Haute Event: John Demsey Hosts Zac Posen and Prince Dimitri at Casita Maria Benefit Cocktail

Kelly Bensimon and Sharon Handler Loeb
Kelly Bensimon and Sharon Handler Loeb

This week in New York City, John Demsey and daughter Marie Helene Demsey hosted a cocktail party for over 200 guests at their magnificent art-filled townhouse on the Upper East Side to in honor of the upcoming “2013 Fiesta” Gala benefiting the Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education.

Author Delphine de Causans, Yan Assoun and Polina Proshkina
Author Delphine de Causans, Yan Assoun and Polina Proshkina

Gala Co-Chairs Alina Cho, and Cornelia Guest, along with the Dinner Chairmen Jacqueline Weld Drake, Aileen Mehle, and Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia were all in attendance to greet Casita Maria’s supporters. Guests were able to enjoy the Demseys’ collection of artwork-which includes countless photographs from photographers such as: Richard Avedon, Robert Maxwell, Albert Watson as well as other modern master. Even the event’s photographer Patrick McMullan work is showcased in John’s collection.

Zac Posen and Anna Cleveland
Zac Posen and Anna Cleveland

Guests included Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia and Martha Wirth, Sara and Tim Armento, Barbie Bancroft, Kelly Bensimon, Carolyn Bryant, Jason Brandt, Liliana Cavendish, Cornelia Guest, Carol Guest, Fred Guest, Eric Javits and Di Mondo, Ann Dexter Jones, Monica Rich Kosann, Zac Posen, Polina Proshkina, Lady Sharon Sondes, Blaine Trump, Chris Trump and Linda Wells.

Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia and Jacqueline Weld Drake
Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia and Jacqueline Weld Drake

The annual “2013 Fiesta” gala will take place at the Mandarin Oriental hotel in New York City on October 22, 2013. This year’s honorees are John Demsey, France Chrétien Desmarais, and Eddie Palmieri. The Honorary Fiesta Gala Chairs will be Alina Cho and Cornelia Guest. The 2013 Honorary Jr. Chairmen, the “Pachanga” chairs will be Jane Bloomingdale de Cisneros and Henrique Cisneros. As has become the tradition, Jacqueline Weld Drake, Aileen Mehle, and Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia will again serve as the Dinner Chairmen. Cocktails begin at 7:30 PM followed by dinner and dancing to the music of The Bob Hardwick Sound.

Photo credit: Patrick McMullan.