Chicago Sun-Times: Designs on fashion, fun and fund-raising

Fashionistas were out in force last week, with back-to-back fashion shows scheduled for almost every day of the week.

First was the 49th Gold Coast Fashion Show, profiling new designers B Michael, Jeffery Chow, Michael Kaye, Derek Lam, Monique Lhuillier, Tracy Reese, Shelly Steffee and Alice Temperley before a crowd of 1,300 guests at the Hilton Chicago.

B Michael was the winner with his sophisticated use of black and white in suits, dresses and evening attire. Clothes by last year's winner Pamela Roland opened the show, and Pamella DeVos, president and head designer, was on hand to accept her award from Children's Service Board president Jill Klusendorf and co-chairs Clare Donovan Morrison and Andrea Hosbein.

The Chopard Boutique displayed jewels and there were segments presented by Chicago's leading retailers. Aveda provided the goody bags for everyone.

The show raised approximately $325,000 for Pediatric Cardiac Services at Children's Memorial Hospital.

*******

Michael Kors presented his new line, MICHAEL by Michael Kors, to 300 guests; and later in the week, Marshall Field's and the Museum of Contemporary Art partnered to present "An Evening of Fashion and Art." More than 400 people packed a tent at Gallery 37 for a runway show of fall clothes by Tuleh, Oscar de la Renta, Sonia Rykiel, Ralph Lauren, Jean Paul Gaultier, Celine, Blumarine and Badgley Mischka.

I found out that many guests had already done their fall shopping, and I asked what their favorite purchase was to date:

**Desiree Rogers -- a 1930s peridot necklace and earrings."

**Phyllis Collins -- a leopard print scarf from Celine.

**Karen Goodyear -- a pair of round-toed leopard pumps from Dolce & Gabbana.

**Christina Gidwitz -- an Akris suit and a classic chinchilla stole.

**Terri D'Ancona -- a jacket found at Eleanora in Rome -- quilted and trimmed with Swarovski crystals.

**Caryn Harris -- two Valentino dresses and the same Akris suit Christina Gidwitz bought.

**Linda Ahlers -- a cream blouse from Tuleh.

**Linda Johnson Rice -- fur wraps in four colors: amethyst, peridot, pink tourmaline and white.

Dinner was served in Marshall Field's Walnut Room, where original pieces from the Baccarat Crystal museum in Paris were displayed.

They included a 79-light candelabrum created in 1896, a Philippe Starck crystal stool and exquisite chandeliers. Pink Martini played during dinner, which included lobster roll, beef, veggies and a trio of Gale Gand's desserts.

The big tree in the Walnut Room this year will be a replica of the tree in the White House when the Kennedys lived there. Caroline Kennedy will preside at the tree lighting on Nov. 13, the day after the exhibit of her mother's clothing opens at the Field Museum. The 2005 tree will be decorated with Swarovski crystal ornaments; the 2006 tree just might be covered with Baccarat ornaments if Baccarat's Brent McDaneld has anything to say about it!

Jackie and Ed Rabin and Kathy and Steven Taslitz co-chaired the evening, which raised more than $400,000 for education programming at the MCA.

Departing guests received entwined crystal hearts of a crystal clock from Baccarat.

*******

Green Tie Ball XIII: "Emerald City" was held up at the A. Finkl Steel & Sons plant with almost 3,500 guests packing tents bathed in green lights and filled with characters from the Wizard of Oz, such as Dorothy, the tin man and the cowardly lion.

More than 75 restaurants provided food for guests, and entertainment included music by Howl at the Moon, Elevation, Montgomery Street and the Paramours. Blackjack and craps tables were available. A live auction featured a chance to play golf with the Apprentice, Bill Rancic, and that went for $3,000 to Kenneth Vos; a five-day Parisian vacation went to Maribelle Grace for $8,500. Almost $70,000 was raised from the auction, bringing the total for the night to more than $300,000.

Susanna Homan and Brian Hynes co-chaired the party. Grant dePorter and Jerry Roper serve as co-chairs of Chicago Gateway Green, an organization that works to beautify neighborhoods in Chicago through private donations.

Party of the Week

The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago celebrates 50 years of serving Chicagoans with a dinner that includes appearances by the Irish tenor Ronan Tynan and actor Christopher Reeve at the Hilton Chicago on Tuesday. Call (312) 238-6013 for ticket information.