The theme at last year’s MAD gala was 1920s. That was kind of easy. But Monte Carlo? That was way open to interpretation. If you think about casinos and gambling you don’t necessarily have to go back that far in time or in space. I pictured Sharon Stone in ‘Casino’ and Michelle Pfeiffer in ‘Scarface’, in their sexy, slinky dresses and foxy, blonde coiffures. I thought about late 70s, cream, off-the-shoulder silk jump suits, opulent ruffles and sultry make-up. Granted, I’ve never been to Monte Carlo, so this was all at the risk of grand failure.

Except that, just a few hours before the event, I found the dress of all dresses: a 2010 black Gucci gown with perilous cut-outs and silver hardware. It was the answer to all my questions, and eradicated any doubt I had about Monte Carlo. Even if no one else at the ball was on my sleek-cut bandwagon. The talented people at Glamsquad slicked my hair back, painted my nails and gave me an impossibly fabulous smokey eye. In short: vintage saved me, once again.

The ball was every bit as chic as last year’s and raised quite a lot of money for the Museum. We paid tribute to the night’s honoree, designer Sebastian Erraruriz and hobnobbed until the wee hours. It was a success. And I can’t wait to wreck my brain on year’s theme.

Thank you to Bettina Prentice for including me in her panel of co-chairs and her incredible organizing skills; Josh Williams for being my date; Valentino for dressing him; Glamsquad for turning it WAY WAY up; and last but not least Marlene Wetherell for lending me the sexiest dress I ever wore in my life.

Photos by Hannah Sider for Tales of Endearment.