I was deeply honored to present the Star Honoree award to my dear friend Michael Kors. You might know him as one of the judges of “Project Runway,” but he is a beyond seasoned designer.
The Fashion Group International is the pre-eminent authority on the business of fashion and design and this year’s Star Honorees not only included my dear Michael Kors but also Frida Gianini of Gucci, Milliner Stephen Jones and Victoire de Castellane of Dior Fine Jewelry.
The event was held at Cipriani Wall Street and packed with celebrities from Gwen Stefani, Eva Mendes, Jon Bon Jovi, Michael Stipes, Mary J. Blige, Evan Rachel Wood, Emmy Rossum and James Franco and fashion’s biggest talents from Michael Kors (of course!), Oscar de la Renta, Vera Wang, Tommy Hilfigher and Kenneth Cole.
When I was just about to get up to present the award to Michael, I realized that I hadn’t printed my speech in a bigger font….you see I need reading glasses so usually when there are no teleprompters I print my speech in humongous letters, but I didn’t check tonight as my assistant print it out for me!
I realized there is no way I could read this so I started asking around the tables for a pair of reading glasses. After several tries and nothing, thankfully, a gentleman gave me his glasses that were a perfect match and I thought, “now I have to work the glasses in the speech!” So I did…. and guess what? WWD wrote:
“Iman could have easily picked up “crowd favorite” for her speech introducing fashion award winner Michael Kors. She said ‘Thank you, Vera Wang, Tommy Hilfigher, Oscar de la Renta, and all the other designers who told me that I look more beautiful and younger than ever. But ladies, don’t fret – getting older is a b–ch!’”
That is when I put the reading glasses on! It pays sometimes to think fast on your feet and make mistakes or misfortunes work for you.
I said in my speech this (among other things,) “For 28 years, Michael was consistently stood for a relaxed kind of luxury which is the hallmark of American Style. His sporty glamour has traveled the fashion globe from Bond Street in London, to the Via Sant Andrea in Milan, to seven years at the helm of Celine in Paris. He has seen his American point of view become an increasingly international point of view. Watching his shows is like a 13 min escape from everyday life. He takes us away from Aspen to Gstad to Capri and Palm Beach and back to urban Manhattan.”
Congrats, Michael! Mwah!
Iman in custom made Michael Kors gown and Fred Leighton jewelry
I am honored to have been asked, with my dear friend Veronica Webb, to be honorary chair at his year’s American Ballet Theater Fall Gala as it marked ABT’s first appearance at Avery Fisher Hall. To celebrate this remarkable occasion, the Company challenged three of today’s most sought after choreographers – Aszure Barton, Benjamin Millepied, and ABT artist-in residence Alexei Ratmansky – to create new ballets specifically for this iconic stage. We were both present for the historic and stirring moment, when Mrs. Obama chose ABT’s Spring Gala to give her first public platform on the vital importance of arts education.
The First Lady applauded ABT for reaching thousands of students in some of the most underserved schools and communities across the nation with its award winning education program. Both as mothers, Veronica and I share belief that even a child’s first encounter with the arts can be a life-changing experience.
I chose to wear a Donna Karan burgundy cashmere long dress which I saw in the window of her Madison Boutique and that stopped me in my tracks! The color is just breathtaking on dark skin and it fit like a glove. I then proceeded 2 doors down to Fred Leighton to borrow some spectacular jewelry.
For my makeup I ventured into darker burgundy lips and as you all know, I usually go with a nude lip, but I loved it.
What say you about the dark lips with dark eyes?
Please, post your comments.
Iman in a Donna Karan dress and Fred Leighton jewelry
Iman with honorary co-chair Veronica Webb
Alicia Keys, Padma Lakshmi and I co-hosted our yearly fundraiser for Keep a Child Alive (www.keepachildalive.org) at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York city…. and what a night it was!
We honored President Bill Clinton, Sir Richard Branson and African musician Youssou Ndour. The evening celebrated the work of the world’s most influential humanitarians, prominent entrepreneurs, entertainers and politicians who continue to attend and lend their support each year.
The Hammerstein Ballroom was transformed into a glamorous African tent where we gathered to talk, entertain, celebrate and highlight the work of Keep a Child Alive. Our emcee Queen Latifah was funny and engaging and gathered everybody to raise the funds during the auction. At one point she was trying to outbid Tyler Perry…. Go Queen (but she lost it to him – all for a good cause!) The auction kicked ass!
The celebrity quota was very high this year from Halle Berry, Kerry Washington, Mary J Blige, Estelle, Usher, Tyler Perry, Tonya Lewis and Spike Lee, Tommy Hilfiger, Jeffrey Wright, Adrian Grenier, Erica Reid and L A Reid, Nick Cannon, Paula Patton and Robin Thicke, Samuel Jackson, Al Rocker and many more (sorry, if I missed your name!) My highlight was seeing the lovely Halle Berry… she is beautiful in pictures but my God she is breathtaking in real life and motherhood suits her gloriously!
Iman and Halle Berry at Keep a Child Alive Black Ball
I have made a new friend in Kerry Washington who invited me to the opening of her broadway debut Race… can’t wait. But my new BFF is CNN’s Christiane Amanpour who was a guest at my table, also including Cindy Leive, Editor in Chief of Glamour, Sir Richard Branson and his wife, my dearest friend Bethann Hardison, Tyson Beckford and of course my husband David Bowie.
With fearless performances by Alicia Keys and her band, Chris Martin of Coldplay, John Mayer, and Youssou Ndour, as well as the African Children’s Choir….. the kids which ranged from 7-10 years old got the most applause! Chris Martin (who bought one of the auction pieces which was Alicia Keys piano with a lesson from her!) was so sweet and engaging on stage and I was floored by John Mayer and Alicia’s rendition of “Ain’t no Sunshine.” A standing ovation from the whole house! We ended with Alicia and Chris Martin duet of Coldplay’s “Viva la Vida.” Everybody was on their feet dancing.
Iman at The Black Ball wearing a Thakoon dress and Fred Leighton jewelry
It was an evening to inform, inspire and have fun and what fun we had.
One of the reason I joined this organization was NO bureaucracy, no bullshit. It remains small and bureaucracy-free, so the speed of response is never hammered.
Keep a Child Alive is fearless, rebellious, irreverent, cutting edge and not afraid to push limits…. We are the punk rock of charities! There is no hierarchy, only shared passion for moving our agenda forward which is to save as many lives as possible. 100% of the public’s donation to KCA go directly to support essential treatment and support services for children and families living with HIV/AIDS.
You want to help? It is as simple but monumental as:
– Make an immediate $5 donation to KCA by texting “ALIVE” to 90999
– visit www.keepachildalive.org to learn more ways to Get Involved
