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Meet the White Baaz

Launch Slideshow

Inspired by Truman Capote’s ‘Swans’, Sotheby’s has brought together a circle of distinguished women who are redefining what it means to be a tastemaker and trailblazer in the 21st century. The White Baaz, who take their name from a rare and fêted white falcon which possesses strength, endurance and great beauty, made their debut at an exclusive dinner at The Penthouse of the Gritti Palace during this year’s Venice Biennale. Click ahead to find out more about the women.

Meet the White Baaz

  • Cynthia “Daisy” Prince
    Daisy is the niece of C.Z. Guest, one of Truman Capote’s original ‘Swans’. She is the former editor and co-owner of New York’s Avenue magazine.

    Daisy comes from a lineage of stylish and accomplished women. Her paternal grandmother was a researcher at Time magazine in the 1940s. Her mother modelled in the 1960s and her aunt C.Z.

    Guest, was considered a ‘monarch’ of New York society and an author in her own right. She attended the prestigious Barnard College in New York and later moved to London. In 2009, she returned to New York and took the reins of Avenue in 2012. In her role as editor, she graced many uptown galas and parties.

    She is a mother of two and currently divides her time between New York, her cottage in Newport Rhode Island and her horse stud farm in Maryland.

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  • Princess Elisabeth von Thurn und Taxis
    Elisabeth is a member of one of Germany’s most prominent families. Author of two books, she is currently Style Editor-at-Large for Vogue writing on style, the arts and travel.

    Daughter of art collector Princess Gloria von Thurn und Taxis and the late Prince Johannes, she is frequently referred to by her nickname TNT.

    The 200-year-old family residence, Schloss St. Emmeram in Germany, where Elizabeth grew up, is filled with contemporary art. She has fond memories of the Warhols, Harings and Jeff Koons’ lobster painting but her all-time favourite is a Popples sculpture.

    In 2015, her mother commissioned photographer Todd Eberle to capture a glimpse into the world of one of the most important dynasties of the European aristocracy. And, when photographed for the book, she was finally allowed to wear one of the family heirlooms, a beautiful tiara.

    She primarily resides in London and is an active participant in her family’s philanthropic endeavors.

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  • Eugenie Niarchos
    Talented Eugenie is the owner of the London-based jewellery brand ‘Venyx’.

    Daughter of art collector Philippe Niarchos and Victoria Guinness, she grew up surrounded by objects of beauty. Her experience as a fashion intern convinced her that she wanted to work in design but to create something more enduring.

    A creative collaboration with her childhood friend Gaia Repossi led to her joining forces with Vanessa Seward to create two capsule costume jewellery collections for Azzaro. Her love for the craft of fine jewellery design and diamonds was refined at the Gemological Institute of America and these experiences inspired her to create her own line, which follows her eccentric sense of style, balancing a fusion of retro and futuristic aesthetics.

    She is the great-granddaughter of Gloria Guinness and of Eugenie Livanos.

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  • Countess Isabella Borromeo-Arese-Taverna
    Isabella is a member of the ancient aristocratic House of Borromeo – a true dynasty that can trace their origins to the 15th century, when Vitaliano I was treasurer to the Duke of Milan.

    Daughter of the German model Marion Zota, she has both acted in and been involved in the production of a number of prominent Italian films. She is renowned for her classical style and elegance and love of Haute Couture from designers including the likes of Valentino.

    An independent filmmaker in her own right, she is one of the four fabulous Borromeo sisters and a mother of three.

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  • Margherita Maccapani Missoni Amos
    Margherita is fashion heiress and Creative Director of her family’s international fashion brand Missoni, founded in 1953 by her grandparents Rosita and Ottavio Missoni. But she didn’t start in fashion.

    She moved to New York and studied philosophy at Columbia University then changed direction altogether to take up drama at The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute. As an actress, she toured Europe and a nostalgic stop in Rome resulted in a move back to Milan and into the family business.

    These days, Margherita combines being an ultra-stylish mum and designer. She has her own children’s clothing line Margherita Kids as well as an exclusive Mummy & Me capsule sleepwear line with Yoox and most recently a new collection with Pottery Barn Kids.

    She collects all things ‘daisy’ (Margherita is daisy in Italian) and loves special handmade jewellery. She is a mother of two.

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  • Noor Fares
    Noor is the designer and owner of her world-famous, eponymous jewellery brand which fuses together her Lebanese heritage and contemporary sensibility.

    She was born and raised in Paris by a mother and grandmother whom she credits as setting the standard for style and elegance and has remained forever fascinated by the Orient, a place where jewellery is interwoven into the fabric of everyday life, and where gemstones carry meaning and heirlooms are passed down from one generation to the next.

    Daughter of the former Deputy Prime Minister of Lebanon, Noor is now settled with her husband in London where she is an integral part of the social and cultural elite. Aesthetically, she remains drawn to colour and craft and loves to mix Asiatic and Middle Eastern elements with mid-century and contemporary pieces that she accumulates on her regular trips around the globe.

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  • Tatiana Casiraghi
    In 2009, Tatiana and her friend Dana Alikhani created Muzungu Sisters, a website that sells sustainable and handcrafted fashion products from around the world. In 2014, the United Nations NGO Women Together awarded Muzungu Sisters with their annual ‘Fashion for Development Award’ for bringing artisan-crafted fashion to the forefront of international consumer trade.

    The Colombian-Brazilian beauty has a refined eye for style and keen interest in travel. Her incredible fashion sense has made her a front-row favourite over the years at shows including the likes of Missoni, Dior, Valentino, Chanel and Gucci. She also has a very fashionable set of friends, counting fellow founding members of The White Baaz, Margherita Missoni and Eugenie Niarchos, amongst two of her closest friends.

    Tatiana Casiraghi joined Monaco’s royal family in 2013, after marrying Andrea Casiraghi, fourth in line to the throne and is a mother of two.

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