History Museum Hosts First Costume Ball in 10 Years

The Chicago History Museum opened the exhibit "Charles James: Genius Deconstructed" on Saturday. Showcasing 15 designs from the American couturier and explaining his garment-construction process through sketches and unfinished dresses, the show was the focus of Friday night's Costume Ball, the museum's first in 10 years. Melissa Hayes, vice president of external affairs at the museum, worked with the museum's volunteer council on the planning process. Barbara Siska, director of corporate events, liaised with the vendors.

"The Costume Council of the Chicago History Museum provides their volunteer support to raise awareness and funds for the costume collection at the museum," said Hayes. The resurrection of the ball this year, she said, was due to new council leadership and "a desire to boost recognition for the collection, which is the second largest costume collection in the world." Marketed through mailed invites, email blasts, and a dedicated Web site, the event drew more than 400 guests.

James's work inspired the evening's design. "The exhibition focuses on deconstructing the genius of James's technique," Hayes said. Decor from Kehoe Designs "was developed with the idea of being very simple and monochromatic. Blacks, grays, and whites were used throughout, with elements that were similar to or played off of materials and textures used by James."

In the area outside the cocktail reception, sheer black fabric stretched across the top of the space in a zigzagging, corset-like pattern. Spotlit mannequins wore designs from the evening's honoree Ralph Rucci, who attended and accepted the Award for Design Excellence. In the cocktail area, tulip-shaped highboy tables had black chiffon bases and silver tops, and were crowned with simple arrangements of white amaryllis. And in the dinner tent, large fashion illustrations hung on the walls.