Since 2017, GAL Fashion has been proud to be part of the philanthropic community in El Paso. Our journey with the El Paso Center for Diabetes began with the very first collaboration for their White Party. It was such a beautiful and successful event, and although our partnerships took a pause for a few years, the connection always remained close to my heart.
Philanthropy and fundraising have always been something I truly enjoy. If I had to describe one of my favorite things to do, it would be simple: throw a beautiful party, bring people together, and raise money for a great cause. There is something incredibly special about being able to have fun, celebrate, and make a meaningful difference at the same time.
In 2022, we reunited with the El Paso Center for Diabetes, and I was honored to be invited to join their board. That moment marked the beginning of what has become a very special and loyal partnership between GAL Fashion and the Center.
Since then, we have proudly hosted an annual White Party each summer, raising funds for the Center’s Kids Camp. The camp gives children living with diabetes the opportunity to enjoy an incredible summer experience surrounded by other children, while learning and being supported by diabetes specialists and professionals. Knowing that our events help create those memories for these children makes all of the planning, preparation, and hard work worth it.
La Dolce Vita
This year’s White Party was truly one for the books.
Inspired by La Dolce Vita and the Amalfi Coast of Italy, we transformed a private residence into an unforgettable Italian escape. Think lemons, blue and white details, beautiful architecture, Italian-inspired decor, fashion, music, food, shopping, and, of course, plenty of spritzes.
As always, we welcomed 125 guests for a day centered around fashion, fun, friendship, philanthropy, and women supporting women.
From the moment guests arrived, the experience began.
A beautiful quartet orchestra greeted everyone at the entrance, playing Italian-inspired music throughout the party and setting the tone for the day. The incredible architecture and decor were brought to life with the help of the talented Erica Lincoln of 915 Lights, creating the perfect backdrop for photos and memories.
And, of course, the dress code was all white.
To make the entrance even more special, we had male models dressed in Italian-inspired attire greeting guests in Italian and welcoming everyone into our little piece of the Amalfi Coast.
Fashion, Beauty & Shopping
We wanted our guests to experience much more than a traditional fundraiser. We wanted it to feel like a full day of discovery.
Our friends from The Mix Medspa joined us, with my dear friend Liliana offering consultations and beauty services, including Botox and filler.
Our Los Angeles-based cosigner brought an incredible selection of vintage designer handbags, including Chanel, Gucci, and many other coveted designers. Guests were able to shop while also supporting the cause, and our silent auction gave everyone the opportunity to find some amazing pieces while helping us raise even more money for the Center.
Then came one of the biggest hits of the entire event:The Charm Bar
We introduced guests to this amazing jewelry concept where they could create their own custom pieces using hand-painted porcelain elements set in gold. It was beautiful, unique, and incredibly interactive. We have never seen anything quite like it at one of our events, and our guests absolutely loved it.
We also had a gorgeous space dedicated to Tesori Gifts, my mom’s store, featuring their newest candle collection Glass House and beautiful home decor inspired by the Amalfi Coast. The blue-and-white prints, candles, and decorative pieces fit perfectly into the theme.
And we couldn’t have a fashion event without jewelry!
Melinda Maria Jewelry hosted a beautiful trunk show, and our guests were loving the collection. If you missed the event, don’t worry. You can still shop the collection in store at GAL Fashion.
An Italian-Inspired Culinary Experience
As guests made their way into the kitchen, the Italian experience continued.
Wake & Bake created custom coffees, matchas, teas, and Italian-inspired drinks throughout the day. Our exclusive bartender kept everyone refreshed with beautiful spritzes, Bellinis, and a selection of Italian-inspired cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages.
And then there was the food.
We had a pizza bar, a tiramisu bar, lemon sorbets, bruschetta, and so much more. Our incredible waitstaff made sure guests had the opportunity to taste everything and never had an empty glass.
Of course, we had to bring in Culinary Studio, who, in my opinion, is one of the best catering companies in El Paso. They helped bring the entire culinary experience together and made sure every detail was beautifully executed.
Music, Vespas & La Dolce Vita
Just when you thought the party couldn’t get any better, we took it outside.
Our DJ brought the energy with incredible Italian-inspired beats and remixes that had everyone dancing. It was the perfect soundtrack for our little Italian escape.
We also invited several of our favorite local businesses to join us as vendors because one of the things we love most about events like this is collaboration. We believe in supporting local businesses, creating opportunities for one another, and sharing our communities with each other. After all, sharing is caring.
We were joined by Method Organics, A Basket of Flowers, Alma Mia, and our dear friend Andrea, owner of Veintidos.
Andrea went all out, bringing a Vespa and creating an actual outdoor Italian shopping boutique. At 1:00 PM, she hosted a fashion show featuring garments she personally brought back from Italy. It was such a fun and unexpected part of the day and truly transported our guests straight to Italy.
A Day to Remember
The entire day was filled with elegance, fashion, music, food, shopping, friendship, and, most importantly, purpose.
We had gorgeous models showcasing beautiful garments, interactive experiences around every corner, Amalfi-inspired fans for our guests, incredible food and drinks, and so many local businesses coming together to make the day special.
But beyond all of the beautiful details, the real reason we were there was to give back.
Together, we raised more than $20,000 for the El Paso Center for Diabetes, helping support the Center’s Kids Camp and the incredible work they do for children and families in our community.
That is what makes events like this so meaningful to me.
At GAL Fashion, we believe fashion should be fun, but we also believe that fashion can be a vehicle for connection, community, and giving back. Being able to bring people together, create an unforgettable experience, support local businesses, celebrate women, and raise money for an important cause is exactly why we love what we do.
And this is only the beginning.
GAL Fashion is looking forward to expanding our philanthropic efforts and partnering with other nonprofits throughout our community. If you are part of an organization looking to collaborate, create an event, or raise funds for an important cause, I would love to hear from you.
Because if there is one thing I have learned over the years, it is that you can throw a beautiful party, have an incredible time, and still make a difference.
That is our kind of La Dolce Vita.
