Attendees of the March of Dimes’ 33rd annual Beauty Ball knew they were in for a treat when the splashy evening kicked off with aerialist performers dropping from the rafters and gliding through the air at Cipriani 42nd Street.

Ugly Betty star Vanessa Williams hosted the affair, and über designer Vera Wang co-chaired it, alongside Bernd Beetz, CEO of Coty. Sponsors Conde Nast, Coty, and Continental Airlines helped March of Dimes raise $1.2 million for its Prematurity Awareness campaign.

During the auction for two tickets to anywhere in the world, a Continental official popped out of the audience and matched the winning $14,000 bid for a trip for two to Saint Tropez, Belize, or anywhere in between. Other coveted items included a Carmen Marc Valvo gown that Ms. Williams donned, and walk-on roles for Gossip Girl and Law & Order: Special Victims
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