The Pierre, a Taj Hotel Hosts A Legendary Night of Glamour and History Celebrating the Red Diamond 95th Anniversary

The Pierre, A Taj Hotel, celebrated its 95-year legacy of timeless elegance with its spectacular Red Diamond Anniversary Gala. Hosted on November 20th in partnership with Fashion 4 Development, the landmark event transported a curated guest list of celebrities, international ambassadors, and New York society through an immersive theatrical journey, honoring the hotel's storied history and vibrant future on Fifth Avenue.  More than 600 of New York’s elite joined the evening’s festivities.

The event marked 95 years of unsurpassed hospitality in NY,  honoring the pillars that have made The Pierre a NYC landmark – its legacy with fashion leaders, Hollywood celebrities, Escoffier-inspired culinary experiences and some of New York’s most memorable celebrations.

The evening was masterfully curated under the creative vision and direction of Evie Evangelou and began with guests arriving on a red carpet graced by a vintage Rolls Royce, immediately immersing them in the hotel's golden era and legacy of the Green Goddess, Elizabeth Taylor’s Rolls Royce which she used to park in front of the hotel. The evocative sounds of the late, legendary jazz guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, a former resident musician, along with sounds from the 40’s filled the air, setting a tone of sophisticated nostalgia from the days of the supper club era at The Pierre. Princess Lockerooo, famed international choreographer and performer, led the evening’s entertainment

The Cotillion Room, paid homage to the hotel’s culinary legacy which began with Chef Auguste Escoffier, The Pierre's first executive chef who was coined “Chef of Kings and King of Chefs.”  Five acclaimed chefs from the Disciples Escoffier presented a historic menu of Chef Auguste Escoffier's most famous dishes. Executive Chef Vincenzo Garofalo and General Manager Spiridon Sarantopoulos received the Red Sash from Disciples Escoffier in honor of the heritage. Michel Escoffier, grandson of Auguste Escoffier, was present for the induction.  

Honoring the Hollywood heritage and the classic movies that were made at the hotel, the Cotillion Room came alive with breathtaking performances, including a passionate reenactment of the tango from Scent of a Woman, starring Al Pacino and filmed in the Cotillion Room. A captivating performance by a Marilyn Monroe look-alike and dancers, enchanted guests with 'Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend.' In keeping with the Red Diamond theme, Leibish, an internationally recognized leader and the world’s largest purveyor of natural fancy color diamonds and gemstones, adorned Marilyn with rare diamonds and rubies as she performed.  Tanishq USA, specializing in contemporary and traditional Indian jewelry, added a magnificent display of rare red diamonds and rare gemstone jewelry.

The Regency Room showcased the hotel’s 95-years of memories with a curated exhibition of photography and historical artifacts from The Pierre’s archives, accompanied by the smooth sounds of a live jazz trio and a performance by world-renowned concert pianist and jazz artist Harold O’Neal.

The grand finale awaited in the iconic Grand Ballroom, where doors opened to reveal a stunning performance by aerialists suspended from the ornate ceiling and Moulin Rouge theatricals by Princess Lockerooo Productions. As they performed, models graced the runway wearing elegant gowns designed by celebrity fashion designer Prashant Goyal whose creative influence extends from Broadway theater to red carpet haute couture - a moving tribute to The Pierre’s deep-rooted connection to the world of high fashion and Hollywood glamour.

“For 95 years, The Pierre has been more than a hotel; it has been a cornerstone of New York luxury and culture,” said Spiridon Sarantopoulos, General Manager of The Pierre. “This gala was a tribute to that enduring spirit. We wanted to create an experience that wasn't just a party, but a living narrative of our history.”

Evie Evangelou, President and Founder of Fashion 4 Development (F4D), added, “Fashion is the thread that weaves through the history of The Pierre, and it was an honor for me personally to curate the creative vision of this magnificent celebration and for F4D to be a partner. Our mission is to champion fashion and the arts as a force for good and cultural expression, and this collaboration perfectly embodied that—blending historical elegance with contemporary artistry. The evening was a testament to the power of partnership in creating truly unforgettable moments.”

The exclusive guest list included a prominent mix of celebrities, international socialites, ambassadors, VIPs, and leading influencers, all gathered to honor one of New York City’s most cherished institutions.

About The Sponsors

The evening's brilliance was further enhanced by the generosity of key sponsors. Leibish Diamonds, the world's largest producer of rare, natural-colored gemstones, adorned the models and performers with breathtaking jewelry and hosted an exhibition of rare stones, complete with a photo booth for guests to try on the exquisite pieces. Tanishq, a premier jewelry brand from the House of Tata, generously donated stunning jewels worn by distinguished VIPs from Tata. Additional sponsors included Observer, Konstantinos Floral Design & Decor Group, Fashion 4 Development, King Cole Audio , Visual Services, Inc, International Heritage Fashion Week, Curacity, Frost Productions, Morgan Stanley, ATP.art, Raywa, Grey Goose Vodka, Tambourine, Fortune Fish & Gourmet, Everyday Uniforms, Commercial Cooling Service, Inc., Diegeo, D’Artagnan, Champagne attinger, Bacardi, En Power, Disciples Escoffier USA East Coast, Gourmet Kitchens, Jordan, Andros North America, Southern Glazers Wine & Spirits of North America, St. Jean, Nunzia Truffle, Black Diamond Caviar, All Construction Services, McHale Energy, Buckhead Meat & Seafood, Ron Ben-Israel Cake, Tanishq USA, Sogno Toscano, Leibish, Unni, Unitel, F. Rozzo & Sons, Music Styling.

 About Fashion 4 Development

Fashion 4 Development (F4D) is a global private sector platform founded in 2011 in cooperation with the UN Secretary-General to support the United Nations Millennium Development Goals and now the Sustainable Development Goals. F4D’s mission is to harness the power of fashion, beauty the arts and entertainment industries to implement creative strategies for positive social change, sustainable economic growth, social development, and gender equality. Through its high-profile initiatives and partnerships worldwide, F4D champions "conscious-minded" fashion and lifestyle practices and fosters collaboration between diplomacy, business, and creative talent.

 About The Pierre, A Taj Hotel

A New York icon, The Pierre, A Taj Hotel continues to set the standard for timeless elegance and unrivaled hospitality in New York City for more than 95 years. Situated on Central Park, The Pierre has remained a landmark treasured by visitors and New Yorkers alike since opening in 1930. The hotel’s 189 rooms, 49 of which are suites, offer classic design with couture touches, abundant natural light, and high ceilings. First‐rate amenities include white‐gloved elevator attendants and a Les Clefs d’Or Concierge team. Exquisite entertaining is synonymous with The Pierre, and its opulent newly reimagined Grand Ballroom, Cotillion Room, and Rotunda continue to host New York’s most unforgettable events, while chic, multi‐functional meeting rooms welcome private gatherings, from intimate closing dinners to annual shareholder meetings. The Pierre’s robust food and beverage program boasts gourmet room service, and a bespoke cocktail program in the Lounge, seasonal fare with outdoor seating at signature restaurant Perrine and indulgent cuisine in the whimsical Rotunda.

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