Malawi Calling
The drum rhythms coming from the Max Azria store had their roots in West Africa, but the focus of an April 19 fundraiser at the Los Angeles Max Azria boutique was the nation of Malawi in southeastern Africa.
The drums and dancing by the Los Angeles–based African Dance Ensemble created a festive air, as did the mango martinis served at the party and the Panthera collection of jewelry, which debuted at the boutique.
But the evening’s fun was based on a serious matter—raising funds to help build schools in the rural nation of Malawi. The April 19 event started a three-day fundraiser at the store, where 15 percent of the proceeds from sales of the store’s Max Azria collection went to The H.E.L.P. Malawi Foundation. One-hundred percent of sales from the Panthera collection went to the nonprofit.
“It’s a great way to spread love,” said Luba Azria of the foundation. She is a Max Azria designer and wife of the store’s creative director, Max Azria. —Andrew Asch
