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Town & Country, the formerly irrelevant lifestyle magazine for the rich and famous, is having a bit of a comeback under the leadership of editor-in-chief Jay Fielden. As part of his revamp, he's put some (relatively) sultry photos on the cover, added mens content, and introduced some web-savvy features, such as an internet-friendly listicle or two. In that vein, they've just release their first annual list of America's most prominent families. If you can get past the elitist tone, it's actually quite an entertaining read. After the jump, the four fashion families that made the cut.
The Laurens: Most Inspiring
The Laurens make the cut because they have managed to transcend fashion and embody everything American. "The difference between Ralph and other bowed-to designers is that his name, now behind a major cancer center, resonates—loudly—outside the fashion bubble," the magazine writes. If there's any designer who's managed to do that, we agree it's Ralph.
The Lauders: Most Generous
"The financial rewards of Estée Lauder's Youth-Dew fragrance laid the monetary foundation for a model of family philanthropy continued by granddaughter Aerin," writes T&C. The Lauders have earned their philanthropic reputation. They launched the Pink Ribbon Campaign against breast cancer, founded the Neue Gallery, and won the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy in 2011.
The Hearsts: Most Enduring
The Hearst publishing empire did not die along with the legend of Citizen Kane. It is still alive and well, and in fact is the publisher of Town & Country, along with Elle, Seventeen, and many others. Nine Hearst family members still work at the company, which publishes 15 daily and 36 weekly newspapers, and more than 300 magazines internationally, in addition to running a handful of television stations.
The Herreras: Most Creative
Venezuelan-born Carolina Herrera is as much a society fixture as she is a force in the design world. Allow T&C to wax poetic: "Thousands of party pictures of Carolina and Reinaldo Herrera chronicle the comings, goings, and party-giving rituals of this international society couple. The instinct to try to emulate the Herreras' élan is understandable, but it's bred in a governess-and-tennis-pro-filled Caracas childhood, mingled with Reinaldo's noble Spanish blood, warmed by a fiercely loyal circle of friends, and continued by four equally unimpeachable daughters. The house's future is safe in the hands of Carolina Herrera Báez and Patricia Herrera Lansing."
Head over to the full feature to see lots of WASPy photos and power suits.
· The T&C 50 [Town & Country]
· The 11 Richest Billionaires in Fashion According to Forbes [Racked]
· Anna Wintour and Diane von Furstenberg Vie For Ranking of World's Most Powerful Woman [Racked]