Green Tie Ball XVI co-chairs Jon Landan, Philip Sylvestor, Julie Darling and Bill Johnson

Ian Ziering from “Dancing with the Stars” and “ Beverly Hills 90210”

left: Bert, Kathy Hart, Joann DePorter, Grant DePorter right: Green Tie Atmosphere

Green with Envy!

Throughout the week of September 10th, mannequins in Chicago’s top department stores were swathed in satiny green, and dapper men combed Michigan Avenue for emerald-hued bowties. The 16th annual Green Tie Ball, held at Northerly Island on Saturday, September 15th, had the city’s social circuit going green in keeping with the annual bash’s theme. Each year, the ultra-hot fundraiser benefits Chicago’s Gateway Green, a non-profit organization dedicated to beautifying the city.

Julie Darling, who co-chaired the evening along with Chicago notables like Ted Widen and Mark Klemen, sported one of the evening’s most envy-inducing ensembles. And even some lower-than-expected temperatures didn’t detract from her pulled-together look: “As we know the weather wasn’t cooperating and it was about 55 degrees,” the PR guru remarked when
Factio questioned her about her choice of dress for the evening. “As a rule of thumb, I dress practical and classic. So, (for the Green Tie Ball) my choice was a Hugo Boss, heavy gauge cotton twill, strapless A-line gown.” How did she pull off the evening’s signature hue? “Green came in with accessories with a celadon green silk and black velvet wrap,” Darling says.“
Jewelry was on loan. (I wore) a lariat by Alyse Ziede who is a Chicago-based designer. I borrowed it from my fabulous Interior Designer friend Sally Elstad …and it matched my wrap perfectly.” Chicago Scene’s Corey Sprindis Widen also took the cold into account when getting gussied up for the evening: “I wore a hot pink Trina Turk coat because it was freezing cold,” she tells Factio, adding that: “Ted wore long johns under his tux!”

The evening kicked off with an early-evening VIP reception. Top-ticket holders grabbed champagne from bars scattered across Northerly Island’s Charter One Pavilion, then checked out the spinning prowess of Miami’s DJ Gunars. Gourmands love the Green Tie Ball for its famous array of dishes from restaurants throughout the city. This year’s event featured edible offerings from Le Colonial, Old Town’s Adobo Grill, Jerry Kleiner’s Carnivale, Emerald Loop Bar and Grill, Chicago Firehouse Restaurant and Cuatro. A Toro-filled dish from La Pomme Rouge inspired Factio editor Melissa Maynard to declare:
“this is a kaleidoscope of flavors!”As the evening wore on, partygoers donned halos or devil horns that were being handed out in honor of the evening’s Garden of Good and Evil theme. “I think the horns and halos were simply a scream that everyone loved!” Julie Darling said.

Though it came with a hefty dose of fun, the Green Tie ball has serious issues at heart:
“(Gateway Green) does a great deal of good in many areas,” Darling explains. “First, it helps with the environment by planting the trees, shrubs and flowers. Also, the organization helps economic development for the city.” By contributing to the city’s beautification, Darling credits the Gateway green with giving visitors “an amazing first impression of Chicago” as soon as they roll into town. Plus, she adds: “for a fun side note, keeping the highways clean and beautiful helps with driver fatigue. It gives us something stimulating to look at.”The event raised nearly $500,000 for Gateway Green. The Horseshoe Casino’s Poker Tournament, won by Chicago’s Kent Taylor, brought in $15,000.
-Jennifer Berg