A few weeks ago, I had the fortunate pleasure of meeting the fantastic Julie Feldman of Julie Feldman Designs. I was in Southampton with my friend, Stephanie Newhouse, who was there representing Self Magazine, one of the sponsors for Ellen's Run. The day before the run for Breast Cancer, Stephanie insisted that I meet Ms. Felman to take a look at her fabulous bag collection.

Immediately, Ms. Feldman graciously offered a purse of our choice, to model at that evening's Gala event: HEAT at Steven Klein's Estate. Let me tell you, it was difficult to choose just one. Ms. Feldman's handbags are custom-made  from florals, satins, silks, leathers and exotic fabrics and trims. Having been featured on Fox News, CoolDesignerHandbags.com, in Accessories Magazine, Couture Magazine, the New York Post, the Santa Monica Star, and the Las Vegas Review Journal, among others, I now knew why. Divine.

A Chicago native, Ms. Feldman left the Windy City for Los Angeles bringing with her a passion for art and design. As an artist, her work usually took form in welded steel sculptures and oil paintings. Several years ago, after an art showing of her welded copper roses, Ms. Feldman was awed by the beauty and innocence of tiny, colorful, fabric roses. She began adorning satin evening bags with hundreds of brilliantly colored silk ribbon baby roses in "pavé-style". This was the birth of her Signature Baby Rose Collection.

What's even more fabulous then the pocketbooks themselves, Ms. Feldman created Handbags for Humanity® to honor and assist the great work of certain charities and foundations. "Over the years," Julie says, "I have felt extraordinarily lucky to be involved with organizations, and more profoundly the people behind them, that make a huge difference in people's lives. I count myself privileged to be able to give something back."

Whenever a handbag or accessory is purchased through the website that is accompanied by a handbag icon, Julie Feldman Designs donates a portion of that sale to one of the organization's profiled on the page; Ellen's Run, Center Theatre Group, Long Beach Women's Cancer League, and Planned Parenthood Los Angeles.

Um, hello? How much do you already love her?!

If you haven't already, check out the website HERE, and get one of your own custom-made designs that have been adorned on some of Hollywood's A-list celebs.

*JFD: Julie in Hot Pink Hornback Leather

*JFD: The Tye Dye Collection: SOLD OUT!

*JFD: Pirate Skull Beltbag

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Long Island, NY, June 22, 2009 – Despite the rain, it was another incredible Saturday night in the Hamptons when more than 400 people traveled to Bridgehampton to attend the American Heart Association’s 13th Annual Heart of the Hamptons Ball.  Special Guest at this years’ event included; The Honorable Rudolph W. and Judith S. Giuliani and Alex McCord and Simon Van Kempen from the Real Housewives of New York City.

Prior to the evening’s events, the American Heart Association hosted a “Preventing Heart Disease and Stroke” forum at Hayground School.  Those in attendance were provided health screenings by Southampton Hospital, and were treated to informational speeches by event Honoree Dr. Isadore Rosenfeld and Dr. Matthew Fink. Session topics included: “Cardio Wake-up with “America’s Doctor” and “How to Prevent a Stroke.”

This year, the Heart Ball honored Isadore Rosenfeld, MD, FACP, FACC, known as “American’s Doctor” and host of Fox News Channel’s ‘House Call.’ A Rossi Distinguished Professor of Clinical Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College, Best-Selling author, and President of the Rosenfeld Heart Foundation, J.P. Mohr, MD, MS, Director of the Stroke Center, Neurological Institute of Colombia University Medical Center.  A special local award was given to the Town on East Hampton for working towards becoming a “Heart Safe Community.”   The event was masterfully orchestrated by this year’s Master of Ceremonies, Bill Hemmer, Anchor for Fox News Channel.  All of the honorees spoke eloquently about their dedication to the mission of the American Heart Association to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.

“This year’s Heart of the Hamptons Ball was truly enjoyed by all.  The committee did an amazing job to help ensure the events success” said Stephen Adler, 2009 Heart of the Hamptons Event Chair.  The fun and elegant event focused on raising funds for the mission of the American Heart Association. 

