On Monday, April 30, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation returned to the Waldorf-Astoria to host its annual Hot Pink Party, considered the cornerstone of the nonprofit organization's fund-raising efforts. Drawing more than 1,200 attendees—including M.C.s Elizabeth Hurley and NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams, co-chairs Donna Karan and Michael Kors, and omnipresent event guest Victor Cruz of the New York Giants—the sold-out affair raised nearly $6 million, making it the most successful Hot Pink Party to date.
This year, the foundation's event team, headed up by director of development and special events Lucretia Gilbert, sought to pay tribute to founder Evelyn Lauder, who died in November. That meant crafting a theme, dubbed "My Fair Evelyn's Dream," which incorporated the late philanthropist's favorite peony flower, printed scarves inspired by a photograph she took, the word dream illuminated on the walls and napkin rings, and accents inspired by the 1964 film My Fair Lady.