Marjorie Gubelmann
Encyclopedia
Marjorie Gubelmann Marjorie Barton Gubelmann is the owner and CEO of Vie Luxe International
.
to Susan McCammon Gubelmann and William S. Gubelmann, and has one younger brother, Wyeth S. Gubelmann. Gubelmann’s great-grandfather was the inventor William S. Gubelmann, who held more than 5000 claims on patents, and was called “the father of all calculating machines in use today” by ‘’Popular Mechanics
’’.
Susan McCammon Gubelmann was born in Washington, DC. She went to Villa Mercedi, a finishing school
in Florence
, as a young girl, and was a debutante
in the United States
capital in 1959. She wed William S. Gubelmann on January 6, 1968 at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Washington, DC.
Gubelmann’s father attended Stanford University
and Wharton School of Business before moving to London, England to professionally race cars. An official champion driver, he won the 1967 Northeastern region SCCA Formula C Championship and the 1972 British Formula Atlantic
Championship. Gubelmann’s brother, Wyeth S. Gubelmann, followed his father into professional racecar driving; his passion is rallying
, which has taken him to numerous pro-rallies as well as to the X Games
.
In 1971, Gubelmann’s family moved to England
, first living in London
and then in Henley-on-Thames
; when Gubelmann was 12, the family moved to Palm Beach, Florida
. Gubelmann attended Palm Beach Day School
and then went to boarding school
at the Garrison Forest School
in Maryland
. After graduating from New England College
, she worked at Licensing Management International, a London-based licensing firm. In 1995, Gubelmann moved to New York City and worked for AmfAR
in their Special Events/Major Gifts department.
In 2003, Gubelmann was married to Reza Raein in Palm Beach’s Episcopal Church of Bethesda-By-The-Sea. The event was grand; ‘’W
’’ jested that only the bride could throw a party that might be confused with the Cannes Film Festival
. ‘’Vanity Fair
’’ called the wedding, which was attended by the likes of Tory Burch
, Michael Kors
, Tamara Mellon
and Ivanka Trump
, “the high-society
event of [the] season.”. Gubelmann gave birth to a son, Cyrus, in 2004. In 2006, she and Raein separated in a widely-reported, bitter divorce.
Gubelmann lives on the Upper East Side
of New York City
, but also spends time at her houses in Southampton (village), New York
and Palm Beach, Florida
.
in 2004, a New York City-based company that produces scented candles.
In 2008, Gubelmann fired then business partner and employee Daniel Benedict, which resulted in a very public legal battle in the United States Federal Court in New York over his alleged mismanagement of the company. After the legal battle was resolved in 2008, Gubelmann swiftly took control of the company, hired new management, and revitalized Vie Luxe’s business.
, Newport, Rhode Island
, and New York City
, where they often entertained friends like the Duke of Windsor
, the Duchess of Windsor, and Prince Charles. Walter S. Gubelmann graduated from Yale University
, and was an accomplished yachtsman. On behalf of the New York Yacht Club
, he successfully defended the America’s Cup in 1964 with the yacht Constellation. Gubelmann’s great grandfather, William S. Gubelmann, also had a passion for yachting: one of his prized possessions was a square-rig, 3 mast, 168-foot yacht called the USS Seven Seas.
.
Gubelmann has followed family tradition as an internationally celebrated hostess and influential tastemaker. While living in New York City
, Gubelmann has served as a chair or committee member for such organizations as The New York Botanical Garden, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
, the Museum of Modern Art
, ACRIA
, AmfAR
and God’s Love We Deliver. In 2002, Gubelmann co-hosted with Cornelia Guest the grand opening of Le Bar of the Plaza Athénée
in Paris
; in 2006, she hosted the launch of “Les Perles de Chanel," Chanel
’s luxurious new accoutrement capsule collection in New York City
.
Gubelmann is a front row regular in the fashion world, making appearances at both New York Fashion Week
and Paris Fashion Week
. She has been profiled in such magazines as ‘’Vogue
’’, ‘’Elle
’’, ‘’W
’’, ‘’Town & Country
’’, and has appeared on ‘’Vanity Fair
’’’s International Best Dressed List
.
Vie Luxe International
-Background:Marjorie Gubelmann founded the luxury home fragrance company, Vie Luxe International in 2004 . The company launched with one main collection, the Voyage Collection, in which each scent is named for one of Gubelmann’s favorite international destinations...
.