The evening went into full swing with the entertainment portion of the night featuring the musical talent of East End Entertainment’s Millennium and East End DJ’s playing tunes to the evening’s theme of Stayin’ Alive.  Friends and colleagues from NYC, Long Island and the Hamptons enjoyed the beautiful setting of the Hamptons while eating delicious heart healthy foods catered by Starr Boggs, drinking delightful local wines, bidding on live and silent auction items and having fun with the music and dancing.  The guest really enjoyed the Exclusive Preview of the soon to be released documentary King of the Hamptons, by David Lynch featuring Dan Rattiner, founder of Dan’s Papers and many other East End celebrities.

The American Heart Association would like to thank local media sponsors, Plum TV, Long Island Pulse Magazine, Dan’s Papers, Hamptons.com, Hamptons Magazine and WVVH-TV.

To become involved in the 14th Annual Heart of the Hamptons Ball, contact Barbara Poliwoda at (631) 734-2804.  To also learn about the Start!, Go Red For Women, Power To End Stroke and The Alliance for a Healthier Generation movements, visit www.americanheart.org or call 1-800-AHA-USA1.

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About the American Heart Association
Founded in 1924, we’re the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to building healthier lives, free of heart disease and stroke.  To help prevent, treat and defeat these diseases — America’s No. 1 and No. 3 killers — we fund cutting-edge research, conduct lifesaving public and professional educational programs, and advocate to protect public health.  To learn more or join us in helping all Americans, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit americanheart.org

**Photo 1 by Gregory Partanio- Manhattan Society: Bill Hemmer and Stephen Adler

**Photo 2 by Gregory Partanio- Manhattan Society: 13th Annual Heart of the Hamptons Honoree, Isadore Rosenfeld, MD, FACP, FACC

**Photo 3 by Gregory Partanio- Manhattan Society: 13th Annual Heart of the Hamptons Honoree, J.P. Mohr, MD, MS

**Photo 4 by Gregory Partanio- Manhattan Society:Judi and Rudy Giuliani

"We got power and we're gonna raise a little money." Bill Hemmer, FOX News Channel correspondent, exhorted as the Master of Ceremonies commenced the Live Auction for the 13th Annual Heart of the Hamptons Ball.

The soiree took place at the Hayground School in Bridgehampton, NY with over 400 attendees, including The Honorable Rudolph W. and Judith S. Giuliani, to support the American Heart Association to fund cutting-edge research, conduct lifesaving public and professional educational programs, and advocate to protect public health. Stephen Adler, Event Chair, also strove to raise awareness to help prevent, treat and defeat America’s No. 1 and No. 3 killers, heart disease and stroke.

Susan Somerville, Chair of the Board, presented a special award to the Town of East Hampton for creating a "Heart Safe Community". J.P. Mohr, M.D. and Isadore Rosenfeld, M.D., the 2009 Heart of the Hamptons Honorees, spoke for stroke prevention and cardiac care respectively. Guests were also treated to an exclusive movie preview for, King of the Hamptons, a documentary by Dennis Lynch, as he follows 26-year-old Kate Bellamy from Batavia, Ohio, a professional cleaning lady, "making the rounds to try to figure out what the Hamptons, as we know it, is all about." Lynch also interviewed numerous staple Hamptonites including: Pat Malloy, Billy Joel, Mercedes Ruehl, Alec Baldwin, John Roland, Chuck Scarborough, Kim Cattrall, Dan Rattiner, and Christie Brinkley.

The evening of cocktails, dinner, and dancing to 70's tunes inspired by the event's Stayin' Alive theme, boasted a positive response and proved to be an elegant and successful affair regardless of the unseasonal showers. Hemmer expressed gratitude and encouragement following survivor Robin Levy's presentation, by individualizing his address to the guests extolling, "...you and the lives you will touch with your generosity."

*Photo 1 by Gregory Partanio- Manhattan Society: Judi and Rudy Giuliani

*Photo 2 by sBs: Adam Rosante and Stephen Adler

For more sBs exclusive pictures: click here

For the official press release: click here