J.Lo Commanded the Stage at the LuisaViaRoma x Unicef Capri Gala 2022

Each year at the very end of the LuisaViaRoma x Unicef Capri Gala 2022, a megawatt performer takes the stage; like a reward, they dazzle the audience who had just donated or bid very heavily on big-ticket auction items to benefit Unicef. Though the excitement is always sky-high (to see Katy Perry or Dua Lipa), nothing could quite compete with the anticipation that hung heavy in the humid island air for this year’s performer—a certain newlywed by the name of Jennifer Lopez.

Now in its sixth year, the LuisaViaRoma-hosted event, which lures a mixture of the international yacht-set, top models, and Hollywood heavy-hitters, seemed to have outdone itself. After raising a grand total of around 8 million euros during an auction helmed by Simon de Pury, guests finally got what they had all been waiting for. First came a mini video montage of her past music videos; clips of previous iterations of J.Lo (Jenny from the block; Bennifer 1.0-era J.Lo) lit up the room, which was filled with the likes of Sofia Carson (who would also perform), Spike Lee, Maye Musk, Vanessa Hudgens, Jared Leto, Leonardo DiCaprio, Casey Affleck, Natasha Poly, Ed Westwick, Ansel Elgort, and Edward Enninful. At last, Lopez appeared onstage in a tiger-printed, feathered, and bedazzled get-up from Roberto Cavalli’s Fausto Puglisi; this was the newly married, on-honeymoon version of J.Lo, who was clearly there to lap up all the joy the evening offered.

“I’ve always wanted to live in a world like a sparkle disco queen,” she told the crowd midway through her performance. She spoke of how, as a child, she would watch performances of Diana Ross and The Supremes and how a photo of Ross in a nude but bedazzled jumpsuit bewitched her as a child. “You guys are too young to remember this,” she joked, alluding to the iconic image Harry Langdon Jr. took on September 1, 1974, in Los Angeles. “Do you mind if I live out my disco diva fantasy?” And without needing permission (because J.Lo, of course, gets what she wants), she did just that; on stage, she quick-changed to remove a top layer that revealed a Ross-inspired Swarovski crystal-studded bodysuit to sing a disco medley of Donna Summer’s “Last Dance” and Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive.” 

 The night began at around 8:30 PM. An hour before sunset, a glitzy roster of influentials (models, actors, and influencers) lucky enough to score a ticket and deep-pocketed patrons happy to spend the bucks to attend, gathered at the sprawling 14th-century monastery Certosa San Giacomo. The historic space is perched on the limestone cliffs of Capri, just above the Faraglioni and the venue adds layers of history and Italianate glamour to the event; the arches of the monumental space are aglow in yellow light and guests snake through the formal gardens before taking their seats for a dinner of perfectly al dente zucchini pasta. 

A laser shone on the famous rock formations, splashing LuisaViaRoma x Unicef Capri Gala onto the arched rock to announce to all on the island that the event was unfolding. Though, Capri needed no reminder as it was all anyone could talk about. The gala all but takes over the Italian destination for the weekend. Unmissably, mega-yachts dot the waters at night, lighting up the sea like floating candles. But also, LuisaViaRoma, which is making its mark here in the U.S. with a great online curation and an editorial magazine, had also set up style suites to get its hundreds of guests black-tie ready. Plus, Michael Kors had come onboard with a special Capri capsule for LVR and the American designer would also host the evening’s official after-party.

Of all the individuals who had a hand in the fundraising gala, two were there from the beginning: Luisa Panconesi (daughter of LVR’s founder and CEO Andrea Panconesi, who named his company after her) and Tommaso Chiabra, the event fundraising chairman for Unicef Italia. 

Onstage in an elegant black gown, Luisa Panconesi told the audience just how much the event meant to her. “I would like to thank all the wonderful people that make this happen. And, of course, to all of you, dear guests who have come tonight to help children in need,” she told the audience. “Both LuisaViaRoma and I come from Florence, so I would like to leave you with a beautiful quote attributed to one of the most famous Florentines of all time, Dante Alighieri. ‘There are three things that remain with us from paradise; stars, flowers, and children. Thank you, and have a beautiful evening.”

Following Luisa’s remarks, millions of Euros were raised. Yes, guests appreciate their chance to see and be seen, but Unicef is at the core of all their motivations. With every successful gala, LuisaViaRoma and Unicef aim to do it all over again. Let’s see what the next one brings.