Saint Joseph’s Arts Society Opens Its Doors For Carlos Souza

Todd Traina, Katie Traina and Carlos Souza

Photo Credit: Drew Altizer

Although his latest book came out earlier this year, Valentino’s beloved brand ambassador, Carlos Souza, was in town this week to celebrate its publishing with his San Francisco friends. Comporta Bliss is Souza’s second book, and it features a look at life in Comporta Portugal. Souza compares the seaside city—that’s located on an inlet south of Lisbon—to St. Tropez of the 1960s or Ibiza of the 1990s. It’s a luxe, but laid-back destination where life is a celebration of sun, sand, and the sea.

Photo Credit: Assouline

On Wednesday night all of these things were missing at Ken Fulk’s stunning new event space and private club, Saint Joseph’s Art Society. While there was no sun, sand, or sea, the mood was festive and lively as a chic crowd gathered to toast Souza. For many of the guests like Sonya Molodetskaya and Willie Brown and Victor and Farah Makras, it was their first time to the immaculate remodeled church.

Kurt Wootton and Ken Fulk pose with their dogs

Photo Credit: Drew Altizer Photography

“Forget The Battery,” one dapper gentleman was overheard saying upon entering the 22,000-square foot church that was originally built in 1913. The church could easily hold 1,000 people for a party, so it almost felt too empty for the intimate crowd of SF’s top tastemakers. Luckily, most of the guests were longtime friends of Souzas and mixed and mingled easily with one another.

Photo Credit: Drew Altizer Photography

Since many people had yet to experience the artist’s club, which opened at the end of September, most walked around the elaborately decorated space oohing and ahhing as if it were a museum. The Billecart-Salmon flowed, and guests nibbled Cape Cod potato chips topped with caviar. Everyone left dazzled by the space and with a book in their arms.