On May 1, 2025 the 13th annual Red Carpet Party was held at Canoe Brook Country Club in Short Hills. According to Leslie Patrizio, a fashion event planner and owner of Style Matters who founded and has been coordinating this event since its inception, it was the best year ever.
The sold out event raised over $150,000 for Family and Children's Services, Inc., a non-profit in Elizabeth that provides critical services such as mental health counseling, parenting classes, life skills and more.
The event included cocktails, dinner, a fashion show, a handbag raffle and a silent auction. While Leslie and her incredible committee of volunteers like to change things up each year to keep things fresh, they also make sure to maintain attendees’ favorites.
“We once again had the Millburn firemen modeling, and this year their outfits were from Pour HoMMe in Madison,” she says. “The firemen are always a crowd favorite. I have beautiful models on the runway modeling beautiful gowns, and the firemen always steal the show.”
The runway was also graced by fabulous fashion from designer Sareh Nouri, Bloomingdale’s, Willow St. Boutique, The Blue Iris and Boutique Calia.
The handbag raffle, a huge attraction every year, included 36 handbags from YSL®, Coach®, Tory Burch, Marc Jacobs and other top designers. “All of the bags are donated by local stores, designers and committee members” says Leslie. “Guests purchase tickets, to put in the handbags that they want to win, and at the end of the evening, we pull out the winning tickets. The women love the handbag raffle almost as much as they love the firemen.”
The exciting silent auction items were also a big hit. “We had a Paul Miller Porsche for a weekend, a signed Phillies baseball bat by Bryce Harper, a basket of Chandon with a Louis Vuitton scarf and a nine liter bottle of Whispering Angel donated by Moet along with gift certificates for golf, restaurants, and cooking classes by Chez Barbara.”
Guests were treated to complimentary photos on the Red Carpet by Venture Studios of Montclair as well as photos behind the wheel of Paul Miller Porsche cars by Peter Wallburg Studio of Summit.
Attendees were thrilled to hear from the honorary chair, Barbara Markowitz, chef and owner of Chez Barbara. Barbara the mother of three children who later adopted four additional children and fostered twelve children over the years spoke of her experience and the need for our help in the community. Barbara’s endless love and giant heart has led her to be an advocate for all children who need our help.
Leslie says the success of this event would not be possible without her fantastic volunteer committee, local businesses, and the community that contribute and donate. “Title Sponsor, Frontline Insurance along with sponsors Riverside Oral Surgery, Monarch Cypress, ShopRite, the Bridgewater Commons Mall among many other supporters allow Family and Children’s Services to do the vital work that they do in our area.
To volunteer for Leslie’s committee, or find out how you can help in other ways, go to LesliePatrizio.com.
"The sold out event raised over $150,000 for Family and Children's Services, Inc."