The Andrea Bocelli Foundation Gala

Andrea Bocelli presents Girard-Perregaux World Timer timepiece to Quincy Jones.

Swiss luxury watch brand Girard-Perregaux partnered with international classical singing superstar Andrea Bocelli for the launch of the Andrea Bocelli Foundation with a benefit gala on December 9 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles.

At the event, Bocelli presented the first foundation award of a Girard-Perregaux World Timer timepiece (pictured left) to iconic music recorder and producer Quincy Jones for his worldwide philanthropic efforts. Andrea Bocelli also wore his own Girard-Perregaux 1966 watch for the evening.

The Gala featured a dinner and performances by Bocelli as well as David Foster, Heather Headley and Anna Maria Martinez and a surprise performance by Michael Bolton.

Bocelli performs while wearing the Girard-Perregaux 1966 watch

 

GP 1996

The Andrea Bocelli Foundation will be a grant making body, aimed at supporting those living in poverty or overcoming barriers caused by illness and disability in order to deliver tangible real life results. Two types of programs will be supported: those that alleviate poverty and those that help people overcome physical limitations caused by illness. The Foundation will actively seek to identify innovative and original projects to support.

3 UCLA Pediatric Physician-Scientists Named Harry Winston Fellows

Harry Winston, Inc. and the UCLA Children’s Discovery and Innovation Institute have named the first three recipients of the inaugural Harry Winston Fellowships.

You may remember that the luxury jewelry and watch brand presented a $1 million gift to establish the fellowship that supports the work of young pediatric physician-scientists from Mattel Children’ s Hospital UCLA who are conducting research to prevent, treat and cure disease and illness in children.

“Through the Harry Winston Fellowship Fund, we are … supporting these young physician-scientists whose vital contributions to pediatric research will help to enable healthy and brilliant futures for children around the world,” said Nayla Hayek, Harry Winston CEO.

The Harry Winston Fellows represent physician-scientists in their second or third year of fellowship at UCLA (a period of specialized training following a doctor’s residency) who have demonstrated a commitment to a career in academic medicine. The fellows, who have all shown unparalleled excellence in clinical and research skills, are also extremely bright, exceptionally hardworking and driven by a desire to make a significant difference in their field.

Harry Winston Fellows will be chosen annually by an internal selection committee led by Dr. Sherin Devaskar, physician-in-chief of Mattel Children’s Hospital UCLA and executive director of the UCLA Children’s Discovery and Innovation Institute.

“The Harry Winston Fellowship Fund will support the best and brightest subspecialty fellows toward becoming exceptional academic physician-scientists who will go on to collaborate and establish networks locally, nationally and globally,” Devaskar said.

The recipients will be formally announced at a reception held on Oct. 9 in Los Angeles.

The 2014 – 2015 Harry Winston Fellows are:

Dr. Kristina Adachi, a third-year fellow in the division of pediatric infectious diseases. Adachi’s work focuses on untreated sexually transmitted infections (STIs) during pregnancy and the deleterious impact of these infections on infants' health.

Dr. Leslie Kimura, a second year fellow in the division of pediatric endocrinology. The incidence of diabetes, particularly type 2, is on the rise, but drugs to treat it have not focused on the largest tissue utilizer of glucose—skeletal muscle.

Dr. Edward Talya, a second year fellow in the division of pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition. His research focuses on patients with short bowel syndrome, which is a disease where the patient is missing enough of the small intestine that they cannot get the nutrition they need from eating.

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'Keep Memory Alive' Foundation Honors Founder of Lagos Jewelry

Steven Lagos, founder of the Lagos jewelry brand, was honored for his 18-year commitment to the “Keep Memory Alive” foundation. He and his staff were feted at the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, a building in downtown Las Vegas dedicated to finding a cure for degenerative brain diseases and helping families to cope with caring for those suffering from debilitating neurological disorders. Photo credit: Cashman Photos Enterprises, Inc.

Downtown Las Vegas is still a work in progress. On one stretch of near barren land there have been plans to open several landmark facilities as a way to revitalize the area and create a more diverse economic base for the city. Several projects have been completed but one stands out for its architecture of bent, twisted and curved metal that seems to grow out of the desert. It’s the iconic work of architect Frank Gehry and the building in question is the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. 

Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, designed by Frank Gehry. Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco

The center provides out-patient care for those suffering from a number of brain ailments, including experimental treatments, and research into various brain diseases. Equally important for the principals involved is that it provides help for the family of those suffering from debilitating neurological disorders. 

The $80 million structure is the crowning achievement of “Keep Memory Alive,” a Las Vegas-based foundation dedicated to finding a cure for degenerative brain diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington 's, Multiple Sclerosis and ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). One person who has been there from the beginning, 18 years now, is Steven Lagos, founder of the Lagos jewelry brand. 

Lagos has been quiet about his longtime commitment to Keep Memory Alive. But his contribution came to light in late May when the foundation decided to place his name on the Ruvo Center’s “Honor Wall” by the entrance of the facility, which recognizes those most responsible for its success. The annual jewelry tradeshows in Las Vegas provided a chance for Lagos to share the honor with his staff who were in Vegas supporting the brand. 

Steve Lagos on the ladder with his staff, family and friends. Photo credit: Cashman Photos Enterprises, Inc.

So on May 30 there was Lagos standing on a ladder outside the Lou Ruvo Center removing the gift wrapping (bow and all) of a plaque revealing his name while his staff looked on. He received a bottle of Beluga vodka from Jeffrey Cummings, director of the Lou Ruvo Center. Guests received a tour of the spotless, family-friendly facility; pictures were taken with staff, family members and friends; followed by a caviar and champagne reception in the facility’s “Event Center,” with an interior view of Gehry’s iconic twisted and curved walls. The reception was a gift from the foundation to Lagos but he insisted on paying for it.

Steve Lagos after unwrapping his plaque on the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health "Honor Wall." Photo credit: Cashman Photos Enterprises, Inc.

“Let’s make an event out of it and we’ll pay for the evening,” Lagos said. He also added a donation to the foundation.

Steven Lagos receives a bottle of Beluga vodka from Jeffrey Cummings, director of the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. The vodka was a gift from Larry Ruvo, co-founder and chairman of the Keep Memory Alive foundation. Photo credit: Cashman Photos Enterprises, Inc.

The foundation and building is dedicated to Lou Ruvo, the well-known owner of The Venetian restaurant in Las Vegas, which opened in 1955 and closed after 43 years. A well-known person in “Sin City,” in 1992 he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's and died two years later. 

Larry Ruvo, co-founder and chairman of the Keep Memory Alive foundation.

A year after his death his only son, Larry Ruvo, the successful and well connected senior managing director of Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada, the largest spirits distributor in Nevada (the gift of Beluga vodka was from Larry Ruvo who was unable to attend the event), held a dinner that served as a memorial service with about 30 close friends and family. 

The Ruvos friends include billionaire casino owners, successful entrepreneurs in the food and beverage industry, and world class entertainers. For example, the dinner was held at Spago restaurant in Caesars Palace, owned and operated by lengendary chef, Wolfgang Puck, a friend of Ruvo. At some point during the evening Ruvo said that John Paul DeJoria, a founder of Paul Mitchell hair products, announced he will donate $5,000 to Alzheimer’s research. By the end of the night about $35,000 was raised. 

Steve Lagos and guests received a tour of the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. Photo credit: Cashman Photos Enterprises, Inc.

The impromptu fundraiser for Alzheimer’s research became a more formal annual dinner at Spago that eventually grew to a star-studded gala with the specific purpose of raising funds for a center for brain health and continuing its ground-breaking mission. Guests and performers for the April 2014 edition of the gala included Gloria Estefan, Jon Secada, Michael Caine, Quincy Jones, Carole King, Andy Garcia, Sharon Stone, Christopher Meloni and Steve Schirripa. The more than 800 auctions items ranged from a cruise on the Mediterranean to a private dinner inside Siegfried & Roy’s Jungle Palace with the meal cooked by Japanese Iron Chef, Masaharu Morimoto, to a songwriting and recording session with Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds. 

Lagos and Ruvo stress that 100 percent of the money raised goes to the foundation. 

