The Tamesis
If you want to temporarily fly to Italy on a Friday night (without taking a long-haul flight), just don your black tie outfit, don a masquerade mask, and score a coveted invitation to the Plaza Hotel. At 7:30 p.m., a parade of shimmering sequins, shimmering satins, tuxedos and ball gowns descended on the hotel for the annual Save Venice Ball, bringing the luxury of Venice to Midtown Manhattan for a grand and spectacular evening.
The night, with support from Oscar de la Renta, Graff and Tilt Beauty, raised $1.3 million to support the preservation of Venice’s historic art and architecture; a mission long championed by the nonprofit Save Venice with its decadent masquerade calendar spanning the United States, London and Italy. At the Plaza Hotel, it’s no different. Guests arrived for drinks, enjoying champagne and cocktails against a backdrop of soft floral installations, soft flickering candlelight and chandeliers.
Among the crowd, actresses Amy Jackson Westwick and Kate Mara stopped to take photos, while content creator Becca Bloom arrived in floor-length fashion. Nearby, designer Cynthia Rowley completed her Venetian-inspired look — a sequin skirt, a crisp white shirt, a moon-and-star headpiece — and a pair of silver cat-eye sunglasses with friends.
As the receptionist heads upstairs for dinner, guests walk up the stairs, occasionally looking up to see a shimmering projection of the pristine night sky overhead. The event design was designed by Bronson van Wyck of Van Wyck & Van Wyck, echoing the theme of the evening, heavenly tranquilitythe grand ballroom is transformed by a starry sky, interwoven Venetian patterns and cosmic light, creating an ethereal environment.
Over 450 people gathered for a meal of tuna tartare, radish salad, steak and risotto, with no expense spared in every detail and indulgence. Before dessert, Save Venice board members Adelina Wong Ettelson and Alexandra Lind Rose introduced art curator, collector and model Racquel Chevremont, who was recruited to judge the best mask in the room. Patricia Zajacova, Bach Mai and Lisa Chambers subsequently received awards for their efforts.
The night saw DJ Olivier Meiji playing a range of familiar old-school tunes. Suddenly, the square’s historic walls echo with mamma mia The evening’s ceremony gave way to a wild celebration.
