750, which in those days was like $5000 today, and it was a sell-out. Mrs. Steinberg invited the crème de la crème of the social world of that moment.
Art Weekend in Richmond Celebrating Elizabeth Locke
The welcome dinner at “Try Me,” Pam & Bill Royall’s private contemporary art collection for an Art Weekend in Richmond.
A Look Inside Dior’s Lavish Masquerade Ball
On a September night in 1951, everyone who was anyone arrived with an invite to a lavish masked costume ball, the Tiepolo Ball, which became known as the “party of the century.” Held in a frescoed ballroom of Venice’s Palazzo Labia, the event brought together a slew of princesses, celebrities, and socialites like Countess Jacqueline de Ribes. Salvador Dalí and Christian Dior dressed up as each other. Pierre Cardin designed gowns for the most famous guests and launched his career.
Sarah Jessica Parker’s Best Met Gala Looks of All Time
Dressing for a theme can be tricky, especially when it’s the Met Gala—a night that has been dubbed the Oscars of fashion. But if there’s one person who can shine with the same ingenuity as in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s costume exhibition itself, it’s Sarah Jessica Parker. This year will mark Parker’s 11th turn down the 150-foot-long red carpet, and if history tells us anything, she’ll likely embrace the dress code, “Camp: Notes on Fashion,” with her usual aplomb.
How to Make the Most of Your Summer Abroad
Ah, summer—school is out, the sun is shining, and for the next three months it feels like you’ve got plenty of time to pursue endless possibilities. Even more exciting, you’ve decided to embark on a study-abroad adventure this summer. You’ve researched and selected your ideal program, you’ve day dreamed about drinking wine in Italy or hiking through the Swiss Alps, and perfected your Pinterest board of wanderlust worthy outfits.
Here’s Why You Keep Getting UTIs (& What To Do)
If you find yourself dealing with frequent urinary tract infections, know you’re not alone. UTIs are the second most common infection, according to Everyday Health, and account for millions of doctor visits annually. If you find yourself dealing with multiple UTIs—specifically, more than twice in a span of six months—this is considered a recurrent UTI. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases estimates that one in five women have a recurring UTI.
Why Fixating on Your Weight in College Is So Unhealthy
It seems like everywhere you turn these days there’s a new must-try diet guaranteed to help you lose weight and have more energy. Or, maybe a celebrity flaunting their weight loss and six-pack on a magazine cover, and some Instagram influencer giving you major life envy, attempting to get you to buy dietary supplements and teas that will miraculously make your life Instagram-worthy too.
The Making of a Met Gala Icon: Stylist Mel Ottenberg Breaks Down Rihanna’s Best Looks
In the last seven years, Mel Ottenberg has helped conjure many of Rihanna’s most magical fashion moments, several of which have famously graced the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The extraordinary Guo Pei cape the singer wore to the Met Gala in 2015, for example, undoubtedly ranks as one of the most spectacular in her repertoire—not to mention the Gala’s history.
Everything You Need to Know About the Met Gala, According to André Leon Talley
The Met Gala is finally here! We break down everything there is to know about the big night before it begins & why the red carpet will be the best yet. The 2018 Met Gala is set for Monday, May 7, and as the world waits to see what the celebrity guests will be wearing, it’s worth refreshing your memory on all the pertinent details before the red carpet is rolled out.
How to Watch the 2018 Met Gala
This year at the Met Gala 2018, there are several ways to watch and follow along as your favorite celebrities and designers arrive on the red carpet. With the first Monday in May fast approaching, Met Gala excitement here at Vogue is at an all time high. The annual fundraising gala, put on by the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, marks a historic and culturally iconic night for the fashion industry, particularly when it comes to the red carpet.
6 Things You Need to Do Before Your Internship Ends
After months of scouring for internship opportunities, filling out applications, and interviewing, you finally landed that dream summer internship. Now it’s been two months of hard work and lots of learning, and you’re about to head back to campus for a new school year. How are you going to make the most of your experience this summer?
What to Do If You Think Your SO May Have Given You an STI
On a list of all the awkward relationship conversations possible, talking to your partner after contracting a sexually transmitted infection might hold the number one spot. Whether it’s at the beginning of a new relationship, or you have been in a committed, exclusive relationship for a while, it’s far from an ideal situation. Not only is it a matter of health, it also opens the door to a lot of issues that you and your partner may not feel like addressing.
7 Bad Health Habits We’re All Guilty of & How to Beat Them
Between keeping up with school work, maintaining a social life and compulsively signing up for extracurriculars to pad your resume, it’s no surprise that health often falls to the wayside for collegiettes. Sleep? Never heard of it. Daily servings of fruits and vegetables? Do french fries and popcorn count? And taking care of your skin? Well, it gets clean enough in the shower, right?
