The fashion industry can be a superficial business. While the pursuit of beauty is arguably a noble cause, those attracted to the glamorous life can be slightly one dimensional to say the least.  It is a business focused on outside appearances and the "look" of the moment.   This makes the dinner last Monday night honoring Steve Sadove who is the CEO of Saks Inc. all the more relevant.  

The evening was celebrating Mr. Sadove not as a businessman or a merchant, but as a humanitarian.  It was at his urging that Saks 5th Avenue as a nationwide chain of luxury department stores held a fund raising campaign during the holiday season in 2006 to benefit WIN - Women In Need.

Women In Need is an incredible organization that cares for homeless women and children in an effort to rehabilitate families and get them back into permanent housing on their own accord.   The process utilizes but is not limited to job counseling, childcare, temporary shelter, after school programs, food distribution, domestic violence counseling, and friendship!

Founded in 1983, the foundation has an unprecedented success record with over 90% of former clients remaining in their self supported new housing two years after leaving the program.  It was a wonderful idea to raise money during the holiday season and a wonderful idea to hold a benefit to celebrate this philanthropy while raising more money for the cause.

The event was held at the Pierre Hotel in New York, just steps from central park.  The Hotel is a legend in its own right dating back to the 30's, and so is the huge ballroom where we all gathered.  There are weddings booked for years to come in this world famous event space.  While it is beautiful and stately, I have to say it could use a face-lift and a case of Febreeze!  The whole space is treading on the legend and legacy more than its actual merit as an elegant location to celebrate anything.

Having  said that, there is a sense of old world charm when you enter the grand salon.  There are a handful of apartments in the tower that are some of the most expensive private homes in the world!

The event was co-chaired by Marlo Thomas who is the perfect image for the independent woman.   Many of you may be too young to remember her as TV's first single Woman living alone in NYC in TV's That Girl.  Yes, before Mary Tyler Moore, there was That Girl.

Tune in to TV Land or rent the DVD's and discover this classic show all over again.
You probably do know Marlo as Rachel's mom on Friends!  It was a great recurring role that gave her exposure again to a worldwide audience of viewers under 30.

She is also the daughter of famed entertainer Danny Thomas - he was a household name during the I Love Lucy era of Television.   He also was a great humanitarian who founded the St. Jude's Children Hospital.  The facility has worldwide notoriety for treating children with cancer without ever charging families for treatment.   Ms. Thomas continues to help raise 500 million dollars yearly for that cause!

 The night was a great opportunity to point out the good deed of one person who wanted to help.   It also let everyone in the room reach into their own pocket and buy a $100 balloon to give to clients of Women In Need.   All the major fashion houses were in attendance and it was a great chance to catch up with friends who I don't always get the chance to see as we are all chasing our own tails during the year!

What struck me the most was the poise and maturity of the 5 children who were chosen as finalists in an essay contest of all the Children who benefit from the charity.   The image we have of homelessness  really does bely these articulate, polite, and innocent children.   They would have more aptly fit in at a dinner for honor students from the best private school in NYC than at a fund raiser for homeless children.