Okay, all (!) of you T.S. Eliot fans, I’m not going to succumb to the “cruelest month” intro this April. We’re not in rainy London; we have half-caf soy lattes instead of PG Tips tea; and we have more than one queen, so there. And our social life is the opposite of The Waste Land: you look magical by moonlight.
Gem Dandy—Bvlgari Boutique Opening: The long-awaited opening of the Bvlgari Boutique in Union Square brought out the crème (and a little nonfat milk for contrast) for an evening of champagne, cocktails, and carats. Guests were met at the door with a “passport,” which could be exchanged for a monogrammed luggage tag. In short order, there was hardly enough oxygen for an air-kiss, as absolutely everyone admired the display of historic Bvlgari gems from the founding of the 130-
year-old Roman firm. Welcoming the patina’d patricians was Signore Nicola
Bvlgari, who received special guests in a private room apart from the fray. To say who was there would require a special issue of the Gazette, so let’s just say it was San Francisco’s Social Register and let you fill in the names. Guests dressed in the requested cocktail attire, but it was the gems that stole the show: Elizabeth Theriot’s diamond and emerald necklace, Dede Wilsey’s tempting turquoise, and Denise Hale’s magnificent Bulgari diamond bracelet, which she received in Rome as an engagement present at the tender age of nineteen. A gorgeous sapphire necklace with articulated diamond tassels was being assembled right there for the rest, who happily climbed the three flights of stairs to see the watches, leather goods, gifts, and gems galore. You half expected Marcello Mastroanni and Gina Lollabrigida to walk through the door, but instead were welcomed by charming Bulgari Managing Director Veronica Trenk, beloved Boutique Manager Daniel Diaz, and PR perfectionist Allison Speer. Counting the carats were the friendly and familiar faces of Michael Bauer and Michael Murphy, Alex Mehran, Jr. and Maggie Rizer, Jeffrey Weisman and Andrew Fisher, Lucy Jewett, Alex Chases, Diane Dorrans Saeks, Sally Debenham, Maria Manetti Farrow, Charlotte & George Schultz, and nearly six hundred of our favorite Gazetteers. Cheers!
Oh, Calcutta! Paul Theroux book signing at Taj Hotel Campton Place: The spacious Quigley suite high on the 17th floor of the hotel hosted noted travel author Paul Theroux, whose most recent book, A Dead Hand: A Murder in Calcutta, was celebrated with Domain Georg Rafael wines and Indian savories, the better to evoke where the mystery is set. Nattily attired in his traveler’s uniform of polo shirt, navy blazer, khakis, and docksider shoes, Theroux inscribed books and chatted with the literary crowd who assembled in his honor. In the background, a film of the princely palaces of India—many now welcoming guests as Taj Hotels—contrasted with the relatively spare but sparkling San Francisco landmarks just out the window. Theroux’s most recent San Francisco sojourn had reminded him of Charles Henry Dana’s 1840 travelogue, Two Years Before the Mast, which he quoted from memory: “This great city, on its high hills and rising surfaces, brilliant before us, and full of eager life.” Horn-rimmed types who were welcomed by charming General Manager Vikram Singh included David Armstrong, Andy Boroski, Joe Enos, Shirley Fong-Torres, John McMurtrie, Sylvia Chase, Oscar Villalon, Kathy Wiley, Jennifer Reese, Lisa Tsering, and many others who mentioned Theroux’s favorable New York Times Book Review, which had been published just that day.
Red Cross Paint the Town Red Gala: Although City Hall has seen too much red these days, the better kind appeared on a recent Saturday night to raise funds for the Bay Area Chapter of the Red Cross. Like its high visibility counterparts in Haiti and Chile, the local Red Cross chapter provides services in the Bay Area when flooding or a house fire strike, with trained volunteers bringing blankets, stuffed animals, food, vouchers and hope to those who have suddenly lost their home. A positive spin on the “disaster preparedness” theme permeated the event, with auction items—such as survival packs from chef Gary Danko, Delfina’s Annie & Craig Stoll, Captain “Sully” Sullenberger, DJ Hooman, and Senator Dianne Feinstein—that could convert a challenging situation into a charm. Dinner from Paula LeDuc was accompanied by coveted Lynmar Estate Wines. The consuls of fourteen countries attended, and Board Member Julian Evans, Consul General of the UK, auctioned off tea at his home to two lucky bidders. Board Chair Susan Atherton and CEO Harold Brooks welcomed the rowdy crowd, which included many younger socials and a cross-section of society as diverse as the Bay Area’s population. Waving the red flag were able and adorable Gala Chairs Roberta Economidis and Kelly Murphy and their committees, which numbered sixty strong (!) including Ye-Hui Lu, Dominic Phillips, Ali Cox, Christopher Contos, Sarah Lewis, Betty Ogawa, Beth Schnitzer, Theo Taft Schwabacher, V’Anne Singleton, Bahya Oumlil-Murad, Drs. Manjula & Patrick Noone, Wanda Alfaro, Chris Kennelly, Macaire Kilkenny, Elizabeth Grillos, and a whole host of the dedicated and delightful.