How to Celebrate Valentine’s Day If It Gets You Down
Valentine’s Day means a lot of different things to different people. For some, it is a holiday in celebration of love in our lives, and a time to show those we care about our affection for them. For others, it’s an excuse to binge-watch romantic comedies with our friends over cheap wine. And still, for some, Valentine’s Day has an overarching negative connotation. Whether you’re single, casually dating, or in a serious relationship, sometimes Valentine’s Day just gets you down.
How to Keep Yourself from Going Back to an Old Relationship When You’re Home for Break
New Girl called it the “backslide” when Jess and Nick went back to their exes. “How I Met Your Mother” coined the phrase “revertigo.” Gossip Girl just blamed fate and hormones for the on and off again Chuck and Blair relationship rollercoaster. Whatever term or excuse you prefer, there is undoubtedly some sort of phenomena that makes us return to old relationships and habits when we really should just move on.
Katherine Langford Says Season 2 of '13 Reasons Why' Meant 'Letting Hannah Go'
13 Reasons Why caused a stir with Netflix audiences earlier this year — some loved it, some hated it, but it seemed like everyone was talking about the controversial show depicting a teenage girl’s suicide and its effect on her school and community. In its first day streaming, it garnered 3.5 million tweets alone. The show and its lead actress Katherine Langford, who earned a Golden Globe nomination for her performance, are back for another season. So what should we expect from season two?
Taylor Swift's Friend Todrick Hall Knew One of Her Exes Was Bad News Without Even Meeting Him
Body language really is everything. Just ask Taylor Swift’s best friend, Todrick Hall. The former "Kinky Boots" star discussed his friendship with the Reputation singer on the Kid Kraddick Morning Show, and revealed how he could just tell one of her ex’s was bad for her based on her hunching posture whenever she talked about him. Even without meeting the unnamed ex-lover, it seems like Hall knew he was trouble.
Meghan Markle Will Reportedly Be the First Unofficial Spouse to Spend Christmas With the Royal Family
If you thought meeting your boyfriend’s parents this holiday season was going to be intimidating, imagine spending three days with the Queen of England and the rest of the royal family. Meghan Markle is reportedly breaking royal boundaries and modernizing the monarchy once again as the first unofficial spouse to get an invite to the royal family’s holiday festivities.
Everything You Need to Know If You're Thinking Of Giving Up Dairy
It seems like with every day that passes, there’s another major food group we’re supposed to cut out of our diets. We’ve seen the rollercoaster-like rise and fall of cutting out carbs, and fats that were once avoided like the plague are now considered a key part of a balanced diet. Now, another food group is at risk for becoming a fit girl wannabe’s public enemy #1: dairy. Health-conscious celebrities like Kourtney Kardashian, Megan Fox and Beyonce have all gone dairy-free, according to E! News.
5 Things College Tour Guides Wish They Could Tell You
One of the best ways to find out if a college is the right fit for you is actually visiting in person. But once you’re there, it’s easy to get lost and look around at a gorgeous campus and think, Now what? You’ll better understand the school and the campus if you sign up for a campus tour led by an actual student. However, these tours don’t always tell the whole story.
Mila Kunis's UPS Delivery Guy Accidentally Saw Her Topless, But She DGAF
Once you’re a mom, it's totally normal to walk around your house topless with your newborn. (Honestly, even those of us who aren't moms roam the house topless, am I right?) For Mila Kunis, that meant having a potentially awkward run-in with her neighborhood UPS guy. But it wasn't a big deal for the onscreen bad mom and real-life mom of two. Mila told PEOPLE she “wasn’t really embarrassed,” but “felt more bad for the UPS guy” than herself.
The CMA Awards Tried to Keep the Media From Talking About the Las Vegas Shooting
After initially issuing guidelines instructing journalists “to refrain from focusing your coverage…on the Las Vegas tragedy, gun rights, political affiliations or topics of the like,” the Country Music Association has apologized and lifted the original media guidelines regarding this year’s CMA Awards ceremony, according to NBC’s Nashville affiliate, WSMV. This year’s ceremony will take place Wednesday, Nov.
Blake Lively Wished Ryan Reynolds a Happy Birthday in the Most Savage Way
Even if Anna Faris and Chris Pratt hadn’t called it quits earlier this year, Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively would still be dominating the celebrity couple game—or really just the couple game in general. Not only are they completely adorable and in love (obviously), but they also prove that couples who troll one another stay together. In the latest edition of "Blake and Ryan tease each other on social media," Blake posted a picture in honor of Ryan’s birthday—with one tiny catch.
How Much Should You Tell Your BFFs About Your College Applications?
College applications. The very phrase can trigger an explosion of stress and excitement, anxiety and anticipation. For some the search for the perfect school is a fun, match-making-esque process, but for others it’s a sea of essays, transcript requests, financial aid packets and the occasional overwhelming wave of not feeling good enough. Sounds like the perfect time for your best friends to swoop in and reassure you, right? Not so fast.
