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Viva
Glam Casino celebrating Diffa's (Design Industries Foundation
Fighting Aids) 20th Anniversary
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Lauren
Bush and Maggie Rizer
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David
Sheppard and Maggie Rizer
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Ujjwala
Raut
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Supermodel Maggie Rizer hosted VIVA GLAM CASINO two nights ago, DIFFA’s
(Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS) annual, glittering-gaming-hall-themed
benefit supported by title sponsor MAC Cosmetics.
Her supermodel friends, Ling Tan, Magdalena Wrobel, Rhea
Durham, Angela Marie, Anne V, Astrid Muñoz, Yoanna House, Anouck Lepere,
Ujjwala, Natasa Vojnovic, Oluchi, Theodora Richards and Alexandra
Richards, supported Maggie’s efforts.
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Maggie
Rizer and Julie Rizer
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David Sheppard,
DIFFA’s Executive Director, introduced the
evening’s honorary host, John Demsey, CEO
of MAC Cosmetics. After John’s speech, Maggie addressed the
crowd to deliver some touching words on memories of her father, AIDS
awareness, DIFFA
and its programs.
The hostesses chose dresses that represented fashion’s finest. MAC spokesperson Chloë Sevigny wore a gorgeous gold Louis Vuitton
dress, while Maggie Rizer chose a flirty pink and silver Marc
Jacobs.
The legendary Copacabana was transformed into a cash-free casino
for the night: guests were treated to gaming (for DIFFA-dollars)
at Minnesota Fats tables, Cuban inspired food, and dancing, to music
selected by guest DJ Peter Reyes and live Latin percussionists. MAC
models dressed as Havana showgirls with dramatic headdresses circulated
throughout the party.
Winning bets were redeemed for designer-dream prizes from the likes
of Marc Jacobs, Dolce & Gabbana, Jet Blue, Armani Casa, Prada,
Badgley Mischka, Betsey Johnson and Coach. There were no losing players
of the night, since all “misplaced” bets were donated
to DIFFA. |
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Maggie
Rizer, Rhea Durham, Alexandra Richards, Theodora Richards, and
Angela Marie
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Further
fantasy items were bid for cash at a silent auction, including
a fabulous San Francisco Caviar Weekend with Tsar Nicoulai Caviar
and accommodations at W San Francisco Hotel, a metallic Christina
Perrin evening gown went for $4,000 and an original Ruben
Toledo illustration of Maggie Rizer as a Havana girl sold
for $5,000. The auction raised over $50,000.
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.
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Isabel
and Ruben Toledo with the Cabana Girls
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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 $32 million to hundreds of
AIDS organizations nationwide. Last night’s event grossed over $300,000.
In its continually successful bid to draw contributors from world-renowned creative
leaders from both local and national corporations into its fight against the
HIV epidemic, DIFFA proudly associated itself with MAC Cosmetics and its MAC
AIDS Fund. Established in 1994, the fund facilitates the distribution of monies
to men, women and children affected by HIV/AIDS globally and has raised over
$32 million from the sale of Viva Glam lipsticks and Kids Helping Kids greeting
cards.
Also in attendance were, DIFFA’s Creative Director Anneliese Estrada,
Miss Universe 2004 Jennifer Hawkins, Lauren Bush, Moby, Richie Rich, Fabian Basabe,
Nanette Lepore, Christina Perrin, Zang Toi, Stan Herman, Kal Ruttenstein, Vanessa
Von Bismarck, Isabel and Ruben Toledo, Robert Verdi, Gilles Mendel, Lauren Davis,
Empress Trai La Trash, and the “Queer Eye” Guys Tom Filicia, and
Kyan Douglas.
The party continued late into the night at Table 50 with Q-Tip and Marc
Ronson spinning for the likes of Damon Dash, Dexter Dalwood,
Jamie Johnson, Ivanka Trump, and the Richards girls. |
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Moby
with the Cabana Girls
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Maggie
Rizer, John Demsey, and Chloe Sevigny
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| Photographs
by Billy Farrell/PMc |
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