Every time I’ve attended an event at the Elysian Hotel, the staff greets you as if you’re visiting royalty. And this is exactly how this grand space makes you feel. The event was The Black Tie Ball benefitting Common Threads and it was an elegant and oh-so exciting affair. Guests were greeted at the elevator for the champagne reception as photographers flashed away. Everyone looked like they had just stepped out of the pages of Town & Country. The Small Threads assisted the servers in passing out delicious hors d’oeuvres while the Elysian’s Director of Operations, Attila Gyulai, and VP of Sales and Marketing, Joe Aguilera, kept a watchful eye. After the reception, fellow co-chairs Danny and Ann Wirtz, welcomed the intimate crowd of 100. Then handsome Australian and former "American Idol" contestant Michael Johns took to the stage. His beautiful voice transported the crowd as the candles twinkled on the tables underneath the dimmed crystal chandeliers. It was a beautifully surreal scene. Then Common Threads co-founder and artist, Jesus Salguiero, spoke and told the guests how the idea for this amazing organization came about. I was privileged to speak about my experiences with the Small Threads as well as introduce Executive Director Linda O’Keefe. Her eyes filled with tears when she spoke about the Small Threads saying their creed before every class. It was a moving moment. The courses were all prepared by famous chefs including Ria’s own Danny Grant who prepared a starter dish of scallops and octopus served with a Fumet Blanc. Chef Anita Lo from NYC prepared a slow-cooked egg with kabocha, maitake paired with Podda Classico Lo Annisa for the second course. Chef Michelle Bernstein from Miami introduced her famous sautéed cobia with Malaysian curry, coconut rice and plantains. The dishes were all fantastic but my favorite was Chef Marcus Samuelsson’s, which consisted of beer-braised short ribs, smoked greens and sweet potatoes. An exquisite dessert made with brown butter, huckleberries and cinnamon came courtesy of Chef Stephanie Prida. After dinner, the live auction began led by professional auctioneer Jeff Brown. There was a Blackhawks Bonanza package that was so coveted, it was doubled for a total of $17,000. A Silver Sea Cruise with Chef Art Smith brought $7,750 and was won by my tablemates, Katie and Jason McClenaghan. Rob Katz, co-owner of Boka Group, offered an amazing dining package for 12 that brought $8,750. The lucky winner was new board member Margaret Rainone! After the auction, guests moved to the stylish bar, Bernard’s, to mix and mingle with the chefs and recap this magical evening! Co-chairs for this event and World Festival were Danny and Anne Wirtz, Rama Dandamudi and Merita Tan and Chuck and me. Oh, what a night!
The festivities continued the FOLLOWING NIGHT when we celebrated the Sixth Annual World Festival in the gigantic United Club at Soldier Field! Seven hundred guests came to sample the delectable cuisine of 60 chefs who came from coast to coast to participate in this fundraiser to support the much needed programs of Common Threads. The evening began with a VIP reception that featured a darling Small Threads Fashion Show (produced by Tracey Tarantino along with Melissa Gamble). The fun, stylish outfits were courtesy of Bloomingdale’s (thanks Peggy Lanigan!) and made the kiddies feel so very special. And to top it off (pun intended), local designers created hats for them to wear for the finale promoting healthy eating. Designer Elda de la Rosa’s hat was a nod to the importance of seafood in your diet: Her hat had a complete dragon roll on top with chopsticks and crystal eyes and hand beading…GORGEOUS! Handsome Richie Porter won this hat in the auction that followed and I saw him wearing it all over the party afterwards! Designers Paul Sisti and John Schultz found inspiration in a trip to NYC. Their hats were covered in fresh fruit and veggies with hand weaving details. John had the big winner for the evening with his hat raising the most money. Other participating designers included Jermikko, Miriam Cecelia Carlson, Lauren Lein (whose own dress matched her charming creation), Horacio Nieto, Jonnie Rettele of Nonnie Threads and Anastasia Chatzka. After, the VIP party, guests dispersed into the crowd for food and fun. There was also a live and silent auction as well as a performance by K’Naan, who performed at the World Cup last year. One of my favorite DJs, Sye Young, played hot, hot mixes throughout the evening. The after-party followed at The James Hotel where the chefs and guests mixed and mingled. Over $350,000 was raised during this two-day event. Congrats to Executive Director Linda Novick O’Keefe and her remarkable team!! (Additional photos by Caitlin Saville. To view ALL event pics, please click here.)
On this same night, Chicago’s first JW Marriott Hotel celebrated with its grand opening hosted by Chairman and CEO, J.W. Marriott, Jr. The event featured exclusive live performances by Emmy Rossum (singer/songwriter and star of Showtime’s new Chicago-based series, “Shameless”) as well as some of our city’s greatest talent including the Joffrey Ballet and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. DJ Kiss performed throughout the evening for 400 guests. Attendees also included Emmy’s “Shameless” co-star, Ethan Cutkosky, renowned architect Lucien Lagrange, plus everyone’s favorite man-about-town, Bill Kurtis. To view more event pics, please click here. (Photos by Mila Samokhina unless otherwise noted).
