Julianne smiled, though her eyes were on the center of the room. Princess Diana had passed only months ago, and a certain somber elegance still clung to the season’s fashion—lots of black lace and understated pearls. Yet, as the live orchestra transitioned from Gershwin to a sophisticated arrangement of "Candle in the Wind," the mood shifted from commerce to legacy.
At midnight, the host, Alistair Clairmont, raised a crystal coupe. "To a year of unprecedented growth," he toasted, his voice echoing under the gold-leaf ceiling. "And to a future that looks even brighter." High Society Holiday 1997
The crisp December air of 1997 didn't stand a chance against the radiant heat of the Vanderbilt-Clairmont ballroom. It was the night of the "Crystal Frost" gala, the undisputed peak of the Manhattan social calendar. Julianne smiled, though her eyes were on the