(NEW YORK) It was a stylishly sylvan atmosphere at this year’s Save Venice Ball. Steering away from last April’s Black & White theme, this year’s guests ascended the steps of The Pierre into an enchanted forest with massive bouquets of branches and florals underneath which a musician in a floral printed dress strummed a golden harp. The chic cause benefits the restoration of historic buildings in the Italian city and always draws an A-list crowd of fashion figures, socialites, and models. This year’s ball chairs included Coco Brandolini D’Adda, Nancy McCormick, Devon and Phillip Radziwill, Lauren and Andrès Santo Domingo, Tabitha Simmons and Craig McDean, and Jessica Hart and Stavros Niarchos.
Hart attended alongside Niarchos in a golden mask with giant black feathers that she conveniently happened to pick up in Venice. “I got it last September when they asked me to host this,” said Hart. “I was in Venice shopping with my mom and I was buying a mask at the time, so I had it shipped back and I’ve been dying to wear it ever since.” So, what were Hart’s favorite places to visit in Venice? “I saw a lot of the museums with my mom, and we went to the Burano Island known as ‘The Island of Lace’. Oh my gosh! There was so much lace! That was pretty insane, actually,” said Hart. “That was my favorite place.” The supermodel was clearly inspired, showing off her figure in long-sleeved fully lace golden gown by one of the evening’s sponsors, Dolce & Gabanna. Plenty of the brand’s Spring floral pieces adorned the belles of the ball, like Lauren Santo Domingo, Giovanna Battaglia, and Alexandra Lind Rose,to name a few. The latter topped her dress off with one of Dolce & Gabbana’s big Venetian gold coin belts. Simply parfait for the occasion! Everyone was stunning, but Lily Aldridge looked absolutely divine in her clingy black beaded long-sleeve Marc Jacobs dress with her hair adorned with a simple floral crown from Stone Fox Bride, Tabitha Simmons shoes, and Rona Pfeiffer rings.
As for the masks? Artist Di Mondo outdid his crystallized bumblebee mask from last year by topping it with a fully crystalized globe helmet that glowed and featured a face cutout. Not only was it made from 5,000 crystals, but it also featured a camera to film the entire evening. And while he may not have been able to see with his eyes that evening, amazingly we did witness him slowly and carefully eating his dinner through the mask. Another attention getter that may have not been able to see, but was definitely seen was Charles Tolbert, whose spherical green topiary mask covered his entire face and seemed to be a crowd favorite.
Lanvin’s Julia Erdman showed up with Details’ Eugene Tong and rocked a Yankees cap (the trend du jour) in lieu of a mask. Gotta love a baseball cap at a charity soiree at The Pierre! Other guests like the evening’s judges, Hamish Bowles and Derek Blasberg, plus vice-chair Adelina Wong Ettelson, Milly designer Michelle Smith, Padma Lakshmi, Proenza Schouler’s Lazaro Hernandez, model Crystal Renn, Dao-Yi Chow and Maxwell Osborne of Public School, jewelry designer Jennifer Fisher, aritst Jeff Koons, Annelise Peterson, and Amanda Hearst showed up in elegant ensembles and danced the night away to music by Mia Morretti and Margot of The Dolls, and later, to a DJ set by May Kwok. And while a Friday night might be the same as any other night to this crowd, there was plenty of letting loose taking place this time around. Until next year…
PAIGE REDDINGER
