Project Runway
Oscar de la Renta partners with Lotusland
Written by Joan Tapper
Anticipation is heightening for LOTUSLAND CELEBRATES: BOTANICAL SPLENDOR, this year’s edition of the garden’s annual fundraiser, which supports its work in plant conservation, sustainable horticulture, and educational programming. Inspired by Ganna Walska Lotusland’s artistry, world-renowned designer Oscar de la Renta has joined the gala as a premier partner; a portion of proceeds from purchases made online or in his boutiques using the code LOTUSLAND10 will benefit the garden. The memorable afternoon-to-sunset event—held on Saturday, July 18—will be hosted by actress Jane Lynch and also features author, television personality, and gardener Martha Stewart as a special guest. Beginning with cocktails and an exploration of the 37-acre Montecito estate, the gala continues with an alfresco dinner and program.
Tickets have already sold out, but live and online auctions allow others to show their support for the cause, and the roster of distinctive objects and rare experiences available is stunning. The curated list includes a visit to Martha Stewart’s estate in Katonah, New York, with a tour of her garden and an intimate lunch; a three-night stay for five couples at Chteau Troplong Mondot in Saint-Emilion, France; an archivist-led visit to the David Webb jewelry house in New York, with a $20,000 credit toward a unique creation, plus a stay at The Mark Hotel; and a custom-designed rose garden by Danielle Dall’Armi, founder of Rose Story Farm in Carpinteria. Additional items range from other travel opportunities to offerings that span design, garden collections, and rare jewelry. Online bidding opens on July 13 and continues through July 19 at 3 p.m.; advance (proxy) bidding for the live auction is available for those who register by July 17.
Lotusland Celebrates brings together “an extraordinary community of supporters and collaborators,” says the nonprofit garden’s chief executive officer Rebecca Anderson. “The attention it continues to draw reflects a growing recognition of the garden’s artistic and horticultural significance and a shared commitment to its future.” lotuslandcelebrates.org