Personal life
Gubelmann was born in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
to Susan McCammon Gubelmann and William S. Gubelmann, and has one younger brother, Wyeth S. Gubelmann. Gubelmann’s great-grandfather was the inventor William S. Gubelmann, who held more than 5000 claims on patents, and was called “the father of all calculating machines in use today” by ‘’Popular Mechanics
Popular Mechanics
Popular Mechanics is an American magazine first published January 11, 1902 by H. H. Windsor, and has been owned since 1958 by the Hearst Corporation...
’’.
Susan McCammon Gubelmann was born in Washington, DC. She went to Villa Mercedi, a finishing school
Finishing school
A finishing school is "a private school for girls that emphasises training in cultural and social activities." The name reflects that it follows on from ordinary school and is intended to complete the educational experience, with classes primarily on etiquette...
in Florence
Florence
Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany, with approximately 370,000 inhabitants, expanding to over 1.5 million in the metropolitan area....
, as a young girl, and was a debutante
Debutante
A débutante is a young lady from an aristocratic or upper class family who has reached the age of maturity, and as a new adult, is introduced to society at a formal "début" presentation. It should not be confused with a Debs...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
capital in 1959. She wed William S. Gubelmann on January 6, 1968 at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Washington, DC.
Gubelmann’s father attended Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
and Wharton School of Business before moving to London, England to professionally race cars. An official champion driver, he won the 1967 Northeastern region SCCA Formula C Championship and the 1972 British Formula Atlantic
Formula Atlantic
Formula Atlantic is a specification of open wheel racing car developed in the 1970s. It was used in professional racing through the IMSA Atlantic Championship until 2009 and is currently primarily used in amateur racing through Sports Car Club of America Formula Atlantic.-History:The history of...
Championship. Gubelmann’s brother, Wyeth S. Gubelmann, followed his father into professional racecar driving; his passion is rallying
Rallying
Rallying, also known as rally racing, is a form of auto racing that takes place on public or private roads with modified production or specially built road-legal cars...
, which has taken him to numerous pro-rallies as well as to the X Games
X Games
The X Games is a commercial annual sports event, controlled and arranged by US sports broadcaster ESPN, which focuses on action sports. The inaugural X Games was held in the summer of 1995 in Rhode Island....
.
In 1971, Gubelmann’s family moved to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, first living in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
and then in Henley-on-Thames
Henley-on-Thames
Henley-on-Thames is a town and civil parish on the River Thames in South Oxfordshire, England, about 10 miles downstream and north-east from Reading, 10 miles upstream and west from Maidenhead...
; when Gubelmann was 12, the family moved to Palm Beach, Florida
Palm Beach, Florida
The Town of Palm Beach is an incorporated town in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States. The Intracoastal Waterway separates it from the neighboring cities of West Palm Beach and Lake Worth...
. Gubelmann attended Palm Beach Day School
Palm Beach Day School
Palm Beach Day School is a coeducational independent day school located in Palm Beach, Florida. An enrollment of over 350 students in Kindergarten through Ninth Grade is drawn from Palm Beach and outlying communities as far south as Manalapan, west as Wellington and north as Jupiter.Palm Beach Day...
and then went to boarding school
Boarding school
A boarding school is a school where some or all pupils study and live during the school year with their fellow students and possibly teachers and/or administrators. The word 'boarding' is used in the sense of "bed and board," i.e., lodging and meals...
at the Garrison Forest School
Garrison Forest School
Garrison Forest School is a college preparatory school, in Owings Mills, Maryland, near Baltimore, with a nationally distinctive educational model. The school offers a day school for girls, pre-first through grade 12, as well as a coed program from ages two through kindergarten. The regional,...
in Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
. After graduating from New England College
New England College
New England College is a private four-year college in Henniker, New Hampshire, enrolling a total of approximately 1800 undergraduate and graduate students.-History:The school was created in 1946 for students attending college on the G.I...
, she worked at Licensing Management International, a London-based licensing firm. In 1995, Gubelmann moved to New York City and worked for AmfAR
AmfAR
amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to the support of AIDS research, HIV prevention, treatment education, and the advocacy of sound AIDS-related public policy.-History:...
in their Special Events/Major Gifts department.
In 2003, Gubelmann was married to Reza Raein in Palm Beach’s Episcopal Church of Bethesda-By-The-Sea. The event was grand; ‘’W
W (magazine)
W is a monthly American fashion magazine published by Condé Nast Publications, who purchased original owner Fairchild Publications in 1999. It was created in 1971 by the publisher of sister magazine Woman's Wear Daily, James Brady. The magazine is an oversize format – ten inches wide and...
