Saving Venice, head on

Olivia Chantecaille and Ferebee Bishop

Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos

George Rudenauer

Adelina Wong Ettelson

Two Thursdays ago, on a cold winter’s evening, theYoung Friends of Save Venice gathered to celebrate their Red and White Masked Ball. The evening’s theme was first imagined in the 1920s when Cole and Linda Porter created the Red and White Ball in their Palazzo ca’Venice, later said to have been some of the most glamorous and legendary parties of the 20th century.

That was the goal of the committee planning this Red and White Ball. “Our hope was to bring the Red and White Ball into the 21st Century, celebrating Venice in all of its glamour and rich creative heritage.” Said Adelina Wong Ettelson, Chairman of the Young Friends.

Sarah Siegel-Magness was Honorary Benefit Chairman, Adelina Wong Ettelson was Ball Chairman, and Olivia Chantecaille and Alexandra Lind Rose were Co-Chairs. Vice Chairs included Fabiola Beracasa, Ferebee Bishop, BJ Topol Blum, Tia F. Chapman, John Leopoldo Fiorilla, Eva Jeanbart-Lorenzotti, Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos, Tinsley Mortimer, Annelise Peterson, Beatrice Rossi-Landi, George Rudenauer, Augustus Rylands, Christian Salvati, Susan Shin, Deborah Tauber, and Matthew White.

Beatrice Rossi-Landi

Eva Lorenzotti

Michael Guthrie and Jennifer Norman

Seema Mehta

Guests included Prince Lorenzo Borghese, Roberto Faraone Mennella, Nina Griscom, Alex Kramer, Doutzen Kroes, Gilles Mendel, Dabney Mercer, Carlos Miele, Rachel Roy, Angel Sanchez, Amedeo Scognamiglio, Tracy Stern, Kanye West, and John Whitledge.

The attendees, dressed in red and white, arrived in designer masks purchased at a silent auction on January 30 at The Veneto Sales and Design Center. The unique creations were designed by Ross Bleckner, Chantecaille, Faraone Mennella, Linda Fargo, Eric Freeman, Hudson Jeans, Devi Kroell, Christian Lacroix, J. Mendel, Carlos Miele, Rodarte, Rachel Roy, Behnaz Sarafpour, Proenza Schouler, Earnest Sewn, Peter Som, Tocca, Antony Todd, Trovata, Ungaro, Alvin Valley, Verdura, and Vivre.

The décor, including wonderful red and white custom-made candles, was designed by Tracy Stern and included Swarovski crystals. The music was by Michael Arenella & His Dreamland Orchestra and DJ Frank Delour. Guests were amazed by the contortionists performing throughout the evening and also explored their own creativity at the Swarovski crystal tattoo parlor. Prizes were contributed by Oscar Blandi, Devi Kroell, Faraone Mennella, Prada, Champagne Taittinger, Tocca, and Verdura. Gift bags were filled with goodies from Bulgari, Chantecaille, Marie Belle, Related and the Veneto, Tracy Stern, Tocca, and Travel and Culture Magazine.

The mission of Young Friends of Save Venice is to introduce supporters in their 20s and 30s to the artistic patrimony of Venice and to instill in them the desire to help to preserve her timeless treasures.

The evenings proceeds will go to restore the Doge’s Private Chapel in the Ducal Palace in Venice. The chapel’s frescoes, altar, and a sculpture of the Madonna and Child by Sansovino, will be restored by students of the Istituto Veneto Restoration School. By funding this project, Young Friends of Save Venice is helping to restore a significant work and at the same time supporting the training and education of future restorers.