Fire Island Architecture history: The Angelo Donghia/ Ron Chereskin/ Howard Goldfarb Home Est.1964-2005
74 Bay Walk
Like many designers who were drawn to the Pines designer Angelo Donghia was no different. The word was out about the new hip Pines community, and all were coming. Architects, Interior designers, and artists of every kind were creating a melting pot of everything creative.
A design for Fire Island living
Angelo Donghai was a high achiever since childhood, Donghia was president of five organizations in High School. He later went on to the Parson’s School of Design, and upon graduation in 1959 he decided to apply for jobs with three interior designers: Michael Greer, Yale Burge and Billy Baldwin. He happened to call Yale Burge first and was offered a job on the spot, which continued until Burge’s death in 1972 after the duo had formed a partnership, Burge-Donghia. It was Yale who introduced Angelo to Fire Island Pines as he himself had a home here. A home that Angelo would later purchase and expand. It was during their partnership that Vice Versa was formed exclusively for Donghia’s rug and fabric designs.
Architect Horace Gifford
designed the “towers” house for Yale Burge as the master suite, connected by a bridge, to their main house next door. Burge died unexpectedly and Angelo Donghia bought the “towers” side of the house and took down the bridge. The original house was sold by the Burge family and was remodeled.
Yale Burge Pavilion 1965.
To display his fabrics he used the furniture he had designed for customers, which he eventually sold through the same outlets. By the age of forty-five the creative polymath had amassed four distinct corporate entities : a fabric company (Vice Versa), his eponymous furniture company, a licensing company and a growing collection of design showrooms to the trade throughout the country – all successfully without so much as fracturing his reputation in the eyes of high profile clients the likes of Halston, Ralph Lauren, Mary Tyler Moore, Barbara Walters, and Liza Minnelli. Particularly rare among his peers of that era, Donghia successfully navigated the creative waters of high style interior design with assured business acumen, securing his success and longevity. His design and business models have since inspired a host of designers, providing a framework on which to build their growing businesses into successful enterprises.
A product of the times, his rooms were as sexy as his Studio 54 clientele. He approached color in much the same way one would to dress themselves, enveloping his clients in the same colors they felt comfortable wearing.
His preference for neutrals allowed the nuance of form and texture to predominate while providing a quietly elegant backdrop in which to display important pieces. He was, as is now, particularly known for his use of large-scale, “fat” furniture, men’s gray flannel suiting for walls and upholstery, and reflective high gloss painted walls and silver-foil ceilings. Many of his furniture designs are still in production and near vintage pieces can be found on sites such as 1stdibs and Viyet.
The Fire Island house would be designed by noted architect Horace Gifford. However theirs would be a difficult relationship that would end badly…
The home would be a joint venture for Angelo and close friend fashion designer Halston.
Angelo Donghia passed in 1985.
Keeping Design in the Fire Island Family…
In the 1987 Menswear designer Ron Chereskin and his partner Howard Goldfarb bought the home. In 1994. they would begin an extensive renovation with noted architect and Pines resident Hal Hayes.
Ron Chereskin is a legendary name in the menswear industry. Starting out in the 70s, he was responsible for transposing his illustrator’s sensibility to the fabrics that were newly available thanks to modern production techniques.
“When I started, I was not trained in menswear or fashion. I was a magazine illustrator,” “I was discovered. by a shirt and tie manufacturer – they wanted to put illustrations on ties. In the 70s, illustrated shirts were one of the last amazing menswear success stories that ever happened. We did menswear with matching polyester leisure shirts and suits. It was like a uniform.” His graphic arts training hadn’t prepared him for the speed that the menswear industry moved at, but he liked it: “To me as an artist, I was like ‘wow!’ It was so quick and successful. Before that, I had been doing book jackets and journals and being an illustrator, but this was something else,” he said.
Ron Chereskin 1970’s Graphic illustrations on paper and Scarves and Ties.
I loved the energy so much that I went on to discovering sweater machines and got the [Coty and Cutty Sark] awards. Chereskin took home the Coty Menswear Special award in 1980, and the Cutty Sark award in 1981. Because of my background in art, I used colors never before seen in menswear, like pastels. Back then, men didn’t even wear cotton sweaters, but I started to make them.
Ron Chereskin, (left) with with Laura Pearson and Gianni Versace.
2019
using home as his canvas, Ron brings his vision and a new dimension to a wide range of home products with RONChereskin HOME
1994 begins the renovation of the home with architect Hal Hayes. The bayfront modernist house of Ron Chereskin and Howard Goldfarb was a landmark quality icon on the block. This Horace Gifford house had a great pedigree typical of the Pines of its time.
