Latest news with #Borzoi
New York Post
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Oleg Cassini's former NYC home now asks $7.99M
A Gramercy Park townhouse once owned by the late Oleg Cassini — Jackie O's favorite fashion designer who was linked romantically to some of the world's most beautiful women — is about to go back on the market with a million-dollar price slash. It will ask $7.99 million. The four-story, 20-foot-wide spread, at 135 E. 19th St., first hit the market for $13.95 million last year, before the price was cut to $8.95 million. It was last purchased at auction for $5 million in 2022. 'It's a bad-ass Gothic party house, with something in every corner — from gargoyles to an imported fountain and wallpaper in the closet,' said listing broker and reality TV star Eleonora Srugo, of Douglas Elliman, who will be representing the home with Elliman's Bernardo Metsch. 8 The residence is replete with historical touches, including stained glass on every floor. Edward Menashy at Evan Joseph Photo 8 The dining room also has stained glass, which pairs with beamed ceilings overhead. Edward Menashy at Evan Joseph Photo 8 Oleg Cassini hosted many a party inside. Getty Images 'Someone should restore it to its glory,' she added. This is where Cassini, a notorious playboy, held glamorous parties and dressed his famous clients, who also included Marilyn Monroe and Grace Kelly, his former fiancée. 'If you love old-school New York, this house has a great history,' Srugo said. The 6,798-square-foot dwelling comes with six bedrooms, 5.5 baths, stained glass on every floor. Once known as the Joseph B. Thomas House — named for a 19th-century sugar mogul's philanthropic heir — it appears to be a Greek Revival home, built in the 1870s. Thomas, who traveled to Russia to bring back and breed 'royal' Russian Borzoi dogs, hired English-born architect Frederick Junius Sterner to remodel the home and transform it into a 'Gothic fantasy … [with] crouching gargoyles and a carved coat of arms,' according to the Daytonian in Manhattan blog. Design details also include decorative stone inlays, and carved paneling and arches. An entry foyer opens with a Flemish pattern stone floor and leads to the living room, which was once called the 'Italian Room,' with a barrel-vaulted ceiling, filigree plasterwork, wood-paneled walls and a large stone fireplace. A garden boasts a working fountain and areas for interior plantings under a glass solarium roof. There's also a chef's kitchen, a prep kitchen, a dumbwaiter, two staircases and a laundry center, along with a large dining room, and a brick-and-tile wine cellar and tasting room. 8 Wood paneling and a brick fireplace enhance the handsome touches. Edward Menashy at Evan Joseph Photo 8 A view of the layout. Edward Menashy at Evan Joseph Photo 8 Stained glass also accents this massive bedroom. Edward Menashy at Evan Joseph Photo The upstairs bedroom floors include ensuite baths and dressing rooms. Thomas himself was also known for hosting parties, including on St. Patrick's Day, when all decorations were green. He also held charity dance galas to raise money for Europe in World War I, sent cows to Europe after the war and planted maple trees on the block along with the first gingko tree — and was president of the Gramercy Park Association, according to the Daytonian in Manhattan blog. But current and past listings also claim that the home has an unusual origin story. They say it was actually built 400 years ago in Amsterdam, and that the 17th-century property was dismantled and shipped first to New York's Upper West Side, where it was reassembled in 1845, and then moved again to Gramercy Park in 1910, where it was 'completed' by Sterner. If true, it would appear to be the city's only 17th-century Dutch home transplanted to New York by ship to be reassembled here in the 19th century. 8 A kitchen detail in the townhouse. Edward Menashy at Evan Joseph Photo 8 The house is filled with original details, including beautiful carved wood and the staircase. Edward Menashy at Evan Joseph Photo And yet, there are some who believe it. 'We felt pretty confident about the 400-year-old claims when we did the research. It was pretty well documented,' said an insider with knowledge of a past listing. As for the current listing, Srugo told Gimme Shelter it may be more likely that some of the home was shipped to New York and not all of it. Like the house, the late Cassini — who died at age 92 in 2006 — also has an interesting backstory. He was the grandson of a Russian-Italian count and the tsar's last ambassador to China before the Russian Revolution. He also dressed Hollywood stars including Joan Fontaine and Joan Crawford. As he told the New York Post in 1961, 'My philosophy is this: Do not tamper with the anatomy of a woman's body; do not camouflage it. I don't want every woman to look like a little boy.'
