Tinsley Mortimer insists that the characters in her new book, “Southern Charm,” are “not based on anyone specifically. They are all influenced by people I’ve met in New York.”
But a top NYC society source, who asked not to be named for fear of ruffling feathers, read the book and gave The Post an insider’s guide to who’s who:
May Abernathy, socialite
a k a Lauren Santo Domingo, socialite
In the book, socialite May Abernathy, a “gazelle-like creature with wispy auburn hair,” gives Minty a chilly reception but grows warmer to her over time.
In real life, Lauren Santo Domingo, a tall, willowy socialite “can be seemingly standoff-ish at first but very nice once you know her,” says the source. Tinsley ended up being a bridesmaid at Santo Domingo’s splashy wedding in 2008.
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Ryerson Bigelow and Tripp du Pont, Minty’s boyfriends
a k a Topper Mortimer, Tinsley’s not-yet ex-husband
In the book, Minty is torn between her high school boyfriend, Ryerson Bigelow, and her New York boyfriend, Tripp du Pont. Ryerson wins her love by throwing her into a pile of leaves; Topper won her love by throwing her into a snowbank while the two were at Lawrenceville together.
Tripp is the scion of an old-money Upper East Side family who does not approve of her ubiquitous press presence. Topper is from an old-money Upper East Side family who did not relish the constant press his Southern bride courted.
“It’s not necessarily the type of goal that anybody should strive for, going out every night for the sake of self-promotion and getting their pictures taken,” Topper told the New York Times in 2007. “And I mean, these are girls who went to good colleges. You would think they’d have something better to do.”
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Alexis Barnaby, Minty’s rival
a k a Olivia Palermo, Tinsley’s rival
In the book, Page Six writes, falsely, of Minty tripping Alexis, an up-and-comer on the social scene, at a fashion show.
In 2007, Page Six wrote about the “vicious struggle” between Olivia, then an up-and-comer on the social scene, and Tinsley to “reign over New York social life. Tinsley made it physical when she elbowed Olivia to the ground during a fashion show.”
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Scarlett Davenport, Minty’s mother
a k a Dale Mercer, Tinsley’s mother
Scarlett is the steel magnolia that meddles in her daughter’s life — arranging a meeting between Tripp and Minty — but is also her best friend and confidant. Dale was a recurring character on Tinsley’s reality show “High Society” and was heartbroken over Tinsley’s split with Topper. She’s Tinsley’s biggest cheerleader, says our source.
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Tabitha Lipton, socialite-turned-designer
a k a Tory Burch, socialite-turned-designer
Tabitha is a stunning blond Lipton Tea heiress and on-again off-again girlfriend of Tripp. She’s a socialite-turned-accessory designer in her late 30s who does not take kindly to Minty’s arrival on the scene.
Tory Burch is a socialite-turned-designer who is friends with Topper, but never dated him, according to our source.
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Farrah Hammer, Page Six editor
a k a Paula Froelich, former Page Six editor
Farrah “the notorious editor of Page Six” immediately begins writing about Minty, “the sassy Southern deb.”
Paula Froelich, an editor of Page Six until 2009, wrote about Tinsley (dubbed The Tinz by some) and her crowd during Froelich’s tenure at The Post.
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Kevin Park, fashion
designer
a k a Douglas
Hannant, fashion designer
In the book, fashion designer Kevin Park plucks the young Minty out of obscurity to be the ambassador for his dress line, propelling her into the spotlight.
In real life, Hannant asked Tinsley to model his dresses in an ad campaign in W Magazine.
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Richard Fitzsimmons, society photographer
a k a Patrick McMullan, society photographer
In the book, Richard Fitzsimmons notices Minty at her first society event, and snaps her picture. When told that he doesn’t need to take her photo because she’s “no one” he responds: “Not for long.” In real life, Patrick McMullan did take notice of Tinsley right away, taking a picture that ended up in W Magazine. The two are still good friends.
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Darby Davenport, Minty’s younger sister
a k a Dabney Mercer,
Tinsley’s younger sister
Darby is Minty’s more down-to-earth and wiser younger sister who attends Ole Miss.
Dabney is Tinsley’s more low-key younger sister. While the siblings are close, Dabney is rarely in New York these days, instead traveling the world with her boyfriend, says our source.
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