Kendall Jenner Finally Breaks Her Silence on Pepsi Ad, Says She Felt 'F--king Stupid'
Yes, we're still talking about that Pepsi commercial. On Sunday night’s episode of Keeping Up With the Kardashians, Kendall Jenner finally opened up about the backlash she received because of her protest-themed Pepsi commercial in April. The ad, which showed Jenner solving a conflict by handing a police officer a can of Pepsi, was pulled almost immediately. In a confessional-style interview, Kendall explained why she took the job in the first place.
The 'Fuller House' Creator Is Done Asking the Olsen Twins to Appear
When Season 3 of Fuller House dropped on Netflix last week, fans couldn’t help but notice the third Tanner sister, Michelle, was still absent. While D.J. and Stephanie have continued their crazy antics, the question still remains: Why haven’t the Olsen twins reprised their role as the youngest Tanner? The pair turned down the opportunity to appear in the first season of the series.
Everything We Know So Far About Kylie Jenner's Pregnancy
Ever since news broke that 20-year-old makeup mogul and reality star Kylie Jenner is pregnant, the internet has been doing what it does best: investigating every photo, tweet, like and Snap to find out as much information as possible (especially since Kylie and most of her fam have remained tight-lipped). Multiple outlets reported on Friday that Kylie is expecting a baby girl—due in February—with boyfriend Travis Scott.
Kim Kardashian Thought She Had a Miscarriage When She Was Pregnant With North
Dedicated viewers of Keeping Up With the Kardashians know pregnancy wasn’t easy for Kim Kardashian. During both her pregnancies, she experienced placenta accreta, meaning doctors had to remove the placenta by hand because it didn’t detach from the uterine wall.
6 Mistakes Most High School Seniors Make When They Apply to College
The very phrase “college admissions process” can send high schoolers into a spiral of stress, anxiety and uncertainty. It’s a daunting concept, and on top of getting the grades and being involved in extracurriculars to get into your dream school, you still have to jump through the application hoops. They can include anything from tons of essays or even interviews.
'The Mindy Project' Cast Documented Their Last Day of Filming on Instagram, & I Can't Stop Crying
All good things must come to an end, as Mindy Kaling learned this week as she wrapped the sixth and final season of The Mindy Project. Wednesday marked the Hulu series' last day of filming, and the cast took us behind-the-scenes for every bit of it. The creator, star and writer took to Instagram to share an emotional series of photos commemorating her time as Mindy Lahiri—including this sweet on-set pic of her last day playing the iconic character.
Sean Spicer Claims Trump Was 'Supportive' of His Emmys Appearance
While many (like CNN, The New York Times and Twitter) were critical of former White House press secretary Sean Spicer’s appearance at the Emmys on Sunday, one person supposedly supported the cameo: President Donald Trump. In an interview with Good Morning America, Spicer talked about his former boss’s reaction to his appearance on television’s biggest night. “He was very supportive,” Spicer said of Trump. “He thought I did a great job.
How to Stay Healthy When Everyone on Campus Is Getting Sick
When the new school year starts, everyone is excited to be back on campus and see their friends again. Everything seems fun and new — until you’re a month in and your nose starts feeling stuffy, or your body starts to ache. Now what do you do? Almost all students will at some point suffer through some of the most common illnesses in college; these range from the stomach flu to the common cold to strep throat, according to Dr. Christina Johns, senior medical advisor for PM Pediatrics.
Disney World Kept the Magic Alive During Hurricane Irma Because It's Disney World
Not even Hurricane Irma can put a damper on Disney magic. Although Walt Disney World in Orlando shut down for two consecutive days (Sept. 10 and 11) for the first time in its 46-year history, the House of Mouse still tried to make sure their resort guests enjoyed their vacation, Cosmopolitan reports.
Men Are More Likely to Be Sorted Into Gryffindor & Slytherin Than Women
Forget the Myers-Briggs test. The Hogwarts Sorting Hat is the best judgment of personality. On Sept. 1, in celebration of the start of a new wizarding school year, Time released data from a scientific-based quiz conducted last June that sorted over 1 million people into their Hogwarts houses. Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff were the most popular houses overall among Americans. But those who were sorted into Gryffindor and Slytherin were mostly men.
This 'Look What You Made Me Do' & 'Bet On It' Mash-Up Will Convince You Taylor Swift Stole Troy Bolton's Song
Could Taylor Swift be looking to our favorite DCOM crush for musical inspiration? I'd be willing to bet on it. It’s no secret that Tay's latest single, "Look What You Made Me Do," and video are full of shade-throwing. Most fans have been carefully combing the lyrics and video for hidden messages, but YouTuber Jon Cozart caught an overlooked yet crucial detail: "LWYMMD" is eerily similar to High School Musical 2's "Bet On It." Who doesn't remember "Bet On It"?
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