MMFA BALL FOREVER IN FASHION
Noties, it’s the height of the fall season, and breathtaking events are partout. One of the most socially note-able — the annual Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA) Ball — recently unveiled its stunning 58th edition, proudly presented by RBC, under the co-presidency of Bio-K+ International CEO Isabèle Chevalier (attending with Christian Larose); Cirque du Soleil and Invest in Canada board chair Mitch Garber (with wife Anne-Marie Boucher) and Mavrik Corp. president Mark Pathy (with wife Jessica). Of course, the Gazcam was there to capture it all. Since the evening’s theme involved a celebration of Quebec fashion — Nuit Couture, exquisitely organized by the MMFA foundation — you can bet your latest Birkin that this one-time style-obsessed fashion reporter turned Social Gal anticipated a stellar soiree. What she (ahem, I) didn’t anticipate was the heavy rain — which mercifully wasn’t an issue, given the gaggles of valets armed with umbrellas (first impressions, people). As we all entered the ever-gorgeous Michal and Renata Hornstein Pavilion in our predominantly Quebec-designed finery, it was clear that fairy-tale event territory was on the horizon. The first stop, Champagne cocktails in the Hall of Bronzes, was a people-panorama of boldface-worthy names and Instagrammable fashion, topped by an invaluable opportunity to peruse the remarkable Alexander Calder: Radical Inventor exhibition. Post posh ’tails, the nearly 1,000 guests (a record-breaking number) glammed on to the Jean-Noël Desmarais Pavilion for the rest of the festivities. The party pilgrimage was rendered even more absorbing by the line of “human muses” in unique creations by the eve’s select designers: Philippe Dubuc, Denis Gagnon, Helmer Joseph, Nathon Kong, Marie-Ève Lecavalier, Markantoine, Fecal Matter (Hannah Rose Dalton and Steven Raj Bhaskaran), Atelier New Regime (Gildas and Koku Awuye) and Marie Saint Pierre. The gifted creatives were also the inspiration for the art direction of the nine banquet halls, each masterminded by an equally talented Cirque du Soleil squad under the discerning creative lens of Catherine Nadeau and Melissa Thompson. As for other spot-on event accoutrements: the themed menu, designed by super-chef Antonin Mousseau-Rivard and prepped by executive chef Baptiste Peupion and catering chef Hervé Dumont under the direction of Fairmont Queen E. catering chief Armando Arruda, was more than impressive. Entertainment was of the dazzling variety, too, featuring the entrancing likes of Les Muses Chorale directed by Xavier Brossard-Ménard, paper artist Miss Cloudy by Folio, and DJ Thomas, who attracted numerous members of the Young Philanthropists Circle to the Glass Court dance party, which kicked off at 10:30 p.m. Not surprisingly, guests were over the party moon. The A-list ranks included treasured guest of honour and Aldo Group founder Aldo Bensadoun, attending with elegant wife, Dianne Bibeau; Minister of Culture and Communications Nathalie Roy; MMFA president Jacques Parisien and wife, Johanne Champoux; MMFA vice-president Michel de la Chenelière; MMFA foundation chair Sylvie Demers, senior vice-president, TDCT and president of TD Financial Group; Nadine Renaud-Tinker, president, Quebec, RBC Royal Bank; Pur Vodka and Romeo’s Gin founder/CEO Nicolas Duvernois; and awesome advisory committee members Caroline Deitcher (with husband Marcel Aulls), Willamina Leus Martire (with husband Nicholas Martire), Julie Moisan (with husband Pierre Pomerleau), Louise Racine (with husband Pierre Shoiry) and Debbie Zakaib, executive director of mmode (with husband Alexandre Taillefer). Thanks to perfect partners including Tourism Montreal, Air Canada, Holt Renfrew, Ogilvy and many more, the high-fashion fête raised a historically high $1.5 million for the foundation. Foundation director Danielle Champagne and award-winning MMFA director general/chief curator Nathalie Bondil were thrilled with the outcome. For more pics and fête-tastique, see diaryofasocialgal.com.