THE MODERN WING OPENING GALA!

I knew when I received the unique invitation that this opening event was not going to be ordinary. The heavily padded greige invitation with a design by Renzo Piano on the front measured 8" X 8 ½"  and was elegant in its simplicity. It announced the Modern Wing Opening Gala of the Art Institute which was presented by the Board of Trustees and the Women’s Board of the Art Institute of Chicago. Table level prices were $25,000 for the Modern Patron, $50,000 for the Modern Benefactor and to host the Modern Wing Opening cost a cool  $100,000. Individual tickets were $2,500 each. Gala chairs were Francie Comer, Caryn Harris, Judy Keller and Maureen Dwyer Smith. A friend asked me if I didn’t think this ticket price was outrageous in this stressed economy and I told her, “Yes, I think it’s outrageous and I can’t wait to go!” And it did NOT disappoint. Approximately 1,100 guests sipped champagne and cocktails in the massive rotunda. Mary Frey was there capturing all of the glamour and believe me, there was plenty of it.  Men and women in all manner of dress—short, long, pants, ballgowns, incredible jewels (real and not real). The common denominator for dress was all out DRAMA! Everywhere you looked was a vision worthy of Paris Vogue. After cocktails, we were all ushered down Monroe Street under a tented tunnel to Grant Park where there was a giant glass tent that looked like an oversized sparkling Tavern on the Green as you got closer. Inside, expert catering by George Jewell made the event even more perfect. I even saw George helping out and mixing drinks! The ceiling was hung with scattered modern, silver spiked orbs of light that overlooked a sea of white, crystal and silver. The Mayor and Maggie and everyone who was anyone was there enjoying this special moment in Chicago’s history. At the end of dinner, there was a sound and light celebration with people rappelling down the side of a building but, at this point, we were all on sensory overload and heading back to the Modern Wing for dessert. The entire building is formidable and intimidating in its scope but once inside, the collections overtake you as you wander from floor to floor open-mouthed viewing the priceless pieces. The restaurant with its huge sculpture terrace is gorgeous—all white with the most amazing views of the city. I went up in the elevator with its designer, Dirk Lohan (grandson of Mies van der Rohe) and he said the restaurant will be run by the Levy Group and he also thought the views would be spectacular and he was so right. The Modern Wing itself was designed by Pritzker award winning architect Renzo Piano and provides a new home for the museum’s collection of 20th and 21st century art. This 264,000 square-foot building has been a decade in the making and increases the size of the Art Institute by a third, making it the second largest art museum in the U.S. behind the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. It will house the museum’s permanent collections of 20th century and contemporary painting and sculpture, photography, and architecture and design, plus special exhibition areas, an education center, a bookstore, the gorgeous restaurant and dramatic terrace. The public opening will be May 16th with a couple of other celebrations including the Young Modern Party on the 15th which is sold out (ticket price was $75) and a members’ party on Friday, May 22nd. Chic modern guests included Christina Gidwitz, Jamee Field and Michael Kane, Julie and Fred Latsko, Martin Gapshis, Gretchen and Jay Jordan, Rebecca and Charlie Besser, Shelley and Bill Farley, Helen Melchior, Jay Franke, Leslie Hindman, Noren and Richard Ungaretti, Chris Long, Mary Lou Gorno, Caryn and King Harris, most of the Pritzkers and Crowns, Jennifer Perucca, Susan Babin, Tammy Kohl, Mary and Roy Cullen, Patsy Callahan, Peter Bakwin, Harve Farrer, Karla Scheer, Kathy Tazlitz, Carol and John Winsler, Terry Newman, Shirley and Pat Ryan, Jamie Dimon, Bill Wrigley, Susan and Lew Manilow, Kim and Miles White, Wells Kaufman, Ann and Burton Kaplan, Ed and Debbie Smith, Ashley Wheater, Christopher Clinton Conway, Fred Echyaner, William Kennedy Smith, Kate Gaynor, Barbara Pearlman, Pat Sheehan, Diane and Robert Levy, Tina and Bryon Trott, Pam Phillips Weston and Roger Weston, Andrea and Jim Gordon, Ann and John Grube, Maxine and Jim Farrell, Mike and David Fox, Judy and John Keller and many, many more fabulous people doing fabulous things. This new addition to our great city is obviously a must-see! :) Photos from top right: cocktail and champagne reception; Christina Gidwitz; Jennifer Perucca in J. Mendel; Patsy Callahan in Chado Ralph Rucci; Ed Smith and gala co-chair Maureen Dwyer Smith; Michael Kane and Jamee Field; Katherine Chez and Judd Malkin; chic couple; Mary Lou Gorno, Leslie Hindman and Martin Gapshis; Kate Gaynor and Chris Long (in Oscar de la Renta); Grace Barry, me and William Kennedy Smith; dining pavillion in Grant Park; Rebecca Besser; Houston's Mary and Roy Cullen; dining pavillion par nuit; Helen Melchior, Christopher Clinton Conway, me, Ashley Wheater, Grace Barry and Jay Franke; Modern's restaurant designed by Dirk Lohan; view from the Sculpture Terrace; designer Dirk Lohan with friends; Kathy Tazlitz; another chic couple enjoying the gala. For more photos from this enchanting evening, click here.

