By Judy Carmack Bross
The evening’s hosts – Lance Lawson and Jim Wetzel with their new puppy Lois
Karen Anderson, Cassie Mancuso Carver, Claire Concannon
Dr. Jen Kim, Chris Chao, Patrick Priore, Dr. Sarah Boudreau-Romano
From The New York Times Book Review to publications around the world, everyone has been weighing in on Selling Sexy: Victoria’s Secret and The Unraveling of an American Icon by prominent national fashion writers and authors Lauren Sherman and Chantal Fernandez. SPACE 519 owners Lance Lawson and Jim Wetzel—and their new puppy Lois–hosted a party recently to celebrate its release. We love sharing photos some of their terrific guests.
Emilia Huerta, author Chantal Fernandez and Randy Fernandez
Atmosphere at Selling Sexy’s Chicago Launch party as SPACE 519
Melissa Ben-Yoseph, Shay Moinuddin and Whitley Bouma Herbert |
Cathy Busch and Jenny Brown |
Writers Chantal Fernandez and Lauren Sherman
Sherman, in from Los Angeles, and Fernandez, from Brooklyn, signed books and chatted with the dressed-up crowd of fashion lovers and friends. Guests enjoyed wine and signature bites from the store’s popular cafe The Lunchroom, including Miss Lucie’s Pimento Spread and ‘It’s Greek to me Flatbread’ bites.
Cheryl Sander and Kara Mann
Jim Wetzel and Lorraine Adney |
Jaklyn Lynch, Katie Moor, Allison Stecko |
Freddy Foote and Samantha Lula |
Evelyn Loomis, Elle Cashin, Fallon Ryan |
Cheryl Sander and Kara Mann |
In addition to being a go-to spot for special events such as this evening, SPACE 519 is a luxury department store located just off The Magnificent Mile in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood. Owners Lance Lawson and Jim Wetzel travel the world to curate an assortment of unique and hard to find items across a broad range of categories: including designer women’s apparel and accessories, fine jewelry, luxury apothecary, inspired home goods, fancy foods, and unique gift items.
Travis Paul Martin and Friends |
Patrick Priore, Chris Chao, Jim Wetzel |
Melissa Carter
Toni Canada and Amanda Puck |
Sri Sullivan and Karen McEniry |
Belinda Chang, Amy Olson and Amanda Puck |
Lance Lawson and team speak with the guest of honor Lauren Sherman |
Selling Sexy: Victoria’s Secret and The Unraveling of an American Icon The story of how Victoria’s Secret tells how a tiny chain of boutiques became a retail phenomenon with more than $8 billion in annual sales at its peak—all while defining an impossible beauty standard for generations of American women—before the brand’s tight grip on the industry finally slipped.
Photos by Kelsey Campbell
