Best Dressed Guests: Our 10 Top Looks From S.L.E. Lupus Foundation Hosts the Life Without Lupus Gala 2013: Turning Lupus Research Upside Down

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.

New Year’s Eve Returns in June to Benefit the American Cancer Society at the Long Island Hospitality Ball

The 2013 Long Island Hospitality Ball benefiting the American Cancer Society will be held on Monday, June 3 from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Crest Hollow Country Club. Considered the New Year’s Eve for Long Island restaurant and nightlife employees, more than 2,500 guests are expected to strut their stuff and enjoy the evening. Those in the industry see the fashion and style of diners and party-goers every day and this is one of the few nights they get to enjoy themselves while dressing to impress! Last year’s attire ranged from elegant ball gowns to bright-colored mini dresses to high-end printed two-piece ensembles.

The next Long Island Hospitality Ball will be held on Monday, June 3
at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury.
For ticket or donation information, contact Marie Cimaglia, American Cancer Society, at (631) 300-3460.
For information about sponsorships, contact Keith Hart, The Hart Agency, at (631) 752-1053.

Entertainment highlights the evening with featured acts from well-known DJs to live bands including Big Shot with guest appearances by members of the Billy Joel Band. Restaurants and catering entities dish out signature summer specialties such as Besito guacamole and Sage Bistro Moderne salmon tartare. Featured nightclubs and bars as well as wine and spirit sponsors complete the event with cocktails. Tickets are $100 per person (or $150 at the door) and may be purchased at http://bit.ly/2013LIHBtickets

Sample a Sample

Always on the hunt for a good deal, Fashion Societe is happy to bring you some upcoming sample sales in the New York City area. Department store sales can be great for basics and everyday wear but a sample sale is the go-to locale for some seriously marked down designer duds. And because a true stylista is not limited to just clothing, this list encompasses jewelry and home decor sales as well (now that’s sensible shopping.) From Stuart Weitzman to Dolce & Gabanna to The Bridal Atelier by Mark Ingram, there is a sale for every girl—and that’s only in June! If you don’t live in New York and aren’t planning on stopping by the Big Apple anytime soon, do a quick internet search for sample sales in your area and you may be surprised at what you find: stylechicago.com offers a great list for all you midwestern stylephiles, la.racked.com has a great round-up of west coast discounts, and dailycandy.com is a favorite in several cities nationwide for shopping info. Buckle down and gear up because it is officially a buyer’s market, ladies.

Unique New York

If you live in the greater New York City area, get excited because there are two brand new Uniqlo stores coming your way this fall.  The Japanese label, known for their casual, clean lines and quality basics, is expanding beyond its flagship Soho location to Fifth Avenue and Herald Square.  Every season demands foundational clothes to build upon—slacks, skirts, tees, and tanks—and Uniqlo is the go-to store for every layering piece.  Well-made and even better priced, they also teams with elite designers to create fun and alternative day wear.  Not a New Yorker?  Drop by Uniqlo’s online store and you’ll feel just like you’re there!

Enchante, agnès b.

Though not scientifically proven, we here at Fashion Societe contend that the women of France have what can only be called the “style gene”.  Whether out for a quick bite at the cafe or running down the street to a vintage noir film (we like to think), french ladies have a natural flair for fashion.  So what better way to celebrate Parisian chic than with the new agnès b. store in Manhattan’s Soho neighborhood!  In fact, this is a coming home of sorts for the label’s designer, Agnès Troublé, who first opened her namesake boutique on Prince St. in 1980.  Scheduled to debut on April 1 (there better be no fooling us!), this delightfully eclectic brand deepens its stateside roots by paying homage to the local indie art scene. Serving dual purposes as clothier and creative gallery , agnès b.’s new location will feature works by prominent New York artists like Rostarr, Harmony Korine, and Ryan McGinness.  And, in keeping with this downtown art scene, agnès b. will release a limited edition t-shirt collection on display and for sale with the launch of the new store.  Calling all francophiles!—slip into a floral skirt, drape yourself in a pastel cardigan, and head to Howard St. for all the latest wears.  Très chic!

Guess Opened in Manhattan

Guess Inc. just recently opened their biggest worldwide store in New York City. The extremely large 13,000 square foot Fifth Avenue retail store is just the beginning of the Guess expansion in New York. The company hopes to open others on Third Avenue, 34th Street as well as in the Flatiron District.

“This is a big step for us,” said Paul Marciano, vice chairman and chief executive officer of Guess Inc. “We’ve never had a major location on Fifth Avenue. We found a store that’s a little bit big, but it will cover every avenue of our business. We have collection of lingerie and underwear, but because of space issues, we’ve kept it in Europe and Asia. I will [now] have the space.” (WWD.com)

Customers can expect to get a special treat in the new store such as an exclusive international jewelry line, pricer than the normal accessories sold in the other stores. There will also be exclusive handbags sold in Fifth Avenue along with watches that cost from a couple hundred dollars well up into the thousands for a limited edition style.