Pretty in pink
Raising funds for children’s charities never looked so good
It’s not every day that you get to have lunch with design trailblazer Diane von Furstenberg and fashion -maker/breaker André Leon Talley. But leave it to Suzanne Rogers, the founding chair of Suzanne Rogers Presents, and anything is possible.
The fashion legends not only sat for lunch, but also participated in a “fireside” chat that had patrons hanging on every word. Sylvia Mantella and Kate Daniels, who acted as chair and cochair welcomed a veritable who’s who to the home of Loretta Rogers with only the most fabulous ladies in attendance — one frock more
delicious than the next.
Speaking of delectable treats, the luxe tent with stunning flowers by Forget Me Not ( and let’s not forget the soft pink carpet) provided the perfect backdrop for the incredible meal prepared by catering great Tony Loschiavo of L’eat.
The s old- out l uncheon, emceed by queen bee Jeanne Beker, raised $490,000 for children’s charities, including two specially selected by Rogers and von Furstenberg: Covenant House’s “Just Like a Girl You Know” campaign, aimed at helping young victims escape the sex trade and rebuild their lives; and War Child, which has focused on bettering the lives of children in war-torn regions for nearly 25 years.
Following in the fashionable footsteps of previous honourees Zac Posen, Marchesa cofounders Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig, and the late Oscar de la Renta, Diane von Furstenberg exceeded expectations. “This was our fourth Suzanne Rogers Presents event, but in many ways the most satisfying, because Diane was not only a spectacular guest of honour but also as deeply committed as I am to bettering the lives of underprivileged and endangered children around the world,” enthused Rogers.
Support was provided by presenting sponsor Rogers Communications; platinum sponsor Mantella Corporation; gold sponsor Hudson’s Bay and Saks Fifth Avenue; silver sponsors Bitove Foundation, Capital Infrastructure Group, Maxwell and Heather Gotlieb and Labatt Breweries of Canada. This was an unforgettable afternoon that will be hard to top.