Socialites from around the world, especially Miami, jetted in to Casa de Campo for the MIR Foundation charity weekend. The much-anticipated gala was held, for the first time, at Altos de Chavon, the picturesque, authentically detailed replica of a 16th century Mediterranean village on the cliffs overlooking the Chavon River. Lian Fanjul de Azqueta, husband Norberto Azqueta and daughter Lyanne hosted the event.
On the night of the gala, after a day of horseback riding, golf or yachting, guests strolled through the cobblestone streets to get to the dinner gala. During the cocktail hour, guests were able to buy Tiffany & Co. blue boxes from the “Mystery Blue Box Wall”, Tiffany’s very clever fundraising activity, at a very reasonable price, in order to win a surprise Tiffany gift hidden inside.
The gifts were anything from sterling silver Frank Gehry orchid earrings to a Tiffany Grand® watch or Paloma Picasso necklace. VIPs were snapping up the boxes faster than the hors d’oeuvres. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the box sales benefited MIR.
The dinner tables were perfect for the tropical setting. All in pristine white and adorned with Emilio Robba floral sculptures. Although it is a gala, the attire is in keeping with the tropical heat. Men wore dapper guayaberas or chic, colorful shirts and women were dressed elegantly, in white and bright colors.
After Father Richard Vigoa blessed the event, emcee Ileana Garcia, the glamorous host of Romance 106.7 FM radio station in Miami and Mega TV’s “Alfombra Roja”, introduced the MIR video which showed the achievements of the foundation projects in the organization’s two vocational and technical schools.
The piece de resistance of the evening was being able to preview the exclusive Lanvin Paris Spring-Summer Collection in a spectacular runway show, presenting the haute couture house’s bold, colorful, island chic pieces. Lazaro Arias, U.S. Director for Lanvin, flew in just for the event. The show highlighted resort and ready-to-wear fashions perfect for the Casa de Campo setting.
The sumptuous, three-course dinner was created by the Casa Campo and Le Cirque chefs (yes, that Le Cirque, which is now also at Casa de Campo). Rubby Perez’ orchestra got everyone on their feet and dinner quickly turned to dance party. Miami’s own DJ Gringo transitioned the evening into the After Party (presented by Praia, Santo Domingo’s hottest nightclub). Dancing went on almost until the sun came up.
Among the VIPs were celebrities like actress Adamari Lopez and model and TV actress Karla Monroig. Also present were Aleco Fanjul de Azqueta of Ron Atlántico, Tiffany & Co.’s Henry Gonzalez, Manuel Machado of MGSCOMM, Miss Dominican Republic Ada Aimee de la Cruz, and renowned celebrity chef Michelle Bernstein.
MIR helps over 12,000 girls a year with medical care, an AIDS program, an orphanage and more. They are also given the opportunity to learn job skills to make a life for themselves and their children. Now approaching almost 20 years of existence, the foundation has aided and assisted thousands of children and young adults of La Romana and the eastern region of the Dominican Republic.
Daisy Olivera
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