Newsroom
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsroom
The author who suffers a Russian wolfhound
I do not love my pets equally. In that scene from Sophie's Choice where Meryl Streep is on the train platform? The cat would be coming home with me and the dog would be boarding the first class carriage bound for the Zone of Interest. My dog Iggy Dogstoyevsky is a Borzoi, a Russian Wolfhound, and they are not a normal dog. Where the average labrador lives to please his master, the Borzoi has an innate, brutal autonomy and wants primarily to do what he likes and so much the better if this torments you into a state of apoplexy. I have trained Iggy. He knows all the commands. He just chooses not to obey any of them ever. Iggy is the product of a breeding programme that began in the 1780s in a palace called Kreznovsky two hundred miles out of Moscow on the outskirts of the Siberian tundra. Here, mad Count Alexei Orlov, the man who had murdered Catherine the Great's husband in a drunken knife fight so that she could take the throne, decided to knuckle down to creating the perfect killing machine. He spliced an Arabian greyhound, a Russian sheepdog and a dollop of Saluki to produce a hound to send out ahead of his vodka-soaked hunting parties. Borzoi (it's Russian for swift) were generally deployed in packs of three; their task was bringing down a timber wolf and deploying their Vadar-like patented death grip to choke the life out of the poor creature. Eventually, once the wolf was dead, the drunk Russians would arrive and celebrate but it was the Borzoi alone who did the deed and ran their own show. No wonder Iggy won't listen to me. Iggy was bred, as Liam Neeson might say, with a particular set of skills. His thick ruff of silken fur is designed to keep the wolf from getting a go at his throat plus it keeps him warm in a bleak boreal snowstorm. Elegant, leggy and aristocratic, he was purpose-built to please a long line of lunatics. Why then did I want him? Looking back, and I say this in all seriousness, I wish I had bought my second choice of dog instead which was a teacup Pomeranian. Iggy was a poor decision on my part, and what really hurts is that this issue is now becoming a problem on the page. My new book The Last Journey (publisher: 'a novel for eight-88 year-olds') is narrated by a cat and located in a world where a fascist government rises to power and makes some very dark choices about the fate of its disenfranchised feline community. Pusskin, the hero of the story, is modelled on my cat, Alexsandr Pusskin. It was a joy to write. Pusskin was the perfect muse. And now his book is done, and I'm working on a follow-up and like an utter fool I have turned to … Iggy. Needless to say I am on struggle street. Iggy is a poor muse for a lead. The book has been torturously slow. It was supposed to be finished months ago – instead I have languished in the early chapters because Iggy refuses to behave on the page. Why would he when he won't behave in real life? And so he's been bumped. The central character is now an Irish Terrier. But now that Iggy has a buddy role instead of carrying the lead, I've begun to notice new things about the real-life Iggy. He's a natural comedian. His lugubrious Russian nature, that wretched expression he deploys as he sprawls about the house, moping on the sofa as if nothing good will ever happen again? Hilarious. His sense of always being up for an adventure? His menacing unpredictability. It all makes him a classic buddy – useful in a literary sense. He is alluringly a creature out of time and context; a great beauty bred by Tsars to stalk palaces and hunt the taiga and he is stuck here in tedious suburbia with me and Pusskin. No wonder he's bonkers. I see now that the problem was never Iggy, it was me. I thought it was a good idea to bring a wolf-annihilating machine capable of reaching speeds of 60 kilometres an hour into a villa in downtown Ponsonby. It was not a good idea. And on that train platform, could I really let him go? Despite his annoying qualities I still love the great galoot. Of course I don't actually want to be rid of him. Mostly. The Last Journey by Stacy (Simon & Schuster, $20.99) is published today, July 2. It's about good old Pusskin the cat and his loving owner, eleven-year-old Lottie. The bond between them is unbreakable – but when the bird population is depleted, cats are made a scapegoat. Keen to protect his cat friends on the cul-de-sac, Pusskin sets off on a journey that will take them to a hidden island at the furthest reaches of the country….
