Joanne Black @ the Donna Karan George’s Appeal evening
Where: Donna Karan on Conduit Street
Joanne Black Style: Marjan Pejoski dress – the same designer who brought us Bjork’s famous swan dress in 2000 – a black YSL belt, Alexander McQueen Peyton bag and Lanvin shoes.
It’s not often you get to see the compassionate side of the fashion world. It’s a ruthless industry driven by trends, looks and top outfits. But, as proven by the team at Donna Karan, there is always room to achieve great things – while buying great clothes.
This was a discount evening with a difference. As well as the cocktails, canapés and 10% discount on all Donna Karan clothes, the proceeds from a live auction and 10% of sales on the night were being donated to the fantastic George’s Appeal – an appeal launched to try and raise over £5million for Neuroblastoma, a childhood-only cancer.
Joanne Black socialising with HRH Princess Michael of Kent
Guest of honour HRH Princess Michael of Kent gave a passionate speech about the disease – which has a 70% fatality rate among children with an aggressive form of the disease – before the auction. I have to say I was excited when a bidding war broke out over the Personal Stylist Session I’d donated. In the end, it was Donna Karan customer Denise Pollard-knight who walked away with the prize – contributing to the staggering five-figure sum raised for the cause that night.
Of course, no Donna Karan event would be complete without mention of some of the stylish outfits on show. HRH looked elegant in a grey silk evening jacket (by a Venice designer), a black skirt with vertical lines (great for making the most of her height) and fabulous pink diamond chandelier earrings. Donna Karan’s General Manager Giuseppe Perrella stepped out in DKNY; Alex Bergholz-Gander – who helped HRH navigate the store – wore head-to-toe Donna Karan, with a necklace by my client Yara Lasytsya, and Yara looked stunning in the beautiful Lanvin dress and Donna Karan belt I’d helped her select that day.
First prize, however, has to go to TV Expert and co-author of ‘The Naughty Girl’s Guide to Life’ Sharon Marshall. Sharon not only did a great job comparing the auction, she was also wearing a black Jessica Kagan Cushman bracelet that said ‘Please knock, bell out of order’ on the side. Given I also have this bracelet, Sharon obviously has great taste!