Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/184689
Fashion, Compassion and Naeem Khan Chair trio Millette Sherman, Sarah Simon, Susan Plank Gina Gaston Ruth Gay Saks Fifth Avenue's very moving Catwalk for a Cure Luncheon was where all the (it) girls were. Honorees Jay & Allie Fields CATHERINE D. ANSPON TAKES NOTES. PHOTOGRAPHY JENNY ANTILL. Behind the Scenes Lucinda Loya, Elizabeth Petersen I remember when there was no such thing on the calendar as Catwalk for a Cure. Then friends of a young widow, Missy Amschwand Bellinger, walked into our PaperCity offices in the summer of 2004, and an event was born. Flash forward eight years, five luncheons, two galas and $2 million dollars later, and the benefit now plays a leading role in fall's datebook, punctuated by a lavish fashion show choreographed by Saks Fifth Avenue (one of Catwalk's founding sponsors, as was this magazine). This season, the must-attend fund-raiser for Amschwand Sarcoma Cancer Foundation once again returned to a luncheon format, tapping it-gals Susan Plank, Millette Sherman, and Sarah Simon as chairs. Adding to the wow factor were the honorees, the benevolent and stylish quartet of Greggory and Pat Burk and Allie and Jay Fields, joined by corporate do-gooder Cameron International. Naeem Khan — known for his exquisitely detailed frocks and gowns, which cross cultures and allude to the rich fabrics and lush textiles of India, with detours to Palm Beach, Palm Springs and the red carpet — was the popular headliner, presenting Spring/Summer 2012 and Resort 2012 on the runway at the Hotel ZaZa. And most movingly of all, survivor Shelby Robin, who overcame a sarcoma diagnosis when she was 12 years old, received a special reward for her inspirational journey to a nursing career in pediatric oncology at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Touched by her story, Khan donated 10 percent of the day's sales to the cause, which was immediately matched by Saks' chairman and CEO Steve Sadove, in from Manhattan for the fashionable and philanthropic occasion. Kelli Blanton, Stephanie Cockrell Honorees Greggory & Pat Burk Beth Sanders Moore, Steve Sadove Laura Mitchell Jane Amschwand Deborah Duncan Sheridan Williams Sylvia Forsythe Erin Heath Saks Fifth Avenue's CEO Steve Sadove Takes Questions Why are you and Saks here today? It's so important for us to be involved as part of the community. We are coming event. We do [additional] events like this where we also give back, and that's a part of what I want Saks to be all about. Naeem Khan Spring 2012 collection on the catwalk Naeem Khan Missy Amschwand Bellinger Honoree Shelby Robin What did you think about the show? I've known Naeem for a number of years. He's known for his handcraftsmanship, the beading. He's really is a talented guy. He's also very philanthropic. As I said when I introduced him today, wherever I go, Table Talk: Who Lined the Front Row at Hotel ZaZa Amschwand co-founder/executive director Missy Amschwand Bellinger and husband James Saks Fifth Avenue's Terry Zmyslo and Sylvia Forsythe, who hosted a dinner for the designer the night before at Hotel Granduca Phoebe Tudor Amy Lee Stephanie Cockrell CancerForward founder Beth Sanders Moore Jack Amschwand with daughter Jane Amschwand Sheridan Williams Carolyn Dodson (who won the coveted Alexandra Knight clutch in the auction) Board member/doc Stephen Fadem Nancy Nachtigall Board member Laura Mitchell Donna Bruni Linda Fields The survivor honoree's parents, Barbara and Jon Robin there involved in the community, and it's nice to be able to support someone like that. Becca Cason Thrash, Terry Zmyslo Diane Lokey Farb Party Question: So, how many Facebook friends do you have? "I have 1,000 FB friends." Melissa Mithoff "I am so bad about getting on FB … I have 266 friends." Erin Heath "Saks has 295,389 likes!" Sylvia Forsythe "3,495 and counting." Kimberly DeLape "Around 500." Elizabeth Petersen Kimberly Delape, Melissa Mithoff MARCH | PAGE 12 | 2012 You've been at Saks for a decade. What's is your philosophy as the man at the top? It is interesting because I didn't grow up in retail. I was on the board of Saks and they asked me to come in to run it. So I came out of the consumer goods world. I ran the non-pharmaceutical sides of Bristol-Myers, I was at Clairol and I was at Kraft for many years. For the rest of the CEO Q&A, head to papercitymag.com.