Anna Wintour, Hamish Bowles and San Francisco's Creme de la Creme: Balenciaga de Young Museum Party!

Viva España...in San Francisco!

Toreador Entrance: Vogue Magazine European Editor-at-Large Hamish Bowles at de Young Museum "Balenciaga and Spain" Grand Opening Party

This past weekend, I flew to San Francisco to make a special appearance at FIDM San Francisco's "Open House" (soon, a BLOG post on that!). There was something else that happened over the weekend in San Francisco which I unfortunately didn't get tickets to (or get on the VIP List for--insert sad face):

The Opening Night Bash for the de Young Museum's much-awaited "Balenciaga and Spain" Exhibition. Even though I didn't attend (I had to fly back to LA that night), I still found photos of the FABULOUS event. The Exhibition, curated by Vogue Magazine's European Editor-at-Large Hamish Bowles with assistance from Fine Arts Museum Curator Jill D'Alessandro, just opened and will run through July 4Th. It spans the couturier's life and includes 120 pieces. I am returning to the City by the Bay in late June so...YOU KNOW I will be going so I'll have a complete report of the exhibition--I hope!

And now onto the Party: Well, as expected it was a "Who's Who" of San Francisco Elite who showed up, all decked out in their finest Oscar de la Renta's, Carolina Herrera's and Ralph Rucci's. All the last names that dot the grand homes of the Marina, Nob Hill, Pacific Heights, Presidio Heights, Hillsborough: Getty, Traina, Wilsey, Hale...they were all in attendance for this black tie-and-gown affair. I'm sure the gown departments at Union Square's Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue were abuzz this last week! No borrowing here kids, it's all purchased! Even Anna Wintour made the transcontinental flight from NYC to San Francisco for the opening.

Here are some highlights of the Party Guests and their Couture:

Chatting Divas: Vogue Editor Anna Wintour (in Balenciaga sequined gown by Designer Nicolas Ghesquiere) and Fine Arts Museum/FAM Board President Dede Wilsey (who also has a Museum Court named after her!) wearing Oscar de la Renta lace and polka-dotted ball gown.

SF Doyennes: Exhibition Sponsor, the ever-elegant Denise Fitch, wearing Ralph Rucci silk tunic with feathers, and SF Retail Icon, Wilkes Bashford

All In Black: (Left to Right) Rosetta Getty, her husband, actor Balthazar Getty, Jennifer Siebel Newsom and Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom

De Young Best Dressed: Serena Perkins, wife of Alec Perkins of Perkins Investment Management, wearing salmon pink silk taffeta Carolina Herrera

Blue Blood Class: Emma Fisher (left, in Rodarte) with her grandmother, exhibition co-sponsor (and Gap co-founder) Doris Fisher and mom, Randi Fisher

Mantillas: Alexis Traina, with her husband, Fine Arts Museum/FAM Trustee Trevor Traina and singer Vanessa Carlton

Flamenco Couture: Owner of "Ricky's Exceptional Treasures" Ebay Vintage Couture Store Ricky Serbin and Nob Hill Gazette social columnist Jennifer Raiser, wearing vintage Oscar de la Renta corseted red-and-black printed silk ball-gown

Perfect Couple: Investor and venture capitalist Bandel Carano and his wife, Paula Carano ,in a vintage Balenciaga black gown that looks very similar to...

This Balenciaga flamenco-inspired evening dress from a Vogue editorial in 1951. Photo by Henry Clarke for Vogue.

Juicy Feathers: Juicy Couture founders Gela Nash-Taylor and Pamela Skaist-Levy wearing matching black feathered vests

Black Swan Beauties: Rodarte designers Kate Mulleavy and her sister, Laura Mulleavy

A-List: Actress Gywneth Paltrow with Fine Arts Museum Trustee Juliet de Baubigny

Click Below for Video of Anna Wintour being interviewed as she arrives to the Grand Opening Bash: