COSTUME COUNCIL WELCOMES DESIGNER RALPH RUCCI

Designer Ralph Rucci is quite simply a genius. I was so lucky to be invited to the Costume Council’s champagne reception, luncheon and conversation with Mr. Rucci on Tuesday, May 5th. It was held in conjunction with Neiman Marcus and presented his Chado Ralph Rucci fall 2009 trunk show collection—great job Wendy Krimins! Costume Council president Noren Ungaretti welcomed 100 guests to the Chicago History Museum. Several of Ralph’s designs were on display as you entered the space and they were all marvels of dress-making. Ralph doesn’t like the word “couture” but they sure looked haute couture to me! The craftsmanship on each garment is the reason why his prices are on the high side. (High to me, anyway :)) He says, “I want to make clothes so women can catch up to who they already are. If you’re investing in one piece, it must be aspirational…” He goes on to say, “I think jeans and a t-shirt can be very chic but I take offense at sweatshirts in airports.” (I do too…) He knows every aspect of the dress-maker’s art from pattern-making and sketching all the way to sewing the clothes himself. He says his handwork is better than his machine-work. He was wearing an exquisite dark suit with a cropped jacket and the most amazing cufflinks! Large, white baroque pearls attached to only one side of the cuff. He looked every inch the master designer and he couldn’t have been more honest and open. He answered all of the questions posed to him by costume curator Timothy Long at length and with great personal insights. He loves Chicago and describes it as having “all of the satisfaction of NY without the anxiety.” (I loved this!) In 1980, he decided to strike out on his own and in 2002, he was the first American designer ever to show couture in Paris. He is still bitter, and rightfully so, over the fact that the American magazines didn’t even cover this momentous achievement. He said the European shows aren’t about selling clothes, it’s about selling licensing. He never offers free clothes to actresses like some other designers do just to get them ringside at their shows. He said, “We don’t give clothes to actresses who are making $12 million dollars per picture.” Good for him! (What about lowly bloggers I wondered….) Happy guests included Julie Latsko, Dusty Stemer, Nena Ivon, Carol Prins, Karen Goodyear, Maria Pinto, Bonnie Deutsch, Toni Canada, Sarah Tetzlaff, Britt Taner, Linda Levine, Jean Goldman, April Schink, Shirley Schnackenburg, Carol Stone, Noren Ungaretti, Laurie Davis, Dorothy Fuller, John Anshel, Heather Wright, Karen Beal, Sherrill Bodine, Lawrie Weed, Lynda Silverman, Robin Finley, Paula Pianta, Myra Reilly, April Schink, Natasha Isaacs, Laura Barnett, Tony Rossi, Eva Jakubowski and many more. Photos from top right: Chaddo Ralph Rucci designs; Dorothy Fuller, Ralph Rucci and Neiman's Tina Koegel; Gail Elden, Cynthia Holbrooke and Dana Hokin; Geri Shute, designer Maria Pinto and Tony Rossi; Robin Finlay and Paula Pianta; Natasha Isaacs, Laurie Davis, Sherrill Bodine, Eva Jakubowski, Susanna Negovan and Dusty Stemer; chic couple; detail of Ralph Rucci design; Myra Reilly and Lynda Silverman; luncheon venue at the Chicago History Museum; Karen Beal; Costume Council president Noren Ungaretti welcoming guests. For more photos from this event, click here.

Birthdays are always nice but when it’s gorgeous twins, it’s TWICE as nice!!! Kristina McGrath and Korinna Isselhardt  hosted a wonderful party at Kristina’s lovely home in the Palmolive Building! They have so many glamorous friends who all turned out to toast these charming and beautiful sisters. There were balloons everywhere and custom designed martinis including the “Kristini” and the “Korinni”. Ladies gathered on one of their dramatic terraces, complete with a putting green, to sip and chat. The lake views at sunset made me think how happy I am to be living in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Kristina had sweet nibbles created with her favorite charity logo - USO - in icing on the tops. She didn’t miss a detail and it showed in every thoughtful way. Fifty friends attended including Rebecca Besser, Maria Nasharr, Shauna Montgomery, Patty Nalepa, Jan Hannagan, Heather Farley, Jan Emmert, many USO friends and others. It was expertly catered by True Helpers. I wish Kristina and Korinna many more happy birthdays with wonderful friends! Photos from top right: birthday twins Korinna Isselhardt and Kristina McGrath; Heather Farley holding USO cookies; Rebecca Besser, Kristina McGrath, me, Jan Hannagan and Shauna Montgomery; Ava Verwaller and Denise Landis; Jan McGrath and Melissa Hansen. For more photos from this fun fete, click here.
 
