Everyone was waiting in anticipation. I've never seen such a bank of photographers and press people outside of NY Fashion Week but this was the scene at top Chicago designer Borris Powell's first fashion show since winning the Oscar's Designer Challenge 2011! I was privileged to go backstage before the show to interview Borris and there it was, the winning gown, BLACK SWAN, along with its cousin, EVIL SWAN! Both gowns were breathtaking in black with feathers and intricate beading. The winning entry, Black Swan, was floor length but Evil Swan was shorter in front with a sweeping train in the back. I couldn't decide which one I loved more! When I asked Borris what the feathers were, he wisely said, "Borris feathers, of course!" You couldn't be happier for a guy as sweet as Borris to be winning all of this national and international attention for his prize-winning creations. He had a standing room only crowd for this show that also included designers Jenny Dombroski from EvLove Intimates and Ariel Simone from Adrienne Yancy. The beautiful jewelry was by Paoo and the show was produced by Rose Mandel of Mandel Productions. There was also a raffle which was one by the always adorable Dr. Stacie McClane! She won a replica of the BLACK SWAN!!! I was so jealous and happy for her all at the same time!!! The beautiful emcee for the evening was Vince Vaughn's mom, Shea Vaughn, who is also a top fitness trainer around town. I am so thrilled for Borris, who had a secret up his sleeve when I interviewed him: Stay tuned for a menswear collection in the fall/winter of 2012! Oh, the places he'll go…GOOD LUCK BORRIS!!! (Additional photos courtesy of Steve Starr and Daniel Tomei of Tutto Bene Photography…please click here to see ALL event photos.)
The Baton Show Lounge celebrated its 42nd anniversary recently with a private party at the club, located at 436 N. Clark. The room was filled with silver balloons and congratulatory flowers from well-wishers filled every inch of the bar. The club’s owner and my long-time friend, Jim Flint, opened the club using beer crates with plywood as a stage and now it is the “tops in the nation” with the best female impersonators in the world. Over the years, the club has entertained many celebs including Joan Crawford, Sammy Davis Jr., Carol Channing, Dinah Shore, Kirk Douglas, Lauren Bacall, Shirley MacLaine, Joan Rivers, Madonna and, most recently, Janet Jackson, who brought 25 of her dancers to the club and they clearly loved the show. The night before, Janet had invited several of the “girls” onstage with her at the Chicago Theater to do a number…what a thrill that must’ve been! I introduced tennis great Jimmy Connors and NY Housewife Alex McCord and her husband Simon to the show and they LOVED it, too! I think it’s the best entertainment in town and, on this anniversary evening, a new show was presented to wild applause. The costumes (many by entertainer Maya Douglas) and choreography by Harrison McEldowney are captivating and a must-see. Stars of the show include Chilli Pepper (who has been described as a Chicago institution like the Water Tower except with better jewelry), Mimi Marks (“The Body Beautiful”), Sasha Colby, Ginger Grant (who brought the house down with a Lady Gaga number), Victoria LePage, Sheri Payne and Maya Douglas. Showtimes are Wednesday through Sunday at 8:30 PM, 10:30 PM and 12:30 AM. For reservations, please call 312-644-5269. CONGRATS AND HAPPY ANNIVERSARY BATON! (To view ALL party pics, please click here!)
The Steppenwolf luncheon salute to Women in the Arts was held recently at the W Chicago Hotel. The room was packed with high powered women including Maggie Daley, Donna LaPietra, Jan Melk, Nora Daley, Helen Zell, Christie Hefner and Leslie Hindman to name a few. Artistic Director Martha Lavey conducted a spellbinding interview with honored actress and ensemble member, Martha Plimpton. Kurtis Productions created a terrific retrospective of her huge amount of work. This woman is the real deal…Martha spent her whole live in film and theater and does everything – sings, dances, acts and is charming on top of it all. What a complete bundle of talent! Martha even joked about still living in the NY apartment where she was raised: She laughed and said, “It’s rent controlled!” The 200-guest luncheon raised more than $126,000...what a great way to spend an afternoon!
I am thrilled to be a guest speaker at the upcoming “I’m Every Woman” expo on Saturday, March 26th at the Hilton Chicago, located at 720 S. Michigan Ave. from noon to 4 PM. This event will cater to every aspect of a woman’s life, including health, food, fashion, fitness, career, finance and entertainment. The goal of the event is to empower and educate women on health and wellness, entrepreneurship and personal goals. Attendees will enjoy numerous interactive workshops including info for starting a business, time management, finding a work-life balance and more. Other speakers will include publicist Dori Wilson, Liz Strauss (CEO Inside-Out Thinking), Natalie Martinez (NBC 5 news reporter), Jessica Zweig (founder of Cheeky Chicago) and Samantha Saifer (Director of Marketing for CS Magazine). For tickets (only $21!), please call 847-722-9940 or visit www.imeverywomanexpo.com. For more pics, please click here!
Speaking of big events, this one will be a GIANT! The Woman’s Board of the Art Institute will host a black tie dinner evening to celebrate Mayor Richard Daley and wife Maggie for their extraordinary contributions to the arts on Friday, April 15th beginning at 6:30 PM. in the Modern Wing. Gala co-chairs for this event are Anne Nelson Reyes and Betsy Bergman Rosenfield. Individual tickets are $1,500. For further info, please contact Mary Lou Perkins at 312-443-3905 or via email to [email protected]. Proceeds will support the educational mission of the Art Institute which reaches nearly 2 million people annually, more than 250,000 of whom are school children. Congrats Mayor Daley and Maggie…you will ALWAYS be Mayor and First Lady of Chicago to me!
