By: Mary Jo Almeida-Shore
The cavernous Ice Palace Studios, dramatically aglow in white light, served as the perfect setting for Designed for a Cure, on Thursday, February 13, wherein nearly 800 stylish guests gathered to support the partnership between the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and international fashion designer Oscar de la Renta. The elegant event raised more than $850,000 to fund cancer research at Sylvester. De la Renta himself spontaneously donated $100,000 at the event.
Partygoers enjoyed a reception with tasting tables from 30 of Miami’s top restaurants, such as: Yardbird, Zuma, Haven, Mandolin, Sushi Samba, Area 31, Swine and Khong River House. Chef Fabio Viviani of Siena Tavern Miami and Chef Hung Huynh of Catch Miami, both recognized for their appearances on Bravo’s Top Chef, were also among the featured chefs and mixologists at the benefit. A silent auction filled with unique items kept guests busy bidding in between sips and bites before heading to an adjacent room for a runway show of Oscar de la Renta’s gorgeous 2014 spring collection, emceed by Deco Drive’s Louis Aguirre and local philanthropist Sarah Arison. After the models walked the runway, a second, fashion show took place, in which Sylvester patients/survivors and their physicians modeled de la Renta’s designs.
The designer received a standing ovation, after which he addressed the crowd from his seat. “It used to be that ‘All roads led to Rome,’ mused the designer, “now, all roads lead to Miami.” “This city has what no other city has- in particular so many of my Latino brothers.” The famed designer was born and raised in the Dominican Republic.
After describing the difficulty he experienced in traveling to Miami amid the treacherous weather in New York, the designer explained, “There is one person I could not disappoint- an extraordinary doctor and friend- Stephen Nimer. I’m alive today because of this man.” De la Renta recounted his cancer diagnosis in 2006 and went on to say, “We live life like we are going to live forever. Then, when you have this worry, you appreciate every single day your are alive. When you wake up you say- ‘thank you.'” He lauded Dr. Nimer, stating, “He is going to do great things for this city. We are here because we want to eradicate cancer- but it takes money! The little help that you can give will help the life of a human being.” A live auction filled with exclusive items, such as backstage access to one of De la Renta’s shows, followed by dancing and dessert closed out the evening.
A Model Volleyball Tourney 
Miss USA 2012 Nana Meriwether and Miami’s top-12 modeling agencies hosted VIP guests including Academy Award winning actor Jamie Foxx, Calvin Klein, DJ Irie, former New York Giants player Jesse Palmer, and M.M.A and K-1 fighter Alistar Overeem at the fifth-annual Wildfox Model Beach Volleyball Tournament (MBVT) on South Beach, on February 8 and 9.
The free public event included 200 male and female models from Miami’s top modeling agencies in a two-day co-ed volleyball competition for South Beach supremacy. More than 10,000 attendees watched the battle between participating agencies Wilhelmina, Next, Caroline Gleason, Mega, Front, MC2, Elite, Runways, Ford, BGM, Green Agency and Ocean Models. Runways Talent Group won the competition, followed by runner-up Wilhelmina. Jamie Foxx mingled with models and showed his support for the Irie foundation. Crowds rolled off ocean drive and were treated to a live hour-long performance alongside the Miami Heat’s DJ Irie. Calvin Klein stopped by and snapped photos with Jamie Foxx. DJ Irie even showed Calvin that he was wearing his boxer briefs. Wildfox provided an opportunity for spectators to “dunk a model.” A free live dunk tank was on-site for attendees, as well as a preview of the Wildfox Sun collection.
