Oh, Snap, you bros
Hooker talk on conference call a tech faux pas
TECH firms have largely been spared the recent onslaught of sexual harassment allegations, but reports of the legendary “bro” culture continue to surface.
Amid the seemingly daily revelations of improper behavior, sources recently told our Alexandra Steigrad that on an autumn day in 2015, a trio of Snap execs were overheard discussing their weekend plans — which included ordering up prostitutes — while on a partnerships conference call with a wellknown digital media company.
The Los Angeles-based tech bros must have thought they were on mute, according to our tipster, because they began to detail their party plans among themselves, but did not realize that someone from the media company had already dialed into the call and was waiting on the line.
The dudes — part of middle management — began talking about hookers before they were interrupted.
“It was gross,” said an insider with knowledge of the conversation.
When asked if the guys could have been joking around, the source shot back: “It sounded like they were serious.”
When the bros realized their plans had been overheard, they seemed “embarrassed,” according to our source.
The call then proceeded as normal as the guys chatted about how the media brand could work with Snapchat on partnerships for its Discover platform.
A source said that the pervy call was never brought to the attention of Snap higher-ups at the time, due mainly to the “shocking” nature of the whole thing,
“This reported behavior is completely unacceptable at Snap and is not reflective of our culture and values,” a Snap spokesperson said. “We are looking into these allegations,” said a Snap spokesperson.
‘Scandal’-ous scent
Fashionistas braved the cold rain Tuesday evening to watch legendary burlesque performer Dita Von Teese (pictured) unveil her new fragrance, Scandalwood, at Bergdorf Good-Goodman.
“It was a dark and rainy night outside, but inside Bergdorf, Von Teese lit up the place!” John Mahdessian, owner of the Madame Paulette dry cleaner and frequent “Real Housewives off New York City” guest, told our Carleton English.
It is the fifth fragrance von Teese has launched, and the first she launched with luxury designer Douglas Little. Von Teese’s s previous olfactory endeavors include Erotique and FleurTeese.
Attendees at Tuesday’s event nt unfortunately were not treated to Von Teese’s signature martini glass striptease e routine.
For that, they will have to o wait until April, when she is expected to perform again in New York, the performer told old On the Money.
In the meantime, fans needing a striptease fix can pur- chase a $68 scented candle featuring Von Teese. As the candle burns hot, Von Teese’s black gown disappears.
Other attendees Tuesday included Linda Fargo, director of women’s fashion at Bergdorf’s. dorf’s.
Art for keeps eeps
The cream of American society are mostly buy-and-hold types — especially when it comes to theirt very precious art. Despite the temptation to cash out big, as evident by the recent sale of Leonardo da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi for a record $450 million to the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism, the vast majority of wealthy Americans do not want to part with their wall hangings, but instead plan to pass their collection along as family heirlooms. Most of the monied set are emotionally attached to their fine art, according to a UBS Wealth Management Americas study. A full 65 percent of wealthy US investors polled say they hhave never sold a piece from ththeir collection. Even if they are sitting atop a massive fortune, they may never know, our John Aidan Byrne reports. Some 40 percent have never even had their collections appraised, according to the report, released last week to coincide with the champagne-wigging Art Basel in Miami Beach. The vast majority of wealthy Americans do not even employ an art adviser to guide their purchases, the report added. John Mathews, head of private wealth management and ultra-high net worth at UBS Americas, says collecting is also a “passion” the firm shares with many clients “developing alternative legacies through their cultural pursuits.” “Collectors don’t apply the same principles to buying art that they would to a typical investment portfolio of stocks and bonds,” Mathews added. “It is important, however, to institute management structures to ensure their legacy remains protected, correctly valued and insured.”