High Style at San Francisco Ballet’s Opening Night Gala

Carolyn Chang, Tanya Powell, Deepa Pakianathan

Some 1,050 supporters and guests attended Bella Notte, San Francisco Ballet’s opening night gala on January 19, 2012, and helped raise $2.1 million for the institution. Funds raised represent an increase of 20 percent from opening night 2011, and 35 percent more than 2010. Not only were contributions to the ballet significant but also it appeared retailers benefited from the windfall. An abundance of high-style fashions from the likes of internationally acclaimed Alexander McQueenAndrew Gn, Reem Acra, Marcel Rochas, and Stella McCartney, and local designer Karen Caldwell, just to name a few, were spotted at City Hall and the War Memorial Opera House.

Despite torrential rain, Bella Notte, was indeed a beautiful night. Below are some of Red Carpet Bay Area’s favorite gowns; click here for more from the evening, and meet Marie Hurabiell Trader, chair of San Francisco Ballet Auxiliary’s 2012 opening gala.

High Style at San Francisco Ballet’s Opening Night Gala:

Photos by Drew Altizer Photography

— Related — Red Carpet Bay Area coverage of more San Francisco Ballet Opening Gala events: