CULTURE WATCH

Scenes from Destination Fashion 2009, which raised $3.8 million for the The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis

Destination Fashion presented by Micky and Madeleine Arison returns to Bal Harbour to benefit The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis on Saturday, November 10th. It’s been three years since the last event, and this year’s celebration will be one you’ll never forget: one magical night of style, substance—and serious entertainment! With a lineup that includes a concert by Enrique Iglesias, an Emilio Pucci Spring 2013 fashion show presented by Saks Fifth Avenue, a phenomenal silent auction and so much more, Destination Fashion is the season’s must-attend event.

This year’s Master of Ceremonies is Tom Brokaw—one of the most trusted and respected figures in broadcast journalism and a special correspondent for NBC News—is joined by Honorary Co-Chairs, Academy Award winner Tommy Lee Jones and his wife Dawn Jones, along with International Polo sensation Ignacio “Nacho” Figueras and his wife Delfina Blaquier, to headline the event.

“Each year we are amazed by the level of entertainment and support we receive from our friends around the globe, and this year is no different. We are thrilled to have Peter Dundas, the world renowned Emilio Pucci designer, share his Spring 2013 fashions with us thanks to Saks Fifth Avenue Bal Harbour, and to have international music star Enrique Iglesias headline our event,” said NFL Hall of Famer and Buoniconti Fund Founder Nick Buoniconti.

The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis, the fundraising arm of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, continues its commitment to this great cause by bringing together an incredible roster of celebrities to make this premier event even more memorable for the who’s who of celebrities, philanthropic icons, business leaders, fashionistas and other South Florida notables in attendance.

“With the support of our long-time friend and outstanding journalist Tom Brokaw, who will emcee this phenomenal affair, and involvement from Academy Award Winning Actor Tommy Lee Jones, Dawn Jones, Nacho Figueras and Delfina Blaquier, it will certainly be a night to remember that will go a long way in helping us raise much-needed funds for our efforts to cure paralysis,” Buoniconti says.

This event remains the only time in Bal Harbour Shops’ history when its doors are closed to host this truly one-of-a-kind, high-profile, private celebrity-styled affair. In addition to the Enrique Iglesias concert and Emilio Pucci Fashion Show, guests will travel their way through “The Destinations” showcasing the sights and sounds of each Destination. Partygoers will experience the Tiffany & Co. Blue Box Wall, have the opportunity to bid on the magnificent “Too Good to Keep Silent Auction” items donated by the fashion and jewelry brands at Bal Harbour Shops, and witness the 2012 Women of Substance and Style walk down the runway with their Celebrity Presenters, and end the evening dancing to the musical stylings of DJ Irie.

The November 10th affair will also include the presentation of the Inspiration Award to Micky and Madeleine Arison, the Champion for a Cure Award will go to Edie Laquer and the Laquer Foundation, the Humanitarian Award to Christine E. Lynn, The Buoniconti Fund Award to Paul and Swanee DiMare, and the Philanthropist Award to Beatrice and Dr. Sanford Ziff.

The Buoniconti Fund will salute its 2012 Women of Substance & Style, including: Norma Jean Abraham, Raphael Bastian, Trish Bell, Yolanda Berkowitz, Lauren Book, Adrienne Bosh, Chanin Carlin, Roberta O. Chaplin, Wendy Crawford Boardman, Andi Edelstein, Lian Fanjul-Azqueta, Ingrid M. Fatio, Katherine Fernandez-Rundle, Mary Frank, Dorothy Hamill, Sheila Hollo, Cathy L. Jones, Irene Korge, Judy Lefton, Linda Levy Goldberg, Maria-Rosa Lopez-Munoz, Nicole Lozano, Lilliam Machado, Judi Prokop Newman, Silvia E. Rios Fortun, Michelle Simkins Rubell, Ann Rubino, Frances Aldrich Sevilla-Sacasa, Millinda Sinnreich, Sheila Slewett, Penny Stamps, Jennifer Stearns Buttrick, Dara Torres, Lesley Visser, and Pat Wallace.

And, starting on September 17, we’ll be bringing you a sneak peek of the “Too Good to Keep Silent Auction” on BalHarbourShops.com with highlights of some of these fabulous items. Then, on October 25, to whet your appetite even further, we’ll unveil the complete auction lots on a dedicated web page on BalHarbourShops.com and host our “Too Good to Keep Silent Auction” Preview Party.

All the proceeds from Destination Fashion 2012 will directly benefit The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis, the fundraising arm of The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis. The Miami Project is the world’s most comprehensive spinal cord injury research center located in the Lois Pope LIFE Center and is a designated Center of Excellence at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine.

For more information about Destination Fashion, please call Stephanie Sayfie Aagaard, Director of Major Gifts, Corporate Relations, Marketing & Events at 305-243-4656 or email saagaard@miami.edu .