On Friday, April 4, at The Pierre in New York City, 515 glamorous supporters gathered at the Save Venice annual masked Ball, Un Ballo in Maschera, to raise funds to preserve the cultural and artistic heritage of Venice, including the restoration of the church of San Sebastiano and Vittore Carpaccio’s Saint Ursula cycle at the Accademia Galleries. Dolce & Gabbana, Ferrari North America, and HFZ Capital Group graciously lent their support as sponsors and $700,000 was raised.

A yellow Ferrari 485 Speciale and a silver F12berlinetta flanked the entrance of The Pierre. Once upstairs, guests were met by a stunning dogwood tree encircling a Dolce & Gabbana clad harpist, transforming the hotel into an enchanted garden floral and foliage fantasy created by Nicky Balestrieri and Luigi Tadini of BMF Media Group and Tamara Kogan of Aramat Events. A striking tableau of Dolce & Gabbana gowns and another dogwood tree served as the ballroom’s whimsical centerpiece while DJ May Kwok provided music during dinner. Renowned style arbiters Hamish Bowles and Derek Blasberg served as the judges for evening’s most inventive and appropriately themed masks.

Guests included: Ball Chairs Coco Brandolini D’Adda (in Dolce & Gabbana), Jessica Hart & Stavros Niarchos (Jessica in Dolce & Gabbana), Nancy McCormick, Devon & Phillip Radziwill, Lauren & Andrés Santo Domingo (Lauren in Dolce & Gabbana), Tabitha Simmons (in Dolce & Gabbana) & Craig McDean, Dana Auslander, Adelina Wong Ettelson, David E. Graber, Amanda Hearst, Tania Higgins, Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos, Peter Brant II, Jessica Stam, and Sag Harbor art consultant Blair Voltz Clarke [below, right] who shares some pretty party details with KDHamptons below:

KDHamptons: Do you attend the Save Venice Ball every year?

Blair Voltz Clarke: In all honesty, my days of balls are few and far between now that my children have early school wake up calls and a late night can throw one’s schedule off for days. Of the many tempting events, however, I find Save Venice well worth the consequences. Simply the level of ‘theater and fantasy’ make one feel as if they stepped into a different time and place. A true fairytale. The highlight for me was the spring blossoms adorning the Pierre at every turn since the NY winter has been such torture. All of the divine Dolce & Gabbana dresses were a highlight as well.

KDHamptons: Tell us about your incredible butterfly beauty makeup scheme [above]?

Blair: We sourced the real butterfly wings Evolution in Soho — they are so delicate and gorgeous. I thought of the butterfly concept because the theme was an enchanted garden, and chose colors that matched the patterns of my dress. The wonderful makeup artist Melissa Munn [ www.FaceArtbyMelissa.com ] who painted my face is a master and went to town without so much as a trial run!

KDHamptons: What did your daughters think about your enchanted look?

Blair: After I zipped out the door a little late, Poppy and Georgina got in on the act and had their own princess party. I think all of us girls got a touch of ‘ball syndrome’…

* Featured ball photos courtesy of Julie Skarratt 2014