— DIANE CLEHANE

While the regulars in the dining room at Michael’s chatted about their plans for the upcoming holiday weekend, it seemed only fitting that my lunch today was with Laurie Haspel Aronson, president of Haspel, the quintessential American company responsible for the creation of the classic seersucker suit. Laurie tells me it was the brainchild of her great grandfather, Joseph Haspel, who wanted to turn the fabric once favored by laborers for its cool comfort into a natty summertime staple of bankers and businessman everywhere.

Haspel, which was founded back in 1909, has dressed some pretty iconic fellows including Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch in To Kill A Mockingbird. Jimmy Smits, who wore Haspel during his stint on The West Wing, will be sporting seersucker this weekend when he hosts PBS’ July 4th special and on his upcoming series Outlaw that premieres this fall.

Laurie explains how the venerable label remains a current fashion favorite (Russell Brand is a fan) but hasn’t alienated its old school clientele this way: “The great thing about it is it can be worn by everyone and looks good on everybody. It takes on the personality of the wearer.” Indeed.

Here’s the rundown on today’s crowd:

1. Former Chanel president Arie Kopelman and his wife Coco with Pamela Fiori (in Chanel) and a distinguished looking gent we didn’t recognize.

2. A very blonde Peggy Siegal and a handsome young fellow.

3. Scribe Phoebe Eaton, looking very glam

4. Abernathy & MacGregor’s Jim Abernathy

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— DIANE CLEHANE

The scene at 55th & Fifth was bustling as always (although it just wasn’t the same without general manager Steve Millington who has been home sick all week — Get well soon!). We’ve become accustomed to the clubby vibe that has the usual suspects and random celebrity air-kissing and table-hopping between courses in the front room, so it’s always intriguing when a bold-faced name opts out of the media circus for a low profile table in the back. Early arrival Carl Bernstein — looking quite scholarly in a cardigan sweater and tie — sequestered himself in the Garden Room, and he made a quick getaway after lunch (so we didn’t get a chance to ask him about last night’s primary results and what his take on Hillary‘s chances are now.) The taciturn politico did chat up Michael McCarty when he was making his meet and greet rounds. The best selling author even plunked down some dough to buy Michael’s book Welcome to Michael‘s.

Here’s the rundown on today’s crowd:

1. Nick E. Rubinstein celebrating his 30th birthday — again! (“I do this around this time every year”) with a whole slew of revelers who donned party hats and came bearing gifts and balloons. On the guest list: Nick’s Jennison Associates colleagues Ben Bryan, Bea Lui and Chris Pelinsky, Bear Stearn’s Leslie Perkins and Olivia Tomaselli, J.P Morgan’s Shari Gluckman, UBS’ Stephanie Plavnik and Angie Dalton, Amy Raskin from Alliance Bernstein and Deutsche Bank’s Jay Nakahara. Best wishes …

2. Michael J. Wolf and a mystery gal.

3. Former New York City council president Andrew Stein and a host of imposing looking gents.

4. Peter Brown.

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New Career Opportunities Daily: The best jobs in media.