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What Shoes Work Best for Black Tie Events?
It's important to pick the right shoes for a gala, and they need to be both comfortable and stylish

The Gala Girl
1 day ago3 min read


Can You Wear a Midi Dress to a Gala?
Sometimes you can wear a midi dress to a gala, depending on whether it is evening appropriate

The Gala Girl
2 days ago2 min read


Awards Season 2025-2026: The Return of Armor and the Rise of Undone Glamour
Metallic gowns and structured shoulders result in a look of modern armor for the red carpet in the 2025-2026 awards season

The Gala Girl
3 days ago3 min read


Black Tie Optional, Explained, Simply
Black tie optional is often misunderstood or confusing and this article explains black tie optional simply

The Gala Girl
3 days ago2 min read


Welcome to Gala Girl - Black Tie Events Decoded
Black tie isn't about perfection. It's about intention.

The Gala Girl
6 days ago2 min read
Finally Back in Person
The McCormick Place convention center in Chicago is huge. The convention center floor is the size of over forty football fields. The Chicago Auto show is the largest exhibition each year at McCormick Place, usually held in February. It seemed appropriate to me that my return to big, in-person parties was kicked off in 2023 by the First Look for Charity gala at the Chicago auto show. Nearly 9,000 people attended the black-tie event, and over $2.5 million was raised for 18 char

The Gala Girl
Mar 19, 20236 min read


Going to a "Starter" Gala
You don't have to be wealthy to go to a black-tie gala, you just have to find the right event, and celebrate life!

The Gala Girl
Feb 12, 20214 min read


So I was excited to meet Kathleen Turner...
I have always admired Kathleen Turner for her acting and her activism. She has had some great movie roles and got away with murder in Body Heat. Her work with Planned Parenthood helped elevate that organization to the world stage. So when I heard that she was appearing at the Chicago International Film Festival Summer Gala, I thought it might be an opportunity for me to actually meet one of my favorite celebrities. At the Chicago International Film Festival Spring Gala Many p

The Gala Girl
Dec 30, 20206 min read
A long dry spell
I have fond memories of my last pre-Covid gala, and I'm hoping the long, dry spell will end soon.

The Gala Girl
Dec 14, 20202 min read



















































