Inside the 2023 Glasswing Gala Honoring Philanthropist Lucy Doughty

The soaring granite arches and vaulted tile ceilings of Guastavino’s in East Manhattan played host to this year's benefit gala thrown by Glasswing International, where sculptural ball gowns, decadent jewels, and opera gloves ran aplenty.

Thursday night's edition, held in the middle of National Hispanic Heritage Month, raised over $1 million to help fund education and mental health programs for children and youth in Latin America, the Caribbean, and New York City.

After the cocktail hour, where guests like Donna Karan, Livia Firth, and Fabiola Beracasa took turns posing in front of the stunning floral-covered step-and-repeat backdrop, everyone made their way upstairs for the seated dinner portion.

In between courses of beet salad and tomatillo beef, presenters took turns going on stage to welcome the crowd. The night's host, Glasswing board chair John Moore, introduced Glasswing co-founder Celina de Sola (dressed in a floor-length lilac shirtdress from Carolina Herrera), who was followed by the night's special guest and honoree Lucy Doughty.

Doughty, the London-based entrepreneur and philanthropist, of Dominican descent, was being honored for her commitment to youth, families, and underserved communities globally, as well as her work in the Dominican Republic and New York. She wore an embroidered Andrew Gn gown to accept her award.

“Children are born curious and imaginative; they dream," said de Sola. "But exposure to stress and trauma can force them to have to focus on their own survival instead of their aspirations. By supporting their wellbeing, and building their life skills, confidence, and sense of agency, we unlock their potential as young leaders, who then drive transformation in their own communities."

After a dessert entrees of passionfruit panna cotta and flourless chocolate cake, as well as a live auction overseen by Gabriel Butu, guests got up on their feet and danced the night away to Latin-inflected tunes by Alex Sensation.