The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) upped its star wattage for this year's big spring benefit. Last year, Sir Elton John rocked Cipriani 42nd Street in a go-go lounge-themed event. This year the legendary singer returned, joined by sultry jazz chanteuse Diana Krall at the Rhapsody in Pink spring gala for the foundation, which was founded by Evelyn Lauder.
Monroe Alechman and Brian Avon of Aveda (an Estee Lauder brand) and Geoff Howell of the Geoff Howell Studio coordinated the decor's pink theme (pink being the color that signifies breast cancer awareness). The Waldorf=Astoria's grand ballroom sparkled with a flood of pink lights and shimmering silver ribbons attached to clear helium-filled balloons that clung to the ceiling. Tables and chairs were covered with shiny pink fabric, and floral centerpieces with tulips and carnations were surrounded by small lamps with fringed pink lampshades. Napkins were wrapped with clear bands printed with bars of music (a reference to the performances to come), and each place setting had a pair of pink-tinted sunglasses, with a small card that read "To frame the world in shades of pink/Is a beautiful vision we all think."
And if the show by John and Krall wasn't enough, guests took home special gift bags donated and designed especially for the event by handbag designer extraordinaire Kate Spade. (Estee Lauder manufactures Spade's beauty line.) The heavy white canvas tote with pink leather handles was embroidered with the phrase "Have Courage" on the front, and contained a lipstick and nail polish from Estee Lauder, an issue of In Style magazine (a sponsor), a silver-plated picture frame, a bottle of Aramis shaving cream, a Kate Spade lingerie bag and a box of Harmony cereal (made especially for women). With the proceeds from ticket sales and the silent auction, BCRF reports that the event raised $3 million for the foundation.
--Suzanne Ito
Read about last year's gala...
See the invitation to this event...
Monroe Alechman and Brian Avon of Aveda (an Estee Lauder brand) and Geoff Howell of the Geoff Howell Studio coordinated the decor's pink theme (pink being the color that signifies breast cancer awareness). The Waldorf=Astoria's grand ballroom sparkled with a flood of pink lights and shimmering silver ribbons attached to clear helium-filled balloons that clung to the ceiling. Tables and chairs were covered with shiny pink fabric, and floral centerpieces with tulips and carnations were surrounded by small lamps with fringed pink lampshades. Napkins were wrapped with clear bands printed with bars of music (a reference to the performances to come), and each place setting had a pair of pink-tinted sunglasses, with a small card that read "To frame the world in shades of pink/Is a beautiful vision we all think."
And if the show by John and Krall wasn't enough, guests took home special gift bags donated and designed especially for the event by handbag designer extraordinaire Kate Spade. (Estee Lauder manufactures Spade's beauty line.) The heavy white canvas tote with pink leather handles was embroidered with the phrase "Have Courage" on the front, and contained a lipstick and nail polish from Estee Lauder, an issue of In Style magazine (a sponsor), a silver-plated picture frame, a bottle of Aramis shaving cream, a Kate Spade lingerie bag and a box of Harmony cereal (made especially for women). With the proceeds from ticket sales and the silent auction, BCRF reports that the event raised $3 million for the foundation.
--Suzanne Ito
Read about last year's gala...
See the invitation to this event...
For the Breast Cancer Research Foundation's spring benefit gala, the Waldorf=Astoria's grand ballroom shimmered with pink lighting and silver ribbons dangling from clear balloons that clung to the ceiling.
Decor by Monroe Alechman and Brian Avon of Aveda and Geoff Howell of Geoff Howell Studios included small lamps with fringed pink lampshades and centerpieces with tulips and carnations.
Sunglasses with pink lenses were found at each place setting.
Kate Spade's canvas and pink leather gift bag (custom made for the event) contained an issue of In Style, Elton John's latest CD, a box of Harmony cereal for women, a silver plated picture frame, an Estee Lauder lipstick and nail polish, a can of Aramis shaving cream and Kate Spade garment bag.
