The 15th Annual Vizcaya Preservation Luncheon
‘The Hat Luncheon’ at Vizcaya Museum
and Gardens
On March 7, 2023, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens welcomed 300 of Miami’s most charitable patrons for the 15th Annual Vizcaya Preservation Luncheon, which sold out for the third consecutive year.
The luncheon earns its nickname, “the hat luncheon,” from its guests’ fashionable hats, ranging from the classic to the avant-garde. A natural fit for this cultural hotspot, the hats added a touch of flair and whimsy to the fundraiser, which addresses the important issue of historic preservation.
Guests enjoyed a cocktail reception in Main House Courtyard, bringing the indoor garden to life with colorful chapeaus and fashions. Following the reception, guests flocked to the garden-themed tent on the estate’s waterfront East Terrace, which was accented with hanging flowers, for a seated luncheon catered by Thierry Isambert Catering and Design.
The program kicked off with remarks by Vizcaya Executive Director Joel Hoffman and Emmy-awarded anchor Laurie Jennings, who returned once again as the Emcee. Guests enjoyed exciting raffle items, including pieces from Chanel Fine Jewelry, as well as a riveting live auction led by Dondra Ritzenthaler from Celebrity Cruises.
For the annual hat contest, an illustrious panel of judges included Suzy Buckley of shapoh.com, John Grisham of Chanel Fine Jewelry, and Elias Synalovski, General Manager of Neiman Marcus Coral Gables. Contest winners included: Christy Martin for Most Elegant Ensemble, Krista Rosenberg for Best Hat and Lesli Brown for Most Avant-Garde.
The 15th Annual Vizcaya Preservation Luncheon’s Co-Chairs were Eilah Campbell-Beavers, Swanee DiMare and Christy Martin. The committee included Anirays Camino, Jenni Coba, Sandra Fiorenza, Sonia Gibson, Linda Levy Goldberg, Camila Guiribitey, John Grisham, Marile Lopez, Nancy McCormick, Cammy Richards, Yvonne Rosemeier, Lydia Touzet, Josie Wang, Alexa Wolman, Suzy Buckley Woodward, and Patty Zhang.
The Fashion sponsor for the event was Neiman Marcus Coral Gables. Other sponsors included Shaw-Ross International Importers, Liquore Strega, The Pale, DiMare Fresh, Terra Group, Qtego, Funkshion, South Florals and JM Lighting and Fabric.
ABOUT VIZCAYA MUSEUM AND GARDENS
Vizcaya Museum and Gardens is a National Historic Landmark that preserves its cultural and environmental resources to engage people in connecting with the past, understanding the present and shaping the future. Built between 1914 and 1922 as the winter home of farming manufacturer James Deering, Vizcaya is one of the most intact remaining examples from this era in the United States, when the nation’s most successful entrepreneur-built estates were inspired by the stately homes of Europe. Vizcaya features a Main House filled with a decorative art collection, 10 acres of formal gardens, a rockland hammock (native forest), mangrove shore, and a historic village that is being restored to tell Vizcaya’s full story and provide additional spaces for programs and community outreach, including those on agriculture. Vizcaya has been a community hub since it opened to the public in 1953; it welcomes 300,000 visitors annually.∆
FRONT PAGE: Yelena Vologina, Yuliia Faist, Suzy Buckley Woodward, Krista Rosenberg, Lauren Coleman, Yuni Paufiques, Sarah Lewin, & Katherina Frey – WRE-R
