Dennis Basso and Margie Korshak

Megan McMillan and Debbie Markoff

Dennis Basso: A Cocktail Party

On Oct. 4, the eve of the 52nd Gold Coast Fashion Award Show, fur connoisseur Dennis Basso opened the doors of his Chicago store, located at 980 N. Michigan Ave., for a cocktail reception to honor
the gracious supporters of the Children’s Service Board of Children’s Memorial Hospital.

As the 2006 audience winner of last year's award show, guests admired select pieces on display from Basso’s current collection as they enjoyed champagne and hors d’oeuvres provided by George Jewell Catering. Some that were in attendance dressed in furs from Basso’s Fall/Winter 2007 collection. Notable guests at the reception included Felicia Ferguson Winiecki and Nancy Novosel, co-chairs of the fashion show and executive committee members of the 52nd Annual Gold Coast Fashion Award Show, as well as Margo Markopoulos, Jeanette Acton, Andrea Hosbein, Clare Morrison, and Beth Pagnotta.

The cocktail reception followed the next day with the award show at the Chicago Hilton Towers. As last year’s winner, Basso opened the fashion show and was followed by top new designers competing for this year’s title. Gustavo Cadile won the audience over against tough competition from designers Zac Posen, Rachel Roy, Phillip Lim, Lyn Devon and Tory Burch.

Although the fashions were a definite highlight of the event, the crowd of 1,300 people, some of which consisted of current and former patients treated by Children’s Memorial Hospital, were the real inspiration. The exceptional turnout helped raise $450,000 from ticket sales and $10,000 from pledges that evening.
www.dennisbasso.com
-Hilary Shaffer