Haute Living Celebrates The 6th Annual Haute Tea For Diabetes Research At The St. Regis Bal Harbour

Photo Credit: Andrew Milne Photography

The ladies who lunch came together for a good cause as Miami’s philanthropic fashionistas celebrated the 6th Annual Haute Tea benefitting the Diabetes Research Institute at the stately St. Regis Bal Harbour resort. Haute Living was a proud media sponsor of the affair along with other partners including Warren Henry Jaguar, Maserati, Neiman Marcus and more with presenting sponsor, The Leon J. Simkins Family Foundation. The charitable luncheon was a huge success, raising $85K to directly benefit the Diabetes Research Institute.

Photo Credit: Andrew Milne Photography

Following the cocktail reception, the ladies assembled at the resort’s stunning ballroom space donning their most chic luncheon hats. The room was decorated with feminine touches of pink florals and purple lighting accents, with tables centered around a long catwalk runway. Guests indulged in a gourmet lunch from the St. Regis including breakfast scones, a caprese salad, ravioli or buttery chicken and decadent dessert trays with sips of champagne courtesy of Jill Viner and an assortment of teas courtesy of The Tonkinson Foundation.

Photo Credit: Andrew Milne Photography

Highlights included a high-fashion runway show presented by Neiman Marcus which featured trendy fall and winter collections from some of their top brands, followed by an energetic live auction. Offerings included in African getaway, a private jet experience from JetSmarter and more, as well as silent auction items like an $1000 shoe shopping spree to Neiman Marcus.

Photo Credit: Andrew Milne Photography

Notable attendees included Haute Tea founder and co-chair Jillian Posner along with fellow co-chairs Dana Swickle and Lauren Geduld, Angela Birdman, Stephanie Sayfie Aagaard, Kathy Simkins, Vice Mayor Kristen Rosen Gonzalez, Love and Hope Executive Chairman Sandra Levy and Michelle Rubell, DRI supporter Uchi Botero, and DRI scientist Dr. Norma Kenyon, along with many more socialites and philanthropic women of the Miami community.

And the charitable day wouldn’t be complete without giving some recognition to the leading forces that made this all happen. Jillian Posner was awarded a certificate of recognition from the city of Miami Beach for the second year in a row, and Love and Hope National Chairman Kathy Simkins was honored as this year’s honoree. A special nod was also given to the best dressed ladies of the group, receiving unanimous consensus for the best hats announced by special guest judges and fashion influencers Danie Gomez-Ortigoza of Journey of a Braid, Lauren Cohen, writer of SocialMiami.com’s What to Wear Where Column, and Maria Tettamanti of The Wordy Girl – who had been browsing the room for the best hats, headbands, and fascinators throughout the day. Suzy Buckley won for Most Enchanting (best head to toe look), Jenni Coba for Most Whimsy (best look that fit the theme) and Sherri Fox for Haute Couture (best custom-made headwear).

Photo Credit: Andrew Milne Photography

Photo Credit: Andrew Milne Photography

The beautiful event couldn’t have been possible without its generous sponsors, which included: The Leon J. Simkins Charitable Foundation, Warren Henry, Haute Living, St. Regis Bal Harbour, Neiman Marcus Bal Harbour, The Steven & Lauren Geduld Family Foundation, Jill Viner, Jenni & Joshua Coba, Sandra & Sid Levy, Maserati of Ft. Lauderdale, The Tonkinson Foundation, Betty Brandt, Jerry & Stacy Capote, Sherri Fox, Jill Rosenhaus, and Norma Ross, Parenting for Success.

Photo Credit: Andrew Milne Photography

Photo Credit: Andrew Milne Photography