The Lupus Foundation of America, Southeast Florida Chapter proudly announces that Tamara Mellon, founder and president of Jimmy Choo will serve as the Honorary Chair of the 2009 Butterfly Ball. The Ball, the foundation's largest fundraiser of the year, is set for Saturday, February 7, 2009 and is themed a Black and White Disco Ball.

Ms. Mellon is the President and Founder of J. Choo Limited ("Jimmy Choo"), a leading manufacturer and international retailer of glamorous, ready-to-wear women's shoes and accessories based in London, England. She has served in a senior executive capacity with Jimmy Choo since its inception in 1996. Ms. Mellon, 41, also serves on the Board of Directors and on the Creative Advisory Board of The H Company Holdings, LLC, a privately held holding company which owns and manages the Halston fashion design company.

I hope that my involvement will put the international spotlight on lupus since the disease knows no boundaries, said Ms. Mellon.  I also want ensure that my daughter has her grandmother in her life for a long time.

This black-and white tie ball, chaired by Miss Stacie Weisman, will be at
The Mar-A-Lago Club in Palm Beach. The evening begins with poolside cocktails at 6:30 pm; followed by an extravagant silent auction. A gourmet meal follows with entertainment throughout the evening by disco divas Maxine Nightingale (Right Back Where We Started From), France Joli (Come To Me) and Jackie Moore
(This Time Baby).

Tickets for the ball are $600, for more information, to become a sponsor or to make reservations for the Ball, call the Foundation at 561-279-8606.

Proceeds from the gala directly benefit the Lupus Foundation of America, Southeast Florida Chapter, Inc., a not-for-profit autonomous corporation affiliated with the Lupus Foundation of America. This chapter, founded in 1978, serves Brevard, Broward, Miami-Dade, Martin, Monroe, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, and St. Lucie counties. The chapter is dedicated to improving the lives of persons who suffer from lupus in South Florida by providing counseling and referral, support groups, professional and patient education and training, outreach, public information, advocacy, and support of research. For more information call  561-279-8606 or 800-339-0586 or visit www.lupusfl.org.

 Tamara Mellon Biography

Tamara was born with a strong understanding of both fashion and business, from her mother, Ann, a former Chanel model and her father, Tom Yeardye, a successful entrepreneur.

Internationally educated in Beverly Hills, England and Switzerland, Tamara started working at Browns and gradually moved from Phyllis Walters Public Relations, to Mirabella and from there to accessories editor for British Vogue in 1990.  While at Vogue, Tamara's entrepreneurial and fashion instinct foresaw the potential of the luxury goods accessories market as she noticed both a lack of style and variety in the existing market. In 1996, she broached shoe couturier Jimmy Choo with the idea of joining forces and launching a ready-to-wear shoe company. After successfully sourcing investors and factories to produce the collection, the company flourished under her helm with the opening of her first shop in 1997 on Motcomb Street in London and became an internationally renowned and aspirational brand.

Following the immediate success of the boutique in London, Tamara took her designs to Los Angeles where she developed a loyal following of movie and television stars alike. With Hollywood's Oscar winners walking the red carpet and starlets such as Beyonce Knowles singing of her love of vertiginous heels, Jimmy Choo has become the most desirable accessory.

Tamara continues to take an active role in the running of the company ensuring that her vision of a quality, luxurious and fashionable product is maintained while continuing to evolve with the ever expanding needs of the business.