BeLive will be hosting a star-studded gala on Thursday, Nov. 17 at the Ritz-Carlton South Beach that will raise funds for four Colombian non-profit organizations, Give to Colombia, Formula Sonrisas, Genesis Foundation and ArtNexus Foundation.

The 2011 initiative of the Mochila Wayuu Project will once again take 40 hand-woven mochilas, created by the Wayuu community in Guajira, Colombia, and have them re-worked by some of the world’s most preeminent fashion designers.

Designers on hand for this years project include Herve Leger, Diane Von Furstenberg, Altuzarra, Mario Hernandez, Theskeyns Theory, Theory, and Valentino, amongst others.

The extraordinary, one-of-a-kind mochilas will be available for purchase on online luxury retailer Moda Operandi and at a silent auction that will take place at the gala. Attendees to the event will be able to bid on the vibrant and unique handbags using BidPal, a handheld device pre-loaded with every mochila, its value and bid increments.

Sofia Vergara, who has been nominated for two Emmy and Gold Globe Awards for her role in the ABC series “Modern Family,” will co-chair the 5^th Anniversary Gala with Lauren Santo Domingo, Co-Founder & Creative Director of Moda Operandi.

“I am excited to be able to support this special project because it illustrates the transformative power of fashion and applies it to a Colombian community that I care deeply about,” said Domingo. “The Mochila Wayuu Project manages to both celebrate the amazing handiwork of these women and bring much needed funds and awareness to their plight.”

Amongst the celebrities who will be on hand to support Belive are Raul de Molina, Ilia Calderon, Rodner Figueroa, Jorge Bernal, Vanessa Hauc, Kika Rocha, Catherina Siachoque and Miguel Varoni.

The fete will also be filled with fashion surprises, as Domingo, who in addition to her position at Moda Operandi serves as a Contributing Editor for Vogue, will be spearheading a sensational fashion show. The show, produced by the Webster, will showcase the spectacular Yves Saint Laurent Spring 2012 Collection.

The 5th Anniversary of BeLive will take place on Thursday, Nov. 17 at The Ritz-Carlton, South Beach, 1 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach, FL 33139. Individual tickets are $500. For more information, please contact Ximena Acosta at ximena@belivecolombia.org or visit them at www.belive.co.

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