Haute Scene: East Side House Settlement Host 17th Annual Gala Preview of the 2016 New York International Auto ...

Photo Credit: Carl Timpone/BFA.com

On Thursday, March 24^th, East Side House Settlement hosted its 17th Annual Gala Preview of the 2016 New York International Auto Show. The soirée featured a curated display of the latest Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles, at the Jacob K. Javits Center.

More than 1,300 guests from the worlds of finance, fashion, high society, and philanthropy enjoyed a private viewing of the entire auto show before it officially opened to the public on March 25. The Gala Preview included cocktails and a private dinner for Benefactors.  The night boasted signature cocktails by STK, Cachaca provided by Yaguara, and music by DJ Gaspar Muniz.

The climax of the evening was the live auction of the highly-anticipated 2017 Jaguar F-PACE First Edition, the special model created to celebrate the launch of the brand’s first performance SUV. As a result of the live auction, the gala raised $500,000 to support East Side House Settlement, a leading social services agency that serves children and families in the South Bronx and surrounding communities. In addition to the Jaguar F-PACE First Edition, other live auction packages included dinner for four at the world renowned Rao’s, a three-night stay at Blackberry Farms; a VIP experience in a private Mets Skybox at Citi Field and an exclusive golf outing at Jasna Polana.

In addition to the F-PACE First Edition, Jaguar also previewed its F-Type SVR. Prior to the gala, Fast and the Furious actress, Michelle Rodriguez was among the first to test-drive Jaguar’s F-Type SVR, touted as the fastest Jaguar model ever made.  Rodriguez was able to push the supercar to its top speed, reaching 201mph – 0-60mph in 3.5 seconds – on a closed highway in the Nevada desert.  Rodriguez, who was in awe by the vehicle, said, “Driving this car was insane! I’ve now broken my personal speed record…Reaching 201mph felt amazing, the car drove really smoothly… I don’t think I’d ever go this fast without a professional driver seated next to me, but oh man, it was an incredible feeling.”

The Gala Preview was chaired by Chris LaSusa, Philip L. Yang, and Joan P. Young, and the Benefit Committee was chaired by Mirella Afonso, Rafael Azzi, Helio Campos, Maria Cecilia B. Campos, Sam P.C. Dangremond, Anne Deane, Manuela Giannini, Aline Pimentel, and Mariana Zois.

Jaguar Land Rover vehicles included the 2017 models of the Jaguar F-PACE First Edition, the Jaguar F-Type SVR and the Jaguar XE AWD R-Sport as well as the Range Rover Evoque Convertible, the Range Rover Sport SVR and the Range Rover SV Autobiography Holland & Holland.

The 2016 NYIAS Public Show Dates: March 25- April 3.

See photos of the haute event below.