Diplomats were replaced by the fashion set last night at the United Nations in New York City for the 2013 Pikolinos Gala Dinner.
The event was thrown by Pikolinos, a footwear and accessories based in Spain, in honor of their partnership with Alternative Trade and Microcredits (ADCAM) and The Bisila Bokoko African Literacy Project (BBALP) to benefit the Maasai African Tribe. Over 1600 Maasai women handcraft a line of signature Pikolinos' accessories each year, providing employment and education for the Kenyan community.
The black-tie event, which encouraged attendees to dress in festive African attire, welcomed a long list of luminaries that including--fashion maven and Pikolinos Maasai Project ambassador, Olivia Palermo; Maasi Tribe leader, William Kikanae; senior vice president and international publishing director of Hearst Magazines International, Jeannette Chang; "The Face" winner, Devyn Abdullah; and Essence editor-at-large, Emil Wilbekin, to name a few.
Our favorite style-slash-beauty authority and TV host, Tai Beauchamp, was also on hand to MC the event that included live African music, delicious food, dancing and a live auction of photographs by Johannes Huebl.
After being introduced to Bisila Bokoko, founder of BBLAP and global Ambassador for Pikolinos, Beauchamp knew she wanted (and needed) to get involved.
"I thought--people need to know about Pikolinos and the Masai Project. That partnership along with ADCAM is a testament that fashion is and can be sustainable and truly change lives."
She went on to say, "last night was a celebration of the women and children of Masaai Mara, there dreams, their possibilities, and all things beautiful aesthetically and spiritually. I was honored to participate," Beauchamp told The Huffington Post.
For those who weren't lucky enough to attend the party Wednesday night and will be in New York City between now and July 7, there will be a Pikolinos Pop-Up Store located at 32 Gansevoort Street, New York, New York 10014.
Check out the slideshow below for photos from the glamorous celebration of style and philanthropy.
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