“Love is in the air. It’s everywhere you look around.” You may recognize the words to the famous song. Yet, love really was in the air on July 27th at the “Love Ball.” Partiers and players came out to support a good cause and take part in the merrymaking.
The “Love Ball,” an annual event that changes location each year, ended up in glitzy Monte-Carlo this year. The event was attended by celebrities and many members of the Monaco royal family. Andrea Casiraghi, Princess Caroline’s oldest son and second in line to the Monegasque throne, was in attendance with his socialite fiancé, Tatiana Santo Domingo. She is also the niece of Andres Santo Domingo.
Celebrities such as Bono, Karl Lagerfeld and Margherita Missoni kicked up their heels. However, the recent Marie Claire cover girl, princess Charlene of Monaco, was the most glamorous of all. She turned heads wearing a sparkling, pink strapless gown with a lace hem. In fact, she may have overshadowed model Natalia Vodianova, clad in a red dress, for whose organization the ball was thrown.
Vodianova’s organization, the Naked Heart Foundation, aims to raise money to support families raising children with special needs. They also build play parks and playgrounds around Russia. The “Love Ball” raised four million dollars for the cause.
Entertainment included performances from prima ballerina Diana Vishneva, Grammy award-winner Ildar Abdrazakov, and world-renowned violinist Maxim Vengerov. The evening concluded with a performance from maestro Valery Gergiev, flown in for the evening following the world premiere of the opera “Levsha” in St. Petersberg. James Corden, British actor, played host for the night.
The auction was supposed to remind attendees of the story of a couple in love on a magical trip around Monaco. Some prizes included a private tennis lesson with Rafael Nadal, an internship at Chanel under Karl Lagerfeld’s direction, afternoon tea with Prince Albert, a round of gold on the 2014 Ryder Cup course and a Rolex watch.
The Ball will be remembered long after the decorations have been taken down and the champagne drunk. The Naked Heart Foundation will reach out to families in need and pass on the generosity that comes from love.