Salle Empire decorated Dolce Vita style
The glittering Christmas decorations during the holiday season adorn the Principality all around, with beautifully decorated pine trees and sparkling lights in the Casino Square, and everywhere. This past Saturday, December 14, 2019, the splendid Salle Empire of the Hotel de Paris, in the heart Monte-Carlo, was dressed in bright red Dolce Vita style, for the 14th edition of the highly anticipated Christmas Ball, under the lead sponsorship of Akillis Jewelry.
The Ball is organized by Sandrine Knoell under the High Patronage of H.S.H. Princess Charlene of Monaco and in the presence this year of Gareth Wittstock, General Secretary of the Foundation, and older brother of the Princess, who came accompanied by his lovely wife Roisin.The proceeds from the event came up to a total of € 65,000 for the benefit of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation.
(Photo: Celina Lafuente de Lavotha, Gareth Wittstock and his wife Roisin Wittstock, Victoria Silvstedt and Sandrine Knoell, Christmas Ball 2019 @M. Stanley, Smash)
The Ball was opened by the charming Victoria Silvstedt and Sandrine Knoell, both elegantly dressed by the designer of the stars, Ali Karoui.
This glamorous event marks the beginning of the winter season festivities in Monaco with the elegant guests adding to the allure and spirit of the holidays. Designer Philipp Plein accompanied by girlfriend Lucia Bartoli, Prince & Princess Carlos de Bourbon Two Scillies and their beautiful daughters, the Marchise Roberta Gilardi Sestito and her husband Donato Sestito, were among the many distinguished guests, and the traditional Santa Claus came for a visit, as it is the tradition, for the joy of the partygoers.
The Salle Empire was decorated reminiscing the Dolce Vita, inspired on the celebrated film and the great actors of that time, so you could see portraits of Sophia Loren, Anita Ekberg, Claudia Cardinalle and Marcello Mastroianni. delicious gourmet dinner, champagne and wines were in the elaborate menu, with the Dolce Vita Pannetone to go with the evening’s theme.
Italian singer Loredana Fadda and Visionnair Events offered a spectacular show for the fun loving guests. Famed DJ Andrea T Mendoza, Resident of Billionaire kept the elegant ladies and handsome men in tuxedos dancing all night long!
Supporting Princess Charlene’s mission
A bounty of € 65,000 was raised this year through the prestigious live auction conducted by Sotheby’s, and a raffle of attractive items kindly offered by generous reputable donors. Since its inception the alluring Christmas Ball has collected a total of € 717,000 for different charity associations in the Principality, proving that glamour and social responsibility are a marriage made in heaven.
For the 4th year in the row the proceeds will benefit the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation, whose objective is to help children around the world to become responsible adults, through teaching the values of sport and solidarity.
The mission of the Princess’ Foundation is to promote the benefits of sporting activities, teach children and adults the value of basic swimming expertise, water safety, first-aid and drowning prevention skills, and foster national and international amateur sports competitions. The Foundation is equally involved in communicating the values of sports, respect for oneself and others, determination and teamwork, with the firm belief that sport is a tool that contributes to the wellbeing and development of children. Their goal is that water awareness education becomes a life skill in all schools.
Since its creation in 2012, the Foundation has been saving lives by preventing death from drowning, through the development of hundreds of projects in many countries around the world, creating awareness for hundreds of thousands people, mainly children, who benefit from the Foundation’s life-saving programs.
Prestigious sponsors & loyal committee members
Akillis Jewelry, represented by Caroline Gaspard, was this year’s prestigious lead sponsor. Lady Monika Bacardi, Sabrina Monte-Carlo, and Hello Monaco were among the generous partners, plus the participation of Victoria la Dolce Vita Proseco, Poggio Dimadis, ArtSGK and florist Narmino-Sorasio.
Sandrine Knoell is not alone, as she is joined by very good friends who are longtime members of the Ball’s International Action Committee, who support the mission of the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation. Present at the Ball this year surrounding Sandrine Knoell were: Donatella Campioni, Celina Lafuente de Lavotha, Lady Monika Bacardi, Inna Maier, Princess Camilla of Bourbon Two-Sicily’s, Marquise Roberta Gilardi-Sestito, and artist Elizabeth Wessel who designed the invitation. (Photo @ M. Stanley, Smash)
Today’s Quote
“Good actions give strength to ourselves and inspire good actions in others.” Plato
Monaco Reporter 