On Wednesday night, more than 400 Steppenwolf Auxiliary Council members, retail professionals, and fashion fans crowded into the Gold Coast's Murphy Auditorium to meet the man of the hour—fashion designer Zac Posen. The occasion was a showing of his fall 2008 collection that served as a stylish kick-off party for Steppenwolf's Red or White Ball, the theater company's annual fund-raiser, which takes place May 30 at the Chicago Illuminating Company.
Saks Fifth Avenue manager of special events Nena Ivon coordinated the event and chose Murphy Auditorium for the party. The building, built in the 1920s in the French Renaissance style reminiscent of Notre Dame, provided a dramatic backdrop to the cocktail reception and ensuing fashion show, with an ornate stained-glass window located directly behind the runway and intricately carved seats lining the back wall.High-top cocktail tables draped in black silk and topped with votive candles in smoky amber glass and crimson-hued flowers set a moody feel to match the rather goth surroundings. Passed hors d'oeuvres from Jewell Events Catering included asparagus spears wrapped in wheat bread, crab and corn enveloped in a tiny crepe, and turkey sandwiches in pastry dough served in wax paper. Guests sipped flutes of Moët & Chandon champagne (one of the evening's sponsors) from passed trays as well as from the two bars set up on opposite sides of the slender space.
Posen worked the room throughout the cocktail reception, shaking hands and taking photos with guests. Around 8 p.m., the crowd hushed as models took to the catwalk, and Posen took his bows around 8:20 p.m.
Saks Fifth Avenue manager of special events Nena Ivon coordinated the event and chose Murphy Auditorium for the party. The building, built in the 1920s in the French Renaissance style reminiscent of Notre Dame, provided a dramatic backdrop to the cocktail reception and ensuing fashion show, with an ornate stained-glass window located directly behind the runway and intricately carved seats lining the back wall.High-top cocktail tables draped in black silk and topped with votive candles in smoky amber glass and crimson-hued flowers set a moody feel to match the rather goth surroundings. Passed hors d'oeuvres from Jewell Events Catering included asparagus spears wrapped in wheat bread, crab and corn enveloped in a tiny crepe, and turkey sandwiches in pastry dough served in wax paper. Guests sipped flutes of Moët & Chandon champagne (one of the evening's sponsors) from passed trays as well as from the two bars set up on opposite sides of the slender space.
Posen worked the room throughout the cocktail reception, shaking hands and taking photos with guests. Around 8 p.m., the crowd hushed as models took to the catwalk, and Posen took his bows around 8:20 p.m.
