• We’re wishing Martin-Brower North American Communications Manager Iman Jefferson and Sears Holdings Corporation Senior Software Engineer Contractor Daniel Riedel a happy engagement. The two plan to tie the knot in Chicago this September.
• Congratulations to sommelier Jon McDaniel on his new position as wine director at Henri (18 S. Michigan) and The Gage (24 S. Michigan). With more than 10 years of experience, McDaniel will oversee and customize the wine program at both award-winning restaurants.
• On Jan. 17, former “Project Runway” contestant and local designer Kahindo Mateene launched her first Kickstarter project in partnership with Mamafrica Designs, a nonprofit that promotes education and economic opportunity for African women. The project aims to raise $20,000 to create jobs through fair-trade employment, including a line of clutches produced by Congolese women using repurposed fabric from Kahindo’s past collections. Donate now at Kickstarter.com/discover.
Luxe hi-rise developers Steve and Randy Fifield are flying even higher this week: Their daughter Alexa was accepted to the prestigious London School of Economics and Political Science.
SPLASH first met former Lanvin Assistant Store Director Marissa Gillman last summer when her wedding was featured on this page. Now, we’re following her to the Michael Kors Collection store at 900 N. Michigan, where she recently accepted the position of general manager.
Ding, dong! It’s wedding bells for private chef Neal Snitz and Sofia boutique owner Ashley Zisook, who got engaged Feb. 15. The duo met at a friend’s wedding last May.
• We’re raising a glass to John Terlato (left), who was honored March 13 at Landmarks Illinois’ annual celebration for his efforts preserving and restoring architecturally significant works. The Terlato Wine Group vice chairman’s achievements include the restoration of Tangley Oaks in Lake Bluff — the six-and-a-half acre site of the company’s headquarters — earning a ranking on the National Register of Historic Places.
Chicagoans can brush up their beauty routines thanks to makeup artist Jenny Patinkin. The talent behind fresh-faced Splash cover stars like Kristin Cavallari, Katie Chang and Jaslene Gonzalez launched her luxe line of makeup brushes this month at SpaceNK (900 N. Michigan) and Cos Bar (662 Central, Highland Park).
It’s onward and upward for Glossedandfound.com’s D. Graham Kostic, who forged a collaboration between his online beauty magazine and Project Onward, which supports artists living with autism and mental illness. Supporters celebrated at Interior Define’s showroom (2033 W. North) April 3, where Projects Onward’s artists painted portraits for guests. Proceeds benefited the organization, which will provide art for Kostic’s events and editorial features throughout the year.
Travelle chef Tim Graham skewered the competition at Cochon 555, the regional pork competition and tasting event April 13. This summer, he’ll take his Mediterranean-inspired dishes to the Grand Cochon competition in Aspen.
Congrats to Ken Churilla on his first book, No One Said It Would Be Easy, which documents the breast cancer battle from a husband’s point of view. The Balmoral Park Racetrack marketing director — a former CBS Radio Chicago exec — is donating a portion of the proceeds to local cancer charities.
