The Great Gateway.
The Great Gateway. Whata night, folks! This was Duffy Dossier’s first experience covering a Red Carpet, and boy was it fascinating … enlightening AND illuminating рџ‰
Before we get to the fun stuff, the celeb coverage and my selfie with Sinbad. Let’s talk about the foundation and event that made this all possible: The Gateway for Cancer Research,В a non-profit dedicated to funding transformational cancer research, raised $4.1 million at its 25th annual Cures Gala, “The Great Gateway: 25 Years of Illuminating the Way to Cures,” on Saturday, October 15 in the Aon Grand Ballroom at Navy Pier in Chicago.
Gala co-chairs were Richard J Stephenson, the founder of Gateway for Cancer Research and Cancer Treatment Centers of AmericaВ® (CTCA), and his wife Dr. Stacie J. Stephenson, CTCA Chairman, Functional Medicine.
FOUR POINT ONE MILLION DOLLARS, YOU GUYS!!
Isn’t that exciting and amazing and dare I say it … ILLUMINATING-LY inspirational? Yes, yes it is. So, now that we have the awesome details out of the way, let’s get to Alex Duffy of Duffy Dossier’s personal red carpet recap …
Mr. and Dr. Stephenson were the first to arrive.
First gal down the red carpet was The Gateway for Cancer Foundation President. She was rocking a gold sequin gown, with black sheer overlay and a Gatsby-themed headpiece to envy. I asked her what it was about this event and Gateway that keeps her motivated everyday: ” … to find a cure, everyone’s affected by cancer in some way shape or form and finding a cure can and will help so many families and individuals.”
Mr. and Dr. Stephenson, Gala Co-Chairs, were next. Mr. Stephenson wore a white tux, with some amazing details – smaller, gem-stone pins on his lapels and tie, along with the shiniest black shoes. His gorgeous wife (who was a fellow red head) wore the trend of the season: a silhouette (aka, see through) dress. Dr. Stephenson matched her husband’s white and nude hues and also wore a fab headpiece in keeping the night’s Gatsby-Gala theme.
Peter Cetera talking to Access Hollywood – Chicago before getting to Alex Duffy of Duffy Dossier (a la, ME).
Peter Cetera, of whom I needed to do a little research on! GASP – I know, I should know this rock and roll legend off the cuff, but alas – growing up in the home of a Top 40 Radio Disc Jockey didn’t educate me on such human beings. He wore a black and navy tux. His coat had this gorgeous yet subtle floral pattern that flowed back and forth from black to navy. I asked him who he was wearing and his response, “I have no idea.”
This is Ceelo Green’s fiance telling me how awesome her vintage gown is. And this is me in jealous disbelief …
Next up on the Red Carpet was CeeLo Green and his Fiance, Gia. While Ceelo *accidently* passed over me in the press line, his fiance – did not. Partially because I wouldn’t let her, because her 1979 vintage Oscar de la Renta gown had me DROOLING. I plucked her right out from underneath Mr. Green’s arm, asked to snap a photo with her and told her I NEEDED to know the vintage-status of that dress. Here we are:
PS – she won my best-dressed of the evening. I couldn’t resist.
You guys! I HAD to selfie with Sinbad! Two fly people right there …
Next on the carpet was my favorite of the evening – SINBAD!!! YAS QUEENS AND KIDS – Mr. Comedian hailing from my most prominent childhood memories from the 90s. First off – his hair and beard were more RED than I imagined … which means – we’re like, basically related with the red hair, right?! Haha, JK. But! I asked Mr. Bad two questions, 1) What is it about this cause that inspires you to work towards it each day? His response: Everyone is affected by Cancer. And when Dick (aka Mr. Richard Stephenson) calls on you – you come! The second question) Who are you wearing?
Sinbad: Aw, man! I don’t know his name. But this guy makes me suits and he’s from CLEVELAND.
Alex Duffy of Duffy Dossier: Sinbad, wait … are you FROM Cleveland?
Sinbad: Nah, I just know you walk into this guy’s store and he doesn’t let you leave til you look gooooood. I only see two custom designers and they make all of my clothes … there’s this guy in Cleveland and a guy in Detroit.
Sinbad was looking BAD (in a good way!), too … his button down shirt was tailored to match his cobalt-blue vest, blazer and pants. The button down boasted MANLY polka dots. He also rocked a fedora and matching blue specks. His shoes looked like alligators, but I didn’t catch the brand.
This is Katie Hayes (Duffy Dossier contributing writer and the evening’s photog) about to interview Carly Rae!
NEXT down the red carpet was Call Me Maybe’s Carly Rae Jepsen. My friend and photographer almost did cartwheels and white-girl dance moves up and down the red carpet as Ms. JepsenВ came closer.
Call Me Maybe was THE PREGAME SONG of our in college. We would play it on repeat second semester senior year all the while trying to ignore the fact that graduation was upon us and real life would begin whether we liked it or not, HEAVY SIGH and I digress.
The last mention of the evening goes to the one, the only: David Foster. The musical living-legend was the last to walk the carpet. I introduced myself as a Chicago Lifestyle and Events he said, “Oh I bet you want to talk about my step-daughter!” Okay, for one: confused AF here, I thought you and Yolanda (and have us all wondering if love really exists …) split?! So, Gigi’s still your stepdaughter? And for two: No, David Foster, I’m a professional! I’m here to talk about you and your involvement with this Gala!
Alex Duffy of Duffy Dossier: Who are you wearing?
David Foster: This guy in Canada makes all my stuff. *Pulls open suit jacket to reveal “David Foster” branded inside pocket*
Alex Duffy of Duffy Dossier: Oh dayummmm, David! Look at you. Why can’t we all have our clothes chic-ly assigned? Think to self: All my Mom used to do was write my initials on the tags of my underwear …
Alex Duffy of Duffy Dossier: So tell me, what is it about this cause that keeps you fighting for it everyday?
David Foster: (like his friend, Sinbad) When Dick calls on you – you come and you bring your friends. Cancer touches every individual, me, you (swoon) and all of these people in this line. I think we’re close to a cure and it’s causes and events like these that’ll do it …
xo, Duffy
PS –В Special thanks to Katie Hayes (also Community Manager of Grindspace – your go to for co-working spaces) for photographing, video-ing and interviewing during the event!
PSS – Ohmigod! And how could I forget about THE TENORS. I was only able to ask them who they were wearing. And I hate to admit this to you all, but I am completely blanking. They were jazzed about their shoe designer. Each of them was wearing a pair. They also DEF know how to work their sexy-sultry-I’ll-have-sex-with-you camera faces. MMMM, chills running down my spine just thinking about them staring into those red carpet lenses. Also, I think they liked me … рџ‰
It’s nice to meet you, too … three HOT MEN right in front of me.
Oh yeah? You guys diggin’ the red hair?! YA, me too …
Okay!! I get it, you’re stunned and captivated by my beauty. But PLEASE – one at a time.
The hotties and me right smack dab in the center of them. Duffy likes … рџ‰
