New Orleans got the red carpet treatment on Nov. 15 when Saks Fifth Avenue hosted its grand re-opening party, “An Evening of Celebration.” Saks had completed a post-storm expansion and renovation—making this store one of the most glamorous retail spaces in the city. Steve Sadove, CEO of Saks Fifth Avenue, and Carolyn Elder, VP/GM of the New Orleans’ location, greeted the more than 2,000 guests who crowded into the store to get a first glance at the changes. Mingling amongst them were local and international stars: Eliza and Alex Bolen presented the Oscar de la Renta Spring 2007 Collection. (Eliza Bolen’s mother is de la Renta’s wife.) Photographer Robert Polidori autographed and sold out his new book dedicated to all those whose lives have been irreversibly changed by Hurricane Katrina. Chef Emeril Lagasse and his crew prepared bite-sized morsels from each of his New Orleans’ eateries. And, Los Angeles DJ Vice spun tunes late into the night as Hollywood leading ladies Andie MacDowell, Paula Patton and Camilla Belle partied “Big Easy Style.”
More than $300,000 was raised, benefiting the NOCCA Institute, New Orleans Museum of Art, Contemporary Arts Center, Louisiana Cancer Research Consortium, and Preservation Resource Center.
Chef Emeril Lagasse, Carolyn Elder, Steve Sadove and Eliza Bolen
Paula Patton, Andie MacDowell and Camilla Belle
Archie Manning and Drew Brees
Bill and Jane Goldring
Kim Glazer and Alden Lagasse
Angela Palmisano, Steven Putt and Catherine Tessier