The much anticipated Joffrey Spring Gala is right around the corner: Friday, April 29th! I hope you’ve begun your search for the perfect gown and tux! This year’s event will be an elegant black tie affair as witnessed by the exquisite photo of dancer Victoria Jaiani’s legs on the cover of the invite. Co-chairs Wendy Chronister and Courtney Thompson have planned an evening you’ll never forget at the magnificent Palmer House, located at 17 E. Monroe. The night begins with a performance at the Auditorium Theater followed by cocktails, dinner and dancing to Rich Daniels and the City Lights Orchestra. The program will feature a tribute to the beloved long-time supporter, the late Dr. David Kipper, as well as a performance by students of the Exelon Strobel Step-Up Program. Academy trainees of The Joffrey Ballet will perform a new work from Creative Force: the Joffrey’s Choreographers of Color Award winner. There will also be ONE live auction package offered before dinner begins. It will be a seven night journey to Bhutan followed by two nights on Phuket Island courtesy of Amanresorts plus airfare provided by United Airlines, the Joffrey’s official and exclusive airline. Tickets are $600. For more info and to reserve space, please call 312-386-8921 or [email protected]. See you all at the ballet! Oh, what a night we’ll have…
A sure sign that spring is around the corner is the arrival of the Antiques & Garden Fair at the Chicago Botanic Garden beginning on Thursday, April 14th, with a Preview Party from 6 – 10 PM. and running through Sunday, April 17th. Co-chairs Katherine Buehler, Tricia Hagenah and Jen Kasten have brought together over 100 exhibitors offering art, antiques, garden furnishings and jewelry from all over the world. This year’s theme is “Landscapes Transformed: Gardens of a New Era.” Sample gardens will be installed by Craig Bergmann Landscape Design, William Heffernan Landscapes, Mariana Landscape, Schmechtig Landscape and Maria Smithburg with Manfredini Designs. Preview party tickets are $200 and can be purchased by calling 847-835-6944 or visiting www.chicagobotanic.org/antiques.
Thanks so much to Elysabeth Alfano, executive producer and host of “Fear No Art Chicago,” for the wonderful feature she did on me and my art collections recently. I’ve known Elysabeth and her mother, Nancy, for a long time through our mutual attraction to the world of antique paperweight collecting. I am enthralled by these miniature orbs of glass and have been a long-time collector. She also highlighted some of our rare book collection. Elysabeth’s show, “Fear No Art Chicago,” goes behind the scenes to take the mystery out of the world of art. Her latest interview with actress Joan Cusack and Joyce Piven is riveting! The WTTW Channel 11 show schedule is Thursday, 3/31 at 10 PM, Sunday, 4/3 at 12 PM, Wednesday, 4/6 at 10:30 PM and Saturday, 4/23 at 11:30 PM. WTTW Prime will air on Friday, 4/1 at 4 PM, Thursday, 4/7, 4:30 PM and Saturday, 4/9 at 5 PM. Thanks to the shows sponsors, LH Selman Gallery, Disaster Planning and Response Art Rescue, Chicago Art Leasing and Columbia College Chicago, for recognizing and supporting this hard working, talented woman, my friend, Elysabeth Alfano.
Don’t miss an evening of GLAMOUR when Chicago’s own, designer Elda de la Rosa, presents her Spring/Summer 2011 collection at the chic and newly stylish Allerton Hotel, 701 N. Michigan, on Thursday, March 31st. The evening begins with a cocktail reception at 7:30 PM and the show starts at 8 PM. (If you haven’t visited the Allerton Hotel recently, you’re in for a delightful experience! The renovations are GORGEOUS!!) Congrats Elda…can’t wait to see your latest creations!!! Guest models include ABC 7’s Diana Palomar, WCIU 26’s Jeanne Sparrow and moi! Show production by Tracey Tarantino of ZZazz Productions. Please RSVP by March 25th to [email protected]. For more pics, please click here!
Love and flowers go hand in hand when Macy’s presents two big events at the end of this month. The Tower of Flowers Show begins on March 27th and runs through April 10th. Macy’s Visual Director, Jon Jones, has transformed this venerable space into a garden lover’s delight. I can’t wait to stop and smell the roses! On Wednesday, March 30th from 6 – 9 PM, love enters the picture at the Palmer House when Macy’s presents an exclusive runway show featuring their exquisite bridal gowns. The show will be held in the magnificent Grand Lobby and will include makeovers, tablescape ideas, Landau jewels and tasty treats from Take the Cake! RSVP to 312-274-2506 by March 28th. Click here for more pics!
Well, this is the lowdown on Chicago’s highlights! I hope to see you somewhere fun around town soon!!
Love,
Candace
[email protected]
P.S. I hope you can join me for “The Red Hot Runway” fashion show on Tuesday, March 29th beginning at 8 PM at 618 S. Michigan Ave., Stage 2. This show, featuring 15 designers, will be presented by Columbia College Chicago and the Chicago Red Dress Party as a kick-off for the main event on Saturday, April 16th. Free admission! Dress to impress and please RSVP to [email protected]. (I will be judging so please come out and cheer on our local talent!!)
WOW... All I can say is WOW... I have known Borris J. Powell for over a decade and I knew he could do it and he has done it... I love you with all my heart and you continue to be you and do you... Love you much Len
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