Inside The Mid-Winter Gala 2011 | San Francisco Luxury Living
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Inside The Mid-Winter Gala 2011

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Photography by Drew Altizer. Published 16 March 2011

Twitter CEO Dick Costolo joked on his way to the 2011 Mid-Winter Gala that the last time he wore a tux was for his junior prom. He tweeted “I think this powder blue is going to freak them out”!

dick costolo

Dick Costolo and Loren Costolo

In such a fashion conscious setting, it was wise that Dick went dapper in a classic black 3-piece instead of wearing the ’80s prom special, and it’s a look he should probably get accustomed to. The new reality of Silicon Valley, at the highest levels, is that style matters.

marissa mayer

Marissa Mayer in Carolina Herrera with Allison Speer in Oscar de la Renta

A few prominent examples spring to mind: Google’s Marissa Mayer, with her penchant for de la Renta and Herrera, spearheading the launch of boutiques.com; Youtube co-founder Chad Hurley’s creation of the Hlaska line of menswear and accessories; Carol Tran’s founding of the Chic Meets Geek networking conferences; and the recent revelation that Jack Dorsey studied fashion at Apparel Arts in San Francisco before founding Twitter.

david sacks, jacqueline sacks

Yammer CEO David Sacks and Jacqueline Sacks

Chaired by Vanessa Getty, Trevor Traina, Kathryn Lasater and Allison Speer, this year’s gala (the 7th!) raised approximately $400,000 for the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco by bringing together the new elite of Silicon Valley (Sacks, Mayer, Bonnie, Costolo) and the younger members of San Francisco’s Old Establishment (Getty, Wilsey, de Baubigny, Schnitzer, Thieriot), creating a mix of people that was truly invigorating.

vanessa getty

Vanessa Getty in Michael Kors

This year, the theme of the Mid Winter Gala was the legendary El Morocco nightclub, a bittersweet tribute to the recently departed John Traina, who beautifully re-created the infamous black-and-white zebra decor of the club at two of his homes.  The decor by Stanlee Ray Gatti featured the timeless chic of the zebra banquettes (which made everyone look glamorous), and the iconic El Morocco palm trees.

Trevor Traina, Alexis Traina, Allison Speer, Kathryn Lasater, Bo Lasater

trevor traina

Trevor Traina and Loren Costolo

dick costolo

Reed Woodson, Allison Speer and Dick Costolo

Elizabeth Touw

Elizabeth Touw

vandy boudreau

Patrick Herning, Vandy Boudreau and friend

Mireille Schwartz and Damion Matthews

Paula Carano, Angelique Griepp, Allison Speer, Jasmine Slovak

The event saluted the wonderful OLMEC: Colossal Masterworks of Ancient Mexico exhibit, which is open at the De Young Museum until May 8, 2011. But it was the upcoming Balenciaga and Spain that was the talk among this well-dressed crowd. One guest commented that the dresses of the evening were youthful and fun but somewhat understated.  The reason for that was clear – the major statement pieces were being kept for the Balenciaga gala!

Leslie Thieriot, Summer Tompkins Walker

Nevertheless, we saw some beautiful gowns. Aside from the looks shown above, here are some of the other fashion highlights of the evening.

Connie Nielsen and Vanessa Getty

Jacqueline Sacks in Zuhair Murad

shannon bavaro

Shannon Bavaro

Elizabeth Touw in Balmain

Karen Caldwell in her own design, inspired by Balenciaga

Katie Traina in Nina Ricci

Mary Beth Shimmon with Marcy Carmack (in Lyn Devon)

Lisa Zanze

Kelly Grimes in Dolce & Gabbana

Carol Bonnie and Jeana Toney

Meredith Levy and Alice Cahan


Gina Peterson and Katie Page

Erin Hawthornthwaite

Lindsay Bolton and Brooke Reeds

Elena Madsen and Melissa Barber

Ann Ferrell Millham, Susan Dunlevy, Maryam Muduroglu

Hayla Schutt, Stephanie Plexico, Evie Simon


Linle Froeb and Kate Harbin


Victoria Raiser and Jennifer Raiser

Marissa Mayer, Sloan Barnett, Leslie Thieriot

Christie’s Los Angeles auctioneer, Andrea Fiuczynski

juliet de baubigny
Juliet de Baubigny in Andrew Gn

And as for the men, Dick Costolo wasn’t the only guy to rise sartorially to the occasion. More than a few heads were turned when these delightful duos dashed into the room!

Lindsay Bolton and Aurelian Lis

Suzanne Levit, in Karen Caldwell, with George Bolton

Shonaree Michael, Richard Lawson and Polly Lawson

Reed Woodson and Serena Perkins

Erin Cowan and Matthew Cowan

Bandel Carano and Paula Carano

Kate Sheridan Chung and David Chung

Stephanie Unger and Maxx Traina

Jessica Moment and Jason Moment

Sobia Shaikh, in Balenciaga, with Nadir Shaikh

Justin Fichelson, Cameron Phleger

Justin Fichelson and Cameron Phleger

Gus Spanos, Marta Scattini, Kimberly Miller, Michael Polenske

Ryan Simon and Evie Simon

Patrick Herning and Vandy Boudreau

John Lowenberg and Erin Lowenberg

Terri Mino, John Capizzi

Terri Mino and John Capizzi

Heather Henson and Gary Friedman

Alyson Jackson, in Karen Caldwell, with Brad Harrington and…

The best news of the evening was that Brad Harrington and Alyson Jackson, whom in 2009 we declared “the hottest young couple on the San Francisco social scene,” have announced their engagement. We wish them well!

Katie Traina, Todd Traina and Alexis Traina

Laura Rockwell and Jorge Maumer

Erin Lowenberg, Jenna Hunt and Jennifer Ritchey

Elizabeth Funk, Allison Speer, Deborah Lee Minor and Jim Justice

Gary Maguire, Natalie Maguire, Michelle Cardinal and Chris Cardinal

First Republic, BVLGARI, Sotheby’s, Porsche Design, and Nordstrom were the event sponsors while Grey Goose Vodka, and Swanson Vineyards were the alcohol sponsors. It was an evening not only of fashion, fun and fundraising, but also of family and enduring friendships.

Andrea Schnitzer and Elizabeth Touw

Past Coverage: Mid-Winter Gala 2010 [sfluxe.com]
Past Coverage: Mid-Winter Gala 2009 [sfluxe.com]
Past Coverage: Mid-Winter Gala 2008 [sfluxe.com]
Past Coverage: Mid-Winter Gala 2007 [sfluxe.com]

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