PLUS A FAIRYTALE WEDDING; CHICAGO FASHION FOUNDATION'S CHIC SHOW; CHEF ART'S HONOR; MICHELLE AND YVETTE'S FEATURES; LOOKINGGLASS THEATRE'S "EVENING IN WONDERLAND"; DOUBLE DAVID TO WED; ABOVE THE RAILS FOR THE 606; WE DAY'S SUPERSTARS; STEPPENWOLF'S RED OR WHITE BALL; SOPHIA BUSH FOR MICHIGAN AVENUE MAG; A BEAUTY LEGEND HONORED; CUBS' BRICKS & IVY BALL; MARK MAY 1ST ON YOUR CALENDARS, DARLING VIDEO AND SO MUCH MORE!
The Art Institute of Chicago hosted a black-tie Gala to celebrate the opening of its highly anticipated exhibition, Ireland: Crossroads of Art and Design, 1690-1840. The Gala, sponsored by R. J. O'Brien & Associates and Patricia and John O’ Brien, and led by an impressive Celtic Circle/Host Committee comprised of national civic and philanthropic leaders, offered guests a stylish and memorable evening of Irish
cuisine and merriment, a private preview of the remarkable exhibition (that runs through June 7), and an Irish Pub After-Party. Governor Bruce Rauner joined Art Institute President Douglas Druick to welcome nearly 600 guests to the elegant event held in
Griffin Court of the museum’s Modern Wing. Seated among floor-to-ceiling projections transporting them to the magnificent Long Room in the Old Library at Trinity College Dublin, Gala
attendees wearing chic accents of emerald, mint, and shamrock green, enjoyed an inventive Irish-inspired menu. After viewing the exhibition treasures of stunning landscape paintings, silver, fine furniture, and beautifully crafted musical instruments, guests enjoyed Irish Pub-inspired cocktails and entertainment in the creatively redesigned spaces of the onsite restaurant Terzo Piano. John Bryan, longtime Art Institute of Chicago Trustee and supporter of the exhibition, said, “This event is a wonderful opportunity for our passionate community of exhibition lenders, donors, museum members, and civic leaders to celebrate
Ireland and this first-of-its-kind exhibition. We’re thrilled to bring this exhibition to life in Chicago and to share it with visitors from all over the world.” Ireland: Crossroads of Art and Design, 1690-1840 opened to the public on March 17 and runs through June 7. The exhibition presents a rich overview of Ireland’s
creative legacy and is the first major exhibition to showcase the decorative and fine arts of 18th century Ireland. Bringing together more than 300 objects – many never before seen in public – it highlights Irish treasures lent by public and
private collectors across North America. To add to the Gaelic atmosphere, the museum’s cafés and Member Lounge offer guests the chance to hoist a draft Guinness after they visit the exhibition!
Guests seen on the scene included David Herro and Jay Franke, Christina and Ron Gidwitz, Ellen and Jim O'Connor, Justice Anne Burke and Alderman Ed Burke, John Bryan, Francie Comer, Suzette Bulley, Shirley and Pat Ryan, Nancy and William McKenna,
Father Ken Velo, Gilda and Henry Buchbinder, Mary and Richard Gray, Fred Krehbiel, Cate and Rick Waddell, Laurie and Jim Bay, General Consul Aidan Cronin, Donna LaPietra and Bill Kurtis, Peggy Nugent, Dominic West and Shirley and
Walter Massey, to name a few. (For more info, click here).
