The Eighth Annual Driehaus Awards for Fashion Excellence event was held in what appeared to be Richard Driehaus’ garage Friday night at 700 S. Des Plaines Ave. Almost 400 guests mingled among Richard’s vintage car collection in anticipation of the fashion show which featured the designs of 25 students from five Chicago area art schools and colleges: Columbia College Chicago, Dominican University, the Illinois Institute of Art, the International Academy of Design & Technology and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Over $100,000 was raised and proceeds from ticket sales supported The Enterprising Kitchen, Graffiti Zone and Bottomless Closet. The master of ceremonies was WLS TV’s Linda Yu with a surprise welcome by Governor Pat Quinn. Extreme Dance Force Crew entertained while guests including Christie Hefner, Billy Marovitz, State Representative John Cullerton, WLS’TV’s Ron Magers, Maureen and Marc Schulman, Suzie and Ross Glickman, Patricia Besser, Mary Jo Basler, Richard Voit, Melinda Jakovich, Celeb TV’s Kelly Zink and Ryan Preuett looked on. The $5,000 first place award was presented to Hector-Javier MonArrez and the $2,500 second place award went to Danielle Wyman. Third place winner was Miriam Cecilia Carlson. The event was expertly produced by Tracey Tarantino of Zzazz Productions. Photos from top left: design by Adriana Gonzalez; Governor Pat Quinn; show producer Tracey Tarrantino and MC Linda Yu; the gorgeous venue; Scott Johnson, Julie Selzkovich and Gary Metzner; Celeb TV's Kelli Zink and Ryan Preuett. For more photos from this event, click here.
Gorgeous Jaslene Gonzalez, the winner of Cycle 8 of America's Next Top Model, and her equally good-looking brother Javier Gonzalez, flew from New York back to their home town of Chicago to headline a runway fashion revue at The Edge, produced by the MGO Salon. As the photos by Steve Starr show, she’s still gorgeous! Photos from top left: Jaslene Gonzalez; Jaslene with Edge owner Anastacio. For more photos from this event, click here.
The Service Club of Chicago held its annual Spring Luncheon at the Trump Hotel and Spa and 129 beautiful women showed up and showed off their gorgeous hats. The event was organized by the indefatigable Hazel Barr. The Trump Spa donated a one-month membership to the raffle winner and famed milliner, Loreta Corsetti, donated a beautiful hat from her line. The 120-year-old Service Club of Chicago is one of the oldest philanthropic organizations in the city and this year alone, they gave away over $359,000. There were a record number of grant requests this year (81) totaling $1.2 million. I wish we were able to give them all what they need but am happy for the success of the Philanthropic Committee this year led by the extremely capable and caring Saville sisters—Katherine and Connie! Congrats for the commendable work you’ve done this year and all years! (Photos by John Reilly) Photos from top left: Sharyl Mackey, Simona Groza and Cindy Burns; 2009 Gala co-chairs Kathy Crane and Cathy Smith; luncheon organizer Hazel Barr with friends.
Birthdays are usually a pretty big deal for most people but not for Terry “Whitey” Pearson! He had so many people who wanted to fete him that he had to put his foot down! Nonetheless, his great friend Marissa Rudman along with other admirers convinced him otherwise so a party it was at Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak and Stone Crab on Saturday, May 9th. Whitey is a fixture, legend, icon, you name it, not only around town but coast to coast and beyond! He started at WGN-TV in 1969 and worked there for 33 years as one of the best salespeople they ever had. He is beloved by many and happy friends at the party included Marty Wilke, Marissa Rudman, Ellen and Jim Roche, Sean Sheehan, Doug Cook, Jan and John Reardan, Vicki and Peter Walker, Julie and John Hendricks and Chuck Jordan among others. Photos from top right: Whitey Pearson; Marty Wilke and Marissa Rudman; John and Julie Hendricks; Jan Reardon, Marty Wilke, John Reardon and Chuck. For more photos from this event, click here.
