Destination Fashion 2009, presented by Stewart Rahr, was a memorable night of music, fashion and philanthropy under the stars at South Florida’s Bal Harbour Shops on Saturday night, March 7, when more than 2,000 of Miami’s finest came out for the star-studded fundraiser to benefit The Buoniconti Fund To Cure Paralysis and raise in excess of $3.8 million.
Multi-platinum recording artist Seal delivered a rockin’ show and The Pointer Sisters performed on the same stage earlier in the evening and wowed the crowd. American iconic designer Michael Kors treated the fashionista crowd to a spectacular runway presentation of his newest collection that was straight from New York’s Fashion Week, with a little Miami fine-tuning. The runway extravaganza was presented by Saks Fifth Avenue Bal Harbour.
Highlights of the evening included The Barth A. Green Spirit Award presented to golf legend Jack Nicklaus and The Buoniconti Fund Award given to Stanley Whitman of Bal Harbour Shops. Event presenting sponsor Stewart Rahr thrilled the crowd as he announced a donation of $1 million to the Buoniconti Fund. Also included in the evening’s program was the presentation of the Women of Substance & Style Honorees, introducing 40 of South Florida’s most notable women.
The list of notable attendees is an impressive line-up that included honorary co-chairs Tommy Lee Jones and wife Dawn and event chairs Nick Buoniconti, Marc Buoniconti, Dr. Barth Green, M.D., Gretchen Jordan, Suzie Sayfie and Stephanie Sayfie Aagaard. Other celebrities and special guests included Gloria Estefan, Anna Kournikova and Jerry Rice among others.
Destination Fashion 2009 guests partied through the “Decades: 70’s, 80’s, 90’s and Today” in the dazzling Bal Harbour Shops and enjoyed international cuisine, delicious libations, live music and interactive entertainment, which included a stunning silent auction offering and the Tiffany & Co. “Chances for a Cure Wall” loaded with luxury items. Some memorable auction items that were the big –ticket draws were Saks Fifth Avenue package for 2 to attend Michael Kors show at New York Fashion Week with 2-night stay at The Plaza and a one-of-a-kind white crocodile Fendi bag.
The Buoniconti Fund is the fundraising arm of The Miami Project.
