The design community hit the river Wednesday night for “Summer’s Last Blast,” a charity cruise around Manhattan, hosted by the Kips Bay Designer Committee. 

For the eighth year this cruise has not only marked the end of summer but has been a viable fundraiser for the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club of New York, and offers the design industry an entertaining venue for mixing and mingling with industry colleagues.

Charles Pavarini III and Merrill Vaughn

This year’s Chair of the Designer Committee, Charles Pavarini III, has been involved since the beginning.

“This is my first year as Chairman of the Designer Committee but this is the eighth year that I’ve chaired the summer cruise,” said Pavarini. “I brought this event to Kips Bay as an additional fundraiser and over the eight years we've raised over $400,000 for the charity.”

Guests enjoyed cocktails, a four-course dinner, live entertainment, and views of the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty, all aboard the World Yacht’s Princess.

The Kips Bay Designers Committee included famed interior designers who have participated in the world renowned Kips Bay Decorator Show House, including: Maria Buatta, Bunny Williams, Thom Filicia, Gail Shields-Miller, and many more.

“It’s really a win-win situation,” said Pavarini of working with Kips Bay. “We know that what we do is going to better the lives of children, but it also betters our business, gives us more exposure and we get great clients out of it. Then when it snowballs like that we are able to put more time and money back into the charity.”

Sherrill Canet and guest

All proceeds from the night benefited Kips Bay, whose mission is to improve and enhance the quality of life for all young people. They exist to assist as many young people as possible to realize and achieve their potential for growth and development and to attain the skills necessary to live and succeed in a complex world.

“These designers, their clients, and various interior design and luxury companies support this event each year,” said Nazira Handal, Special Events Director for Kip’s Bay. “It also builds on the enthusiasm of the celebrated Kips Bay Decorator Show House season.”

Guests of the event

To learn more about the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club of New York, the Kips Bay Designers Committee, and the Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse, visit their website.

“If we can change the life of one child, we change the landscape of our country and it is my intent to change many,” said Pavarini.

Photos courtesy of Edgar Pineda