Daily Record
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
'I've worked with dogs for 10 years and these are the only breeds I would own'
A vet with 10 years of experience has shared the nine dog breeds she would welcome into her home with open arms after working with countless breeds throughout her career An experienced vet with a decade of working with different dog breeds has taken to social media to share the breeds she would happily have in her home. Saddy the animal expert shared a list of nine breeds she believes would be ideal companions for most prospective pet owners. In her insightful clip, Saddy expressed: "We see lots of posts about breeds vet professionals wouldn't own, and while I agree with the majority of them, I feel like it's time to see the opposite of the narrative! All breeds have their unique personalities and health issues, but that shouldn't be the end all, be all. "Again, this is personal preference based on personal experience and others don't have to agree." Pitbull terrier or bully mix Speaking of the Pitbull terrier or bully mix, Saddy suggested that owning one offers "scary dog privilege" alluding to the sense of security people feel when walking these dogs at night. She elaborated: "They're a favourite among most vet staff for a reason." Greyhound Greyhounds often end up abandoned or in rescue shelters when their racing career comes to an end, which is usually around the age of three and five. Saddy mentioned that despite their need for regular runs, they are often quite lazy once they've released their pent-up energy. She said: "They're gentle and sweet-natured. They look like they've been squished hot dog style. They're on the quieter side and great for introverts." Collie Saddy added that while collies are energetic, they're said to make great pets to all types of owners. She noted: "They're pretty boys (and girls), part of the Fab Four, even tempered, intelligent and loyal." The 'fab four' refers to the four dog breeds often utilised for work - Labradors, collies, golden retrievers and poodles. She further commented on the cuteness of their ears, which some have likened to bears. Borzoi It's not often you see a Borzoi. The large Russian breed, also known as Russian Hunting Sighthound, have been described as having a "noodle face" due to their long noses. Saddy stated: "They're actual royalty. Very fun and silly personalities. Loyal to their people. Unique breed." Golden Retriever Among the breeds she recommends, Saddy includes the golden retriever, describing them as "the definition of man's best friend" and assuring potential owners that they "can't go wrong" with these pets. The vet explained further: "They're an extremely versatile breed, eager to please and have the best smooch faces." Boxer Boxers were described by Saddy as "some of the happiest dogs alive", with many showing their excitement with a "wiggle butt." She said: "They're everyone's best friend. Active and young at heart. The goofiest of goobers." Australian shepherd The Australian shepherd has plenty of good qualities. Saddy said: "They're fluffy wiggle butts, bright and alert, very versatile." A lot of Australian shepherd owners refer to their pets as 'Aussholes" but when they're bred and trained correctly, they can make great companions. Irish Setter However, she believes these dogs are frequently underrated due to their significant grooming needs and a broad lack of public understanding about them. Irish wolfhound She said: "They're big couch potatoes, vigilant and loyal." She added that there's no cause for concern with them around, as their formidable size deters anyone from causing trouble.
