Donna Karan’s High-Fashion Charity

By Beth Brody

Who knew an evening of luxury shopping can also benefit a great cause?  The December 3rd, 2008 event hosted by Quintessentially and Donna Karan brought together stars of the New York fashion, entertainment, and social scene to support the Urban Zen Initiative by shopping and sipping cocktails.  A portion of all sales benefited the Urban Zen Initiative, a non-profit organization founded by fashion designer Donna Karan which aims to at expanding holistic health care within NYC hospitals as well as preserve African cultures.  The foundation began in an attempt to balance Western science with healing powers of the East, with proceeds from the night on the town funding healthy improvements such as by bringing yoga to terminally ill patients.  Last night’s event included high-profile supporters Melissa Berkelhammer, Camilla Staerk, Kristian Laliberte, Devorah Rose, and Annabel Vartanian.  Urban Zen’s earthy boutique store is decorated with earthy materials and wood tables from Bali.  The store has an organic mixture of clothing, furniture, beauty products, and home designs, which add earth inspired charm to any socialite’s home.  The event brought together socialites and the fashion world as they helped fund a non-profit with their splurges on luxury natural products.  At least the lavish spending at this store can do more than simply pay the high rent of Manhattan storefronts.