CITY HARVEST’S EVENING OF PRACTICAL MAGIC GALA RAISES NEARLY $2.7 MILLION TO HELP FEED HUNGRY NEW YORKERS

City Harvest’s 23rd annual gala, Evening of Practical Magic, held at Cipriani 42^ndStreet, raised nearly $2.7 million to support City Harvest’s anti-hunger programs – enough to help feed over 9,860 families for a year.

City Harvest’s Evening of Practical Magic paid tribute to the efforts of individuals and organizations who have gone above and beyond in their commitment to support City Harvest’s work.  Lise and Michael Evans received the Harry and Misook Doolittle Heart of the City Award, Geoffrey Zakarian, City Harvest Food Council chairman, was presented with the Mnuchin Family Award for Excellence, and Chelsea Clinton was awarded the City Harvest Award for Commitment.  City Harvest also acknowledged Food Bazaar as 2017 Food Donor of the Year.  

Hosted by fashion designer Zac Posen, the evening featured appearances by: City Harvest Food Council member and cookbook author Chrissy Teigen; lifestyle expert Martha Stewart; actress Bridget Moynahan; Sirius XM Radio host and actress/comedienne Sandra Bernhard; reality TV personality Bethenny Frankel; actors Jean Reno and JJ Field; as well as renowned culinary experts Eric Ripert, Ted Allen, Marc Murphy, Sunny Anderson, Marcela Valladolid, Masa Takayama, Donatella Arpaia, and Michael Anthony.   At the end of the evening, Ja Rule took the stage for a special performance presented by Fyre with “backup dancers” Geoffrey Zakarian and Bethenny Frankel.

The live auction, led by Nicholas Lowry, President of Swann Auction Galleries, gave one lucky bidding attendee and nine of her closest friends the chance to be wined and dined in the luxury of her home by the co-hosts of Food Network’s Emmy Nominated Daytime Talk Show, The Kitchen’s Geoffrey Zakarian, Marcela Valladolid, Katie Lee, and Sunny Anderson.  A bidding war arose when the night’s honoree, Geoffrey Zakarian called on his table guest, Grammy-nominated recording artist, singer, songwriter, Ja Rule to guest bartend the event.  Once on stage, Ja Rule upped the excitement by adding a private performance to the lot which was sold for $150,000.

And we absolutely love the dress choices of these 3 ladies below, upgrading the arms they are on:  (L-R) Lisa Evans with husband Michael Evans; The wife of Marc Glosserman;  Actress Bridget Moynahan

 A very special thanks to Connor Norton of Slate PR

Images are courtesy of Nick Hunt/Jason Kempin – Getty Images

Start Prepping for the Beach with Mei L’ange Swimwear

We are loving New York (USA) based designer Mei L’ange . This collection is De Stijl inspired and the pattern is AMAZING! They have reversible styles, high waist styles, classic bikinis and one pieces and they pay a lot of attention to detail. The flattering fabrics appear to meet the needs for most women. They advertise that their pieces are  "luxury quality, yet affordable and have insanely flattering fabrics." We personally love the variety made for various body shapes that can include skim, to curvy to fully figured to pregnant. 

The line's medley of contemporary design elements — from abstract motifs to edgy hard- ware — create a bold statement without sacri- ficing comfort. Made using extraordinarily soft and fine Italian fabrics, the Mei L'ange collec- tion offers a timeless, go-to style you’ll reach for again and again — because elegance should be effortless.  Check out a few of our favorite pieces from this collection and to see more or purchase visit www.meilange.com 

Thanks Alyssa (French Rebellion)!

11th Annual DKMS Gala; Delete Blood Cancer DKMS

Ideal PR Media was invited to attend and cover the 11th Annual DKMS Gala. Delete Blood Cancer DKMS co-founder Katharina Harf hosted the star-studded 11^th Annual DKMS Gala at Cipriani Wall Street to raise money to help fund the registration of lifesaving bone marrow donors. At the event, DKMS honored philanthropist Claudia D’Arpizio, Partner at Bain and Company, for her outstanding generosity and commitment to delete blood cancer.  

The evening started with a moving performance by hip-hop ballerina Ebony Williams.   DJ MICK provided the guests with music throughout the night.   International superstar Rita Ora took the stage to present a special video during the program.  Music superstar and 2015 The Voice contestant Jordan Smith closed evening with a moving performance that included “Chandelier,” “Over the Rainbow,” and “Somebody to Love.”  

Additional supporters included DKMS ambassadors Coco Rocha & James Conran and guests Swizz Beatz, Alexandra Daddario, Charlotte & Alejandro Santo Domingo, Leslie Lopez, Tommy Dorfman, Jessica Joffe, Derek Lam, India Gants, Elisabeth Murdoch, Andreja Pejić, Paula Zahn, Kimberly Chandler, Morgan O’Connor, Anastasia Ganias and others.  

The evening marked the 11th year of the Gala and the 26th anniversary of DKMS, whose mission                                    is to continually increase the number of suitable bone marrow donors across the globe. The Corporate                                        Founding Sponsor is COTY Inc.

Special Thanks to Connor of Slate PR

Images: Getty Images for DKMS

May is Mental Health Month walk with NAMI on May 13, 2017

Prince William and Lady Gaga are talking about it, Prince Harry is talking about it. Celebrities like Lena Dunham, Jon Hamm and Demi Lovato are talking about it, yet there is still so much stigma surrounding mental illness.

May 1st starts Mental Health Month and the National Alliance on Mental Illness-NYC Metro is doing something about it. The largest chapter in the US, NAMI NYC-Metro provides no-cost education to tens of thousands of New Yorkers each year including: four signature, multi-week education courses; bi-monthly public education events with leading experts and more than 20 support groups for families and friends caring for an impacted loved one facing a mental health diagnosis.

NAMIWalks NYC will take place on May 13, where more than 5000+ attendees will walk from the South Street Seaport, over the Brooklyn Bridge and back. This year, to kick off the Walk and serve as Grand Marshal, we have hip hop legend, mental health advocate and author, Darryl “DMC” McDaniels. A co-founder of Run DMC he is very vocal on his battles with mental illness and how he sought the help he needed. To learn more about the walk and NAMI visit: https://www.naminycmetro.org

A special thanks to Traci Coulter of TCO PR