Architect Hal Hayes recalls:
“When Ron & Howard first approached me about the house, they were completely open and flexible to all options…”
“During the initial phase of the design, I was researching Gifford and other early 1960’s homes. I came across a design of Le Corbusier for a monastery in India with the exact same proportions of barrel vaults for the monk’s cells that Gifford used for the structure and bedrooms of this house. The Coincidence was great. I surmised that Gifford had seen it and it increased my desire to preserve part of the structure and spirit of the original design.” “The original house took advantage of the bay view. However the lush gardens on the south side was completely cut off from the living spaces of the house and the view of the pool was blocked. The small monk bedrooms and two tiny baths were far too small for Ron & Howard’s needs.” 7/8/2021 The Angelo Donghia/ Ron Chereskin/ Howard Goldfarb Home. – Fire Island Pines| History| Preservation
The design concept Hal developed was a two story addition which wrapped over the north, south and top of the original structure which was gutted to become an open pavilion with large new openings to the pool deck and entry to take advantage of the view, landscape and outdoor living areas.
A new second floor became a luxurious master suite, setback from the structure below for privacy. A structural change at the center of the existing house became new double height atrium and stairwell. The result brought light and air into the middle of the house.
The space also has a sensor-activated clerestory windows and acts as a natural heat chimney for ventilation during hot summer days. The full height and width glass walls and french doors of the main living space eliminate the need for anything that would diminish the spectacular views…
The House is and continues to be both a haven and a place to entertain for Ron & Howard and Riley.
In 2023 Ron returned to his roots with his Art…
RON CHERESKIN IS
BACK IN THE ART WORLD
Zebra by Ron Chereskin.
It is never too late to seek what your heart truly desires. Just ask Ron Chereskin.
The Cutty Sark, Coty, and Woolmark award-winning menswear designer recently returned to his roots – the art world – where, in 1967, he first made his mark with the illustrated “Love Some Day” artwork, which is part of the permanent collection at New York City’s Museum of Modern Art.
In the 1980s, his artwork has reappeared in design and fashion collections, keeping Chereskin’s passion for his art alive. After his significant contributions to American fashion, Chereskin has taken a leap of faith to attend the Arts Student League.
He remembers how his love for art blossomed.
“My oldest brother art directed for 25 years at Estee Lauder,” Chereskin recalled. “His mentorship was a great influence on my career, and still is in a big way. It led to the Art Students League in New York, where I am currently at. It is an amazing challenge, yet I am very excited to be back where it all started.”
Ron Chereskin
This past February, Chereskin won the distinguished Red Dot Award at the Art Students League. Today, he is fully focused on art and silk screening, gaining new artistic technique to amplify his illustrations. It’s not an entirely new world for him. Before crossing over into fashion, he had worked as an illustrator for books, magazines, and advertisements, and that is how he was discovered.
“A tie manufacturer asked, ‘Do you want to put your illustrations on a tie?’ I did it,” he recalled. “It was another medium to expose my artwork.”
He took steps to intertwine fashion and illustration, creating his own blueprint in fashion and impacting the world of art.
“I got into fashion through the back door as an illustrator,” he said. “Yet I believe that I made contributions to menswear. With my art training, I introduced pastel colors to menswear, it was incredible. At the time, a lot of men’s clothing were dark colors like black and gray.
“When you are young, you reach for your biggest visions and what you feel regardless if it is well received,” he added. “My illustrations in fashion did not just work, but my artwork was explosive as people responded very well.”
His visions of art allowed him to produce successful menswear collections.
“I pour my art background into collections and products for people who I thought were in search of newness,” Chereskin said. “You see, look at all the graphics on fabrics now. It was a very exciting moment in fashion. There were more fashion retailers and fashion coordinators looking for new ideas. Yet there are opportunities all over the place today as well.”
Decades later, designers like Shanel Campbell of Bed On Water and Colm Dillane of KidSuper are just a couple of examples of designers who intertwine art and fashion. The industry’s competitiveness pushes designers to find ways to elevate their storytelling.
Chereskin had a different motivation.
“I just wanted to go back to my roots and study art,” he said. “To walk back into that school and take on silk screening after 30 odd years is very challenging but I am pushing through it. It is true, you can start a new journey. Here I am in full swing of a new career. I am not turning away from fashion, but I am focused on art.”
Stripes by Ron Chereskin.
He is still inspired by artists who were just as impactful and urges youth to put their passion first.
“I love a lot of artists,” he said. “American graphic designer Milton Glaser who inspired me. He had Push Pin Studios; his brilliance was a great influence on me.”
As for advice for young people looking to make it, Chereskin offered this: “Be innovative. I think the biggest mistake young people make is that they walk away from their passion instead of sticking to it. If you believe in something, keep pushing through. Believe me, it is going to happen.”
And instead of becoming discouraged, stay grounded in your passion and what you desire for yourself.
“Of course, it is very easy to walk away,” he said. “But if you are passionate about the message you have, then you will see it through. I encourage young people to do something they love. If you love it, you will be successful. Otherwise, it’s just a job.”
After elevating men’s style aesthetics with the use of colors, Chereskin now intends to bring more color through his original artistry. He is thrilled to continue his education to make a new mark in the art world. “With my illustrations and silk screening, I will show the world it is possible to master what you have never done,” Chereskin stated.
“Whether you are younger or older, you have to take a leap of faith,” he said. “I am just sorry that I took this long, yet I know it is not ever too late. Of course, people know who I am in fashion because of what I have accomplished. Now I will be known as a true artist too.”
