Vizcaya to host Famous Hat luncheon

On March 7, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens will welcome South Florida's boldest fashion-forward supporters to its 9th Annual Vizcaya Preservation Luncheon, known informally as "The Hat Luncheon." Each year this must-go event attracts 300 guests from Miami, Palm Beach and New York for a beautiful, stylish day including a champagne lunch and informal modeling in Vizcaya's European-style grounds.

Founded in 2009, the Preservation Luncheon raises funds to preserve and protect Vizcaya Museum and Gardens for the community and future generations to come. Affectionately nicknamed "The Hat Luncheon" due to the fashionable caps worn by attendees each year, the luncheon is a friend-raiser and fund-raiser to support the preservation of Vizcaya.

The topic of preservation is particularly poignant as Vizcaya enters its centennial year and prepares to launch an ambitious Master Plan, which aims to expand Vizcaya's role as a cultural hub through the restoration of Vizcaya Village.  Vizcaya Village was built alongside the original estate in 1916 with the aim of making Vizcaya self-sufficient, including more than a dozen buildings consisting of staff housing and stables. The Master Plan outlines a strategic approach to realize the full potential of Vizcaya Village as a community resource through innovative programming for locals and visitors as well as by relating the full history of the estate.

Tickets can be purchased online starting at $350 per person. Tables of 10 guests are available for $3,500 and premier James Deering tables of 10 for $5,000. For more information about the Preservation Luncheon, visit www.vizcayapreservation.org or email events@vizcaya.org.

The 9th Annual Vizcaya Preservation Luncheon's Co-Chairs are Swanee DiMare, Barbara Hevia and Christy Martin. The committee includes: Lourdes Almagro Araujo, Eilah Campbell-Beavers, Lesli Ann Brown, Suzy Buckley, Heidi Dans, Sonia Gibson, Linda Levy Goldberg, Ana Hernandez, Barbara Hevia, Carol Iacovelli, Daysi Johansson, Migna Sanchez-Llorens, Marile Lopez, Nicole Lozano, Bronwyn Miller, Laura C. Munilla and Alexa Wolman.

Sponsors for this event include Aqua di Parma, Dall'Armellina Vineyards, DiMare Fresh, Jimmy Quiroga Designs, Neiman Marcus, Shapoh.com, Shaw Ross International Importers and Terra Group.