What better way to spend the afternoon lunching while a fashion show is provided for your entertainment? An even bigger treat is witnessing the very first time top designers like: Lanvin, Fendi, Chanel, Dior, Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera, Diane Von Furstenburg and others share the runway. And this entire fabulous event was made even more special because it was all for a good cause. Charity, food and clothes, what else can a girl want?
Cocktail Hour
The Project: New Born 36th Annual Fashion Show Luncheon Event with Bal Harbour Shops took place at The Westin Diplomat Resort and Spa in Hollywood, Florida. Walking into the cocktail hour at the Diplomat guests were greeted by a smorgasbord of sweet delights, while the DJ played the Beach Boys with the Atlantic Ocean as a backdrop. Sponsored by Khalua, the cocktail hour featured bit size desserts from top restaurants and bakeries around the Miami area. Treats included baby canolies, fresh crepes, chocolate cakes, and a personal favorite a sampling of panna cotta with white chocolate shavings. A guest even exclaimed, “ Who would think you’d get to eat dessert first.”
While everyone enjoyed bites of the best desserts Miami had to offer a silent auction and raffle ticket sale was in full operation. All proceeds of the event benefited research and equipment for the Project: New Born Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine Jackson Memorial Hospital, a facility that provides state of the art comprehensive care for premature and high- risk infants. This project is obviously very dear to the hearts of its organizers, Schatzi Kassal and Lola Jacobson, and everyone involved. It was heartwarming to see how much love and passion that was put into the project and event.
Among the items up for grabs in the silent auction was a Valentino handbag adorned in teal fabric flowers, which seemed to be the item du jour during the height of cocktail hour. Other items included a silver pair of Manolo Blahniks; the same style to the one’s featured in Sex and the City, a Blumarine suit, and many other luxury items.
The Luncheon
Inside the banquet a long white runway with the Bal Harbour name at the top stood in the middle of the room as brightly decorated orange tables lined each side. I was seated near Carolyn Travis; Director of Tourism Marketing for Bal Harbour, who gave me a sort of spoiler regarding a certain Valentino dress that was absolutely fabulous. She had a chance to preview the dresses before the event and advised to keep an eye out for a one of a kind Valentino, “but the dresses are tiny,” she said as she ringed her fingers into a circle.
Lunch featured an early taste of Thanksgiving with spinach salad with granola croutons, roasted turkey breast with gravy and sage, and a cranberry orzo.
Along with the show came a presentation for the long-time supporters of Project:New Born. Roberta and Harvey Chaplin were honored at the luncheon with the “Lola” Award, which was presented by Lola Jacobson, Grand Chairman and Founder of the Banyan Society. And Banyan Society Crystal Branch members and Crystal Door honorees, Serena and Leon Simkins were given the Honorary Chairpersons title for the luncheon for their long-time support of Project: New Born.
The Show
The runway came alive as Chanel, Dior, Fendi, Lanvin, Saks Fifth Avenue, Yves Saint Laurent, Diane Von Furstenberg, Neiman Marcus, Oscar de la Renta, Carolina Herrera, and Valentino each took the stage. Look after look, the Resort 2010 collections were presented; bold color, classic shapes and pure elegance graced the stage.
The house of Lanvin made a special debut of their Resort 2010 collection in anticipation of their first U.S. store opening, in the shops of Bal Harbour, due to open in December. The closing dresses included two exquisite Valentino gowns, one in beige embroidered with diamonds and the other a black number that words cannot make justice.
Overall, I’d venture to say the event was a great success for Project: New Born, and a good afternoon spent with great company, good food, and a breath taking fashion show.