Factio Magazine’s “Art Rocks” bash was held Friday, May 1st, at Lumen, located at 839 W. Fulton Market, and brought out 300 guests. “Art Rocks” was the official opening night after-party of Art Chicago which opened May 1st with a four-day run of exhibitions, speaking programs and parties. The evening’s lineup of hosts included designer Cynthia Rowley, Factio editor Melissa Maynard, Factio publisher Henrique Kerch, fashion designer Claudia Kleiner, artist Christine Sanderson, jewelry designer Tracey Mayer, Elite model’s Kasia Konlar and moi aussi! This event presented works by artist Michael Brucks, visual artist Sin-R8, Edyta Stepien, Stoptime341 Productions and M5. Photos from top left: Factio's Melissa Maynard, Graham Kostic, Michael Brucks and Kasia Koniar (photo by Billy Rood of Fig Media); Carrie Lannon with Melissa's mom and dad; Melissa Maynard's supportive family 

The Women’s Board of the Joffrey Ballet held their year end luncheon at the Racquet Club Tuesday, May 12th. It celebrated our outgoing president Kathleen Klaeser and welcomed incoming officers. For 2009-2011, the new WB president is Christine Ott, I am honored to be vice president, Kelly Dettmann is treasurer and Kerrie Kennedy Mudd is the new secretary! Congratulations to all! Kathleen Klaeser, who received a standing ovation for her wonderful leadership, presented artistic director, Ashley Wheater, with a check for $1,529,934 representing the Women’s Board contribution to the Joffrey for 2009. (CS Magazine named the Joffrey Women’s Board as the “most powerful women’s board in the city” due to their incredible fundraising efforts and I don’t disagree.) Kathleen announced that Elizabeth Feste, Director of Individual Giving and a favorite among all of the members, was being deployed to Baghdad in the fall for a year. There were tears all around but Elizabeth said she will be working in public affairs and was very excited for this new experience and the opportunity to be supporting our country. She went on to say that her commander said, “It’s safer to be in Baghdad than driving down the Dan Ryan!” We wish her all the best and will be waiting with open arms to welcome her home. Photos from top right: outgoing Women's Board president Kathleen Klaeser; incoming officers Christine Ott, me, Kerrie Kennedy Mudd and Kelly Dettmann; Elizabeth Feste; Kathleen Klaeser presenting check to Joffrey artistic director Ashley Wheater; beautiful flower centerpieces from Jonathan Ryan of "A Perfect Event"; luncheon at the Racquet Club. For more photos from this event, click here. 

On the entertainment front, Brenda Sexton of Chicago Link Productions hosted the opening of Star Trek, the summer’s first blockbuster, on May 8th. The event benefitted Columbia College Film School’s commitment to space-age film technology development. Richard Roeper kicked off the evening by introducing the film, after which, Chicago’s elite wined and dined at Fleming’s Steakhouse & Wine Bar. I must say I was prepared for a two-star movie but it was fantastic! And you don’t have to be a trekkie to enjoy it! It’s action packed with a great story and good-looking actors and actresses who can ACT! I spoke to Chaz Ebert and she told me she had chastised Roger for only giving it 2 ½ stars! Some of the special guests included Oprah regular Dr. Laura Berman, former Blackhawk Reid Simpson, Chaz Ebert, Michigan Avenue Magazine publisher Dan Uslan, Sun-Times columnist Laura Washington and Chicago Urban League President, Cheryle Jackson. The movie night was sponsored by Level 1 (whose CEO Thomas McElroy is a self-proclaimed trekkie) and by IndieVest, an independent film production company. Many thanks to Mitch Canoff for the wonderful photos you see here! Photos from top left: Karen Vock, movie critic Richard Roeper and John Scheinfield; me with Chicago Link Productions’ Brenda Sexton; Carrie Lannon, Steve Traxler, Carol and Jerry Roper; Megan Vidis and Joyce Kilburg; Charlene Gorzela, Julee White and Joy Cunningham; Anita Ponder, Darrell and Kim Hubbard, Chester Singletary, Thomas McElroy and T. Shawn Taylor; me with my trekkie husband. 

And now I have some very sad news to report on the celebrity front. Kermit is the latest victim to succumb to swine flu. Health authorities have a suspect. May he rest in peace…… Photo: proof that it's not easy being green.

A happy birthday shout-out to Chicago legend, Terry “Whitey” Pearson! Watch for complete party coverage coming next week! Photo: Terry "Whitey" Pearson.
 
Have a wonderful, happy and healthy week! My husband is going in for knee replacement surgery on Tuesday so I’m not sure how many events I will be attending but I will try to keep you all abreast of any exciting news. Say a little prayer and bear with me….
 
Love,
Candace :)

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