La Vie Boheme

Table of Contents

La Vie Bohème marked a major step-change for MM Productions: an immersive night where fashion, art, and hospitality moved as one. For the first time, every runway look was shoppable via tap-to-buy technology, collapsing the distance between presentation and purchase by letting guests move from runway to wardrobe in real time using our NFC-powered m-tags.

Enter Zoar, Head of Editorial: light as architecture, scent as punctuation. Connection is the headline.

OVERVIEW

The environment at La Vie Bohème was designed with the individual in mind. The goal was to prioritize presence, connection, and human engagement, while also embracing modern-day technology. From textures to silhouettes, every piece was intentionally curated to reflect the soul of each designer’s collection.

ARCHITECTURE OF LIGHT

Zoar treated light as the primary material. The transitions were incremental, beginning with citrine warmth for a bohemian welcome, moving into cooler lunar tones; settling into a hush of shadow as the applause dissolved and guests slipped back into the Chicago night.

NOTES

The sets featured reflective, customized ceramic candles as the primary light source, complemented by cool toned florals. A stillness settled in the room. One that arises only when everything rests exactly where it is meant to be. Within that alignment , moments seemed to sculpt themselves.

SOUND & SCENT

A dry green note, layered with roses and woody finishes, lingered in the air, heightening the multi-sensory experience. Scent became the medium through which the senses were awakened.

“Your Brain on Art” by Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross quotes what it was like to experience La Vie Boheme. “When you walk into a room, you likely don’t appreciate all that your body is reacting to: the cast of light from a lamp, the color on the walls, the temperature, the smell, the textures. You may think of yourself as the body moving independently through the world, but you are interconnected with and part of everything around you, you and your environment are inseparable”

COLLECTION

Mid-show, the wash cooled and the scrims breathed as air moved almost imperceptibly. A dress in white crepe satin crossed the axis and paused within the beam. Pearls lit like distant windows. And in that held second, the room agreed to want the same thing: more time.

That is Zoar’s gift- making a minute feel collectible.

ONE ON ONE

Zoar quoted “I was asked what my favorite piece was, I’d say one of the frames that was hung up alongside the wall next to the venue’s bar. It said “Live the life you’ve always dreamed of. Be fearless in the face of adversity. Never stop learning. Use your imagination whenever possible. Recognize the beauty that surrounds you. Remember where you came from, but never lose sight of where you are going.’ This is my favorite piece, because of the intention that I had with its placement. I wanted it to be somewhere that had a lot of action going on around it, giving the guest an experience where they could pause and have a moment with themselves in the midst of everything going on around them.

SPONSORS

Creating this space was only possible thanks to the support of 3 incredible partners. Here are their stories:

Three Stars Vintage, a family-owned vintage furniture shop in Avondale that proves sustainability and style can coexist. Their mid-century selections add depth to the environment. They have two levels of items that match any and every home. The owner, Martine, was extremely welcoming and saw our vision as soon as it was introduced.

Mt Sinai Resale Shop, a longtime fixture powered by the Women’s Board, where resale purchases support patient care programs at Mt. Sinai Hospital. Community-driven, generous, and their team is genuinely kind-hearted and helpful. With their inclusion, it made the space much more meaningful. For over 30 years, it has served as a thrift destination offering gently used furniture, housewares, clothing (including designer items), and a *large* book selection. Their versatility always takes us away.

Vintage Frills — a true gem we’re always grateful to work with. Their space is a rainbow of finds, thoughtfully organized by color. Every visit feels like walking into a storybook. They have trinkets, colorful pieces, and music playing from all kinds of eras. The owner, Jennifer, is just as special as the shop. Welcoming, creative, and has support of community-driven projects like La Vie Bohème.

BEAUTY | THE LOOKS | THE MODELS | THE FUTURE OF RUNWAY

Thank you, MM Productions for letting me set the stage.
With Love,
- Zoar