Smiley Faces Foundation Gala 2010: Smiling is my favorite!

Seventeen Magazine's Executive Editor and Founder, Adam Bell, presented the Smiley Faces Foundation inaugural event on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 at the Red Bull Space in SoHo. The Smiley Faces Foundation Gala exhibited portraits of 20 children that NYU Langone Medical Center has helped via cleft repair surgeries. The photo exhibition featured the work of world-renowned photographers ranging from Peter Lindbergh, Nigel Barker, Timothy Greenfield-Sanders, Roxanne Lowit and Markus Klinko + Indrani.


Above: One of my favorite photos featuring a child who has undergone cleft repair surgery.

The night was a special night for the Smiley Faces Foundation as well as for photographer and project participant Nigel Barker as it was also his birthday.


Above: Nigel Barker (far right) accepts a birthday cake with Adam Bell (middle) as the crowd sings 'Happy Birthday!'

I had the chance to speak with Barker's wife Cristen Chin during the event. She is beautiful in person and is beyond sweet. Other people of note that attended the gala included Seventeen Magazine's Editor-in-chief Ann Shoket. Ann was super nice. I spoke with her briefly about the event and even had a fierce photog moment with her for Haute Living Magazine.


Above: Jonathan Valdez and Ann Shoket as photographed in Haute Living Magazine. See HLM's story here.

The evening was sponsored by Red Bull, Kiehl's, TyKu and Todd English's Juliet with music by DJ Mick Boogie and Locksley. I have to say that I loved DJ Mick Boogie! He played an amazing mix of music and had people moving! I love a good DJ at a great event for an even greater cause!


Above: This photo of a baby who has undergone cleft repair surgery has to be the cutest thing ever! It makes me Smize (that's smile with your eyes for all you non Tyra fans!)

For more information on the Smiley Face Foundation click here.