This fall, fashion luminaries have stepped out to attend New York City’s glitziest galas. They have given back in style this season at the city’s most high-profile charities, galas, and cocktail parties.
From supermodels like Iman wearing Carolina Herrera, to actress Leesa Rowland wearing Marc Bouwer, here are the most stylish fall fashion events we saw in New York, and their top fashion moments.
Wayuu Taya Foundation
The Wayuu Taya Foundation brought together the fashion elite at the Donna Karan-owned Urban Zen in New York City. Celebrating the foundation’s 20-year anniversary, it featured a conversation with Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton and performances from Sting and Sarah McLachlan. Carolina Herrara was an honoree, wearing a glitzy two piece from her latest collection.
Fashion world luminaries like Iman, Nicole Miller, and Omar Hernandez were in attendance. The foundation’s founder Patricia Velasquez said “This is a time of much conflict around the world and what we see is that our homes and homelands are so very important to each of us. Migration is a human right, but it is equally important to create conditions that allow individuals to thrive in their homeland; and that is what Wayuu Taya has been striving for.”
Charlie at the Pom Springs Hotel’ Launch Party
Charlie at the Pom Springs Hotel is a children’s book written by beauty marketing guru Lara Eurdolian, who comes from the beauty world, but loves Pomeranians. The book launch was co-hosted by costume designer Patricia Field, model KhrystyAna and Chris Redd, among others, at the Animal Haven Soho Loft on November 2, alongside the Fashion Institute of Technology. The party featured photobooth by Tapsnap 1165 by Booth Babe, reiki by Kesaine, tarot by Dafina of Strange Crown, drinks from Soiree, and ONEHOPE wine, which offers a platform to donate 10% of the proceeds to benefit nonprofits chosen by customers. Guests also enjoyed delicious Williamsburg Pizza, treats by Baked by Melissa and Blobs and activations and gift bags from LeSure Pets, BadLand Pets, Pet Life Unlimited, Bond Vet. Royce and Rockets, Thrive Causmetics, Bigger Than Beauty, RPZL, Powderful and custom Charlie Print All Over Me tote bags.
Latin Ignition – The Magic of Art
This event, co-hosted by Grammy Award-winning musician Emilio Estefan and SohoMuse co-founder Consuelo Vanderbilt, lit up New York Fashion Week with this runway event at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. The Latin designers who brought their runway to the museum include Alvin Valley, Laura Garcia, Nabys Vielman, and César Galindo.
Lifeline New York Benefit Dinner
The Crown Prince Alexander and Crown Princess Katherine of Serbia co-hosted the Lifeline New York Benefit Dinner at the Explorers Club on October 10. Hundreds of guests attended the dinner and cocktail event to support the benefit that aids children’s hospitals in Serbia, which the prince and princess are champions of. Fashion wise, the princess was wearing a pink two-piece by Maria Coca, and notable attendees included David Hryck, Susan Gutfreund, Cheri Kaufman, David W. Boral, and Joseph T. RaIlo, among others.
Old Hollywood Glamor – A Halloween Soiree hosted by Leesa Rowland and Larry Wohl
The Hard Rock Hotel Times Square has a stunning party venue, aptly named The Venue. Actress and author Leesa Rowland co-hosted a Halloween party with real estate mogul Larry Wohl, co-hosted New York’s best Halloween party, paying tribute to the Golden Era of Hollywood. Guests stepped onto the red carpet with vintage looks that captured Old Hollywood in all its glory, and dinner and cocktails were created by Hank Stampfl’s Revel Rouge. Rowland wore a dress by vegan fashion designer Marc Bouwer, and notable attendees included Pedro Oberto, Carmen D’Alessio, Debbie Dickinson, Dottie Herman, and more.
