NATIONAL RETAIL FEDERATION DINNER

June 20 • The Italian Ambassador’s Residence
PHOTOS BY CARL COX

Denyce Graves

THE EVENT: Italian Amb. Giovanni Castellaneta and his wife Leila hosted a dinner for several dozen of the nation’s most prominent retail CEOs while they were in town for the National Retail Federation’s annual summer board of directors meeting.

THE SCENE: Amb. Castellaneta welcomed the executives as “people who know Italy and know Italian products” and NRF Board Chairman Farooq Kathwari, chairman, president and CEO of Ethan Allen Interiors Inc., acknowledged the importance of Italy to retailers. The evening was highlighted by a performance from mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves, who gave a recital of operatic arias.

THE GUESTS: Farida Kathwari; Burton Tansky, president and CEO of Neiman Marcus Group Inc.; Terry Lundgren, chairman, president and CEO of Federated Department tores Inc.; Keith Lippert of Keith Lippert Gallery; Gordon Segal, CEO of Crate and Barrel; Claudio Del Vecchio, president and CEO of Retail Brand Alliance Inc.; and Elie Maalouf, president and CEO of HMSHost Corp.

Italian Amb. Giovanni Castellaneta speaks with members of the National Retail Federation	Burton Tansky, Farooq and Farida Kathwari and Terry Lundgren

Italian Amb. Giovanni Castellaneta and Leila Castellaneta	Gordon Segal, Claudio del Vecchi and Elie Maalouf	Keith Lippert