Joffrey Ballet’s Couture & Cocktails at the Palmer House

Joffrey Ballet's Couture & Cocktails at the Palmer House

By Candace Jordan, October 1, 2009 at 1:37 pm

Friday night’s event at the Palmer House for the Joffrey Ballet’s Couture & Cocktails was the party of the year!!! The crowd of over 600 was SRO in the lobby for the glamorous Pamella Roland Spring/Resort 2010 show and it did NOT disappoint! The models strutted down the runway in the most exciting colors and fabrics–there was everything from daytime to evening to beach. Her sleek and glamorous designs wowed the crowd.

This was the first time a fashion show had been held in the lobby of the Palmer House and the room was awe-inspiring with help from décor genius Jonathan Ryan and lighting master, Dennis Remer, of Frost. Artistic Director, Ashley Wheater, and Executive Director, Christopher Clinton Conway, introduced the Joffrey dancers and they strutted their stuff down the runway rivaling any supermodel. Then event co-founders, Helen Melchior and I, introduced our gorgeous co-chairs: Anne Kaplan, Kristina McGrath, Shauna Montgomery, Ann Waters, Rebecca Besser and our Auction Chair, Leslie Hindman. I thanked our sponsors Netjets, United Airlines, Van Cleef & Arpels, Neiman Marcus (who introduced us to Pamella) and our media sponsor, CS Magazine. Leslie then conducted the live auction with Giuliana and Bill Rancic raising over $50,000. The Peninsula’s Far East Package went to Rhonda Sanderson, Pamella Roland bought the gorgous Van Cleef evening watch, the party for 50 in the lobby of the Palmer House went to Barkley Payne, the Pamella Roland NY Fashion Week package went to Kristina and Mike McGrath and the Chicago Package went to Steven Haislet, Victoria Dinges and Anise Wileylittle. Even the dancers contributed to the silent auction which raised $17K. Fabrice Calmels (who will be playing Othello in the upcoming season) donated a dance class for 12, Temur Suluashvili knitted vests and sweaters for a family of 4, Matthew Adamczyk donated a wonderful painting and Valerie Robin donated her homemade limoncellos. There was something for everyone!

Afterwards, guests danced to the hot sounds of gorgeous DJ, Donna D’Cruz (who had brought her family with her to the party), in the Red Lacquer Room. The State Ballroom was outfitted as a chic lounge with white leather furniture and the fashion show was replaying on a giant screen. The food by Chef Stephen Henry was a sensation and delighted all of the guests. This was the 4^th Couture & Cocktails presented by the Joffrey Ballet’s Women’s Board and it was the biggest and best so far thanks to the support of the presenting sponsor, The Palmer House. We raised $250,000 and are thrilled with its success! Thanks to all of you who supported this fun and worthy cause! (Photos courtesy of Bob Carl, Barry Brecshen and Caitlin Saville.)