Glamwire

24 Karat Club

Gladys Knight  mesmerized the crowd singing “Best thing that ever happened to me”, at the glittering 109th  24 Karat Club Banquet, honoring exclusive members of the jewelry industry at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel.  Overcome with emotion, Knight wiped away tears. She told a crowd of approximately 1000 or more guests at the Grand Ballroom, that she is a romantic and songs such as “Best thing…” take her back to a certain place in time. She also sang “If I was your woman” and many more. Gladys, offering advice to young women that night said,  keep looking for that special man. She quipped,  at one time in her life she waited for her prince to come along on his white horse and rescue her. But later, just wanted him to get there and didn’t care if he got there by train or bus. A special appearance was made by her big brother and the last remaining “Pip”, Merald aka “Bubba”. He asked his “little sis” to hold his jacket and as for music, told the band to  “put some tobasco sauce on it.”, as he performed a James Brown hit.

In between the menu of Smoked Salmon Rouleax, Sliced Tenderloin of Beef and Alaskan  Gold Rush ice cream dome,  I spoke to Emmanuele Perrin, Cartier’s President for North America. I asked what his customers are looking for now. He believes that Cartier’s clientele is a more careful buyer, seeking high end jewelry, and less interested in frivolous purchases at this time. He is also looking forward to the best for 2011. And is pleased with their support of the Diamond Empowerment Fund.

Russell Simmons was also in attendance, as was his colleague Ben Chavis.  Regarding his Diamond Empowerment Fund, Russell, says that “Diamonds are love.” and wants diamonds to represent a positive change in assisting many in Africa. Dr. Ben Chavis is partnered with Simmons’ school projects in Botswana, Africa which gives scholarships to children in one of the largest countries for diamond mining. Later, guests continued into the night mingling or tossing off their shoes to dance  in several suites. And for guests who needed to get one more dance in for the evening, “The Bash” at the Empire Room offered guests to party on with a live band till almost 2 am.