Sports, entertainment and fashion celebrities linked forces last week to raise money for community education and arts at the fourth annual “A Night on the RunWade” presented by Carnival Foundation at the Ice Palace Studios, Miami. The evening was co-hosted by the Miami Heat’s own Dwyane Wade and wife Gabrielle Union, with emceeing by E! TV’s, Terrence J. Distinguished guests included Ace Hood, DJ Khaled, Timbaland and Miami HEAT basketball players, Chris Andersen, Chris Bosh, Amar’e Stoudemire, Hassan Whiteside, Justise Winslow, Luol Deng, Goran Dragic, Udonis Haslem, Tyler Johnson, Josh McRoberts, Josh Richardson and Beno Udrih. On the red carpet before the main event, L’Etage Magazine caught up with Dwayne Wade and asked a few questions.
What was the initiative behind the Wade’s World Foundation?
Well, the focus is on our youth. I am blessed to come from the great city of Chicago, to have attended Marquette University in Milwaukee, and to be here in Miami for 13 years. So I really focus on the needs of our youth in these communities. Support for reading and education is what distinguishes Wade’s World Foundation.
How is RunWade different from a traditional charity gala?
In the last couple of years, it was really a typical fashion show, but this year we are trying to create an event — something that people can come to and remember they had a helluva good time and not even remember how much money they spent.
Since joining the Miami Heat way back in 2003, you have broken out as one of the most stylish athletes in the world. In one word, how would you describe your dress style?
Unpredictable. I think that is a good word for me.
You always seem on top of your game, but what are some inspiring words you have received at a low point in your life/career that perhaps may inspire others?
Sports and life has its ups and downs and basketball is no different. It is all about ebb and flow, staying even keel through life. In your high moments and low moments, always try to stay consistent. If you stay consistent, things will end up good for you.
You are a father, husband, NBA Champion, Accessory/Show Designer to name a few. What is next for Dwyane Wade?
Hopefully a lot. I have only scratched the surface of what’s next for me. Right now I am the middle of trying to focus on this later part of my basketball career and add some more to it. I am also trying to move forward in my business life, life after basketball, and focusing on what it looks like. Everybody gets to hear a couple of snippets of what I do from a design standpoint, but I am into a lot of other things as well. I will continue to try to be a good father, a good husband to this women standing beside me [Gabrielle Union], support her goals, her vision, and dreams that she has. I plan to live life and enjoy it!
After the red carpet, the evening featured a cocktail hour. Guests then had the opportunity to sample a lavish selection of cuisines from some of Miami’s top-rated restaurants: Shake Shack, Prime One Twelve, Yardbird, ChefRLI, MC Kitchen, Lure Fishbar, SUSHISAMBA, Coyo Taco, Sugarcane Raw Bar Grill, Novecento, and Divine Delicacies Cake. All the while, guests were provided with the opportunity to participate in a silent auction while browsing various pop-up stores with exclusive products from Wade’s partnerships with Stance, Naked, the Tie Bar, and Li-Ning.
The Runway show officially began with an elegant ballet performance by professional ballerina Maria Verdeja and the Maria Verdeja School of the Arts. In the fashion show, for the second year, a few of the HEAT players were challenged to curate a look for a fellow teammate. This produced the most flat-out entertainment of the night when those participating described the style they chose for their teammate to the audience, including Chris Bosh who said the style he chose for Josh McRobert “is how I would dress Jesus.”
The runway show was presented by Hublot and was thoughtfully curated by Creative & Style Director Calyann Barnett’s agency WWB Lifestyle with looks exclusively by Giuseppe Zanotti and DSQUARED2. The Giuseppe Zanotti collection was uniquely presented on the runway via tuxedo-clad models carrying the men and women’s footwear looks on silver platters. The night was closed out with DSQUARED2’s men and womenswear fall, spring, and summer lines.
Once the fashion show concluded VIP guests kicked back and danced the night away at the after-party with the evening’s co-hosts. Which included an unforgettable high-energy electric slide rendition that had all guests on their feet dancing, including the L’Etage Magazine team.
The event was sponsored by Carnival Foundation and Carnival Corporation, Hublot, DSQUARED2, Giuseppe Zanotti, The Collection, Goldman Sachs, Gatorade, Gentleman Jack, Korbel, American Airlines, Miami Heat Charitable Fund, Naked, Stance, The Tie Bar, Li-Ning, Beauty for Real, Ocean Drive Magazine, and Maria Verdeja School of the Arts.
PHOTO GALLERY
Photo credit: Tracy Destin
