@Miss Bigelow

Honoring designer Jason Wu.

The San Francisco Ballet Auxiliary relaunched its benefit fashion show, after a four-hear hiatus, March 20 at Bently Reserve with a star turn by designer Jason Wu. For the event, presented by Sam Malouf’s eponymous Authentic Luxury in Burlingame, Gloria Malouf persuaded Wu to present his Fall 2019 Collection with a mix of “retrospective” gowns from his past 10 years.

A mere 36, Wu admits “retrospective” might be premature. He’s the Taiwaneseborn New York fashion prodigy-designer who was famously tapped by former first lady Michelle Obama to design her first, and second, presidential inauguration gowns.

“In terms of a museum show, I’m still a bit young and probably need another 20, 30 years,” Wu says, with a laugh. “But to make this show unique and exciting, I shared with the audience pieces I’ve loved — more like a greatest hits — that reveal the evolution of Jason Wu and how I got to 2019.”

That Wu managed to get here was another revelation: His fall collection debuted last month in New York during Fashion Week along with the launch of his Velvet Rouge parfum. And on the same day as his Ballet show, Wu’s Spring Collection for Eloquii dropped — his second collaboration with this plus-size women’s line.

“Sizing exclusivity is an important topic now,” says Wu, of his collaboration. “I’ve always been inspired by 1950s design highlighting a womanly hourglass figure, so it’s easy for me to translate my designs into all different sizes. And it’s thrilling more people can enjoy my work.”

Led by fashion show chairwoman Andi Valo-Espina and Ballet Auxiliary President Ann Baer, the event was cleverly revamped from a staid sit-down lunch into a sort of fashion fair. Post-show, guests beelined to shop Wu fashions at a Malouf pop-up as the catwalk gave way to food carts serving McCalls sips and nibbles.

For the 250 guests who raised funds for Ballet community programs and Ballet School student scholarships, Wu and his flouncy, femme and intricately feathered gowns didn’t disappoint.

“It’s so important to support the arts; I’ve been inspired by the ballet since I was young,” Wu gushed. “Beauty is still alive and important.

Life is not just about Instagram selfies.”

Bear hug: Well-dressed kids recently caromed around the Getty manse during Snuggly Soiree, an elegant carnival of cakewalks and corn dogs (served from silver platters) that raised almost $250K for the Glogau Teddy Bear Rescue Fund.

Founded in 2006 by Dr. Richard Glogau and his wife, Pam Glogau, this fund has raised some $2.8 million to provide basic comforts (including transportation, cafeteria meals, seeing-eye dogs, medications, teddy bears and, sadly, even funerals) for families and pediatric patients receiving treatment at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals.

The couple were inspired when their son, Gordon Glogau, received orthopedic treatment at UCSF during his early years of life.

“We noticed nurses frequently passing the hat to pick up the cost for things not covered by insurance. We’ve bailed out thousands of people in the middle of the night. It’s hard to believe we’ve

Catherine Bigelow / Special to The Chronicle Jason Wu presents his Fall 2019 Collection and favorite gowns at the S.F. Ballet Auxiliary fashion show.

Catherine Bigelow / Special to The Chronicle Benioff Family Advisory Council member Samareen Shami (left) with Snuggly Soiree founders Dr. Rick Glogau and his wife, Pam Glogau. almost burned through $3 million,” said Dr. Glogau. “But this need never stops. And it’s part of what make UCSF a leader not only in top scientific care but also humane care.”

Catherine Bigelow / Special to The Chronicle S.F. Ballet Auxiliary Fashion show co-chairs Patricia Ivancich Dassios (left) , President Ann Baer and Andrea Valo-Espina at the benefit.

Drew Altizer / Drew Altizer Photography Fashion designer Jason Wu addresses the crowd at the S.F. Ballet Auxiliary Fashion show benefit at Bently Reserve.

Catherine Bigelow / Special to The Chronicle Gordon Glogau (left), former NFL champ Lorenzo Neal and UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals CEO Mark Laret.

Drew Altizer / Drew Altizer Photography Gloria and Sam Malouf at the S.F. Ballet Auxiliary Fashion show, presented by Sam Malouf Authentic Luxury.