Bronx and Banco 2024 Bridal Collection Runway Show
If there is one fall runway show that stole my heart, it has to be the Bronx and Banco 2024 Bridal Collection Runway Show. Set inside the Grand Salon inside the Baccarat Hotel, the dress code was to wear silver, gold or neutrals. Nicky Hilton Rothschild, Coco Rocha and Olivia Palermo came decked out in the brand’s upscale attire, and it was quite the celebration—especially considering it was Bronx and Banco’s first bridal collection.
The Frick Collection Autumn Gala
The renowned museum, the Frick Collection, is fundraising to reopen in their historic home in late 2024. Until then, they hosted their glitzy Autumn Gala at the Metropolitan Club on October 16, honoring philanthropist Elizabeth M. Eveillard. The evening raised roughly $1.35 million to support the museum and the Frick Art Reference Library, which includes their art conservation, education, and exhibitions. The event was attended by the Young Fellows Benefit Chair Matthew Christopher Pietras, patrons Beyer Blinder Belle, Agnes Gund, Jane and Michael Horvitz, and more.
Global Lyme Alliance Gala
The Global Lyme Alliance held their 8th annual gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on October 10, raising over $1.6 million for Lyme and tick-borne disease research and awareness. The glitzy, star-studded event brought together actor Christopher Meloni, Broadway star Ashley Loren alongside the night’s emcee, Good Day New York’s Rosanna Scotto for a night that began with cocktails, dinner, and an auction, then followed by a special musical performance by music icon, Debbie Gibson. This year, the GLA honored Kenzie Vath, a hotelier, wife and mother, who has helped raise funds and awareness. It also featured a new award sponsored by philanthropists Bob and Karen Kelly, to celebrate heroic family members who serve as medical advocates who help those who suffer from Lyme. The 9th Annual Gala will return to Cipriani 42nd Street on Thursday, October 10th, 2024.
Teens for Food Justice 10th Anniversary Gala
Academy Award-winning musician and style icon Ariana DeBose and celebrity chef Melba Wilson co-hosted the Teens for Food Justice 2023 gala at the Lighthouse at Pier 61 in Chelsea Piers. The benefit raised over $900,000 to help make fresh food more accessible and improve nutritional health in New York City and Denver’s low-income communities. Teens for Food Justice do this through school-based, hydroponic farming led by youth. This year’s honorees included Randy Stern and Alyssa Gardner-Vazquez, and notable attendees included Alyssa Gardner-Vazquez, Katherine Soll, Tara Swibel, Erich Bergen, Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, Alisha Antonetti, Sanniyah Watson, and Namar Antoine.
7th Annual New York Chefs for Kids’ Cancer Gala
Stars pulled up for the 7th Annual New York Chefs for Kids’ Cancer gala, hosted by Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, a non-profit dedicated to funding pediatric cancer research. Actors like Lin Manuel Miranda and Paul Rudd, as well as Christy Turlington and Savannah Guthrie attended the event, which featured a live auction that raised over $1.4 million, a recognition award to Elvis Duran, and culinary treats by Iron Chef Marc Forgione of Peasant & One Fifth, Chef James Kent of Crown Shy, Chef Dan Kluger of Loring Place, Chef Missy Robbins of Lilia & Misi, Chef Jonathan Benno of Harta and Chef Christina Tosi of Milk Bar.
The New York Women’s Foundation Radical Generosity Dinner
If there is one organization that is hugely underrated, it’s the New York Women’s Foundation, whose tireless work has helped elevate women with education, opportunities and helping elevating women’s voices in New York, and beyond.
This year, for their Radical Generosity Dinner on October 4 at Guastavino’s, they honored women who create inspiring work that uplifts underrepresented voices through the arts. Their honorees included Bisa Butler, an award-winning African American textile artist; Molly Gochman, award-winning artist, activist and founder of Stardust; and Lorelei Williams, an award-winning writer and catalyst of justice and equity for African and Afro-descendent communities across the globe.
