French Connection

THE PARTY Forty-five members of the Alliance Française de Chicago Woman’s Board gathered in the modern, window-lit Gold Coast home—a renovated former ComEd substation, actually—of Michele Gelman at a pre-gala celebration of their upcoming spring gala, Le Bal Magique du Maroc. THE PLAYERS Jennifer Aubrey, creative director of Sidney Garber, gala co-chairs Margaret Unetich and Suzette Bulley, Jocelyne Paul, Isabelle de la Vauvre, Jean Goldman, Gloria Groom, Tina Koegel and Robin Finlay THE SCENE Andrew Lawrence from AEL Catering & Associates, Inc. catered the seated luncheon, where tables were beautifully arranged by prominent floral designer Virginia Wolff. Neiman Marcus provided looks for the fashion show, and several board members modeled fine jewelry pieces by Sidney Garber. At the end of the luncheon, the ladies voted on which look would be a part of the main gala’s live auction in addition to the Chanel handbag donated by Neiman Marcus from its new in-store Chanel boutique. Photography by Cheri Eisenberg Photography