Monroe Alechman looked up at the ceiling and smiled proudly at the bouquets of balloons floating in a cotton candy-colored kaleidoscope. "I call it undulating pink waves," Alechman told us moments before a crowd of 700 entered the Waldorf=Astoria's grand ballroom for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation's Soiree Bouquet gala.
Alechman and Brian Avon of Aveda (an Estee Lauder brand—BCRF is Evelyn Lauder's charity, remember), worked with Anne MacGillivray, the foundation's director of special events, to transform the vast room into a warm, intimate space with a whimsical twist. Bengaline fabric with a tie-dye hot pink overlay draped the tables, individual silk roses decorated the napkins, and bowls of heart-shaped chocolates and pink jellybeans surrounded centerpieces of Biedermeier bouquets.
"There are three shades of pink throughout," Alechman told us. "I'm a big believer in monochromatic [design]; it brings a depth to the room." Pink happens to be the signature color of the breast cancer crusade—and a flattering color. "Women look so beautiful in pink."
The evening's festivities were hosted by Estee Lauder model Elizabeth Hurley and included a concert starring Lionel Richie and a guest appearance by Sir Elton John. A brief live auction featured items like a Donna Karan dress, an acting lesson from Kevin Kline and John's pink sunglasses.
Guests left with a M.A.C. Cosmetics black and pink tote stuffed with makeup, Lionel Richie and Elton John CDs, Origins shaving cream, Wilson socks embroidered with the pink breast cancer ribbon and an issue of Child magazine (courtesy of underwriter Gruner & Jahr). The event raised approximately $3 million for the foundation.
—Michele Marchetti
Read about last year's BCRF benefit...
Read about the 2001 BCRF benefit...
Alechman and Brian Avon of Aveda (an Estee Lauder brand—BCRF is Evelyn Lauder's charity, remember), worked with Anne MacGillivray, the foundation's director of special events, to transform the vast room into a warm, intimate space with a whimsical twist. Bengaline fabric with a tie-dye hot pink overlay draped the tables, individual silk roses decorated the napkins, and bowls of heart-shaped chocolates and pink jellybeans surrounded centerpieces of Biedermeier bouquets.
"There are three shades of pink throughout," Alechman told us. "I'm a big believer in monochromatic [design]; it brings a depth to the room." Pink happens to be the signature color of the breast cancer crusade—and a flattering color. "Women look so beautiful in pink."
The evening's festivities were hosted by Estee Lauder model Elizabeth Hurley and included a concert starring Lionel Richie and a guest appearance by Sir Elton John. A brief live auction featured items like a Donna Karan dress, an acting lesson from Kevin Kline and John's pink sunglasses.
Guests left with a M.A.C. Cosmetics black and pink tote stuffed with makeup, Lionel Richie and Elton John CDs, Origins shaving cream, Wilson socks embroidered with the pink breast cancer ribbon and an issue of Child magazine (courtesy of underwriter Gruner & Jahr). The event raised approximately $3 million for the foundation.
—Michele Marchetti
Read about last year's BCRF benefit...
Read about the 2001 BCRF benefit...
Estee Lauder model Elizabeth Hurley hosted the Soiree Bouquet gala for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (Evelyn Lauder's charity) at the Waldorf=Astoria.
The Waldorf=Astoria's grand ballroom was decorated in various shades of pink, the breast cancer crusade's signature color.
Individual silk roses from TriServe Party Rentals decorated the napkins.
Guests got a M.A.C. Cosmetics black and pink tote stuffed with goodies like makeup, Origins shaving cream and CDs from the event's performers, Lionel Richie and Elton John.
