60 Seconds with Frequent Society Flier: Katharina Harf
Tomorrow an army of society types will gather–including Derek Lam, Jessica White, Glenda Bailey and so many other notables–at Cipriani Wall Street for the Seventh Annual Delete Blood Cancer Gala. This year Nate Berkus and co-chaired by Coty Inc. CEO Michele Scannavini, will serve as host and will honor Vera Wang and actress Leighton Meester (who will receive an award jointly) and Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, co-founder, artistic director and EVP of OPI Products and will include a performance from Lady Antebellum.
The woman behind the foundation, which boasts he largest bone marrow donor center in the world, Katharina Harf will of course also attend. Harf, founded the organization at just 14-years-old when her mother was diagnosed with Leukemia. We caught up with the new mother and we got an inside scoop about her sartorial choices for fancy galas, charity and naturally her foundation. Read on to see what she had to say.
The Fabulous Report (TFR): Since your founding how has the organization evolved to serve its constituents even better year after year?
Katharina Harf (KH): With the help of a passionate team and of course all the amazing patients, their families and our supporters we were able to register over 380,000 potential donors and already had 1,000 transplants for patients.
TFR: You have a compelling past with regards to how you got involved with such a nobel cause. Where do you see your work with Delete Blood Cancer going in the future of philanthropy?
KH: At 14 years old I lost my mother to leukemia and I would never want another family to go through what we did. This is now my life’s mission, to help patients and their families have a second chance at life. I will continue fighting this disease working with every patient I can to help them get their match and educate the public so that they can save lives.
TFR: How has your very fashionable mother shaped your values for fashion and philanthropy?
KH: My mother is the most beautiful woman I have ever met. She had this effortless sense of elegance and poise but at the same time had a huge loving heart. She taught me the importance of love, family and caring for other people in my life.
TFR: Do you have any tips on how to show up to a gala looking and feeling fabulous and poised?
KH: We have been lucky to work with amazing brands like Jimmy Choo, Derek Lam and H. Stern who have helped us raise funds, awareness and register more donors. They are all helping me look fabulous at the night of our gala, so I am a very lucky girl in that regard. As far as feeling fabulous, I think is about having an open mind and genuine interest for a cause. Knowing that you are there for the right reasons will always make you shine.
TFR: How do you dress to make a good impression among potential donors and philanthropists like yourself?
KH: I honestly don’t think too much about that. The most important thing is that I connect with people especially when I am with donors and patients.
TFR: As a successful philanthropist and fundraiser for Delete Blood Cancer, do you have any philanthropic and fashion advice for women aspiring to your level of generosity and hard work?
KH: Have passion, really believe in what you do and work hard.
