Howard Brown Health Center
LaGrande Masquerade Gala Fundraiser, which is the annual benefit for the Howard Brown Health Center, was held at the Chicago Hilton. The word Masquerade is defined as a party, dance or other festive gathering of persons wearing masks and often elegant, historical, or fantastic costumes. It was Classic’s goal to “dress” the tables in costumes that went along with this meaning.
The evening began in the Boulevard Room, where we alternated peacock bichon and rust lamour cloths over black polyester skirting with black canvas director chairs. Here guests could enjoy a cocktail while receiving their masquerade accessories. Guests were then lead to the Normandy Lounge for the cocktail reception, live entertainment and silent auction. The highboys were covered in eggplant bichon cloths to coordinate with the carpet. Runners and squares of white polyester were used for the silent auction tables along with a spattering of color to create a more dramatic effect throughout the room.
Dinner was held in the Grand Ballroom where the linen was chosen to complement the Colonial French oil paintings, 22-carat gold leaf mouldings, mirrors and ten French brass and crystal chandeliers. Since the carpet had a very distinct ornate pattern, it was decided to use solid linen with defined texture and substance to further give the impression of opulence and grandeur. A total of 63 tables were used with eleven different color combinations. To compliment the dining tables, 600 gold chivari chairs were provided with Victoria gold lamour chair caps.
In addition to the linen, chair and table décor, we draped the backdrop and the front of the 32”x18”x24” stage in various lamour custom fabrics while the front of the stage was completely covered in Victoria gold and illuminated with battery operated candles to create a “phantom of the opera” aura. Also installed was a black dance floor to finish the overall look.