I've been to quite a few weddings in my life, but I don't think I've ever seen anything as beautiful as the black-tie nuptials between Darci Lizabeth DiBuono and Phillip Anthony Pinello. Darci, a twin to Disa,
is the darling daughter of Tracey and Joey DiBuono and is drop dead gorgeous. Phillip is plenty cute, too, so the whole production looked like something straight out of central casting (the bridesmaids and grooms were equally adorable). The ceremony was at the Shrine of Our Lady of
Pompeii, a magnificent church that, on this day, was bedecked in colorful ribbons from floor to ceiling. The church held a lot of history for the DiBuono family with several family members, including grandparents, having been married there. Father Patrick Marshall was
an old family friend and made several cute references to the legendary family-owned restaurant, Tufano's Vernon Park Tap, during the ceremony. The church was packed, nearly standing-room only, with several guests trying to change seats for a better view. When Tracey's mom, Mrs. Angela Tarantino, came down the aisle, there wasn't a dry eye in the
house and it kept going from there. Eight bridesmaids and nine groomsmen swept down the aisle next--the ladies in luscious lavender gowns. The best man was little Frankie Pinello, the groom's darling son. And then the
wedding march began and you felt like you were waiting on a Red Carpet for a superstar, and superstar she was! Darci was a vision in a form-fitting, flowing Vera Wang gown with a discreet rhinestone waist embellishment. It was a "WOW" moment! She didn't walk to the altar,
it seemed she glided and then the ceremony and high mass began. Each of the family's departed loved ones were honored and recognized and it was so beautiful. The mother of the bride, Tracey, was glamorous in a white Lela Rose cocktail ensemble. (She changed into Elda de la Rosa after the
ceremony). After the "kiss", Darci pumped her bouquet in the air and back down the aisle they went! A cream colored convertible Rolls Royce was waiting to whisk them away to the reception in the Palmer House Hilton's Grand Ballroom following a
post-ceremony gathering at Tufanos. I don't have words to describe how glorious the ballroom (with decor by Kehoe Designs) looked. It took everyone's breath away as you can tell by the pic. With just two rehearsals, the DiBuono family, Tracey, Joey, Darci and Disa, entertained the packed room as they danced to 70's
ZAZZ Productions choreography, of course, as the Al Sophia Orchestra played. (And they didn't miss a beat!) (See cute video below!) A honeymoon to St. Bart's followed for the happy couple! Congrats to the DiBuonos and the Pinellos on a magnificent day and night for these two beautiful young lovers!
Chicago Fashion Foundation (CFF) presented an exciting night of chic couture featuring some of the city’s hottest designers at their 8th Annual Design Competition & Fashion Show on April 2 at the Chicago Cultural Center. The fashion show was directed by Rose Mandel of Mandel Productions, and featured a fabulous runway collective of emerging, alumni and established Chicago fashion
designers. More than 350 people attended the event, which was hosted by FOX 32 news reporter, Tisha Lewis. “Over the past eight years, CFF has awarded nearly $60,000 to Chicago-area fashion design students to help them further their education and pursue a career in the fashion industry. "We are dedicated to developing
and retaining local fashion talent in order to raise the caliber of the Chicago fashion industry,” said Lauren Hutchison, President of Chicago Fashion
Foundation. The design competition featured looks from 14 emerging designers enrolled in fashion-related studies at Chicago-area universities. Interspersed throughout the competition were looks from CFF
alumni designers including Elena Bobysheva, LaTonya Williams (Elizabeth Smith Fashions), Robert Noia and CFF 2014 Winner and “Project Runway” Contestant Alexander Knox as well as collections from several of Chicago's exceptional fashion designers including Mark Roscoe, Daniel
George, Gabrielle Zwick and Gidi. In order to be a contestant in the design competition, students submitted a design presentation board and supporting essay describing their original look. Each year, the student designers are given a theme to inspire their design. This year’s theme was “A City
Within A City,” and the looks were inspired by the historic Merchandise Mart’s current occupants or architecture. The 14 chosen finalists then got to bring their designs to life on the runway. The looks were judged by an esteemed mix of fashion industry professionals including Diala Joseph (fashion blogger), Rachelle McCray (host, CelebTV), Frances Renk (entrepreneur/philanthropist), Diego Rocha (handbag designer), Andrea Schwartz (VP, Media Relations for Macy's North Central Region) and Souk Supantavong (stylist/lifestyle blogger). And the winners were: First place: Stephany Munoz, 2nd place: Hannah Linder, 3rd place: Myra Chung. Fashion Business Competition Winner was Tessa Bullen. Congrats to all!
