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DIFFA
celebrates its annual Viva Glam Casino |
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This
past Wednesday, Supermodel Maggie Rizer hosted VIVA GLAM CASINO,
DIFFA’s (Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS) annual,
glittering-gaming-hall-themed benefit supported by title sponsor M.A.C.
Her supermodel friends including Bridget Hall, Amy Lemons,
Angela Lindvall, Michele Hicks, May Anderson, Anouck Lepere, Ujjwala,
Aurelie Claudel, Natasha Vajnovic, Oluchi and Ling Tan supported
Maggie’s efforts.
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Maggie
Rizer |
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David Rockwell,
DIFFA’s Board Chair, introduced the evening’s honorary
host, John Demsey, president of M.A.C. Cosmetics.
Ater John’s speech, Maggie then addressed the crowd to deliver
some words on AIDS awareness, DIFFA and its programs.
The Ballroom at the Regent Wall Street Hotel was transformed into
a cash-free casino for the night: guests were treated to gaming (for
DIFFA-dollars) at Minnesota Fats tables, gourmet food provided by
the Regent Wall Street and “high-ball” Absolut Vodka drinks,
and dancing, to music selected by guest DJs, designer Todd
Oldham and DJ Billy Beyond. Blown up versions
of the M.A.C Deck of Cards hung from the ceiling of the ballroom providing
a spectacular decorative backdrop to the evening’s high jinks.
Winning bets were redeemed for designer-dream prizes from the likes
Tocca, Calvin Klein, John Varvatos, Prada, Betsey Johnson, Christian
Dior, Fendi, City Club Hotel and 66. There were no losing players
of the night, since all “misplaced” bets were donated
to DIFFA. Further fantasy items were bid for cash at a silent auction,
including accommodations at the Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda
Huraa that went for $4,000, a weekend stay at the Presidential suite
of the Majestic Hotel that went for $1,400, and a lot from Playboy
that included tickets for their upcoming 50th anniversary party. The
auction raised over $60,000.
Maggie Rizer, who has been playing hostess since the first VIVA GLAM
CASINO event in 2000, was incarnated this year as the “Queen
of Diamonds”. Maggie lived up to her title last night: she was
busy auctioning off a $25,000 fancy-shaped diamond ring she created
with jewelry designer Susan Rosen on adiamondisforever.com,
while wearing over $1million worth of the sparklers herself, all from
Fred Leighton. Amy Lemons wore diamond chandelier
earrings and diamond line bracelets by Stephen Russell; Anouck
Lepere wore a diamond cross, a diamond Star of David and
diamond Chai pendants set in platinum by Harry Winston; Bridget
Hall wore diamond studs on a wire and a diamond fancy cut
bracelet also by Harry Winston.
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Isabel
and Ruben Toledo |
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The
idea behind the repeatedly successful casino benefit with DIFFA was
conceived by Maggie herself to raise funds in memory of her father,
Kevin O’Dea Rizer, a Wall Street executive
who lost his life to AIDS. With Maggie’s commitment and DIFFA’s
effort, VIVA GLAM CASINO has become one of the most visible and profitable
fundraising events in the country.
VIVA GLAM CASINO is one of several fundraising activities organized
by DIFFA, one of the largest resources to fund HIV/AIDS service and
education programs in the US. DIFFA, which began in 1984 with a core
of volunteers from the fashion design industries, has provided to
date more than $31 million to hundreds of AIDS organizations nationwide.
Wednesday's event grossed over $500,000.
Also in attendance were Diffa’s executive director David
Sheppard, Diffa’s creative director Anneliese
Estrada, Miss Universe 2003 Amelia Vega, Patricia Fields, Laura Harring,
Carol Alt, Cornelia Guest, Luca Orlandi, Vanessa Von Bismarck, Kelly
Klein, Nina Griscom, David Lauren, Isabel and Ruben Toledo, Serena
Bass, Vivienne Tam, Peter Som, Sam de Kwiatkowski, Conrad de Kwiatkowski,
Rocco Di Spirito, Robert Verdi, Patrick McDonald, Fern Mallis, Ygal
Azrouel, Heatherette designers Ritchie Rich
and Traver Rains. |
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L.
to r.: Michele Hicks, Maggie Rizer and Anouck Lepere
with friends; Angela Lindvall and David Rockwell. |
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Vanessa
von Bismarck, John Demsey, and Vivienne Tam |
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David
Sheppard and Peter Arnold |
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Laura
Harring |
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Amy
Lemons and Diffa's executive director David Sheppard |
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Todd
Oldham |
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Miss
Universe Amelia Vega |
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Carol
Alt |
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Cornelia
Guest |
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Nina
Griscom |
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Ujjwala |
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