On another night, hundreds of guests turned up at the Chicago Hilton to attend a Fashion Show Benefit for Little City. Neiman Marcus unveiled the latest trends for 2011 from collections that included Diane Von Furstenburg, Tory Burch, Oscar de la Renta, Escada, Valentino, Vionnet, Vera Wang, Marchesa, Badgley Mischka, Carmen Marc Valvo and alice + olivia among many others. Gorgeous jewels by Lana Jewelry twinkled from the Ford Models' necks and ears. The benefit brought together Chicago's most fashion-forward talent to present the latest spring and summer fashions while raising awareness for children and adults with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities served by Little City Foundation. The event included cocktails and a sit-down dinner with fun raffle prizes as well. Co-chairs for the evening were Eleni Bousis and Susanna Negovan and the fashion show was once again produced by ZZazz Productions. Check out the fun pics by Caitlin Saville and Mila Samokhina here!
What a whirlwind evening for "Macy's Chicago Takes Off" at the Park West recently! Lido des Boyz treated guests to a variety of performances that left you feeling like you'd attended 20 Broadway shows! Host Murray Hill was fabulous and kept the crowd on its toes with hilarious zingers while introducing the fantastic lineup for the evening including acts that ranged from sexy Can Can dancers to Polly the Prancing Poodle and everything in between! Co-chairs Kyle Heath and Dan Paterno, along with a very supportive committee, introduced the sell-out crowd to over 130 exciting volunteer entertainers and dancers who included Molly Callinan, Kim Hayes, Frenchie Kiss, Michelle L'Amour, Midnight Circus, Kelli Morgan and Juliet Petrus. The Chi-Town She Devils performed along with Lily Bouquet, D'Manda Donation, DiDa Ritz and Teri Yaki. It was such a fun-filled evening benefitting TPAN (Test Positive Aware Network). A huge congrats to TPAN's Bill Farrand and Rhett Lindsay for their dedication and hard work! Additional pics by Steve Starr. To view ALL event pics, please click here!
One of my favorite jewelers and the winner of this year’s CFDA “Accessory Designer of the Year” award, Alexis Bittar, is having a grand opening party for his newest retail store at 1710 N. Damen on Friday, March 25th from 6 – 9 p.m. Bittar says, “I draw my inspiration from a myriad of areas, from antique furniture to vintage fabrics to old classic films. Pieces from the 1800’s and 1900’s were so beautifully crafted. I’m always scouring antique shows to find interesting pieces to sell at my stores as part of my vintage jewelry collection.” For the interior design concept of his Wicker Park store, he drew inspiration from a scene in Alfred Hitchcock’s “North by Northwest,” where Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint find themselves in the Drake Hotel. I think I could live in this jewel box of a store! Vivacious author Rima Suqi will also be signing copies of her latest book, “American Fashion Designers at Home.” To secure your place at this sure-to-be fantastic event, e-mail [email protected].
Congratulations to the six designers who have been chosen for the Chicago Fashion Incubator 2011 program! CFI will partner with the 900 North Michigan Shops on a pop-up store to celebrate the success of the alumni designers and to introduce these incoming designers with a dedicated retail store on Level 5. The Launch Party and fundraiser will be on Tuesday, March 15th from 6 – 8 p.m. Incoming designers include Concetta Cipriano, Shavonne Dorsey, Eric Kipp, Kahindo Mateene, Taneasha Prunty and Crystal Simms. So please come out to support our design community on Tuesday and shop the fashions from CFI designers past and present. To purchase tickets, $25, please click here.
Over 150 guests attended the First Annual Martinis and Mutts fundraiser hosted by Dominique Scalise and Cece & Melinda with Raymi Productions for the Friends of Chicago Animal Care and Control. Dressed to impress, guests were greeted with champagne, cocktails, Swirlz cupcakes and appetizers at Proof Lounge. Chicago legends Bill Kurtis and Donna La Pietra joined in the celebration with Chicago Wolves players Jason Krog and Darren Haydar. Over $8,000 was raised for this first annual event for the FCACC. I love any event that helps our furry friends!!! (Pics by Caitlin Saville...please click here to view more!)
The Four Seasons Hotel and Michigan Avenue Magazine hosted the “Definition of a Party” recently showcasing the key ingredients that define a good party. Four hundred guests filled the ballroom for an evening of cocktails, dancing and fashion amidst a clubby lounge scene created by Studio AG and XA. DJ Rock City spun the latest dance hits and NBC 5 meteorologist Ginger Zee served as emcee. There were Arthur Murray dance lessons, a fashion show from Saks Fifth Avenue, mixologist Adam Seger and creative bits from Four Seasons Executive Chef Kevin Hickey. Love the lounge vignettes!!!! Soooo cooool!
Hope you’re coping through the last gasps of winter…I am so ready for some sunshine!!! Here’s to a bright, happy SPRING!!!
Love,
Candace
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P.S. Town treasure Victor Skrebneski will have an exhibition of his photographic works at Julia Buckingham Edelmann, located at 1820 W. Grand, on Friday, March 18th beginning at 6 p.m. To RSVP, e-mail [email protected] or call 312-243-9975. Hope to see everyone there!
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