PALM BEACH, Fla. — More than $400,000 was raised at the 25th annual Orbis Global Ball here.
Sami Alpark, owner of Alpark, a Worth Avenue ready-to-wear and eveningwear salon, organized a runway show for the March 15 event. Elie Saab, Tony Ward and Marc Bouwer provided the 59 looks for the show. Alpark said a store luncheon would never match the draw of a formal runway show for 450 jet-setters.
“It was a huge catalyst in drumming up excitement for the season’s last gala, and we were swamped with women buying gowns before and after the event,” said Alpark, who donated 10 percent of proceeds to Orbis, a nonprofit global humanitarian organization devoted to providing corrective eye surgery to the developing world.
Rome-based Ward flew in for the event and met with clients during his visit. His spring collection consists of dresses with flirtatious layers in blues, greens, and black and white, as well as strapless and asymmetric silhouettes of silk chiffon, satin and organza embellished with lace and colored Swarovski crystals.
“Each country receives only one [of each style of a particular] dress, and I figured Alpark is the place for couture,” Ward said.
Bouwer’s pieces included a Gothic corset and long skirt in satin with lace appliqué and tulle, and kimono dresses in red or black silk chiffon. Saab showed strapless gowns in gold beaded tulle or black beaded lace.
Orbis has restored sight to millions around the world through the efforts of ophthalmologists who help transfer sight-saving skills to health professionals in the developing world.