Culture | Sep. 2023
GALA FOR GOOD
By Morgan Hogerty
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES GUSTIN
STYLING BY THERESA DEMARIA
HAIR & MAKEUP BY CATHLEEN HEALY
Alex Lyon Singer wearing Zimmerman, Neiman Marcus
With years of experience in the hospitality industry and two different culinary degrees, it’s no wonder that ALEXANDRA (“ALEX”) LYON SINGER is the mastermind behind the Lyon Family Foundation’s signature fundraising event—The Hoosier Ball. Curating the guest experience through food and entertainment is always top of mind as Singer concepts and designs the annual event. She pulls inspiration from her time working in the back-of-house at luxury hotels, cooking in catering kitchens, and traveling the globe. As Executive Director of the Lyon Family Foundation, her greatest joy is being able to weave a web of philanthropic and talented people to support important causes, all of which honor the legacy of her dad, Robert H. Lyon. The foundation’s latest initiative, Lyon’s Way, raises funds to support adolescent and young adult oncology patients at the University of Chicago’s Comer Children’s Hospital. Here is how this philanthropic superstar stays current between foundation meetings and flawless events. For more information about Lyon’s Way and the Hoosier Ball visit lyonsway.org.
ON HER NIGHTSTAND
“Old World Italian by Mimi Thorisson—a cookbook! Reading/collecting cookbooks has been a hobby of mine since high school. I devour the pages from start to finish and always pour over the chef ’s forward first to gain perspective on what ingredients are important to them and to learn about their procedures and philosophy on food.”
IN HER EARBUDS
“My favorite dinner party playlist is Seu Jorge, a Brazilian guitarist a dear friend took me to see at Thalia Hall. His music immediately sets the vibe, and our guests become instant fans. To rev up for a run, I listen to Mojave Grey, an up-and-coming immersive duo performing at our upcoming Hoosier Ball. Their unplugged music is the perfect beat for a distance run.”
ON HER MOBILE
“Some might say I am addicted to paper goods and beautiful tablescapes. I am constantly finding new favorites but I always love the work of Veronica Halim (@truffypi), Shhh My Darling (@by_shhh_my_darling), and Every.Little.Something (@every.little.something). For tablescape inspiration, La DoubleJ (@ladoublej), Marie Daage (@mariedaage—newly introduced to me by the fabulous, Chicago-based Rishi Patel), and Gien (#gien).”