Lagos was first introduced to Ruvo prior to the first formal dinner in 1995 through Bobby Baldwin, a casino executive, and a professional poker player. The two hit it off immediately. 

“He (Baldwin) said Larry was starting this charity and asked if I would get involved,” Lagos said. “I got involved and just really believed in it and stayed involved.”

At one of the early dinners, Lagos was thrown into action.

“In the world of jewelry he’s a celebrity. They know who Steven Lagos is,” Ruvo said. “I came up to him and said, ‘Steven I hate to put you on the spot but do you mind coming up here in front of 1,400 people and donate one of your great pieces?’”

Steve Lagos and Gloria Estefan, at the 2014 "Power of Love" gala, the annual Las Vegas fundraiser for the Keep Memory Alive foundation.

Lagos auctioned off a personal consultation at anyone’s home to design and make a bespoke piece of diamond jewelry with his own materials that he donated. The bidding was fierce and finally fell to two people and the price reached upwards of $250,000. Lagos agreed to make a piece for each bidder. 

“He was gracious and generous and sincere,” Ruvo said. “Every year he’s there financially and with jewelry. This year he created an iconic set of necklaces for ladies and cufflinks for the gentlemen resembling Frank Gehry’s structure (for large donors who purchased entire tables for the evening). He puts a lot of time in it and makes things that are very unique.”

Lagos said over the years he has raised and contributed about $1 million for the charity. He’s seen the debilitating effects of Alzheimer’s in his family, not only with the person inflicted with the disease, but with the family members who provided care. He says with the aging of the Baby Boomer generation and people living longer, it’s going to get worse unless something is done. 

Lagos and invited guests were treated to a caviar and champagne reception at the "Event Center" of the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. Photo credit: Cashman Photos Enterprises, Inc.

“The whole family gets involved and it’s kind of debilitating for everybody,” Lagos said. “It’s really become an epidemic.”

Lagos is hesitant to discuss why he hasn’t better promoted his involvement with the charity. His reasons sway from not wanting to draw attention to himself to not finding the time to create a marketing program that truly reflects his belief in the charity. 

“This has been a personal thing and a company thing. We probably haven’t touted it as much as we should,” he said. “I try to participate fully with this particular charity. I try to be there and support what they’re doing. We’re believers in it. When you have a lucky life like I have and good fortune it’s important to give back.” 

But that is changing. Next year he will offer jewelry on his website dedicated to the Keep Memory Alive foundation with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the cause.

Over the years the relationship between Lagos and Ruvo also evolved. 

“At this point we’re personal friends,” Lagos said. “We see each other a couple of times a year. It’s his enthusiasm, it’s the power of love and I kid it’s the power of Larry. He is such an engaging person.”

For Ruvo the feeling is mutual and that is why he wanted to place Lagos on the Honor Wall. 

“We wanted to do something for Steven Lagos with his friends and some of our donors there,” Ruvo said. “Steven was just somebody I had to pay respect to and thank. No matter when I called him or what I asked him it’s always yes.”

For Lagos’ part, he says he is more interested in the cause rather the recognition. 

“He called me and said they wanted to do this. It’s really never been about that for me,” he said. “It’s about raising awareness and getting involved. They are doing wonderful work out there at the Cleveland Clinic. They’re going to find a cure and remedies. They already are.”

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Diamond Empowerment Fund Unveils Jewelry And Watch Collection At Donna Distefano’s Atelier

Banneker watches, Royal Asscher Pendant and Donna Distefano “Illumination” bracelets that are being sold to fund DEF charities. Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco

Jewelry industry representatives crowded into the Donna Distefano atelier in New York recently to view new products that will be sold to raise funds for educational programs in the diamond-producing countries of Africa.

Three members of the Diamond Empowerment Fund, a diamond industry charity, unveiled the following items, which are being called "Empowerment” products: A green tsavorite and diamond pendant from Royal Asscher, the Dutch diamond company; “Illumination” bracelets from goldsmith Donna Distefano; and three watches from the Banneker watch company. About 10 percent of the retail cost of each product will be donated to DEF.

