On Friday night, July 29, Anne and Jay McInerney co-hosted the annual Alzheimer’s Association Rita Hayworth Gala Hamptons Kick-Off party at their magical estate in Water Mill, with Gala Founder Princess Yasmin Aga Khan (daughter of Rita Hayworth) and 2016 Gala Chair Karyn Kornfeld. The Hamptons Kickoff is held to celebrate this fall’s upcoming Alzheimer’s Association Rita Hayworth Gala which takes place on October 25th in NYC.  This year’s Gala will honor Bill Brand, President of HSN and the Chief Marketing Officer of HSN as well as Brendan Shanahan, the legendary former NHL player who is now the President of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Since the inaugural Rita Hayworth Gala over three decades ago, the New York City, Chicago and Palm Beach events have raised more than $69 million to support the Alzheimer’s Association, whose President & CEO Harry Johns, provided guests with an inspiring update from the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Toronto, the world’s largest forum for the dementia research community. Aga Khan gave the crowd a glowing introduction to both Brand and Shanahan during her remarks.

Kornfeld shared with guests her longtime involvement with the Gala and how Aga Khan took her under her wing when her grandmother, who suffered from Alzheimer’s, passed away 15 years ago. The evening included a silent auction, which raised funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research programs. Upon departing, guests were treated to waffles from beloved New York institution, Wafels and Dinges, which had a truck in the front of the home.

Attendees included: Karyn Kornfeld (Gala Chair), Princess Yasmin Aga Khan (Gala Founder), Harry Johns (Alzheimer’s Association President & CEO), Bill Brand (Gala Honoree, President of HSN), Brendan Shanahan (Gala Honoree, President of the Toronto Maple Leafs), Anne and Jay McInerney (Hosts), Steve Kroft, Chris Henchy, Patty Raynes, Harry and Laura Slatkin, Amanda Hearst, Hunt Slonem, Alexandra Lebenthal, Alina Cho, Somers Farkas, Cornelia Sharpe Bregman, Robin Meltzer, Chele Chiavacci Farley, Nurit Kahane Haase, Louise Kornfeld, Diandra Douglas, Michele Herbert, Daryl Simon, Liliana Cavendish, Margo and John Catsimatidis and Sharon Bush. Photos by Patrick Mcmullan PMC