’’ jested that only the bride could throw a party that might be confused with the Cannes Film Festival
Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
. ‘’Vanity Fair
Vanity Fair (magazine)
Vanity Fair is a magazine of pop culture, fashion, and current affairs published by Condé Nast. The present Vanity Fair has been published since 1983 and there have been editions for four European countries as well as the U.S. edition. This revived the title which had ceased publication in 1935...
’’ called the wedding, which was attended by the likes of Tory Burch
Tory Burch
Tory Burch is an American fashion designer, business woman and philanthropist who was born, raised and educated in the Philadelphia metropolitan area....
, Michael Kors
Michael Kors
Michael Kors is an American fashion designer. He is best known for designing classic American sportswear for women.-Personal life:...
, Tamara Mellon
Tamara Mellon
Tamara Mellon, OBE is the Chief Creative Office and co-founder of Jimmy Choo, a luxury brand that offers designer shoes, handbags and a range of accessories .-Early life:...
and Ivanka Trump
Ivanka Trump
Ivanka Marie Trump is an American businesswoman, socialite, heiress, and fashion model. The daughter of Ivana and Donald Trump, she is Executive Vice President of Development & Acquisitions at The Trump Organization...
, “the high-society
High society (group)
High society refers to a category of people deemed to have greater social status or prestige, and their related affiliations, social events and practices which together define a group variously referred to as "Society" or high society. Such groups are defined by certain key events and cultural...
event of [the] season.”. Gubelmann gave birth to a son, Cyrus, in 2004. In 2006, she and Raein separated in a widely-reported, bitter divorce.
Gubelmann lives on the Upper East Side
Upper East Side
The Upper East Side is a neighborhood in the borough of Manhattan in New York City, between Central Park and the East River. The Upper East Side lies within an area bounded by 59th Street to 96th Street, and the East River to Fifth Avenue-Central Park...
of New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, but also spends time at her houses in Southampton (village), New York
Southampton (village), New York
Southampton is a village in Suffolk County, New York, USA. The village is named after the Earl of Southampton. The Village of Southampton is in the southeast part of the county in the Town of Southampton...
and Palm Beach, Florida
Palm Beach, Florida
The Town of Palm Beach is an incorporated town in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States. The Intracoastal Waterway separates it from the neighboring cities of West Palm Beach and Lake Worth...
.
Business
Gubelmann founded Vie Luxe InternationalVie Luxe International
-Background:Marjorie Gubelmann founded the luxury home fragrance company, Vie Luxe International in 2004 . The company launched with one main collection, the Voyage Collection, in which each scent is named for one of Gubelmann’s favorite international destinations...
in 2004, a New York City-based company that produces scented candles.
In 2008, Gubelmann fired then business partner and employee Daniel Benedict, which resulted in a very public legal battle in the United States Federal Court in New York over his alleged mismanagement of the company. After the legal battle was resolved in 2008, Gubelmann swiftly took control of the company, hired new management, and revitalized Vie Luxe’s business.
Society and Philanthropy
Gubelmann’s grandparents, Walter S. Gubelmann and Barton Green Gubelmann, were fixtures on the social circuits of Palm Beach, FloridaPalm Beach, Florida
The Town of Palm Beach is an incorporated town in Palm Beach County, Florida, United States. The Intracoastal Waterway separates it from the neighboring cities of West Palm Beach and Lake Worth...
, Newport, Rhode Island
Newport, Rhode Island
Newport is a city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island, United States, about south of Providence. Known as a New England summer resort and for the famous Newport Mansions, it is the home of Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War...
, and New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, where they often entertained friends like the Duke of Windsor
Duke of Windsor
The title Duke of Windsor was created in the Peerage of the United Kingdom in 1937 for Prince Edward, the former King Edward VIII, following his abdication in December 1936. The dukedom takes its name from the town where Windsor Castle, a residence of English monarchs since the Norman Conquest, is...
, the Duchess of Windsor, and Prince Charles. Walter S. Gubelmann graduated from Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
, and was an accomplished yachtsman. On behalf of the New York Yacht Club
New York Yacht Club
The New York Yacht Club is a private social club and yacht club based in New York City and Newport, Rhode Island. It was founded in 1844 by nine prominent sportsmen. The members have contributed to the sport of yachting and yacht design. The organization has over 3,000 members as of 2011. ...
