A legacy dedicated to helping Armenian-Americans attend college.
Hazaros Tabakoğlu (1954-1991)
Hazaros Tabakoğlu was gregarious and self-motivated, with a keen sense of humor. Known to family and friends as Gaser, he loved to live well, and his uncanny sense of style led to his ultimate success in the field of interior design.
The youngest of three children, Gaser was born in Istanbul, Turkey, but spent most of his life away from home. As a young boy, he was schooled at the Collegio Armeno in Venice and then studied in Englewood before completing high school in New Jersey. By then he was fluent in Armenian, Turkish, Italian, English, and French.
Following his move to New York in 1979, he opened in succession a cheese shop, an ice cream parlor, and a restaurant, La Crémerie, much admired for its attractive décor. It was here that Gaser met the well-known interior designer, Renzo Mongiardino, who recognized Gaser’s talent and hired him as an assistant.
In the succeeding years, Gaser honed his craft and in 1989, he created his most celebrated interior. Drawing on his heritage he transformed the tearoom of the Carlyle Hotel into a magnificent setting inspired by Istanbul’s famed Topkapi Palace.
“Brick House,” his weekend home in the Hudson Valley, reflected Gaser’s warmth and vibrancy. The rooms were filled with bold colors—deep blue, apple green, and bright yellow.
Gaser was very thoughtful and generous to his family and friends. When he wrote his will at the age of 27, he left his estate to benefit young Armenians seeking assistance with higher education. His life ended prematurely, only nine years later, in 1991 after a period of remarkable professional success.
The first of Hazaros Tabakoğlu scholarships were awarded in 1996, and The Trust continues to run a scholarship program in his name. For information about applying for this scholarship, contact grants@nyct-cfi.org.