Originally defined as a person who participates in social activities and spends a significant amount of time entertaining and being entertained at fashionable upper-class events. American socialites were originally listed in the Social Register, a list of the names and addresses of the "preferred social contacts" of the prominent families in the 19th century. In 1886, Louis Keller, described in his obituary as “known to more persons here and abroad than any other one resident of New York,” had the idea of consolidating these lists and packaging them for sale. Mr. Keller’s formula met with great success and by 1918 there were 18 annual volumes representing 26 cities.
By the mid-20th century, with the rise of the middle class, American television news gave little attention to members of high society and in the 1970s newspapers curtailed or discontinued their daily "Society" page to institute a Sunday "Style" section.Socialites and celebrities were briefly united in the Jet Set around 1960 but in later years the former group were seemingly absorbed and subsumed by the latter.
However today the line is kind of blurred what do we consider a socialite/member of high society? It seems like today's reality tv star has redefined what that means with an influx of athletes wives, rappers wives/girlfriends, and other members of the entertainment community where as people like
Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie and others are being phased out. Can you really call the nouveau riche apart of high society well I was having this discussion with one of my friends who noticed this trend too and I wanted to present it to the public and see how they might weigh in on the topic......
Location:Fifth Ave
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