It’s not often you get an OG society moment complete with dress codes, along with a feeling of wealth that’s literally wall to wall — and it’s especially rare in San Francisco. In a city known more for its casual charm and tech-driven lifestyle, a recent soirée at Fort Mason Center delivered a black-and-white ball that would have made Truman Capote proud, even if some attendees broke the rules.
The 2024 San Francisco Fall Show — a four-day art, antique, and design fair — kicked off Wednesday night with a 42nd-annual opening night gala that was a must-attend for many San Franciscans of a particular social stature. And if you weren’t in that club, this party made you want to be: While the affluent are always on the lookout for expensive sconces, 18-foot dining tables, and historical paintings, the Fall Show also draws a fascinating mix of stylish individuals from the fashion, art, and interior worlds.
You never know what a $350 ticket buys you nowadays. Sometimes it’s a really corporate gala with lots of speeches and a wine-only drink list, but the Fall Show surprised me the first time I went nearly a decade ago. A dear friend who worked in the design industry was dating a guy who goes every October with his wildly chic mother. We tagged along, and it was such a memorable, fun, and uniquely San Franciscan gathering that I’ve been to it every year since.
I ran into the ex at last night’s celebration in proper SF form while searching for the caviar cart. Plus they had tons of dessert, sushi, cocktails, charcuterie, you name it; McCall’s Catering is ubiquitous in local fancy parties for a reason — they never do us dirty.
From the moment you arrive, the Fall Show is a visual delight. Event designer Riccardo Benavides transformed the entryway with a striped black-and-white carpet and sparkling chandeliers, and the sophisticated mood was set immediately by the four designer vignettes that greet partygoers upon arrival. With custom wallpaper by show sponsor De Gournay, the rooms were designed by Mark D. Sikes, Chloe Redmond Warner of Redmond Aldrich Design, Ann Pyne and Elizabeth Pyne Singer of McMillen Inc., and Martyn Lawrence Bullard.
As I was admiring Redmond Aldrich’s space that resembled an artist’s studio, Claud Cecil Gurney, De Gournay’s founder, whipped out his cell phone to show me a video of an artisan in India working on the wallpaper design. “He’s removing paint which was delicately hand-painted by another artisan to ensure that the paper looks antique,” Gurney said. “It gives it a gorgeous patina.” A fact I would not have otherwise known if I hadn’t attended the gala.
The meticulous attention to detail was evident in the booths, from international galleries like London-based Henry Sawwell, New York’s James Sansum, and Demark’s Greg Pepin Silver. Local favorites such as Caldwell Synder, Berggruen Gallery, and Epoca were also on hand with their luxe wares.
Show chair Suzanne Tucker — a respected figure in SF’s interiors community — orchestrated the extravagant evening. The service from McCall’s was impeccable, with short lines for cocktails and wine, and a plentiful array of food from their catering kitchen. The menu, featuring lamb chops, shrimp cocktail, black and white ravioli, charcuterie platters, falafel, and rum root beer floats, offered something for all taste buds.
Fashion was a mixed bag, with many women wearing black and white polka dots, black and white color-blocked dresses, or simply black with white accessories. Others blatantly ignored the dress code — or didn’t know about it? Multiple people told me they didn’t know they should wear black and white. Distinctive accessories were a trend amongst the men.
Vasily Vein and Roberto Tiscareno carried handbags, by Hermes and Cult Gaia respectively. Kevin Pong won the award for most fabulous hat, a homemade feathered white swan headpiece that was quite the conversation starter.
People-watching was at a premium, and I was excited to explore the booths with my handsome, ballgown-clad editor, Saul Sugarman. “Look over there,” I whispered, pointing slyly with my elbow while flipping my hair. “It’s Dede Wilsey and her two sons, Trevor and Todd!” Vanessa Getty waltzed by swan-like with honorary chair Wes Gordon, while Aerin Lauder, another honorary chair, posed for photos with Allison Speer.
Although this year’s gala felt tamer than some I attended, it was still a fantastic time. The setting was beautiful and the vibe celebratory. The Fall Show feels like a grown-up back-to-school night for the society set. It’s all about community, connecting, seeing old friends, and making new ones.
Katie Sweeney is a San Francisco-based writer.
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More photos from Fall Show 2024
All photos by Drew Altizer Photography.
