Alzheimer’s Association Rita Hayworth Gala Kicks Off With Hamptons Summer Soiree

Princess Yasmin Aga Khan welcomed supporters to a Summer Cocktail Party at Anne and Jay McInerney’s Water Mill home, in anticipation of the upcoming Alzheimer’s Association Rita Hayworth Gala on October 24, at Cipriani 42nd Street. Gala Co-Chairs Karen Kornfeld, Robin Meltzer and Daryl Simon co-hosted the soiree, which brought out the Hamptons Old Guard as well as the New. The Princess has helped raise $72 million with the Rita Hayworth Alzheimer’s Galas, in New York, Palm Beach and Chicago, that she founded 34 years ago in honor of her mother, felled by Alzheimer’s.

“This year we are privileged to honor yet another inspiring woman who took on the fight against Alzheimer’s when she lost her mother to the disease,” Robin Meltzer told supporters who filled the sweeping lawn. “Nina Garcia will receive the Champion 2017 Award.” Colombian born fashion icon Garcia is Creative Director at Marie Claire magazine and known for being a Project Runway Judge. “I lived with this disease very closely when I lost my mother in 2004,” said Garcia, “so, this is very close to me.”

Gala Founder Yasmin Aga Khan with Gala Co-Chairs, Daryl Simon and Robin Meltzer. (Photo: Patrick McMullan Company)

“Alzheimer’s is the only disease among the top ten causes of death in America that cannot be prevented, cured or even slowed,” said Daryl Simon. “But there is hope. Just last week, thousands of the world’s leading dementia investigators gathered in London for the Annual Alzheimer’s World International Conference. Within the very first few days there were reports of existing news and developments important for all of us here. Research has found that healthy older adults who follow the Mediterranean Diet – which is focused on eating fruits and vegetables, whole grains and beans – lowered their risk of dementia by a third. The Lancet Neurology Commission reported that more than 1/3 of global dementia cases are preventable by addressing modifiable risk steps such as hearing loss, smoking and low social contact. Based on these two reports, making lifestyle changes at any age reduces your risk and can change the trajectory.”

Princess Yasmin Aga Khan, Lady Jane Rothchild, Bill Boggs, Jonathan Farkas, and Somers Farkas. (Photo: Rob Rich/SocietyAllure.com)

Who else was there? Rudy and Judy Giuliani, Candace Bushnell, Brooke Shields and Chris Henchy, Brendan Shanahan, Nicole Miller, Janna Bullock, Dan Gasby, Alina Cho Zamona Singer, Marysol Patton, Luann D’Agostino and Gala Steering Committee members: Cornelia Sharpe Bregman, Sharon Bush, Margo Catsimatidis, Somers Farkas, Chele Chiavacci Farley, Nurit Kahane Haase and Louise Kornfeld.

For more information, visit www.alz.org.