International fashion designer Romona Keveža – who has dressed celebrities such as Angelina Jolie, Kate Hudson, Taylor Swift, Sofia Vergara, Kendall Jenner, Oprah Winfrey, Ariana Grande, Kate Beckinsale and Jennifer Hudson – hosted an Exclusive VIP Champagne Reception in her Rockefeller Center Penthouse Flagship, in honor of the American Cancer Society 11th Annual Taste of Hope event. Philanthropic Honoree Jean Shafiroff, Co-Chair Mark Friedman, and Elizabeth Mayer, Development Manager of Distinguished Events at American Cancer Society, all spoke.
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Liz Mayer and Mark D. Friedman. (Photo: Annie Watt) |
The event was a lead in to the American Cancer Society’s 11th Annual Taste of Hope event taking place on Wednesday, May 25th, 2016 at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City. It’s the type of walk-around, eat-all-the-gourmet-goodies-you-can fest that we skip lunch to enjoy. There will be small plates from more than 50 restaurants and sips from leading winemakers and spirit brands.
Co-Chair Mark D. Friedman introduced Jean, who, as she advises readers in her book “Successful Philanthropy: How to Make a Life by What You Give,” had done her homework. She visited the ACS’s Hope Lodge where cancer patients who need to can stay free of charge. “It was very touching and so meaningful,” Jean told the room. “I don’t think there is a family out there who isn’t hit or affected by cancer. My mother and my grandmother both had breast cancer and my father had lymphoma.”
Shafiroff had also examined Keveža’s Spring 2016 collection, on sale that evening with a portion going to the charity. Wearing a fitted bodice cocktail dress from the collection, Shafiroff lauded the craftsmanship. “If anyone knows clothing I do and I can say the construction of this dress is pretty extraordinary,” she said.
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Jolynn Klinge models the collection. (Photo: Annie Watt) |
Attendees at the event included Sophia Bishop, Jennifer Breen, Robin Cofer, Kelly Cole, Lynette Dallas, Carmen D’Alessio, Lauren Day Roberts, Maria Fishel, Mark D. Friedman, Dr. Penny Grant, Shannon Hales, Chiu-Ti Jansen, Sara Johnson Kaplan, Cheri Kaufman, Mrinalini Kumari, Elizabeth Mayer, Ricardo Rainieri, and Bill Sclight.
VIP tickets with early entry at 6 p.m. are $275 and tickets for general admission at 7 p.m. are $200 – on sale now at www.tasteofhopenyc.org.