Fashion Network
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Fashion Network
Dunhill: Disobedient grace in a Milanese garden
Dunhill staged the final show on Sunday evening in a beautiful Milanese garden filled with statues of goddesses and cherubs, and its message of sartorial chic with a soupçon of rebellion felt very timely. For decades, young men have been wearing Ralph Lauren to imply their families have been genteel for more than two generations. Perhaps they should think of shopping at Dunhill, where designer Simon Holloway's subtle renovation has led to some great clothes that mine a patrician past with modernist vigor. Any doubt about Dunhill's future was dispelled by the front row, where there was practically major buyer gridlock, especially from Asia. Holloway opened crisply with lots of great putty-hued suits, cool trenches, and a fab series of split suits. Combinations of windowpane check, seersucker, piqué, and sporty checks—all of which looked great. And light, too—underlining the way he has eliminated so much weight from Dunhill fabrics. Which is vital. If you don't think so, try going to get measured for a suit on Savile Row. You practically sweat when you feel the hand of so many UK fabrics. Simon, with his yen for Italian materials, avoids that at Dunhill. He then segued into a series of classic suits, made in feathery cottons and fresh linens, one worn by a gent leading a Weimaraner hound on a leash around the pebble path. 'Disobedient grace,' was Holloway's definition of the collection, blending the style of besuited rock icons like Bryan Ferry and Charlie Watts into legacy clothing. After something of a drop in energy halfway through the show, with too many windowpane check jackets and formulaic sweaters, everything kicked up a gear with some rakish Motorities suede jerkins and coats in soft French lambskin. And—seeing as the main cocktail served was gin-based—a quartet of dandies in silk suits, paisley waistcoats, and Panama hats looked born to drink a good gimlet. Before segueing into cardigans and dressing gowns embroidered with various hounds—from bulldog to boxer—one model strutted by with a beautiful gray Weimaraner on a leash. Before the show reached a climax, a chap in a tartan dressing gown just about managed to guide two nervous-looking white Borzoi hounds around the garden. All staged in the ideal location, the garden of Poldi Pezzoli Museum, with its rare collection boasting works by Botticelli, Bellini, and Mantegna. And all backed up by music from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Not a bad way to end a busy weekend.
Fashion Network
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Fashion Network
Dunhill: Disobedient grace in a Milanese garden
Dunhill staged the final show on Sunday evening in a beautiful Milanese garden filled with statues of goddesses and cherubs, and its message of sartorial chic with a soupçon of rebellion felt very timely. For decades, young men have been wearing Ralph Lauren to imply their families have been genteel for more than two generations. Perhaps they should think of shopping at Dunhill, where designer Simon Holloway's subtle renovation has led to some great clothes that mine a patrician past with modernist vigor. Any doubt about Dunhill's future was dispelled by the front row, where there was practically major buyer gridlock, especially from Asia. Holloway opened crisply with lots of great putty-hued suits, cool trenches, and a fab series of split suits. Combinations of windowpane check, seersucker, piqué, and sporty checks—all of which looked great. And light, too—underlining the way he has eliminated so much weight from Dunhill fabrics. Which is vital. If you don't think so, try going to get measured for a suit on Savile Row. You practically sweat when you feel the hand of so many UK fabrics. Simon, with his yen for Italian materials, avoids that at Dunhill. He then segued into a series of classic suits, made in feathery cottons and fresh linens, one worn by a gent leading a Weimaraner hound on a leash around the pebble path. 'Disobedient grace,' was Holloway's definition of the collection, blending the style of besuited rock icons like Bryan Ferry and Charlie Watts into legacy clothing. After something of a drop in energy halfway through the show, with too many windowpane check jackets and formulaic sweaters, everything kicked up a gear with some rakish Motorities suede jerkins and coats in soft French lambskin. And—seeing as the main cocktail served was gin-based—a quartet of dandies in silk suits, paisley waistcoats, and Panama hats looked born to drink a good gimlet. Before segueing into cardigans and dressing gowns embroidered with various hounds—from bulldog to boxer—one model strutted by with a beautiful gray Weimaraner on a leash. Before the show reached a climax, a chap in a tartan dressing gown just about managed to guide two nervous-looking white Borzoi hounds around the garden. All staged in the ideal location, the garden of Poldi Pezzoli Museum, with its rare collection boasting works by Botticelli, Bellini, and Mantegna. And all backed up by music from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Not a bad way to end a busy weekend.
