A Better Chicago and Saks Fifth Avenue Presents: An Evening with AKRIS

In fashion the first Monday in May is a celebration of fashion with the MET Gala. However, before the MET takes place, in Chicago on a Monday in April the city’s philanthropist and fashionistas descend upon the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Once a year, we all mark our calendars for the annual A Better Chicago and Saks Fifth Avenue fashion presentation. This year the event was hosted by Holly Maloney, M.K. Pritzker, Trisha Rooney, and Cari Sacks. CEO of AKRIS Peter Herink mingled with fashionable guests as they donned their best AKRIS wears.  The evening boasts a lavish cocktail hour with the constant pouring of wine and champagne.

With the main event taking place in one of Chicago’s most exquisite destinations for fine art; there was no shortage of awe inducing sights and attractions.  Last year Peter Copping of Oscar de la Renta showed his collection at the Museum of Contemporary Art and the year before Jason Wu presented at The Art Institute of Chicago. Now in the fourth year of this wondrous partnersip, Swiss House AKRIS would present their F/W 2016 collection among Chicago’s beautiful collection of art at the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Fresh off the runway from fashion week, AKRIS showed their vibrant and African Savannah inspired collection. There were warm summer hues reminiscent of the hot blazing sun of the dessert. Patterns of zebra and cheetah clashed to transport guests to an African safari. As each piece came out one by one, we completely forgot that we were in Chicago because AKRIS brought the heat with their seductive collection.

For fall, there was no shortage of leather and dramatic capes.  The billowing of capes elicited the most oohs and ahhs from the fashionable audience. However, it was the evening wear portion where guests quickly whipped out their phones to document the stunning collection.

While it was certainly a night of breathtaking fashion, everyone attended to lend a helping hand to Chicago’s finest non-profits. All of the proceeds of this phenomenal event benefit A Better Chicago which continues to do good works in Chicago communities.

All in all, it was another successful evening with A Better Chicago and Saks

While the show is over you can always lend a helping hand and give to A Better Chicago. Can’t wait for the 5th annual evening of fashion and philanthropy.