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This year the annual Cartier Benefit hosted by Emilia and J.Pepe Fanjul was a lesson in effortless elegance.
Hosted at the Fanjul’s Casa de Campo estate, Casa Grande, guests were welcomed at sunset with live music, and a glass of Cartier champagne served in an elegant wooden living room overlooking the ocean. A space that on this occasion had been elegantly transformed into the Cartier Boutique, complete with a tableau of Cartier models, and a vintage black and white backdrop.
As guests sipped the champagne and perused the jewels, they made their way onto the outside starlit terrace to await the thrill of the live auction. While Cartier and Emilia and J.Pepe Fanjul has decided to eliminate the silent auction from the proceedings, the live auction, with J.Pepe Fanjul himself as the animated auctioneer, once again took centre stage. Featuring 6 premium items, what the Cartier auction lacked in quantity it more than made up for in quality.
The auction opened with a beautiful Saddle Stitched Line Document Holder in Ebony black, donated by Cartier Santo Domingo (estimated value: US$3,529), followed by two golden ticket travel items; “OH LA LA PARIS” a luxury long-weekend in the city of lights, including flights donated by AirFrance, a 3-night stay at the Hotel Plaza Athenée, donated by Mr. Francois Delahaye (The Dorechester Collection), as well as dinner at the Tour D’Argent, donated by Mrs. Tarja Terrail; and “GLAMOROUS BEVERLY HILLS” with flights donated by American Airlines, and a 3-night stay at the The Beverly Hills Hotel & Bungalows, donated by the Dorchester Collection. Both one-of-a-kind travel experiences with an estimated value of over US$15,000 each.
A second item donated by Cartier Santo Domingo was the LOVE necklace (pictured right) with an estimated value of US$5,782, meanwhile making its annual appearance on the auction list was a dinner for 8 with wine pairing at the Chef Table at Le Cirque Restaurant in New York, donated by Le Cirque & Mr. Sirio Maccioni.
And finally the pièce de résistance, a “9-day South American Journey; Brazil & Peru” went under the hammer, including stops at Iguassu Falls, Rio de Janeiro, Lima, Cusco and Macchu Pichu, with an estimated value of over US$20,000, this not only represented an unrivalled luxury travel experience, but also a secured a sizable donation for both the Hogar del Niño and the Fundación MIR charities. That kind of money allows these two causes, who both focus on education, to make a significant difference in the lives of hundreds of children, and so we must say a very special thanks to Mr. Andrea Natal, Copacabana Palace; Mr. Laurent Carrasset, Belmont, Ltd. and Mr. Eduardo Bernares Neto, Gol Linhas Aereas, whose generous donation made this large-ticket item possible.
“This is my 22nd year organizing the Cartier evening for MIR Charities and the Patronato Benefico Oriental. I am grateful for the many friends who attended and supported the educational programs and health services which the children in La Romana so richly deserve and need, and which the two organizations provide.” Emilia Fanjul told Casa de Campo Living.
Following the cocktail and auction, guests enjoyed a delicious dinner as well as music and dancing under the stars.
A magnificent time was had by all.
Both the Fundación MIR and the Hogar del Niño have their annual fundraising celebrations coming up soon – the Fundación MIR Magical Splendor on Saturday January 17th at Casa Grande, sponsored by luxury American department store, Saks 5th Avenue, together with Roberto Coin, Italian jewellery and watches from Vicenza, and will feature a fashion show with Badgley Mischka, meanwhile the Hogar del Niño Weekend will take place on Friday and Saturday the 13th and 14th of February. So save the date and we hope to see you all at both gatherings!
The following collection of photos were taken by Alejandro Heredia during the Cartier Benefit 2014, at Casa Grande, Casa de Campo:
