Chicago History Museum’s Costume Council

Last Friday, in the windy city, CIRCA joined Chicago’s most fashionable at the Chicago History Museum’s Costume Council Gala. The evening was a celebration of fashion and Chicago history, and served to kick off the new exhibition, Charles James: Genius Deconstructed. Ruth Thuston, Director of CIRCA Chicago, and CIRCA co-founder and vice president Jeffrey Singer were there to partake in this exciting evening.

The gala was sponsored by the Costume Council, a group dedicated to building awareness and raising money to help the Chicago History Museum preserve and share Chicago’s history, including the famous costume collection (the second largest in the world!). Ralph Rucci, who knew Charles James personally and spoke of him eloquently, was on hand to accept an award from the museum for ‘design excellence and outstanding contributions to fashion’.

A highlight of the evening was when the museum auctioned off four of Antonio Lopez’ original illustrations of Charles James creations – raising an additional $15,000.

For more on the exhibit or the Chicago History Museum, visit the website: http://www.chicagohistory.org/


Images: Exhibition and Drawings, Courtesy: NBC Chicago; Diane Sprenger, Joli Burrell, CIRCA Chicago Director Ruth Thuston