On April 21, Chicago’s own Chef Art Smith was presented with a special award at The U.S. State Department by Secretary of State John Kerry for his Israel - West Bank trip as part of the U.S. State Department’s Diplomatic Chef Corps. In addition, Chef Smith, a James Beard Award two-time award winner and 2015 presenter, will also
celebrate equality and same sex marriage/adoption by hosting a special brunch for friends and supporters on the weekend of the James Beard Awards in Chicago. His "Bring Your Beard Brunch: A Salute to LGBT Culinary America" will
be held on Sunday, May 3, at Table 52, 52 W. Elm. This brunch, from 10 am to 2 pm, will be hosted by Chef Smith and his husband Jesus Salgueiro. They will match all brunch sales with a donation to The James Beard Foundation. For reservations and more info, call 312.573.4000.
The Trust for Public Land will host Above the Rails, the inaugural gala celebrating the grand opening of The 606, Chicago's next great park, trail and arts corridor,on Friday, June 5 at Western Trail Head (1821 N. Ridgeway Ave., Chicago). The party will bring together Chicago's most influential civic and philanthropic leaders for a sneak peek of the elevated Bloomingdale Trail,
the nearly 3-mile long centerpiece of The 606. Built along a defunct railroad line, The 606 runs through Bucktown, Wicker Park, Logan Square and Humboldt Park. (It's named The 606 because it's the first three numerals of the zip code all Chicago residents share). The party will offer a "magical evening of unexpected surprises" as well as a lineup of local chefs including Rick Bayless and Bill Kim plus award-winning mixologist Charles Joly. The 606 will
officially open the following day with performances, art and a community celebration along the trail. (For tickets and more info, click here).
Lookingglass Theatre’s Board of Trustees and Gala Committee welcomed 350 guests to “An Evening in Wonderland” for the 2015 glassquerade. The gala celebrated 27 years of creating professional, ensemble-based
theater in Chicago and raised $700,000 to support the theatre's artistic and educational programs. Guests spent the evening at the elegant InterContinental Hotel enjoying a magical night of cocktails, a gourmet dinner with wine pairings
by Domaine Clarence Dillon Wines and a live and silent auction. Some of the evenings top auction prizes included an all-expense paid trip for four to New York City that included tickets to a taping of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and to the
Broadway production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. An all-expense paid trip for four to Los Angeles included a private dinner at the home of ensemble member Temple Williams III with Garry Marshall and ensemble member David
Schwimmer prepared by Chef Rick Bayless and featuring Château Haut-Brion wine pairings plus a visit to the set of “American Crime Story” with Schwimmer. The Lookingglass
Civic Engagement Awards were presented to Chef/Restaurateur Rick Bayless and Steppenwolf Theatre Company Artistic Director, Martha Lavey. David Schwimmer served as the emcee and co-chairs were Gerry Barad, Thomas O’Neill and Charlotte B. Whitaker. The Honorary Co-Chair was Nancy Timmers. The evening concluded with music and dancing to
the Dr. Bombay band. (For more info about this exciting theatre company, click here!)
I'm so proud of my friend, Yvette Marie Dostatni. Some of you may have met her when she's been with me as a photographer at my Tribune events, but what you may not know, is that she has a fabulous book in the
works titled "The Unconventionals", a collection of whimsical and thought-provoking images of people attending rather unconventional conventions across the country. Chicago Magazine did a fabulous 6-page feature on her in this month's issue
that you should check out! Her work is in the permanent collection at the Art Institute of Chicago and The Museum of Contemporary Photography’s Midwest Photographers Project in Chicago. She has also been featured in the New York Times Lens Blog. “I have photographed everything from the pimp
convention to the polka convention,” she joked. Congrats Yvette!!
Congrats are also in order for event planner extraordinaire, Michelle Durpetti! She was featured in this month's Modern Luxury NS/Bride's magazine for outstanding work by her company, Durpetti Events. She will open an event space in Rosemont in June called The Estate
that will seat 300 with a dance floor. Gene & Georgetti's Restaurant (owned by the Durpetti family) will open a second location in this same building and we just can't wait! You go girl!
