Inside the Kering Foundation’s Second Annual Caring for Women Dinner
“The more people learn about something, the more they can find ways to help,” legendary model and activist Bethann Hardison told ELLE.com at The Pool in New York City’s Seagram Building last night, as she smiled at a nearby waiter carrying a tray of caviar. A star-studded room had gathered for a cocktail hour to celebrate the Kering Foundation’s second annual Caring for Women Dinner. “Sometimes you don’t see the work that’s being done, and this event shows the work happening behind the scenes.”
The atmosphere at The Pool.
Indeed, since 2008, the Kering Foundation has worked to address violence against women by helping survivors break dangerous cycles and take collective action to fight back. This evening in particular, the foundation was raising funds to benefit three key organizations: Malala Fund, the National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV), and the New York City Alliance Against Sexual Assault. And for its second-ever dinner, featuring a menu curated by Mexican-born chef Daniela Soto-Innes, the guest list rivaled any New York Fashion Week party happening in the same borough: Leonardo DiCaprio, Channing Tatum, Tracee Ellis Ross, Kim Kardashian, Florence Welch, Julia Garner, Isabelle Huppert, Jodie Turner-Smith, Karlie Kloss, and Linda Evangelista were all among the attendees.
Nicole Kidman, Kim Kardashian, and Isabelle Huppert.
The many fashion houses under Kering—including Gucci, Bottega Veneta, and Saint Laurent—donated exclusive offerings as lot items in an auction led by Lydia Fenet of Christie’s, which raised over $3 million for NGOs addressing violence against women and children. Think: one-of-a-kind fashion experiences and original artworks from the likes of Cindy Sherman, Wangechi Mutu, and Emily Yang (a.k.a. pplpleasr). Because, after all, the main factor that is required to truly aid and assist with these causes is money. “Any global crisis can be eradicated; you just have to care, and be involved,” says Karla Welch, stylist and founder of The Period Company. When asked how the fashion industry can further assist, she responded: “Put your money where your mouth is.” Her hope, she says, is to see the end of violence against women, and the end of period poverty.
“Among the many lessons learned since creating the Kering Foundation is that there is enormous strength in community, and gathering together a strong coalition of friends, partners, and allies at the Caring for Women Dinner is one way we can take collective action to address this systemic but solvable problem,” François-Henri Pinault, chairman and CEO of Kering and chairman of the Kering Foundation, told the crowd.
Florence Welch performs.
The night closed with a performance by Florence Welch, followed by a DJ set by Coco & Breezy.
Cortne Bonilla is freelance writer who occasionally dabbles in party reporting. When she’s not writing, you can find her vintage shopping, sipping iced lattes, reading on the train, and indulging in Pilates.
