StyleWatch Style News Now

Style News Now

Ivanka Trump Makes Aspiring Jewelry Designer’s Wish Come True

08/08/2012 at 09:00 AM ET

When Ivanka Trump met teen jewelry designer Linda Cifuentes in May, the day was filled with lots of laughter. But just months before, Cifuentes’s life hadn’t been so happy.

Adopted two years ago, 16-year-old Cifuentes was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma earlier this year. As she battled the disease from her hospital bed, her mother brought her beads to make jewelry with. In time, she realized she had quite a talent — and a passion was born.

Now in remission — and busy planning her Quinceañera — Cifuentes was recently granted a wish through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and got to spend a day with Trump at her SoHo jewelry boutique. Her family — four of her sisters, plus her parents — came along for the trip, spending a weekend at the Trump SoHo hotel.

“She’s really, really very good,” Trump says in the clip above. “She asked a ton of incredibly knowledgeable and informed questions. I was really amazed by the seriousness she had, and the professionalism.”

The two talked web design and craftsmanship, and at the end of the day, Trump gifted the teen with a piece from her fine jewelry collection. But the giving didn’t stop there: Trump and her team also gave Cifuentes three emeralds, which the aspiring designer used to create a piece that was auctioned at a recent San Diego Make-A-Wish event — and in turn, will pay to grant four children’s wishes.

“Just generally, I look forward to watching Linda as she grows,” Trump says. “I’m incredibly lucky to have met Linda and her family.” See more of the special day in the clip above, and visit lindadesigns4u.com to see more of Cifuentes’s creations.

–Kate Hogan

Your Reaction

Follow Us

On Newsstands Now

On Newsstands Now

Angelina: Inside Her Brave Choice
  • Angelina: Inside Her Brave Choice
  • New Details on the Ohio Three
  • Prince Harry Takes America!

Pick up your copy on newsstands

Click here for instant access to the Digital Magazine

Advertisement

Add A Comment

Got something to add to this post? Fill out the fields below to make a comment, ask a question or share a tip. We'd love to hear from you.

Note: If this is your first time commenting on Style News Now, your comment will need to be approved by our moderator before it will appear. Thanks for your patience, and check back again soon.

Showing 38 comments

amber rowley on

Seriously, I’ve never seen this woman do anything less than classy. I teared up watching this. She’s truly beautiful, inside and out.

Susan on

New-found respect for Ivanka!!!

Melissa on

This is the ONLY Trump that seems to have true class. Good job Ivanka!

Cathleen on

Ivanka sounds very intelligent and speaks quite eloquently, so I can see why Linda looks up to her. I didn’t know much about Ivanka before reading this, but this article and video was a breath of fresh air; I really enjoyed seeing a worthwhile story among the usual useless celebrity gossip. I am hoping that Linda makes a full recovery, she seems to be very talented!

WoozerMom on

What a beautiful listing of fanaistic non-pecious gems and ohther either place, what will he did to your community is the whole “old gold rush ” fails.

I personally lived about half of my savings between caring for my husband and trying to find really interesting to figure out what I want. I would like to be your friend.

kaemicha on

Ivanka, that was incredibly kind of you and I’m so glad that you helped – maybe – to launch this young girls career. We all need to remember to pay it forward.

Presh on

Ivanka has won my respect over and over again

Isa on

What a beuatiful thing kindess is. It can change the world and its in all of us to give away freely everyday!

C on

Coming from the fortunate family that she has come from, it is nice to see that she gives back. She seems to be very warm and genuinely sweet. My best wishes go out to Linda:) May she have a long and happy and healthy life!

Linda on

I couldn’t help but notice she wasn’t wearing a wedding ring in that very last picture?? What’s up with that?

Next | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Next | Show All

Advertisement


StyleWatch Concierge
 

From Our Partners