Chicago Lighthouse’s FLAIR event pairs runway glamour with inclusivity

Fashion, philanthropy and a whole lot of Chicago flair came together Oct. 2 in the Walnut Room for The Chicago Lighthouse’s 2026 FLAIR “Eye on Style” fashion show and luncheon. Nearly 300 of the city’s top fashionistas helped raise over $219,000 for this much-loved nonprofit. 

The annual fundraiser, chaired by Candace Jordan (moi) and Kathy Piccone, celebrated The Chicago Lighthouse’s 120th anniversary while putting some of Chicago’s most stylish designers and retailers in the spotlight. More than just a fashion show, FLAIR supports the Lighthouse’s programs and services for people who are blind, visually impaired, disabled and Veterans.

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This year’s event also marked an important step forward in making the runway experience even more inclusive. For the first time, FLAIR offered audio description for guests who are blind or visually impaired, with headsets available during the show.

Tracey Tarantino DiBuono, who has been part of FLAIR since its beginning 13 years ago, returned as producer, working with the designers and models to bring the show to life. The runway lineup included Anne Fontaine, Maria Pinto, Contessa Bottega, JMcLaughlin, Nina, Menotti Couture, Sylwia, Lauren Lein, Mira Couture and Macy’s, with separate presentations from Macy’s Teens, Macy’s Men and Macy’s Women.

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After the runway, guests moved into the Walnut Room for lunch and a program honoring Georgiann Pangere, a longtime Chicago Lighthouse supporter and philanthropist. Presenting the award were The Chicago Lighthouse President and CEO Dr. Janet Szlyk and 2025 FLAIR honoree Dr. Stacie McLane.

Pangere’s connection to the Lighthouse runs deep. Szlyk recognized Georgiann and her husband, Steve Pangere, who is visually impaired and president and CEO of Gary-based construction firm The Pangere Corp., for their longtime support of the organization’s vision services programs. She also praised Georgiann as empathetic, caring, down-to-earth and deeply committed to making a difference.

Pangere is also a jazz singer who performs under the name Nikki George, and she added her own musical touch to the afternoon with a song as part of her remarks.

The recognition was particularly meaningful as Pangere’s family has played an important role in the Lighthouse’s work. The Pangere Center’s clinical services and research focus on inherited retinal diseases, with the center seeing 125 patients with inherited retinal diseases each year and more than 750 patients since 2020.

The event also highlighted the broader reach of The Chicago Lighthouse, which has been serving Chicago for 120 years through vision, employment, education and independent living programs. Julie Stark, the organization’s new Board of Trustees chair, spoke about the growing need for low-vision services and the Lighthouse’s commitment to providing care regardless of a person’s ability to pay.

Dr. Szlyk recognized seven past honorees who were in attendance: Susan Gohl, Dr. Stacie McClane, Candace Jordan, Shauna Montgomery, Tracey Tarantino DiBuono, Sherry Lea Holson and Cheryl Coleman.

A Fund-A-Need led by auctioneer Molly Morse Limmer gave guests the opportunity to direct their support toward specific Lighthouse programs, from general low-vision services and the Pangere Center to in-home therapy for infants and toddlers, youth transition job coaching, Birth-to-Three enrichment programming, Meta smart glasses and driving rehabilitation.

The fundraising appeal put some very tangible numbers behind the Lighthouse’s mission. The organization provides more than $2 million in charitable low-vision care each year and serves more than 3,100 patients annually, with more than 7,000 patient and client interactions across its services.

There were plenty of other memorable touches, too, including a beautiful Frango Mint cake created and donated by Eli’s Cheesecake. The cake was presented by Elana Schulman, VP Eli’s Cheesecake, and made a festive centerpiece before guests settled in for lunch, followed by dessert, coffee, raffle drawings and the final check of silent-auction winnings. Another special treat were iconic Marshall Field’s plastic totes that were filled with goodies for every guest to take home.  

Sponsors included presenting sponsors Steve and Georgiann Pangere; fashion sponsor Paula Borg and Tom Stemwedel; style sponsors Dr. Andrew Barrer, Lee Blackwell Baur, Sherry Lea Holson and Shauna Montgomery; and runway sponsors Julie Barrish, Beena Joseph and Kathy Piccone. Chicago Star served as the event’s media sponsor.

With fashion taking center stage and the Lighthouse’s mission woven throughout the afternoon, FLAIR once again proved that looking good and doing good can make a very stylish pair. (To donate and for more info, click here: The Chicago Lighthouse) CONGRATS TO ALL!