Miami Philanthropists Celebrate Italian Fashion Designer Renato Balestra at an Exclusive Cocktail Reception Introducing the “Glamour is Back” Fundraiser and Fashion Show
Miami, Fl. (PRWEB) December 17, 2013 -- Italian haute couture designer, Renato Balestra, was welcomed in style to Miami last week at a special cocktail reception held in honor of the upcoming Glamour is Back charity fundraiser taking place February 22, 2014 at the Olympia Theater at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts.
Wednesday’s cocktail reception, held poolside at the residence of the Italian Consul General, the Honorable Adolfo Barattolo, in Gables by the Sea, gave guests the opportunity to mingle with the world-renowned fashion designer. Guests at the event were also treated to a sneak-peek at three of the one-of-a-kind gowns that will be appearing at the upcoming fundraiser’s anticipated runway show that will feature over 150 of Mr. Balestra’s couture designs.
In attendance at the chic get-together was a who’s who of South Florida notables and many prominent members of the local philanthropic community including: Ugo Colombo of CMC Group, Dr. Jose Vicente, President of Miami-Dade College Wolfson Campus; Joe and Wini Amaturo of the Amaturo Foundation, Tom Abraham of the Anthony Abraham Foundation, Dr. and Mrs. Jose J. Centurion, Dr. Julio Gallo, Attorney AJ Barranco, Gregory E. McGowan, Senior VP & General Counsel of Templeton Funds; Eduardo Montefusco, President of RDS Italia; Luca Gregorio, Director of Mediterranean Shipping Co. (MSC); and special guest, Italian-American tenor, Roberto Iarussi, who will be performing at the Glamour is Back fundraiser in February.
The reception was hosted by Consul General & Mrs. Adolfo Barattolo with Arthur J. Furia, partner at the law firm of Shutts & Bowen in Miami and member of the Executive Committee and General Counsel of the Washington D.C.-based National Italian-American Foundation (NIAF), serving as Master of Ceremonies.
The party was an opportunity for committee members and organizers to introduce guests to The Global Fund of the Forgotten People, the charity at the heart of Glamour is Back. The Global Fund for Forgotten People gives direct aid to those suffering from the issues that normally fall under the radar such as care for the elderly, children born with disabilities and the homeless and displaced. The fundraiser will highlight two of the fund’s flagship programs: The Chabrouh Al-Fadi Center in Lebanon for mentally and physically disabled young adults and The Holy Family Hospital Bethlehem, which offers a safe, medically-equipped facility for birthing and prenatal care.
"We have a wonderful group of dedicated people on the organizing committee for Glamour is Back who have been working tirelessly to make this event and fundraiser reach and surpass its goals," says Mr. Furia. "We want to let our friends and everyone in the community know about this important international organization, and also to offer a great opportunity for South Florida to show the world how much we care and are willing to contribute to a cause with global reach that helps so many who would normally be left behind."
Glamour is Back will be both a retrospective of Renato Balestra’s illustrious career in fashion and an exclusive VIP dinner and charity benefit that will raise funds for The Global Fund for the Forgotten People. An arm of The Order of Malta, the fund provides aid and services to several international projects that serve the disadvantaged. The February event will celebrate the best of Italian culture and is being organized with the cooperation of the Italian government and the National Italian-American Foundation.
Partners of the Glamour is Back charity fundraiser include Gambero Rosso, Miami Culinary Institute at Miami Dade College, The National Italian-American Foundation, The Beacon Council, Downtown Miami Partnership and Olympia Theater at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts. Honorary Chairs will be Ambassador Robert L. Shafer and The Honorable Consul General Adolfo Barattolo. Event Co-chairs will be Arthur J. Furia and Derek and Lee da Graca Pinto.
Glamour is Back will take place Saturday, February 22, 2014 at the Olympia Theater at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts in Downtown Miami. Complimentary parking will be offered. A limited number of VIP and general admission tickets will be available for purchase through glamourisback.com. Members of the press requesting invitations and information about the event should do so by contacting Susy Ferrer at susy(at)myrockgroup(dot)com or at 305.751.5085. For further information, please visit glamourisback.com or follow Glamour is Back on Twitter at twitter.com/GlamourIsBack.
The Global Fund for Forgotten People raises money for a range of Order of Malta projects which reach out directly to people who would otherwise be forgotten. The Fund is registered as two legal entities - as a charity in England and Wales (1148427) and has 501(c)(3) status in the US. http://www.forgottenpeople.org/
Susy Ferrer, ROCK Group Public Relations, +1 305.751.5085, [email protected]
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