Saks is Not in the Dark
Thursday April 02, 2009 | Contributor: Jennifer Wright

Saks’ events just seem to be better and better. A little while ago, the store sponsored the delightful FIT Benefit Gala at Cipriani. Now the partying is on its home turf, as the store’s remarkable shoe floor was the scene of Saks After Dark, benefiting the YMCA of Greater New York.



Sarah Tilley, the event chair, was on hand to detail the organization’s goals and accomplishments. And the group does a tremendous amount – it offers local programs and support to more than 8,000 young people annually, and funds international leadership programs that allow teens to spend time overseas. She also thanked all the sponsors. When someone followed up by noting that De Beers was on the list of supporters, Ms. Tilley generously and optimistically offered that “next time, we’re thinking of putting diamonds in the gift bags!” Clearly, we’re all hoping for a massive upturn of the economy.



Certainly, the sponsors all came together to make the evening truly amazing! There were delicious hors d’ouevres (a seeming rarity at many recent cocktail parties), beautiful wine and fantastic raffle prizes in the form of make-up. You could indulge in a makeover from one of the members of the Saks team, or even enjoy an expert manicure. Guests seemed to agree that it was as though they were suddenly privy to a very lovely – and very private – salon experience.



And we were certainly encouraged to continue to look wonderful, as attendees also received a fifteen percent discount on anything they purchased during the evening at Saks. The extraordinary selection of shoes – and the clever placement of some special styles by Stuart Weitzman in the immediate proximity - banished fiscal willpower and tempted many of us into making quick use of the price advantage.



The Y has a very special supporter in Stuart Weitzman who noted that he had “grown up in a Y.” In his day they weren’t co-educational; now he is relieved that they welcome men and women, although he did, laughingly, acknowledge that not too many men had turned up for this event. Surrounded by his legion of female fans, he seemed to be having a wonderful time, and was happily signing his shoes with a silver pen.



Gift bags contained an amazing assortment of goodies, including Shalimar perfume from Guerlain and the audio book Giving by Bill Clinton.  I was also pleased to see a gift certificate for sweetriot chocolates - one of the Ask Melissa team’s favorite brands (along, of course, with some of the goodies listed here: Hottest NYC Openings)



As guests wandered out into a beautiful New York spring evening,
many in their delicate new footwear, they must have felt as though they were walking on air.