The Tamesis
Stacey Bendett, Georgina ChapmanBrendan Cook/BFA.com
On Wednesday night, Stacey Bendet hosted a party of a different kind at a luxury Upper West Side apartment known for hosting sophisticated fashion events. A small group of familiar faces, including co-host Georgina Chapman, came together for an intimate gathering to highlight a poignant cause: the Magic Bus India Foundation.
“I’m proud to bring this special organization, Magic Bus, to my friends in New York,” said Chapman. Fashion. “There’s nothing more rewarding than having people you admire come together for a cause that really matters – Georgina’s commitment to Magic Bus and its service to India’s youth is truly inspiring, and I’m so grateful she invited me to tonight’s event,” the Alice + Olivia designer responded.
Chapman explained to guests how the nonprofit, founded in 1999, has transformed the lives of more than 3 million people who once lived in poverty; guiding them from childhood to adulthood by providing education, life skills, and ultimately employability. The organization also ensures that 98% of children complete school and will help 250,000 of them find meaningful careers this year. “One of the reasons I chose to support this charity is because 91% of all funds raised are used to create intergenerational impact,” she added.
After a short but lively cocktail hour under the apartment’s stately Rezzonico Murano glass chandelier, attendees listened attentively to a salon-style presentation about the organization. “I was trying to build a children’s home in India, but I encountered a lot of difficulties along the way,” Chapman recalled. “From corruption to not knowing where the money was going, I was swimming in a sea of wanting to do good but not knowing how. This is what happened to me [founder] Matthew Spacey and his incredible organization. “This is the first time I’ve had transparency and confidence in what an organization is doing to help children in India,” added Chapman, who now serves on the foundation’s board of directors. “
Spacey further spoke about how the foundation empowers young people in India and Southeast Asia through education and training. For him, it’s all about innovation and communication; you can’t just connect someone to a job or school and hope for the best—real change comes from thoughtfully guiding them along the way.
Attendees were rapt: Adrien Brody watched intently from the ornate banquet table, Deborra-Lee Furness asked questions from a velvet sage couch, and next to her, Helena Christensen was immersed in the educational video Spacey played. Not to be missed are the little blue dog and the little princess, who walk around quietly.
The presentation ended and the small talk resumed, but Bendet still had a feeling that she wanted to do more, which prompted her to ask Spacie if she could associate her brand with the organization to provide employment opportunities for the program’s participants. “Of course,” he said cheerfully, encouraging others in the room to raise their hands to help as well.
