Carolina Herrera will host a kick-off party Monday night at its Madison Avenue store leading up to the Imagine Benefit’s 40th Anniversary Gala on Oct. 23.
The Imagine Benefit was founded by Princess Yasmin Aga Khan in honor her mother, Rita Hayworth. Khan is the honorary chairman this year and Joe Boitano is chair, along with Brooke and Oliver Kennan.
The benefit, which takes place at the Plaza, funds critical Alzheimer’s Association care, support and research programs.
“I am thrilled that we are hosting our kick-off cocktail party for the 40th anniversary of the Imagine Benefit, built on the legacy of the Rita Hayworth Gala at the Carolina Herrera flagship store,” said Khan. “Mrs. Herrera attended the event in its early years, and it’s incredible to work with them to raise funds and awareness for the Alzheimer’s Association. Nearly 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, and by 2050, this number is projected to rise to nearly 13 million. There is hope on the horizon, including two FDA drugs on the market, but the fight is not over, and so on Oct. 23, we will continue to raise essential funds and awareness through the Imagine Benefit,” she said.
Emilie Rubinfeld, president of Carolina Herrera, added, “We are honored to be partnering with The Imagine Benefit in support of the Alzheimer’s Association, an incredible organization dedicated to care, support and research programs. It is a wonderful milestone to celebrate 40 years, and it is our pleasure to host a cocktail reception for this community at our Madison Avenue flagship store on Sept. 16.”
The cocktail and shopping event takes place Monday from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Herrera store at 954 Madison Avenue. The evening will feature portraits and sculpture by Brad Livingstone Black, who will also be donating a percentage of sales. Herrera will donate 15 percent of event proceeds for the week of Sept. 16 through Sept. 20 back to the Imagine Benefit.
The cocktail party is hosted by Khan, Boitano, Brooke and Oliver Kennen, along with Rubinfeld and Wes Gordon, creative director of Herrera.