DEF was co-founded by Russell Simmons, entrepreneur and philanthropist, Benjamin Chavis, civil rights and business leader, and diamond industry leaders. It provides higher education opportunities for youth in diamond producing countries of Africa.

The crowd attending the DEF event at the Donna Distefano Atelier. Photo credit: Anthony DeMarco

Among those in attendance to show the new products were Distefano, Lita Asscher, president of Royal Asscher America, and Derrick Holmes, CEO of Banneker, Inc. Phyllis Bergman, DEF board president, and Nancy Orem Lyman, DEF executive director, were also in attendance. 

Distefano’s line of “Illumination” bracelets (pictured above) depicts symbolic African designs in sterling silver and diamonds. Each bracelet represents core values of DEF: transformation, tranquility and strength. The collection of three bracelets is made of suede with a silver and diamond and buckle. They retail for $200 each and are available through the Donna Distefano website. For every purchase, DEF receives a $20 donation. 

 
The DEF green tsavorite and diamond pendant (pictured above) is part of the Shining Stars of Africa collection by Royal Asscher. The pendant contains green tsavorite and diamonds encased in a fluid-filled natural sapphire dome allowing the jewels to fall freely like snowflakes in a snow globe. The price is $1,250 and can be purchased through the Royal Asscher website. With every pendant purchase, a $125 donation is made to DEF.
 

Banneker DEF watches (pictured above) have a Royal Asscher diamond at 12 o’clock, green crystals on the dial and bezel, and natural Ebony wood from Indonesia or Mahogany wood from Madagascar on the dial and band. All Banneker watches contain real wood as a way of paying homage to its namesake Benjamin Banneker who, in 1753, engineered and built the first working clock in America constructed entirely from parts he carved of wood. The “Euro Face” collection (gold and silver availability) retails for $390 and a $39 donation is made to DEF. The “Large Face” collection retails for $490 and $49 donation is made to DEF. The watches, which are scheduled to be available in time for the holidays, can be purchased through the company’s website.

Empowerment jewelry will also be available in the future through a dedicated DEF e-commerce website.

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NOMOS Glashütte Supports Doctors Without Borders With Limited Edition Watches

Tangente 33 and Tangente 38

NOMOS Glashütte has launched a limited edition of its classic mechanical watches to support Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières) and their relief operations worldwide. The watches are scheduled to be released in the U.S. this month.

The German watch brand has launched special models of the NOMOS Tangente 38 and Tangente 33 to benefit the Noble Prize winning international medical humanitarian organization. 

With these particular models the 12 o’clock indicator on the white silver-plated dial is in red, the name “Doctors Without Borders” is below the seconds sub-dial at 6 o’clock and an engraving on the back refers to the organization. In addition, these models have black oxidized hands instead of the Tangente’s usual tempered blue ones. Both watches have in-house mechanical movements.

NOMOS Glashütte is making 1,000 of each model to support Doctors Without Borders in the USA—namely the NOMOS classic Tangente in two sizes: 38mm and 33mm. One hundred dollars from the sale of each watch goes directly towards the organization. However, customers pay no more than they normally would for a regular Tangente, as NOMOS Glashütte and retailers are waiving a share of their margin.

The 38mm model costs $2,140 and the 33mm model is $1,840.

“We’ll be delighted if a large number of watch enthusiasts opt for the best of both worlds: to help and, at the same time, enjoy an excellent timepiece,” said NOMOS General Manager Uwe Ahrendt. “Every look at your watch will also remind you of the people around the world in need of help.”

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Ashley Morgan, Yael Create Jewelry Collection to Benefit Sierra Leone

Earrings from the new line

San Francisco-based fine jewelry designers Ashley Morgan and Yael Designs in the first collaboration are creating a jewelry collection to benefit Sierra Leone. The Leone Collection is expected to debut in the fall of this year.

Designed by Morgan and manufactured by Yael, the Leone Collection includes rings, earrings and necklaces featuring conflict-free custom cut black diamonds set in 18k recycled blackened gold and accented with white diamonds and Japanese seed pearls. Inspired by the royal image of Sierra Leone–or Lion Mountain–the collection refashions regal images of nature found on crowns and royal architecture throughout human history.

