Page 19 - Demo_HS)Midsummer2022

social person and love the social aspect of philan- thropy—I enjoy meeting new people.
What do you love most about the Hamptons?
The Hamptons have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The landscape is breathtaking as well. We have wonderful restaurants and many social activities. I love spending time with my week- end guests including the friends I have made around the globe.
How do you prepare your wardrobe for each gala that you attend?
Styling an outfit is something that I truly enjoy. Often, I decide at the last minute what to wear. But I will usually have a few options available in case a zipper breaks, for example.
You have been known for your fashion. Your style is often talked about and you have appeared on a number of best-dressed lists.
Fashion is a great hobby of mine. It is one of the rea- sons why I serve on the board of the Couture Council of the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technol- ogy. I love to discover and promote up-and-coming fashion designers. Over the years I have amassed
a large designer and couture ball gown collection that I plan to donate to a museum someday. The collection includes many beautiful gowns by Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera, B Michael, Valentino, Victor dE Souza, Mary McFadden, Zang Toi, and
“Malan Breton.
Being honored comes with a great sense of responsibility. An honored person must serve
knowledge, and available financial resources. Those that have no resources to give can give their time and knowledge.
How would you like to be remembered?
I would like to be remembered as someone who cared about many people and who always worked hard for different causes.
What advice would you give a young person to inspire a sense of giving back?
Look to join a junior committee and look for a cause that is of great interest to you. Also, see if you can find a mentor to teach you about philanthropy. We can all be mentors and should encourage the next generation! We also must teach them to share and be kind no matter what.
You’ve been honored dozens of times for your work, and you have chaired many galas. What is the responsibility you have for these honors?
All of this requires work. A good honoree donates generously and then reaches out to others for dona- tions and ticket sales. Bringing visibility to a cause is also important. It’s not just about getting an award and walking away. Being honored comes with a great sense of responsibility. An honored person must serve and have a lifelong commitment to others. n
Follow Jean Shafiroff on social media:
I: @jeanshafiroff, @jeanshafiroffatwork, F: @JeanShafroff, T: @JeanShafiroff
and have a lifelong” commitment to others.
Tell us about some of your favorite guests you’ve had on
including many celebrities, political figures, business leaders, fashion designers, and heads of charities— individuals who I believe have done good work in
the area of philanthropy. Some of my guests have in- cluded Tony Danza, Carol Alt, Tova Feldshuh, Nelson Mandela’s grandson Ndaba Mandela, U.S. Represen- tative Carolyn Maloney, Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright, and Kerry Kennedy, among many others. Where did your love of animals come from?
It started when my oldest daughter adopted a dog and brought him to our home in New York City. We soon learned that an adopted pet could bring great love into our lives.
Today I serve on several charity boards that focus on animal causes. My love of animals grew and inspired my work with organizations such as Amer- ican Humane, Global Strays, and the Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation.
I also served as the National Spokesperson for American Humane’s Feed the Hungry COVID-19 program, an initiative that successfully raised $1M to provide food for over 1,000,000 hungry animals at 109 animal shelters across the United States.
How do you define a philanthropist?
A philanthropist is anyone who gives their time,
Dress: Oscar de la Renta
your television show: Successful Philanthropy. My TV show is exciting for me. I love interv
iewing people and have interviewed over 150 personalities
Dress: Oscar de la Renta
Dress: Zimmermann
HAMPTON SHEET
MIDSUMMER 2022
19
Photos by Michael Paniccia