Despite the finicky downpour over Manhattan Tuesday night, an intimate group of fashionistas and beauty aficionados congregated on the second floor lobby of the Hearst Tower to celebrate six outstanding women in the second annual Harper’s Bazaar and Estée Lauder Fabulous at Every Age Reader Contest. The cocktail reception honored five finalists, ranging in the ages of mid-twenties to the late ’60s and a very special honorable mention to 102 year old Margaret Bonner, who worked in the couture and bridal industry for more than forty-five years and who, according to the entry written by her daughter, ” exemplifies charm, grace and elegance. She is warm, kind and has a love for life and a fabulous personality.”
Estee Lauder brand ambassador Elizabeth Hurley, who is currently filming the remake of the television series Wonder Woman, honored the fabulous finalists with Estee Lauder beauty products and a few other goodies. Ms. Hurley, looking fabulous for her age, lauded all the women for their strength, style and pinache. She also told the guests during her speech that she’s been with the beauty brand as a spokeswoman for over 17 years.
Harper’s Bazaar is known for celebrating women of all ages, shapes, sizes and continually inspires its readers to live a fun, fearless and fabulous life. The nationwide Fabulous at Every Age search yielded thousands of responses but it came down to five finalists, Anh Sundstrom, 27; Nathalie Sajou, 36; Cyd McKenna, 40; Angela Paul, 56; Brandyn Barbara Artis, 67, who won the prize. Ms. Artis was nominated by a friend for the contest. Her entry described Brandyn as “a wife, mother, grandmother, breast cancer survivor, lobbyist/cancer awareness advocate, playwright, actress, US air force veteran, all with grace and elegance.” Through it all, she’s managed to look fabulous both inside and out. She told us that her secret is to “enjoy each day and live it to the fullest. And make sure to be happy and comfortable living in your skin.” The magazine’s editor-in-chief Glenda Bailey, wearing a dress by Erdem, divulged her secret to being fabulous, which is to “Smile, because everything goes up when you smile and it makes you look younger.”
Estée Lauder is celebrating the Harper’s Bazaar partnership with a limited-edition Fabulous at Every Age lipstick and gloss: Estée Lauder Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick in Bitten Fig (suggested retail, $24) and Estée Lauder Pure Color Gloss in Red Tango (suggested retail, $20), two shades that are flattering for every age, available for a limited time exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue stores nationwide, and www.saksfifthavenue.com.
Photos by: Makeda Saggau-Sackey
