RED PARTY Event Recap: The Women’s Mafia 9 Year Anniversary Celebration featuring Maggie Norris Couture

This Tuesday August 5^th the Women’s Mafia hosted their signature Red Party, featuring a fashion presentation by iconic couturier Maggie Norris and benefitting the children’s charity Reach Within. This year marked the 9 Year Anniversary Party for the Women’s Mafia and as founder Marcy Clark noted: “we are so proud to be celebrating nine years of style, substance and philanthropy!”

The Red Party gala at the Glamorous Gansevoort Park hotel featured a fashion presentation by celebrity couturier Maggie Norris, who has

dressed icons such as Nicole Kidman, Beyonce, Halle Berry, Naomi Watts, Jennifer Aniston and Michelle Obama. Styled by EngieStyle, the presentation featured exquisite regal garments: dresses, corsets, trousers and jackets with red, gold and cream color palettes, and 1930’s and military inspirations. A stand-out in the show was Norris’s dramatic red silk “Grenada Gown” that dazzled the crowd. The Grenada Gown was inspired by the featured charity at the event, Reach Within, a charity with sites in Grenada and St. Vincent that helps vulnerable children break the cycle of violence and develop social and emotional skills to succeed in life. Thousands of dollars were raised to support Reach Within and their important work.

Illusionists Ben Nemzer and Cassandra Ruiz greeted the guests with a fiery magic trick and red roses upon entering the event, setting the tone of a magical evening where the guests would be cherished and celebrated. Photographer Becky Yee hosted her signature Vintage Vanga on-site Pin-Up Photo Booth, which was exceedingly popular and had guests posing with feathers, roses and props. Invitees sipped cocktails made by Cedar and Schrub, tasted whisky by women-owned brand Brenne Whisky and sipped cuvee by Magnifico Giornata. Co-hosted by fraternal social clubs The Men’s Collective and The Ladies Collective, the event embodied fun, glamour, boldness and beauty.

The Y Gallery Salon Team managing hair backstage (Photos by Arthur Eisenberg)

Excepts from Marcy Clark’s speech about the Women’s Mafia:

A lot of people ask me, “what is the Women’s Mafia?!” And I first always assure them that there is nothing menacing about us – no crimes or murders! We’re really a peace-loving bunch, and the women in this group are truly the best, most interesting, most dynamic, fun and bold women I know. I started the Women’s Mafia 9 years ago, when I’d only been in the city one year myself, because I truly believe in the power of community, especially like-minded, bold New York Women.

I had a vision that we could help each other to navigate this big place – get a great job, make some amazing friends – and more than that to support causes we believe in: charities like Reach Within that we are supporting tonight, independent businesses, female entrepreneurs, artists, and designers. I have to say that you ladies (and many gentleman!) have really come through on that vision, and so this party is really my gift to you to say thank you for all that you do for these causes and especially for each other. I know so many members who have become best friends, helped each other find new careers, had life-changing new experiences and really expanded what’s possible in their lives. And so I want to toast to you tonight, because you guys really, truly, make dreams come true!”

Special Thanks to our Sponsors and Partners:

Maggie Norris Couture

Reach Within: an amazing charity helping children and parents in Grenada and St. Vincent

The Men’s Collective and Ladies Collective

Engie Hassan and EngieStyle, who styled the show

DJ Sharri

Y Gallery Salon styled hair for the presentation & host: Yaniv, Yoni, Brandy, Adi and Clara

Becky Yee of Vintage Vanga Photography

Yellow Sky Agency PR

The Makeup Team: Legend with Wilhelmina Artists, SamiRivera, and Jerry Lopez of Mark Joseph Salon

Our Models: Angel Reda, Jordana, Devyn, Cindy Jo, Kanami, Emily and Brooke

Event Photographers: Fashion Photographer Arthur Eisenberg, Artist and Photographer Natsuko Matsumura, Guillermo Mogollan of FashionandPersonalities, Joyce Brooks of BlackTieMagazine

Cupcakes by Jaret’s Stuffed Cupcakes

The Gansevoort Park Hotel – special thanks to Eric Lee, Eric Sobin and Chris Kirchner

Drinks Sponsors:

Magnifico Giornata Cuvee

Brenne Whisky by Allison Patel

Cedar and Schrub – “A Boutique Shrubbery”

Gift Bags and Silent Auction:

Genevieve Malandra and the team at Robin Leedy and Associates for helping with our gift bags

Beauty Buster Skincare

Our amazing silent auction donors: Becky Yee of Vintage Vanga, Alexander Tedford, Ana et Carol, Lucky Selectism, Vernakular Photo Designs

Photo Gallery by Becky Yee of Vintage Vanga (where labeled) and Natsuko Matsumura

For more about the Women’s Mafia and how to “be a Made Woman” visit www.womensmafia.com.