Leading Young Friends of Save Venice into a new era of charitable giving, philanthropist and activist Lizzie da Trindade-Asher dazzled at the annual Un Ballo in Maschera – Artista e Musa at The Plaza Hotel in New York City. Supporting one of the top charities in New York City, Lizzie Asher helped to relaunch the Young Friends of Save Venice Initiative, determined to unite a younger generation of philanthropists and reawaken the institution of charitable giving.
After a successful revival this year, Lizzie da Trindade-Asher and the Young Friends of Save Venice held their most exciting event of the year—a pre-ball cocktail and salon in collaboration with Giuseppe Zanotti at The Plaza Hotel’s Grand Penthouse. Guiseppe outfitted Young Friends members and notable guests with footwear with proceeds going towards the non-profit.
Notable attendees included: Lizzie da Trindade-Asher, Peter Brant, Timo Weiland, Emma Hepburn Ferrer, Larry Millstein, Hamish Bowles, Joel Eggerton, Marie-Chantal of Greece, Karolina Kurkova and James & Nicky Rothschild.
The Save Venice Un Ballo in Maschera raised a record-breaking $1.2 million in support of its mission to preserve at-risk art in Venice. Sponsored by Moda Operandi, Oscar de la Renta, and BVLGARI, the masked event saw more than 450 international guests in attendance.
Bronson van Wyck and Van Wyck & Van Wyck donated the evening’s event design, which celebrated the artists of the Italian Renaissance and the muses who inspired them. As guests entered the Grand Ballroom, they were greeted by the regal winged Lion of Venice flying over the room on a towering flag and a sculpture garden filled with recognizable female forms from classical antiquity sparkling in ruby red glitter. A cascade of blooming red flowers spilled over the famed Grand Ballroom orchestra boxes, while rich blue velvet drapes acted as the backdrop for a gilded gallery of framed goddesses hanging high above the crowd. Hundreds of candles burning from antique silver candelabras set atop blue silk covered tables bathed the room in firelight while a parade of modern muses and artistic geniuses flooded the room to party the night away.
Style arbiter Hamish Bowles presided over the annual ceremony for best masks with prizes donated by sponsors BVLGARI and Oscar de la Renta. Antonia Sautter was awarded the Lady’s Prize of $5,000 towards a jewelry or watch purchase in the BVLGARI New York Store; James Aguair the Gentleman’s Prize of cufflinks from the BVLGARI collection in pink gold and onyx; and Lisa Lee and Peter Zhou the Couple’s Prize of two tickets to the Oscar de la Renta New York Fashion Show. As the prize ceremony came to an end, DJ Ruckus lured guests to the dance floor with a musical performance that kept the party going until half past midnight.
Enamored by the beauty and history of Venice, Italy, proud Peruvian-born philanthropist, activist and entrepreneur Lizzie Asher, alongside the Artista e Musa host committee, is dedicated to preserving the artistic heritage of the floating city. Invited guests rallied in support of Save Venice which selects restoration projects based on artistic merit, historical importance and urgency. In collaboration with the Italian Ministry of Culture and with the help of renowned international experts, Save Venice has funded the restoration of more than 500 artworks in Venice including the recent completion of Tintoretto’s 1561 Wedding Feast at Cana in the sacristy of the church of Santa Maria della Salute.
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About Lizzie da Trindade-Asher
Peruvian-born philanthropist, activist and entrepreneur Lizzie Asher graduated magna cum laude from Duke University and earned a degree with honors from Harvard Law School. She practiced law at a prestigious firm in Manhattan before launching successful beverage company Macchu Pisco with her sister, Melanie da Trindade. Lizzie dedicates her time to personal causes that showcase her breadth of interests. She has been keenly involved with social equality issues for women and is often featured in publications aiming to discuss women’s progress and equality. At the 65th Anniversary of Harvard Law admitting women she delivered an impassioned speech to women graduates about navigating career and life.
Lizzie is the co-founder of the Asher-Ezra scholarship fund that provides financial aid to underprivileged Latino children in the Bronx. She also serves as one of the youngest Board Members of the non-profit Save Venice and is spearheading the relaunch of the Young Friends of Save Venice Initiative. When Lizzie is not in NY spending time with her son, balancing her business and philanthropic commitments, she can be found taking on even more challenges that ignite her passion for helping others.
About Young Friends of Save Venice
Save Venice is fortunate to have an active group of young people involved in our fundraising efforts. The mission of the Young Friends of Save Venice is to introduce young supporters to Venice’s artistic patrimony and to instill in them the desire to help preserve her treasures.
The Young Friends have historically played an integral part in Save Venice’s hugely successful annual balls in New York – Un Ballo in Maschera – and sponsored restorations in Venice, including several paintings in the Accademia Galleries, the Doge’s Private Chapel in Palazzo Ducale, and treasury objects in Basilica San Marco.
About Save Venice
Save Venice is the leading American nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the artistic heritage of Venice, Italy. Since 1971, Save Venice has funded the restoration of more than 500 artistic, architectural, and culturally significant works. In 2015, Save Venice established the Rosand Library & Study Center in Venice, creating a nexus for the research of Venetian art, history, and conservation.
For more information about Save Venice, please visit: www.savevenice.org Facebook, Instagram & Twitter: @SaveVeniceInc
