Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/618807
CHAMPAGNE, DIAMONDS AND FASHION AT CATWALK FOR A CURE GALA ANNE LEE PHILLIPS AND FRANCINE BALLARD REPORT FROM THE RUNWAY. PHOTOGRAPHY JENNY ANTILL CLIFTON, PRISCILLA DICKSON. I t was the chicest Catwalk for a Cure ever. The highly anticipated evening, benefitting Amschwand Sarcoma Cancer Foundation, has become such a popular fall event that it sold out seven months before the big night with due thanks to chairmen Allie and Jay Fields and Lisa and Josh Oren. More than 460 members of the stylish set filled The Astorian, sipping on bijoux sponsor Tenenbaum Jewelers champagne (Veuve Clicquot with a custom Tenenbaum label); the $100 glasses of bubbly came with a chance to win a stunning pale yellow — the symbolic color of Sarcoma — trillion-cut diamond with an 18K gold chain, valued at $12,900. In a fun and fitting twist of fate, survivor and activist Alexandra Knight won the raffle (word is, she has yet to take off the necklace). Amschwand founder Missy Bellinger and stand-in emcee Lisa Malosky (Deborah Duncan's car hit a pothole en route) delivered a moving program during the seated dinner by Cordúa Catering to raise awareness for one of the most under- funded cancers, and to honor survivor Kristin Elliott, Dr. Keila Torres, and the Freddie Steinmark Family, whose award was accepted by Steinmark's brother Sammy Steinmark. (The movie My All American, in theaters now, tells Freddie's story.) Designer Monique Lhuillier, who flew in for the night, presented a sunny, preppy and glorious runway show of Spring 2016 gowns and cocktail dresses, presented by Saks Fifth Avenue. Then auctioneer Jeff Smith raked in funds for the foundation, as guests bid on Tenenbaum jewels; trips to Puerto Vallarta, New Orleans and Mukul Beach, Golf & Spa in Nicaragua; a year's worth of Alexandra Knight luxe handbags and accessories; and tickets to a Monique Lhuillier New York Fashion Week show and gown valued at $12,500. The evening raised a record-breaking $750,000 to benefit sarcoma cancer research. Front- row supporters: Tenenbaum Jewelers' Tony Bradfield, Kevin Black, and Christina Stith; sponsor Saks Fifth Avenue's Bobby Dees and wife Wezy, Sylvia Forsythe, and Tijuana Harvey; survivors Brad Booth, Amanda Conti, Lauri Mauldin, and David Solomon; Hermès' Jeremy Garcia and Burberry's Brian McCulloch; fashion designer Hunter Bell; James Bellinger; Brady Knight; Jane Amschwand; Diane Lokey Farb; Greg Fourticq Jr.; Ceron and Todd Fiscus; Lacey and Matthew Goossen; Lyndsey Zorich; Linda and Jerry Fields; Melissa Mithoff; Elise and John Oren; and Melissa and Jay Strong. Anne Lee Phillips MAD ABOUT MONIQUE It was the '90s. We were at a fraternity winter formal in Los Angeles, and she was wearing a hot-pink lace frock of her own design. That's when and how I first met fashion designer Monique Lhuillier. She was already dating her now husband (and CEO), Tom Bugbee, and they were quite a sensation. Since then, the duo has gone on to build a fashion empire. She and Tom rub shoulders with clients Gwyneth Paltrow and Reese Witherspoon, and they caravan between coasts overseeing the namesake couture bridal and fashion behemoth. Lhuillier, flown in by Saks Fifth Avenue to headline Catwalk for a Cure, showed an exuberant Spring 2016 collection — gown after glorious jewel-toned gown came down the runway — long and short, flowing and fitted. A sublimely feminine collection that made me wish for spring even whilst gazing out of the faux-snow- flocked windows. Francine Ballard JANUARY | PAGE 8 | 2016 Brady Knight Alexandra Knight Courtney Hopson Scott Arnoldy Jana Arnoldy Alie Pruner David Pruner Melissa Mithoff Chair Allie Fields Lyndsey Zorich Katie Ross Chair Jay Fields Chair Josh Oren Chair Lisa Oren Honoree Kristin Elliott Christina Stith Kennedy Veigel Joanna Veigel James Bellinger Kevin Black Monique Lhuillier Tony Bradfield Honoree Sammy Steinmark Sylvia Forsythe Jeremy Garcia Brian McCulloch Honoree Keila Torres Jason Torres Shane Shannon Wezy Dees Bobby Dees Carolyn Farb Ryan King Mazen Baltagi Lisa Malosky Maggie Vermillion Laura Lear Eric Houston Katherine Houston Rick Lear Lindley Arnoldy Francine Ballard Don Friedell Hunter Bell Lauren Jones Tenenbaum champagne Lilly Oren Missy Bellinger