Russian supermodel and philanthropist Natalia Vodianova – known as ‘Natasupernova’ to her 2.6 million Instagram followers – hosted an open-air charity gala in Cannes’ La Guerite restaurant on Friday evening.
For the occasion, the model wore a red minidress with long sleeves, which she accessorized with a pair of nude-colored, hand-woven sandals with pointed toes from Moroccan footwear label Zyne. The shoes, which are handmade in Morocco, retail for $460 and can be purchased on the brand’s website.
The model’s choice of footwear was fitting for the occasion. Considering that the accessories brand, helmed by co-founders Zineb Britel and Laura Pujol, is all about giving back to the underprivileged in society, it makes sense that it drew Vodianova in.
Each leather sandal and mule is handmade by women cooperatives in the community, dedicated to improving the welfare of local women by inviting them to provide for their families via the production of the shoes.
The charity event raised 400,000 euros for Vodianova’s Naked Heart Foundation, which is a charity founded by the model in 2004 to help build an inclusive society open to children with disabilities and special needs in her native Russia.
“Last night was magical,” Vodianova captioned a series of images from the evening on her Instagram. “Thanks to your continuous love and support, you helped us raise 400k for the works of @nakedheartfoundation, especially during these challenging COVID times where families of children with special needs are unfortunately more affected than ever,” she said.
Zyne Bondi II sandals. Supplied
Vodianova’s fiancé Antoine Arnault, Anna Andres, Joan Smalls, Pierre Casiraghi, Xenia Adonts, Beatrice Borromeo Casiraghi, Camilla Fayed and Alessandra Rich were among the guests at the post-quarantine event.
The gala also featured an auction that offered guests the opportunity to learn about sustainable fashion from British designer Stella McCartney. Also up for grabs was a dinner by celebrity chef Jean Imbert on a private yacht; limited-edition Chaumet pendants; an Alessandra Rich gown and a weekend in the panoramic suite of the Hôtel Martinez.
The gala also featured a cocktail reception, a lavish dinner and a performance by French singer-songwriter Yseult.