Fine Arts Museums Mid-Winter Gala: And what about that Junior Committee? “Sort of a San Francisco prom,” says one wag. Something about a young-ish crowd, a stylish venue, a fad-ish DJ, a tad-ish too much champagne, and a delish dinner makes for a swish evening. More than four hundred tuxedoed and coiffed revelers made their way to the ever-dazzling “Cartier in America” exhibit at the Legion of Honor. This is the invitation-only event many attendees appreciate as their favorite party of the year for its festive combination of familiarity and formality—a chance to dance and dress up among friends. Now in its sixth incarnation, the event brought out some of the best looks in town or gown. The female uniform? A drapey dress in vibrant colors over Pilates-perfect arms accessorized by a Leiber minaudiere, one of which was sold at silent auction for the benefit of the Fine Arts Museums, as did the rest of the evening. De rigeur accoutrements included a rakish attitude (men) or girlish glee (women). Sumptuous décor by Stephen Brady and Soiree San Francisco, and a duck dinner by McCall and Associates was washed down by magnums of Swanson Vineyard’s Alexis wine, named for the muse in the silver goddess gown just over there. The only disappointment? That tiaras were not in the gracious goodie bag gifted by the cute Cartier bellhop boys. In sparkling attendance were: Honorary Chairs Vanessa Getty with husband Billy, and Trevor Traina with wife Alexis, Junior Committee Chairmen Kathryn Lasater & husband Bo, and Allison Speer (in ravishing red) with new hubby Fred Moll. Karen Caldwell was thrilled that four of her dresses were going to the gala, including a regal purple on Jennifer Seibel Newsom. Cameron Phleger was radiant in her grandmother’s floral I. Magnin gown. While Boris Putanec was admiring Jeana Toney’s jeweled off-the-shoulder straps, Todd Traina took in Katie’s vintage Jean-Louis with appliquéd roses ringing around her skirt. Also ringing around the dance floor were Author Don van de Mark and SF Ballet’s own Damian Smith, Heidi & Caley Castetlein, Wheeler & Millen Griffith, Jessica & Jason Moment, Lisa & James Zanze, John Capizzi and Glenn Riddell, Lisa Sardegna & David Carrillo, and many, many more of the chic set.
Junior League Fashion Show, Through The Looking Glass: For the 84th year, the Junior League of San Francisco hosted its fabulous Fashion Show Gala at a luncheon and dinner at the Fairmont Hotel. As ever, the Cheshire cat-walk was covered with svelte league members who had resisted all exhortations to “eat me” 
and “drink me,” the better to fit into Trina Turk’s casual-chic poolside and party
attire and take their bow with her alongside. But their patrons were not so abstemious, especially for the cause of supporting the Junior League’s community volunteer programs, and enjoyed a superb meal before the Macy’s-produced show began. The event was chaired by Courtney Bocci, whose mother Debbie had chaired the event, and the able Fashion Show Committee turned out in droves (and natty dresses) to cheer on their own and participate in the time-honored—but very modern—rite. Clapping from the front row, with not a March Hare out of place, were Anne Marie & Stephen Massocca, Jane & Bert Inch, Victoria Yeager Sawyer & Adrian Sawyer, BeBe & Roger Trinkner, Nancy Fick, Grace Fickk Ghiselli, President Gwinneth Berexa, and her able board members Cynthia Wolfe Funai, Jenna Wrobel, Brigid Brady, Sally Gilligan, Andrea DeBerry, and many who would never be late for such an important date.
And just when you thought you were safe from the April allusions, here’s a little poetry to ponder:
April is the cruelest month, breeding
Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing
Memory and desire, stirring
Dull roots with spring rain.
—T.S. Eliot, “The Waste Land,” 1922
May the only roots you have rained on be lilacs!
Jennifer Raiser loves that Eliot.
