BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

New York’s spring gala season reached its dazzling peak on April 25th as the Plaza Hotel transformed into a resplendent vision of ancient opulence for the 2025 Save Venice Ball.

Titled The Banquet of Cleopatra, this year’s theme was a theatrical homage to Giambattista Tiepolo’s iconic Baroque painting. The evening raised an impressive $1.2 million, all dedicated to preserving Venice’s treasured art and architecture.

Known for fusing cultural reverence with spectacular design, Save Venice brought antiquity to life through lush details and grand storytelling. Set designer and ball Co-Chair Bronson van Wyck led the creative direction, conjuring a dreamscape of Venetian-Egyptian fusion.

Guests were greeted by golden obelisks, lavish displays of fruit, and crystal-draped tables beneath the iconic chandeliers of The Plaza ballroom. At the heart of it all, a striking reproduction of Tiepolo’s The Banquet of Cleopatra captured the theme’s artistic core.

Fashion was front and center. Over 400 guests embraced the spirit of Cleopatra and Mark Antony’s mythical feast with dramatic flair. From feathered masks to glimmering column gowns in metallic silks, the ballroom resembled a living fresco.

Designers Laura Kim and Fernando Garcia of Oscar de la Renta joined fellow fashion names Alexandra O’Neill, Bach Mai, and Nell Diamond, all bringing a regal interpretation of antiquity to life. Notables like Tiffany Haddish, Nicky Hilton Rothschild, and Padma Lakshmi added star power, lending elegance to an already glittering crowd.

The evening’s masked ceremony, hosted by tastemaker Jenna Lyons, crowned the most unforgettable accessories.

Yu-Chi Lyra Kuo and Devin Finzer claimed the Most Creative Mask award, while Mona Patel’s look earned her a Pasquale Bruni necklace for Most En Thème. Bonnie Comely’s elaborate Venetian mask secured a private tasting experience at Casa Tua.

As the formal banquet ended, 80 of Save Venice’s Young Friends arrived for the afterparty. With DJ Olivier Meiji at the helm, the tempo shifted from Baroque to contemporary, blending timeless celebration with modern rhythm.

Espresso martinis, decadent desserts, and a lively dance floor ensured the night ended with youthful energy and continued generosity.

Yet beyond the glamour, the mission of the Save Venice Ball remains rooted in purpose. Proceeds from the gala will fund restoration efforts across Venice’s historic churches, palaces, and museums.

The ball serves as a vivid reminder of how culture, when celebrated with passion and precision, can bridge centuries and inspire stewardship.

From Cleopatra’s pearl to The Plaza’s chandeliers, the 2025 Save Venice Ball celebrated more than style—it honored beauty as a legacy worth preserving. This was not merely a night to remember, but a night that will help ensure Venice’s story endures for generations to come.

A feast of art, fashion, and timeless elegance—all in the name of preservation.

*Cover Photo/Thumbnail Photo Taken by Tiffany Haddish Matteo Prandoni/BFA.com