THE SALONNIERE NAMES AMERICA’S 100 BEST PARTY HOSTS FROM 33 U.S. CITIES

The 2019 Salonniere 100

(Austin, TX – March 7, 2019) – The Salonniere, the nation’s leading website dedicated to the art of entertaining, has announced the 2019 Salonniere 100, a list of America’s 100 best party hosts.

With this fourth installment of the annual list of exceptional party throwers, the 2019 Salonniere 100 spotlights honorees from 33 cities across the United States and represents a diverse and brilliantly creative group of people who share one common trait: an exceptional ability to leverage the power of parties to enhance the lives of others.

“Social gatherings play a vital role in our lives and communities, whether to connect people, advance ideas, support causes, or promote joyfulness, and those who host them provide a great gift to humanity,” said Carla McDonald, the founder and editor in chief of The Salonniere. “The Salonniere 100 is our way of honoring the people in America who are the absolute best at hosting parties with passion and purpose.”

Among those making their debut on the Salonniere 100 this year are:

• Jennifer Aniston (Los Angeles). Known for her deep-rooted love of entertaining, Aniston is regarded as the “social glue” that holds together the mover-and-shaker crowd in Hollywood. She recently threw herself a headline-grabbing 50^th birthday party that underscored her exemplary hosting skills: among the attendees were Aniston’s ex-husband Brad Pitt and his ex-girlfriend Gwyneth Paltrow, along with Aniston’s ex-beau John Mayer, his ex-girlfriend Katy Perry and her current beau Orlando Bloom.
• Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade (Miami). The Miami Heat basketball player and his actress-activist wife are well-known in Miami for their über-creative, lively, and elaborate theme parties. Last October, to celebrate Union’s 46^th birthday party, they hosted a 90s-themed birthday bash that featured a surprise performance by Lil’ Kim. No wonder E! News recently said: “Nobody throws a party like Gabrielle Union and Dwyane Wade.”
• Sara Blakely (Atlanta), the founder and chief executive officer of Spanx. Blakely hosts parties to build relationships among women and promote girl power. She regularly hosts fundraisers for charities that empower women and uses her birthday as an opportunity to invite a group of women on a surprise adventure that will help them connect, bond, and grow.
• Derek Blasberg (New York). Blasberg, a fashion journalist and international bon vivant, is known for throwing parties that attract A-listers and make headlines. Most recently, the stylish salonniere, who has been called the “BFF of seemingly every celebrity ever,” hosted a party during London Fashion Week to celebrate Victoria Beckham’s new YouTube Channel. The chic fête attracted everyone from Chris Rock and Joel Edgerton to Alexa Chung and Olivia Palermo and included a performance by drag troupe, The Spice Gurrls.
• Mike Meldman (Los Angeles), the billionaire real estate developer and partner—along with George Clooney and Rande Gerber—in Casamigos. Meldman was recently labeled “Real Estate’s Party Boy” by the Wall Street Journal and for good reason. His parties are sexy, fun, and filled with tequila and interesting people; his annual Halloween bash is one of the hottest party invitations in the country to score.
• Jill Kargman (New York). Author and former Odd Mom Out writer and actress, Kargman is known for throwing high-spirited soirées that combine style with wicked sophistication. Her wit, irreverence, and attention to detail—even down to themed toilet paper—are legendary, making her parties fun and full of surprises.

Among those returning to the Salonniere 100 this year are:

• Patricia Barnstable Brown and Priscilla Barnstable (Louisville). The former Doublemint twins host an annual Kentucky Derby party that raises more than $10 million each year for diabetes research and draws a fascinating mix of guests—from actors Blair Underwood and Ty Burrell and musicians Kid Rock and Boyz II Men to athletes Tony Romo, Tara Lipinski, and Johnny Weir.
• Sheikha Rima Al-Sabah, (Washington, D.C.).  The wife of Kuwait’s Ambassador to the United States, Al-Sabah is known for hosting purpose-driven fundraisers that are bridge-builders and attract politicos from both sides of the aisle as well as Hollywood luminaries. In 2018, her parties raised millions of dollars to support refugees and displaced women. Marie Claire once noted that she has “single-handedly strengthened ties between the U.S. and Kuwait and changed our view of Arab women.”
• Oprah Winfrey (Santa Barbara). The media mogul and philanthropist uses parties to raise awareness for important issues and connect and empower others. Guests called her “Girls Getaway” 65^th birthday party last month “inspiring, uplifting, and empowering.” In a story on The Salonniere, event-designer-to-the-stars Colin Cowie said Oprah is the one person in his mind who stands out as a great party host.
• Stephanie Nass (New York). The culinary influencer hosts a modern supper club that brings together friends—and friends of friends—twice a month for dinners inspired by the culinary and visual arts.
• Alessandra Branca (Chicago). The Rome-born interior designer brings her extraordinary design skills to her dinner parties by creating tabletop environments that are so beautiful they read like art installations.

The 15 “super hosts” who have made the Salonniere 100 in each year since its inception in 2016 are:

• Aspen: Amy and John Phelan
• Atlanta: Annette Joseph and Danielle Rollins
• Dallas: Cindy Rachofsky
• Houston: Becca Cason Thrash, Lynn Wyatt, and Phoebe Tudor
• New York: Ashley McDermott and Lela Rose
• New Orleans: Julia Reed
• Newport: Bettie Bearden Pardee
• Palm Beach: Annie Falk
• San Francisco: Ken Fulk
• Washington D.C.: Hilary and Wilbur Ross and Katherine and David Bradley

To determine the 2019 Salonniere 100, The Salonniere team spent six months surveying social authorities and local in-the-know experts, including journalists, philanthropists, not-for-profit fundraisers, social luminaries, event planners, and cultural and business leaders. Only cities with a sufficient number of nominees are included. A special focus was placed on those who entertain with enthusiasm, creativity, passion, and purpose. The nominees most frequently mentioned were reviewed by The Salonniere team to compile the final list of honorees. Honorees are listed as they were nominated most frequently, i.e., as an individual or couple. Event professionals are not eligible. To see the full list of 2019 Salonniere 100 honorees, please visit https://thesalonniere.com/salonniere-100-2019/