The Breast Cancer Research Foundation kicked off its May 17 Hot Pink Party at InterContinental Boston with a cocktail reception honoring its late founder and chairwoman, Evelyn H. Lauder. Some 350 guests donned hot-pink-accented attire to celebrate Lauder’s life and show support for the evening's cause.
The dinner, which aimed to raise $800,000 toward breast cancer research, attracted Boston-area social figures, business leaders, and philanthropists. It was underwritten by high-end clothing and jewelry retailers Brooks Brothers and David Yurman, both of which have been financial backers of the organization for several years.
“We have been blessed with two amazingly generous underwriters," said Lucretia Gilbert, director of development and special events. "[We] deeply appreciate their invaluable contributions to the success of the event, [as] they each contribute financially and in unique ways.” Both companies underwrote more than $50,000.
This year, planners found new ways to integrate these premier sponsors into the event itself. Brooks Brothers donated customized pink and orange table linens to match Mario Avila Design's invitations and programs. The clothing store also contributed white fleece napkins, embroidered with both the Brooks Brothers logo and the foundation’s signature pink ribbon. Silk-knotted cufflinks—in hot pink, of course—were also provided by Brooks Brothers for the event’s gift bags.
David Yurman hosted a kickoff reception at its Copley Place store on April 4. Tied to the outside of each gift bag was a card with a $150 credit toward any $500 purchase at the store; guests could also enter to win a piece of jewelry from the brand's couture collection.
The jeweler also contributed a $2,500 sterling silver and pave diamond cable bracelet to the benefit's Hottest Pink Raffle. Through the raffle, guests could pony up $200 for one ticket or $500 for three for the chance to win one of the 13 prizes, including a $6,000 trip to Turks & Caicos from Aman Resorts and a $3,800 mid-century glass cocktail table by Lee Calicchio Ltd. Antiques.
Win or lose, every guest who purchased a raffle ticket received an Evelyn Lauder Dream Scarf, screened with Lauder’s photograph of pink peonies, her favorite flower. Hopple Popple Inc.’s event design reflected both Lauder’s nature-inspired scarf and the evening’s namesake hue with large bouquets of pink peonies and orange roses, donated by Winston Flowers.
The InterContinental Hotel created a summery, three-course dinner of tomato and avocado tartare and ricotta salata, grilled filet of beef with a pinot noir reduction, and a dessert trio of dark chocolate timbale, chocolate mousse, and crème brulee. The dining room was bathed in a hot pink glow from Suzanne B. Lowell Lighting Design.
After a video tribute to Lauder and presentations of Humanitarian Awards to Elisha Daniels and Sandra Krakoff, the evening ended with a performance by a gospel choir. With favorites like “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and “When the Saints Go Marching In,” the church choir had guests out of their seats and dancing.
Correction: The story has been updated to credit InterContinental Hotel with the creation of the evening's menu.
