VIP attendees had an experience like no other at this year’s Evening in Bloom, the charity preview for the Chicago Flower & Garden Show, presented by Wintrust March 13. The “Flowertales”-themed gala combined flowers, food and fashion in extraordinary culinary presentations and a high-energy floral runway show—dubbed Hort Couture—to benefit Bernie’s Book Bank and the Get Growing Foundation. For more information, visit chicagoflower.com.
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A piece designed by Debi Lilly of A Perfect Event
Photo: Mila Samokhina and Matt Mansueto Photography -
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Brian Floriani, Marilynn Gardner, and Mike Nowak stand on stage as Tony Abruscato gives the show's opening remarks
Photo: Mila Samokhina and Matt Mansueto Photography -
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Candace Jordan arrives at the Evening in Bloom entrance
Photo: Mila Samokhina and Matt Mansueto Photography -
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Candace Jordan poses with models from C5
Photo: Mila Samokhina and Matt Mansueto Photography -
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Crew of friends enjoying a night of flowers, food, and fashion at Evening in Bloom
Photo: Mila Samokhina and Matt Mansueto Photography -
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Designer Ali Martin's model wows in her floral couture
Photo: Mila Samokhina and Matt Mansueto Photography -
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Designer, Elda de la Rosa adorned this gown with a giant rose made up of a bunch of little roses
Photo: Mila Samokhina and Matt Mansueto Photography -
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Designer, Melinda Whitmore's phoenix inspired dress adorned with tulips was a show stopper
Photo: Mila Samokhina and Matt Mansueto Photography -
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Dress and headpiece by designer, Tami Smallwood
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Dress by designer Stacy Carlton of AIFD
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Every outfit that walked the stage showed off each designers unique style
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Friends Joe Monastero, Lissa Druss, Tony Abruscato, and Frank Sintich enjoying the floral fashion show, “Hort Couture”
Photo: Mila Samokhina and Matt Mansueto Photography -
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A guest enjoys exhibits at the event
Photo: Mila Samokhina and Matt Mansueto Photography -
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Local bakeries provided mini sweets and treats for the evening
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Mary Houpt Charles Matthews of Peoples Gas with Marilynn Gardner of Navy Pier
Photo: Mila Samokhina and Matt Mansueto Photography -
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MC Candace Jordan and Show Director Tony Abruscato arrive at Evening in Bloom
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Michael Brown, Johnathan Brock, Dylan Hradek, Wendy Hradek, Amber Eberly, and Kurt Eberly
Photo: Mila Samokhina and Matt Mansueto Photography -
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Mike Nowak and Peggy Malecki of ‘The Mike Nowak Show’ on WCGO with Tony Abruscato
Photo: Mila Samokhina and Matt Mansueto Photography -
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Models wearing designs made by Ramsey Prince of Asland Addison
Photo: Mila Samokhina and Matt Mansueto Photography -
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Sheryl Timmerman designed an ornate headpiece to accompany her floral dress
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The crowd at Evening in Bloom as Tony Abruscato gave opening remarks
Photo: Mila Samokhina and Matt Mansueto Photography -
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The first design attendees see before being dazzled by the entrance garden sponsored by Bernie’s Book Bank and built by Rosborough Partners.
Photo: Mila Samokhina and Matt Mansueto Photography -
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The Landan Twins having a great time with their pal Daniel Zenisek
Photo: Mila Samokhina and Matt Mansueto Photography -
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The Phoenix, by Melinda Whitmore, leaves the stage with a lasting impression.
Photo: Mila Samokhina and Matt Mansueto Photography -
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The Wizard of Oz characters in the Subaru garden called ‘Foresters, Outbacks, Legacys—Oh My!’
Photo: Mila Samokhina and Matt Mansueto Photography -
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Tony Abruscato dedicated the 2018 Chicago Flower & Garden Show to his mother, Judy Abruscato
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Tony Abruscato welcoming Founder and Executive Director of Bernie’s Book Bank, Brian Floriani
Photo: Mila Samokhina and Matt Mansueto Photography -
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Two-piece set by floral designer Amy Crum
Photo: Mila Samokhina and Matt Mansueto Photography -
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Victor Mitchell and Michelle Mudarth enjoy a cocktail while roaming around the gardens.
Photo: Mila Samokhina and Matt Mansueto Photography