The World Monuments Fund Raised a Record $1.8 Million at This Year's Hadrian Gala

Each year, the World Monuments Fund holds its annual Hadrian Gala to raise funds that help support and preserve cultural heritage sites around the world.

On Wednesday night, the black-tie gala was held at Rockefeller Plaza's iconic Rainbow Room to honor three leaders for their commitment to conservation: Maryvonne Pinault for her family's efforts to restore French monuments; The Krehbiel Family for their restorations of the Ballyfin Demesne in Ireland; and Tata Sons for its support of cultural heritage projects in India.

This year's edition had a significant Kering presence, with executives from Balenciaga, Saint Laurent, and Gucci among those with tables. The French conglomerate was a major sponsor of the gala—Maryvonne Pinault is married to Francois Pinault, whose son François-Henri currently runs Kering (his wife Salma Hayek Pinault was also in attendance in a gold three-piece suit).

After remarks from co-chairs Lorna B. Goodman and Donna Perret Rosen, WMF president and CEO Bénédicte de Montlaur laid out the significance of the organization’s efforts.

“We rally people around beauty and great cultural achievements. We celebrate and preserve local identities, we build connections between peoples, we encourage mutual respect for what makes each of us and each culture unique," she said. “I am happy to say that as we sit here tonight, WMF has never been stronger. We are continuing

to grow both in size and scope, and that’s necessary because the needs are immense. We receive requests every single day from people around the world who don’t want to see their history—our common history—disappear.”

Other distinguished guests included Lauren Santo Domingo, Anna Wintour, Derek Blasberg, Amy Astley, Peter Marino, Pritika Swarup, and Christian Louboutin. After the hearty dinner—burrata with spiced tomato chutney, beef wellington, and the French dessert baba au rhum—a live auction with Christie's took place. Among the lots were a VIP weekend in New York, a Boucheron pendant necklace, a cruise in Japan, and an exclusive stay in Barcelona.

The charitable evening, which raised a record $1.8 million, concluded with a nightcap of cognac and Irish coffee on the terrace overlooking the Manhattan skyline.