On Thursday, May 7th, Bulgari hosted a lovely cocktail reception to benefit Save the Children’s “Rewrite the Future” Campaign. This Michigan Avenue store was crammed with well-wishers, many of us scrambling to order one of the signature sterling silver rings created just for this occasion. At $290, it was the perfect way to be supportive and not have to spend a fortune. This also makes a perfect gift idea! It has “Bulgari” engraved on the outside and “Save the Children” engraved on the inside. Store Manager Lisa Kraus welcomed guests and was beaming at the wonderful turnout. I was told Ellen DeGeneres gave a ring to each member of her studio audience….nice! The event was catered by Jon Wool of Finesse Cuisine. A wonderful event for a very worthy cause! Photos from top left: Robin Mucha, store manager Lisa Kraus and Adrienne Brown; Sean Eshaghy and Courtney Kennedy; Save the Children ring presentation; Megan McMillan.
 
Graham Kostic did it again! His “Glossed & Found” party at Galleria Unico brought out a fun-loving crowd to this unique Gold Coast venue at 44 E. Superior St. Guests included Paul Sherman, Lynne Bredfeldt, Jon Wool, Jessa Brinkmeyer, Toni Canada, Lisa Trunda, Harold Zimmerman, David Rothstein (who has a wonderful organization called “Share Your Love”), Paul Gonzalez, Ed and Mike Howlett, Thea Robinson, Danijela Ricco, Jiwon McCartney, JoAnne Bush, Tanya Robinson, gallery owner Julia Jacobs-Sandford, Ann Brodette, Jean Lilly, Sandy Stephan, Rebecca Morga, Traci Kuhn and many more! It was sponsored by Votre Vu, Grey Goose, MaiChef Cuisine and Fig Media. Graham’s parties are always so much fun and high energy! Thanks again Graham! :) Photos from top left: me, Graham Kostic and Toni Canada; Tanya Robinson; Jake's Lance Lawson and Jim Wetzel with Amanda Puck; Joey Majumdar and Veronica Zepeda; Toni Canada, Heather Farley and Ellen Wesley. For more photos from this event, click here.
 
I’ve saved an article from O Magazine for several months and just came across it again.  It’s about an incredible website called Taaz.com. All you need to do is upload a headshot of yourself and it takes you places you might never have been before! You can choose a new hairstyle, change your makeup, add false lashes, try different hair colors and even whiten your teeth—all in the privacy of your own computer area. I tried all of the looks and it was a blast! Try it for yourself and see how you look as a redhead! :) There is also a similar site at www.InStyle.com where you can do Hollywood makeovers by trying on 100+ different star styles. (See more of my new looks here!) Photo: one of my many Taaz.com makeovers.

Big congratulations to my friend Carlo Mondavi on his terrific spread in this month’s Vanity Fair magazine! The article, entitled “Fortune’s Children”, showcases 38 heirs and heiresses photographed by Bruce Weber. They are all making privilege count and include Ivanka Trump, Antoine Arnault, Georgina Bloomberg, Lord Edward-Spencer Churchill, Armie Hammer, Amanda Hearst, Kathleen Kennedy, Andrea Casiraghi and Harry Morton. It’s a terrific article with wonderful photos! Congrats Carlo! :) You’re the cutest! (For more on Carlo and his latest luxury skincare line, Davi, see his interview on CNBC here.) Photo: Carlo Mondavi (photo credit: Bruce Weber).
 
I hope you have a wonderful week and please take a look at another video that will start off your week with a smile…. 
 
Love,
Candace :)