Denise Rich, Lorraine Schwartz, all photos by Lieba Nesis
On Monday, October 28, The Angel Ball honored Grace Cayre at Cipriani Wall Street with cocktails beginning at 6:30 PM. The black-tie affair gathered over 600 attendees from all over the globe at $2,000 a ticket.
Denise Rich started Gabrielle’s Foundation after her daughter Gabrielle Rich Aouad, who graduated with honors from Oxford University as a champion skier fluent in five languages, was diagnosed with advanced-stage Hodgkin’s disease at the age of 23.
Four years later, in the fall of 1996, Gabrielle succumbed to the disease after a relentless battle. Her husband, Marc Rich, urged Denise to transform her pain into a purposeful mission.
Gail Chehebar, Grace & Trina Cayre
Since its inception 28 years ago, the foundation has raised an impressive $43 million for blood cancer research. Today, with over 15 treatments available, the once -dreaded blood cancer is no longer a death sentence, thanks to the relentless pursuit of a cure.
Dennis Basso, Barry & Fran Weissler, Clive Davis
The evening was glamorous, lugubrious, and joyful, stirring emotions throughout the enchanting evening. The lavish pink floral decor and pink tablecloths and napkins were Barbie-inspired as guests posed for pictures on the lengthy red carpet.
Jean Shafiroff
Hearing from Jace Yawnick, a 25-year-old diagnosed with primary mediastinal B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in January, requiring 96 hours of chemo straight regularly, was heart-wrenching. His father recently wrote up a will for his ailing only child as Jace’s optimism and gratitude were both infectious and agonizing for a young adult who should have to endure his pain. Attendees were inspired by his journey. $70,000 was raised for Lorraine Schwartz earrings, while an Enrique Cabrera sculpture cost $300,000.
Ellen von Unwerth & Dr. Norman Rowe
The luminous crowd included: Clive Davis, Fran Weissler, Nikki Haskell, Lorraine Schwartz, Simon Huck, Ofira Sandberg, Jean Shafiroff, Dr. Norman and Mia Rowe, Ubah Hassan, Star Jones, Ramona Singer, Countess de Lesseps, Lucia Hwong Gordon, Nicole Salmasi, Michelle Sacks Walker, Joy Corrigan, Frida Aasen, Scott Lipps, Dr. Charles and Anna Pierce, Ellen von Unwerth, Dennis Basso, Charlie Walk, Margaret Josephs, Elizabeth Segerstrom, Ramona Singer, Louise Kornfeld, Liz Brewer, Michelle Herbert, Brandon Pena, Jordan Ross, Silvia Frieser, Trina, Michael, Shirley, and Joe Cayre, Nurit Kahane, Keino Aikawa, Keino Ono Aoki and Norah Lawlor.
Norah Lawlor & Mia Rowe
Sitting near publicity guru Norah Lawlor, who ran many Hamptons events this summer and continues her dominance in Palm Beach and Manhattan, was enlightening. Many of her clients came over to talk shop; as everyone knows, Norah never stops working. She even reminisced about Michael Jackson’s appearance at the first Angel Ball 26 years ago—those were the days.
Model Frida Aasen
The night was also about Midtown Equities owners, the Cayre family, who donate time and money to dozens of charitable causes. The Cayre family is the proprietors of the highly successful Casa Cipriani, and they are set to open a new club, Chez Margaux, this Saturday evening.
Grace Cayre
Grace Cayre, daughter of scion Joe, was lauded by Denise for visiting and advocating for cancer patients as a supporter of Sloan Kettering, Ronald McDonald House, and the Morris Franco Cancer Center for the past 20 years. Grace, in the new “it” color black, spoke movingly of the friends she lost to cancer and how time is the only thing we have on our side.
Sergio Orozco, Keino Aikawa, Keno ono Aoki
On that note, the main course of sirloin was finally served at 9:30 PM as guests enjoyed the performances of Adrienne Warren and Luke K. The finale peaked with the tunes of Busta Rhymes, who got the audience going with “I Know What You Want” and “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See.”
As attendees exited the venue, they were given a bag loaded with lotions, vitamins, and socks, necessities for life in the bustling and gritty Big Apple.
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