Over $2.5 million was raised at the sixth biennial UNICEF Ball at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. Funds raised from this star-studded event save and protect the world’s most vulnerable children. Did you know that UNICEF has saved more children’s lives than any other humanitarian organization? Kudos to lead benefactors Tamara and Bob Manoukian, and such supporters as Heidi Klum, Matt Damon, and Jennifer Connelly, to name a few.
Goodwill Ambassador and soccer star David Beckham received the Danny Kaye Leadership Award, and the President of USC, C.L. Max Niklas, received the Spirit of Compassion Award.
Gorgeous actress Angie Harmon emceed the evening, which featured a live performance by multi-Grammy award-winner, Mariah Carey. Congratulations are in order to Mariah on her recent engagement to Australian billionaire James Packer. Did you see photos of her 35K Diamond Ring?
Other notables in attendance included Nicole Kidman and Sir Elton John who presented the award to Beckham. More stars than in the heavens were on hand to help support children in over 190 countries. Who says Hollywood has no heart?
Speaking of celebs, fashion designer Mark Zunino, who has outfitted such stars as Beyonce and Sofia Vergara, invited us to celebrate the opening of his Beverly Hills Atelier on Robertson Blvd. The event sparkled with some of the Hollywood elite including Fran Drescher (“The Nanny”), International model Beverly Johnson, and ageless Jacklyn Smith (“Charlie’s Angels”), along with Lisa Vanderpump (“Beverly Hills Housewives”), hubby Ken Todd, and her doggie Giggy, who undoubtedly was the best dressed in the room.
Others were feasting on mini burgers and lamb chops, including Donna Mills and actress Annika Marks, who was discussing the possibility of Zunino designing her wedding dress. Zunino loves dressing brides! He likens the experience of walking down the aisle to the bride’s own personal red carpet. You can be certain that you will spy scads of Zunino’s fashions on any red carpet. After all, how many designers have worked with the legendary designer Nolan Miller, the one who defined women of glamour?
If it was good enough for Joan Collins and Sophia Loren, then count me in!