Hold onto your hats for a very unique concept in dance coming from the master himself, Fabrice Calmels, principal dancer for the Joffrey Ballet, and co-creator Sasha Fornari! On Saturday, May 16th, we were privileged to be invited to the launch party for their new website, 30 Seconds of Dance, which was hosted by the Alliance Francaise. Around 70 lovers of dance showed up to see incredible live performances by Be the Groove (drumming), Kris Rhodes (hip hop) and an amazing break dancing number by Brave Monk. There were so many head spins I lost count!! Fabrice and Sasha scour the world of dance to bring you a unique new video every weekday of dancers and dance groups for your enjoyment. Check it out! You will be happy you did! The editing is fantastic and the dancing will leave you speechless….Good luck Fabrice and Sasha! Photos from top right: 30 Seconds of Dance creators Sasha Fornari and Fabrice Calmels; the stars of 30 Seconds to Dance; performers Brave Monk and Kris Rhodes; Be the Groove performers.
My favorite pet luxury store, Tails in the City, recently celebrated their fifth year anniversary on May 15th at Level Nightclub. They had a wonderful turnout and the proceeds all benefitted the Anti-Cruelty Society. Guests enjoyed red carpet photos, psychic pet readings by Denise Zak, pet massage by Pam Kuhn, pet caricatures, doggie makeovers in the Bobbi Panter Beauty Lounge, pet training consultations and exhibits from local artists Mark Lind, Mardon Ink and Curly Tale Art. Store owners Bruce Haas and Phillip Emigh opened Tails in the City in 2004. They scour the market for the latest in doggie couture and accessories and were immediately embraced as a fashion destination for canine-istas. Celebs including Holly, Kendra and Bridget - formerly from the reality series “The Girls Next Door” - all own some of their delicious doggie duds as well as actress Brittany Murphy who made this a destination stop on her way back from filming a movie in the Quad Cities enroute to L.A. with her pet Maltese, Clara. One of the best things about Tails in the City is the fact that they’re always planning various fundraisers and special events in an attempt to give back to their community. Their events support PAWS Chicago and the Anti-Cruelty Society. Great job guys and thanks for letting us all party with our pets! (Photos by Greg Szoda) Photos from top right: Brittany Murphy and Phillip Emigh with Brittany's Maltese Clara; Bruce Haas, Christine Rezagholi with Pixie and Phillip Emigh with Genevieve; Fantasia Haas with Ernie and Emma; John David with Junebug; the Smiths with Calamity Jane; Anita Wood with Vino; "Best in Show". For more photos from this event, click here.
There will be a special movie night premiere on June 23rd brought to you by Brenda Sexton of Chicago Link Productions called “Year One.” This movie is directed by Chicago’s own Harold Ramis and stars Jack Black and Michael Cera. Harold will be attending and will have a Q & A after the film. The after party for this event will be on the fantastic rooftop of the new Wit Hotel at State and Lake for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. There will also be a special tribute to Flashpoint Academy which is celebrating its first year graduates. This event is by invitation only so check your inbox and keep your fingers crossed! :) But don’t worry if you’re not there, you will feel like you were when you read about it all in CandidCandace! :) Photos from top left: Jack Black and Michael Cera in "Year One"; director Harold Ramis.
And now I would like to announce that the Tribune has picked up CandidCandace for their upcoming brand new website Chicago Now! They have picked 40 of their favorite local bloggers and hope to have 80 by the end of the month. It’s a hot new website dedicated solely to Chicago with something for everyone so don’t miss it!!! Photos from top left: me with the Tribune's Bill Adee; beautiful view from Tribune Tower.
As you can tell from this latest video, there is danger lurking around every corner so you have to be forever vigilant! Hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day! I want to thank all of our past and present military for all of the heroic service they have provided to keep us all safe. I humbly salute you….
Love,
Candace :)