For the Steppenwolf Auxiliary Council's Red or White Ball, more than 350 of Chicago’s
most influential young professionals gathered at Venue One in the West Loop on April 10 to celebrate this fabulous annual spring event. The celebration raised nearly $60,000 for Steppenwolf’s nationally
recognized arts education program, Steppenwolf for Young Adults (SYA), which annually impacts more than 15,000 students, teachers and families. The evening kicked off with a VIP reception that featured tasting stations from Chef Frederick Despres (Arami); Chef Diana Davila (Cantina de la Granja); CH
Distillery and Chef Justin Ferguson (Executive Chef of Ideology Entertainment, Blue Door Farm Standand La Storia Ristorante). Steppenwolf Auxiliary Council President Aimee Graham and Ball Chair Tanya Stanfield welcomed the crowd and introduced Honorary
Chair, Steppenwolf Managing Director David Schmitz. D.J. Matt ROAN kept the crowd fueled for fun on the dance floor spinning late into the night. The after-party took place at Nellcote in the West Loop. Jon Blanc, Isaac Colunga and Julia Luscombe
were this year's ball co-chairs. Congrats to this always inspiring theater company!
Beauty industry leaders from all over the country united in Chicago to celebrate the legacy of a local man from Evanston who revolutionized the business of beauty education. Leo
Passage, founder of Pivot Point Intl., was honored posthumously at a gala at the Art Institute of Chicago by The Beauty Changes Lives Foundation (BCL). The sold-out event was attended by 700, raised over $100,000, was a “who’s who” of industry and media leaders and served as the signature gala event for
America’s Beauty Show (ABS). The event’s location in the museum’s Modern Wing paid homage to Passage’s passion for the arts, particularly the Bauhaus principles of art and
design that influenced his extraordinary career. The evening's feature presentation, “Trilogy of Beauty,” spotlighted NEXTGEN artists, the beauty industry’s future leaders.
I saw the most beautiful ad in this month's Modern Luxury/NS/ Bride's edition and it
belonged to the one and only Derrick Taylor of Taylor & Co (floral/wedding/event designs). It made me gasp it was so exquisite! He told me the wedding took place at the Newberry Library
which was not even recognizable amid the floral fantasy!
A dear, sweet friend of mine is getting married soon! David Brandt, former Catering Director for the Palmer House and Kehoe Design honcho, is marrying a supermodel, David G! Double David
will be moving to New York where they will live happily ever after! (Follow David on Instagram as his modeling star rises!) #LoveTheseTwo
The Michigan Avenue Magazine Cover party attracted quite a crowd at The Godfrey on April 20. And it's no
surprise since the gorgeous cover subject was none other than Chicago P.D.'s Sophia Bush! She looked spectacular in an Elizabeth & James dress and Stuart Weitzman heels. Great cover choice Dan Uslan and JP Anderson!
We Day, the stadium-sized youth empowerment event will be coming to Illinois for the first time on April 30 to the Allstate Arena. The star-studded lineup of speakers and performers will bring together
more than 15,000 students from over 500 schools for a full day of educational speeches, inspirational moments and electric performances. Common, Jennifer Hudson, Selena Gomez, Magic Johnson, The Band Perry, Colbie Caillat, Babyface, Rico and Raini Rodriguez, Hannah
Simone, Lamorne Morris, Shay Mitchell, Martin Sheen, Marlee Matlin, Kweku Mandela and so many more, will share their talents with this movement of young people leading local and global change. We Day celebrates and inspires this generation's shift from "me" to "we"! Congrats to all and
especially to co-founders Craig and Marc Kielburger! (To learn more, click here!)
Please mark your calendars and set your Tivos for May 1st, when my next "Class Act" segment will air on the fabulous Steve Harvey Show! It's another amazing transformation that I hope you won't want to miss!
Hope you've enjoyed this latest edition and that you'll become a regular subscriber! Be the first to see the newest posts as they come out, my lists are spam free, are never shared and you can opt out at any time!
Love, as always,
Candace
P.S. If you missed Sunday's Candid Candace in the Chicago Tribune, here's a link to the Bricks & Ivy Ball presented by Chicago Cubs Charities! As you can see, EVERYONE reads it! :-)