“We are privileged to recognize the important work of these honorees who are activating the power of art to create social change,” said Ana L. Oliveira, President and CEO of The New York Women’s Foundation in a statement. “Through their artistic mediums, they are able to shift our consciousness toward justice and equity, which is essential to bring about the progress that our city so desperately needs.”
The Humane Society’s ‘To The Rescue!’ Gala
The Humane Society’s gala raised $2.2 million to protect animals on November 3 at Cipriani 42nd Street. Hosted by actors Amy Sedaris and Justin Theroux, the gala raised funds to help make veterinary care, pet food and essential supplies more affordable. “Nobody should have to give up their companion due to lack of resources and I am thrilled that the money raised tonight through generous donations will go towards keeping pets and their families together,” said Sedaris in a statement.
The Quadrille Ball
quadrille ball
Quadrille Ball Cocktail Reception
The Germanistic Society of America organization hosted a Quadrille cocktail reception on November 15 at 1014 Fifth Avenue, where guests were invited to meet Quadrille scholarship recipients, former and forthcoming Quadrille dancers and the volunteers behind the charity. Next up, they’ll be hosting the 63rd annual Quadrille Ball on February 24, 2024 in New York City, honoring Dr. Bernd Scheifele. The funds raised at the ball will go towards awards scholarships for the exchange of American and German graduate and undergraduate students.
The Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation 26th Annual Collaborating for a Cure Gala
The annual gala hosted by the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation was held at Cipriani Wall Street on November 16. As one of the leading charities in New York, this foundation has invested millions in funding cancer research. This 26th annual event honored artist Ariela Wertheimer, Journelle co-CEOs Guido Campello and , Founding family of Dr. Sapna Palep, founder of Spring Street Dermatology, Mt. Sinai Clinical Professor, and EuroJournal New York News Anchor, Chris Wragge.
2023 Hope For Depression Research Luncheon
Audrey Gruss, the founder of the Hope for Depression Research Foundation hosted the organization’s annual luncheon and seminar at the Plaza Hotel on November 15. The event honored actress Dakota Johnson, who has spoken publicly about her battles with depression, with the 2023 Hope Award for Depression Advocacy, alongside honoring biopharmaceutical company Sage Therapeutics, Inc. The seminar hosted by Chuck Scarborough focused on “Resilience: Emerging Stronger From Life’s Greatest Challenges” with top scientists and psychiatrists taking the stage to raise awareness about how to build psychological resilience.
“One of the main goals of our annual Hope Luncheon is to raise awareness about depression and make it safe to ask for help,” said Gruss. “When major celebrities like Dakota Johnson speak openly, it gives voice to the voiceless and sparks millions of life-saving conversations. Speaking openly about depression is part of the solution to this complex crisis.”
French Heritage Society Fall Gala
The French Heritage Society, an American nonprofit, honored architect Gil Schafer at their Fall Gala at the University Club on November 16. Every year, the organization selects sites in France for restoration grants. Alongside the gala chairs Chairs Liz McDermott Barnes, CeCe Black, Michael Kovner, Jean Doyen de Montaillou, Jean Shafiroff, and Ann Van Ness, the event paid tribute to their 2023 Grant Projects, which includes several venues across France, including chateaus in Allier, Charente and Gers, as well as popular Parisian venues like the Grand Palais museum. Their emergency Notre-Dame Fire Restoration Fund has raised nearly $2.6 million to date.
Dr. Barry Weintraub, Jill Sand, and David Nolan.
BFA.com/Sabrina Steck
Park Magazine honors Dr. Barry Weintraub at David Nolan Gallery
Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Barry Weintraub celebrated his Park Magazine cover for the magazine’s fall issue at the David Nolan Gallery in New York City on November 17. With champagne and cheese, the plastic surgeon was in attendance alongside notable guests, like Jose Castelo Branco, Carmen D’Alessio, Brigitte Segura, Jill Sand, Catherine Larsen and Leesa Rowland, among others.
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