Often considered a society grande dame, Christophe de Menil is deeply entrenched in the art world as the figurehead of the influential de Menil family, who were early champions of such iconic artists as Mark Rothko and Barnett Newman and whose vast collection of modern and contemporary art is considered one of the best in the world. In recent years, she is perhaps best known for her relationship with her late grandson Dash Snow—the popular and controversial “bad boy” of the downtown New York art scene. De Menil is also a successful jewelry and fashion designer, having launched two of her own collections in the past five years.