, he successfully defended the America’s Cup in 1964 with the yacht Constellation. Gubelmann’s great grandfather, William S. Gubelmann, also had a passion for yachting: one of his prized possessions was a square-rig, 3 mast, 168-foot yacht called the USS Seven Seas.
.
Gubelmann has followed family tradition as an internationally celebrated hostess and influential tastemaker. While living in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, Gubelmann has served as a chair or committee member for such organizations as The New York Botanical Garden, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Memorial Sloan–Kettering Cancer Center is a cancer treatment and research institution founded in 1884 as the New York Cancer Hospital...
, the Museum of Modern Art
Moma
Moma may refer to:* Moma , an owlet moth genus* Moma Airport, a Russian public airport* Moma District, Nampula, Mozambique* Moma River, a right tributary of the Indigirka River* Google Moma, the Google corporate intranet...
, ACRIA
ACRIA
The or ACRIA was founded in December 1991 to provide community based clinical drug trials for people living with AIDS. They also run the HIV Health Literacy Program . ACRIA can trace their history back to the founding of the Community Research Initiative by Michael Callen and Joseph Sonnabend....
, AmfAR
AmfAR
amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS Research, is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to the support of AIDS research, HIV prevention, treatment education, and the advocacy of sound AIDS-related public policy.-History:...
and God’s Love We Deliver. In 2002, Gubelmann co-hosted with Cornelia Guest the grand opening of Le Bar of the Plaza Athénée
Plaza Athénée
The Plaza Athénée is a hotel in Paris, France. It is located at 25 Avenue Montaigne, near the Champs Elysées and the Eiffel Tower. It is part of the Dorchester Collection group of international luxury hotels....
in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
; in 2006, she hosted the launch of “Les Perles de Chanel," Chanel
Chanel
Chanel S.A. is a French fashion house founded by the couturier Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel, well established in haute couture, specializing in luxury goods . She gained the name "Coco" while maintaining a career as a singer at a café in France...
’s luxurious new accoutrement capsule collection in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
Gubelmann is a front row regular in the fashion world, making appearances at both New York Fashion Week
New York Fashion Week
The semi-annual New York Fashion Week, branded Mercedes-Benz FashionWeek in 2009, is held in February and September of each year in New York City. It is one of four major fashion weeks held around the world .-History:The first New York Fashion Week, then called Press Week, was the world's first...
and Paris Fashion Week
Paris Fashion Week
Paris Fashion Week is a famous fashion week held semi-annually in Paris, France with Spring/Summer and Autumn/Winter events held each year. Dates are determined by the French Fashion Federation...
. She has been profiled in such magazines as ‘’Vogue
Vogue (magazine)
Vogue is a fashion and lifestyle magazine that is published monthly in 18 national and one regional edition by Condé Nast.-History:In 1892 Arthur Turnure founded Vogue as a weekly publication in the United States. When he died in 1909, Condé Montrose Nast picked up the magazine and slowly began...
’’, ‘’Elle
Elle (magazine)
Elle is a worldwide magazine of French origin that focuses on women's fashion, beauty, health, and entertainment. Elle is also the world's largest fashion magazine. It was founded by Pierre Lazareff and his wife Hélène Gordon in 1945. The title, in French, means "she".-History:Elle was founded in...
’’, ‘’W
W (magazine)
W is a monthly American fashion magazine published by Condé Nast Publications, who purchased original owner Fairchild Publications in 1999. It was created in 1971 by the publisher of sister magazine Woman's Wear Daily, James Brady. The magazine is an oversize format – ten inches wide and...
’’, ‘’Town & Country
Town & Country (magazine)
Town & Country, formerly the Home Journal and The National Press, is a monthly American lifestyle magazine. It is the oldest continually published general interest magazine in the United States.-Early history:...
’’, and has appeared on ‘’Vanity Fair
Vanity Fair (magazine)
Vanity Fair is a magazine of pop culture, fashion, and current affairs published by Condé Nast. The present Vanity Fair has been published since 1983 and there have been editions for four European countries as well as the U.S. edition. This revived the title which had ceased publication in 1935...
’’’s International Best Dressed List
International Best Dressed List
The International Best Dressed List was founded by fashionista Eleanor Lambert in 1940 as an attempt to boost the reputation of American fashion at the time.People who have been on the list include from A to Z:-The International Hall of Fame: Women:...
.