With Fashion Week in full swing, celebrities, model, actors, and socialites took a break from the runways to get together and raise money for a worthy cause – the 5th annual UNITAS gala was a huge success. UNITAS was founded in 2015 after its founder Lubo Krstajic learned about the plight of trafficking victims. Today, the organization has to main missions: stop trafficking before it starts through education and prevention as well as supporting survivors and providing opportunities for them to thrive. The gala took place at Cipriani South Street, one of NYC’s new and iconic members clubs and private event venues. The first part of the evening was the cocktail hour where attendees mixed and mingled while enjoying their favorite cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.
During this time, many used the opportunity for a red-carpet picture. Our favorite moments and outfits of the 2022 UNITAS gala are at the end. After the red-carpet walks, the main part of the evening started: a seated dinner that included an art auction to help raising funds for UNITAS. It included pieces from Peter Tunney, Ukrainian Lina Condes First Martian Art Station, and Sofia Zubi. While attendees were enjoying their main courses, they could listen to performances by recording artist/singer Cris Cab, and violist David Carpenter of The Carpenter Trio. The main event of the evening was a surprise performance from from multi-platinum singer Natasha Bedingfield. When she performed songs including a cover of Prince’s classic Purple Rain, the Grammy nominated “Unwritten,” “These Words,” and “Pocketful of Sunshine” everyone in the room was on their feet dancing.
Overall, the UNITAS gala was a huge success. Most importantly, the event raised $1 million to further prevention education for youth, provide training for school staff and community stakeholders, disrupt human trafficking, and support survivors through therapeutic intensives, retreats, mentorship, and housing.
Model Katrina Rusakova in a stunning gown by Zuhair Murad
Influencer Marcela Preziosi in a dress by Colombian designer Mariano Fernandez
Miss Colombia 2014 Ariadna Gutiérrez Arévalo
Model Alicja Tubilewicz
