Fashion Plates

Chicago’s premium tabletop boutique Tabula Tua partnered with adored designer Maria Pinto on April 11 and 12 for an elegant weekend called “Fashion Plates,” benefiting the Illinois Education Foundation. IEF awards financial aid to standout students of low-income families in order to facilitate their opportunities for higher education.

Held at Tabula Tua’s newly renovated space in Lincoln Park, the event included a Friday evening soirée, where guests savored fine wine and food pairings while admiring Pinto’s Spring 2008 collection. Guests hummed along to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s Lincoln String Quartet as they browsed the selection of dinnerware pieces throughout the store. Saturday’s afternoon open house delighted shoppers with champagne and delectable hors d'oeuvres, while mingling models showed off Pinto’s eveningwear.

The creative merging of tabletop accessories and fashion definitely made for a visually captivating space and artistic ambiance. Particularly eye-catching were Grace Tsao-Wu’s sophisticated selection of Parisian dishes and Hering Berlin fine china.

Bold, saturated colors and asymmetrical lines marked Pinto’s latest collection. Known for her creative use of sensual and simple silhouettes, her designs are available at upscale retailers like Saks and Barneys and soon-to-be at her own store opening in June. She is also a renowned favorite of Michelle Obama, who seems to wear Pinto’s feminine pieces in nearly every editorial.

Pictured from top: Model in Maria Pinto, Rose Lizarraga of the Illinois Education Foundation; Grace Tsao-Wu and Maria Pinto

- Grace Bahk