“We wanted to create a collection that brings regal beauty to the modern age and speaks to the universal values of our world’s many cultures,” Morgan said.

“As jewelry designers, we wanted to do our part to help rebuild Sierra Leone—a country that has been so negatively impacted by the diamond trade industry,” added Yehouda Saketkhou, Yael Designs CEO.

Two percent of the profits from the Leone Collection will be donated to Schools for Salone, a Seattle-based nonprofit that helps build schools, train teachers and give scholarships in Sierra Leone. The donation from the Leone Collection will be used to help build a primary school in Lungi Village in the southern part of Sierra Leone.

The price for Leone Collection starts at $1,200. The collection will be available online at http://www.ashleymorganyael.com and in select stores.

Style of Jolie Jewelry Collection Funds Girls School in Afghanistan

Angelina Jolie in a black spinel necklace she designed with Robert Procop.

Angelina Jolie has reportedly said that the all-girls school she is building in Afghanistan funded by her eponymous jewelry collection has opened.

The actress and philanthropist told E! News that the school located outside of Kabul educates from 200 to 300 students. It was funded by the Style of Jolie jewelry line—a collection of jewelry created by Jolie and Robert Procop, a gem expert, private jeweler and jewelry designer. She told E! that the new school will be one of many girls schools that will be built and funded through the jewelry collection.

The "Angelina Jolie Exceptional Emerald Necklace" features 44 cushion cut emeralds with a total weight of 103.48 carats, many of which have attained the exclusive gemstone classification of vivid green. The necklace is sculpted in 18K yellow gold. Photo credit: Robert Procop Exceptional Jewels

The high jewelry pieces for the Style of Jolie collection are known for using statement gemstones cut in the shape of tablet, an exclusive feature. Procop told me in an interview published in January that Jolie wanted something with an historical message and spent a great deal of time studying how a tablet is held. Together they designed the shape. 

View the Style of Jolie jewelry collection.

All proceeds from the sales are used to build schools for girls in impoverished countries through the Education Partnerships for Children of Conflicts, co-founded by Jolie.

At the time of the interview in his Beverly Hills studio Procop pointed to the ring and said: “This is a 27-carat emerald. When the stone is sold we give the money to the charity and then we build another school.”

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Royal Asscher and CoutureLab to Support the Seven Bar Foundation

This Shining Stars ring is among the Royal Asscher jewelry that will be available on CoutureLab. Photo credit: Royal Asscher

Royal Asscher said Thursday that it is selling jewelry from its Stars of Africa and Shining Stars collections on the website CoutureLab to benefit the Seven Bar Foundation.

CoutureLab is a luxury gift website that sells fine and rare products that focus on quality, heritage and craftsmanship. Seven Bar Foundation is a social enterprise that empowers women in the developing world by providing microfinance opprtunities that fuels local businesses that enrich communities.

A total of 20 percent of retail profit from sales of Royal Asscher jewelry on CoutureLab will benefit the Seven Bar Foundation and help extend ladders to women out of poverty.

Royal Asscher’s Stars of Africa and Shining Stars collections consist of diamonds encased within fluid-filled sapphire domes, which allow the diamonds to float freely like snowflakes in a snow globe. The result is cascading diamonds that emit light, fire and beauty. Each piece is handcrafted by expert craftsmen in Florence, Italy.

The idea behind the Stars of Africa and Shining Stars jewelry lines has always been to raise funds and awareness for children’s programs in Africa through its Star of Africa initiative. This is just another way for the company and priduct to achieve this goal, said. Renata Black, founder of the Seven Bar Foundation says, “We are honored to call the Royal Asscher.
 
In addition, Royal Asscher, founded in 1854 and known for cutting some of largest and most famous diamonds in history, fits right in with a website that focuses on heritage.

“Royal Asscher supports CoutureLab founder Carmen Busquets’ vision for her website as a place where the stories of the products and the people behind them would be celebrated—where clients could not only learn about the heritage and see the true value of it, but also fall in love and own a piece of it,” said Lita Asscher, president of Royal Asscher of America.