Ladies who lunch (more than 250 of them, in fact) and some men were invited to the Schepens Eye Research Institute's A Vision of Beauty luncheon, presented by Harvard Medical School. The event chairs Judith Murat Grubman, Michele Millard, Andrea Stark, and Kathryn Vecellio collaborated with Slatkow & Husak Public Relations to create an elegant and stylish event at Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate.Held inside the ballroom, the luncheon featured beautiful tables that matched the opulent ivory and gold design of the room (this is a Trump estate, after all). Tables were draped with gold brocade linens to mimic the ornate detailing of the ballroom's architecture. Ron Weeks of Weeks Floral made low arrangements of white hydrangeas and roses then wove a sheer gold embroidered ribbon through each centerpiece for the final touch. In front of each plate setting rested a miniature Neiman Marcus silver-plated shopping bag filled with gold-foiled chocolate balls tied with a gold branded ribbon.
The Mar-a-Lago catering team prepared a not-quite-light lunch beginning with a warm pistachio crusted goat cheese served over wild greens with sliced Roma tomatoes and cucumbers with a balsamic vinaigrette. It was followed by a Chilean sea bass with lemongrass sauce, curry rice, and stir-fry vegetables. For dessert, guests ate a white chocolate key lime pie on a bed of raspberry coulis with fresh berries.
As guests dined, Neiman Marcus presented an informal fashion show featuring the designs of Gustavo Cadile. Tables were spaced far enough in between to provide a casual catwalk for models to saunter down. They wore fashions with lots of flowing fabric, detailed patterns, bare shoulders, and plush furs in muted earth tones—perfect for a Palm Beach winter.
—Vanessa Goyanes
Guests got a close up view of all the designs as the models walked by each table.
One of the frocks from Gustavo Cadile mixed naughty with nice, perfect for the holidays.
This Cadile original was paired with a luxe fur coat.
The luncheon's decor matched the lavish gold and ivory design of the ballroom at Mar-a-Lago.
Each place setting had a mini Neiman Marcus bag filled with chocolate.
Ron Weeks of Weeks Floral matched the color scheme with centerpieces of white flowers and gold ribbon.
