By Cathy Berger
November 26, 2013– New York, NY – The S.L.E. Lupus Foundation and the Lupus Research Institute raised over $2 million at its annual Life Without Lupus Gala 2013 to support innovative novel research that can improve care while advancing towards a cure. Nearly 700 members of New York City’s philanthropic, government, business, art, music and health care communities joined to help turn lupus research upside down and patients’ lives around.
Gala honorees Simona and Jerome Chazen were celebrated as pioneers of the S.L.E. Lupus Foundation and Lupus Research Institute. Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg received the Distinguished Public Health Leadership Award in recognition of his many contributions in helping New Yorkers lead healthier lives and for his long-standing support of the organization’s work in improving the well-being of people with lupus.
Mayor Bloomberg stated “The Lupus Research Institute deserves a lot of credit. Thinking about their intellectual capacity focusing on this one disease, it gives you great comfort that we’re making progress and that, hopefully, sooner, rather than later, we’re going to discover what causes lupus, how to prevent it, and how to cure people who already have the disease. On behalf of 8.4 million New Yorkers, I want to say thank you and keep up the good work.”
From ivory ensembles to shades of vivid green to classic black, we were impressed by the colorful display of looks we saw on guests supporting this formidable cause. Here are some of the most notable looks on impressive ladies who grabbed our attention last Monday night.
Sarah Friend is wearing a gorgeous Zac Posen gown in silver. We couldn’t imagine a more flattering dress for this beauty than this halter style open back number, which features a soft, billowing hem.
Cipa Dichter (standing with husband, Misha) opted for a midnight black ensemble, donning a gorgeous simple studded sheath dress with sheer sleeves by Vivienne Tam. Her bag comes from Rio, Brazil as designed by Glorinha Paranagua.
Gwen Marder combined menswear and vintage- two of our favorite trends- by wearing a Magaschoni vest underneath a Petite Bois jacket. Her black sequin pants are vintage, and she carries a vintage beaded bag to complete her look.
Wendy Jeffers pulls off the “anything but a cocktail dress” with a huge dose of style. She pairs her satin-collared Armani jacket with a full skirt by Herve Leger. Her chic eyeglasses are by Alain Mikli.
Alana Levine is a young stunner who keeps things fresh with an emerald green hue J. Crew dress in silk shantung and jewelry styled by Dannijo. The wrap detail dress was perfectly tailored to fit her frame, with the above knee length creating just the right amount of sophistication for this event.
All eyes murmured “wow” when this pair turned for our camera– Alicia Goldstein is wearing a sophisticated black number by Max Mara and is carrying an Edie Parker bag designed by Brett Heyman. By her side is galpal Raina Seitel who rocks a shirred cherry red dress by Beyond Vintage, Both ladies’ shoes are by Jimmy Choo.
Lauren Rosen’s vixenish look is courtesy of an ivory Cushnie et Ochs dress which she styles with sexy stilettos by YSL. She showed just the right amount of skin, while the length and long-sleeves keeps her look chic and elegant.
Bonnie Englebardt Lautenberg shimmers in an Oscar de la Renta number that flatters her curves and elevates her exquisite look. Next to her is Carol Weisman looking polished and graceful in a to-die-for classic Chanel maxi dress with a high mock turtleneck. Both ladies are carrying Edie Parker clutches.
Lauren Roberts is sensational in a stunning vintage Chanel suit and Gucci handbag. Next to her is Denise Wohl, wearing an alluring Yves St. Laurent dress paired with a bag from the new elegant and practical handbag collection Deesigns by Dee Ocleppo, aka Mrs. Tommy Hilfiger.
We couldn’t help but notice the statuesque Adrienne Nicole upstairs during dinner as she was rocking a vibrant multicolor Moshood Creations dress with metallic accent that she found in a local independent African Euro boutique.
As the world’s biggest fundraising event for lupus, the Gala was held against the fitting larger-than-life backdrop of the whales and dinosaurs at the American Museum of Natural History. NBC’s Today Show Co-host Willie Geist entertained with wit and style as Master of Ceremonies, while Jazz legend and Managing and Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center Wynton Marsalis literally blew guests away on trumpet.
The Gala was held against the fitting larger-than-life backdrop of the whales and dinosaurs at the American Museum of Natural History. The S.L.E. Lupus Foundation is the country’s preeminent organization delivering direct patient services, public education and novel research at a national level. Founded more than 40 years ago in New York City by lupus patients and their families as the first nonprofit to serve the lupus community, it remains the cornerstone of comprehensive care in all five boroughs in the continuous battle for a Life Without Lupus.
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