The organization was founded in 2004 by Russian model and actress
Natalia Vodianova in response to
2004 Beslan School siege and, more generally, her perception of the importance of play for children. The organization built its first play parks in 2006 in
Nizhny Novgorod as part of its "Play with Purpose" program. It has since built over 158 play parks and playgrounds (the distinction being that the latter are smaller in size). Architect and artist Adam Kalkin designed the parks' recreation centers, which are constructed out of shipping containers. In 2011, the Naked Heart Foundation launched "Every Child Deserves a Family" programme with a goal to support families raising children with special needs. The foundation gives financial and administrative aid to social workers who work for NGOs and assist families of children with special developmental needs. In 2011, the charity opened its first Family Support Centre in Nizhny Novgorod, where families raising children with special needs are provided free support from teachers, psychologists and therapists. There have been several events to raise funds for the Foundation – most notably the Love Ball. The event has been held biannually and served as the main source of funding for the charity's programmes. The 2008 Love Ball in Moscow (12–14 February 2008) was organized as a three-day event. The event raised $5 million for the Naked Heart Foundation's programs. The 2010 Love Ball, held in London, was supported by
De Beers that participated in a charity auction conducted by
Christie's. The event raised £1.2 million for the Naked Heart Foundation, which enabled the construction of 14 new play parks and playgrounds around Russia. The 2011 Love Ball was a summer event held on the grounds of
Valentino Garavani's 17th century
Château de Wideville near Paris. The theme of the event was "White Fairy Tale", with most guests dressing in white or silver in keeping with the fairytale theme. The event raised €2.3 million. Guests included
Christian Louboutin,
Margherita Missoni,
Olivia Palermo,
Eva Herzigova,
Paolo Roversi,
Tommy Hilfiger,
Daphne Guinness,
Marc Newson, "Arki"
Arpad Busson,
Riccardo Tisci,
Matthew Freud, and
Valentino Garavani.
Anne Hathaway was the hostess for the evening. Fashion designers created a unique collection of dresses that were sold as lots during the charity auction. Designers included:
Agent Provocateur,
Alena Akhmadullina,
Alexander McQueen,
Alexander Wang,
Balmain,
Burberry,
Calvin Klein,
Chanel,
Christopher Kane,
Christian Dior,
Denis Simachev,
Diane von Furstenberg,
Dolce and Gabbana,
Franck Sorbier,
Gareth Pugh,
Giambattista Valli,
Giles Deacon,
Giorgio Armani,
Givenchy,
Gucci,
Hussein Chalayan,
Julien Macdonald,
Lanvin,
Louis Vuitton,
Marchesa,
Nina Ricci,
Olivier Theyskens,
Oscar de la Renta,
Prada,
Riccardo Tisci,
Roberto Cavalli,
Stella McCartney,
Tsumori Chisato,
Ulyana Sergeenko,
Valentin Yudashkin,
Valentino,
Vera Wang,
Versace,
Vika Gazinskaya,
Viktor and Rolf,
Vivienne Westwood,
Worth,
Yves Saint Laurent, and
Yulia Yanina. held in Salle Garnier of the
Opéra de Monte-Carlo that was transformed specially for the event in a dining room. It took place with the high patronage of
Albert II, Prince of Monaco, and
Charlene, Princess of Monaco. The Naked Heart Foundation raised 3.2 mln euro during the charity auction. The 2019 Love Ball Arabia held under the patronage of Her Excellency
Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and Natalia Vodianova in
Doha as part of the
Qatar–Russia cultural exchange. The charity gala raised 7.4 million USD for both Naked Heart Foundation and Al Shafallah. ==Structure==