Le Event Hot In Raleigh
by Tricia Horatio
For one night only, the plaza between the Capitol Building and the Legislative Building in downtown Raleigh was transformed into the fashion capital of the world.
Patrons of fine art, history and fashion came out Friday, Nov. 11, in force and style to support the NC Museum of History's Costume and Textile Collection for the first Mannequin Ball. The brainchild of Katie Reeves of Metro Magazine, the event was presented by Metro, the North Carolina Museum of History and Associates and Saks Fifth Avenue. The Mannequin Ball honored the "critical mass of creativity that has built up in the area, particularly in the realms of fashion and fine art," according to Katie Reeves.
For those of you unable to attend, allow me to paint a picture of the event. Picture lights, cameras, models, Paris runway shows, famous guests and, of course, mannequins. Think delicious food, fine jewelry, luxurious fashion, sparkling champagne and wicked beats spun by New York's DJ Angola. Imagine all the beauty, glamour and sophistication of the luxe Parisian nightlife-and you have the Mannequin Ball.
Designed to impart the spirit of the Rive Droite and the Rive Gauche, The Mannequin Ball kicked off at 7 p.m., introduced by "Hollywood" lights and masked models from Saks serving as red carpet escorts. Inside, guests partied among mannequins designed by 12 acclaimed artists, mannequins "dressed" by art retail sponsors, and live mannequins wearing the latest in evening wear.
The art mannequins were available for preview at participating retailers and jewelers a month before the event and offered for auction at the ball. Also decorating the museum were large screen visuals of Paris runway shows, an ice-sculpture martini bar, a sumptuous array of food by Giorgio Bakatsias and display cases which held notable items such as the inaugural dress of First Lady Mary Easley and jewelry from Jacqueline Kennedy's collection.
BUT NOTHING COMPARED TO THE GUESTS
Trading Spaces designer Hildi Santos Tomas was on hand, as was fashion designer Alexander Julian-celebrating 30 years in the business-Broadway costume designer William Ivey Long and Andr Leon Talley-Vogue's editor-at-large, Durham native, and guest of honor.
Talley, several pounds lighter and very handsome in a black tuxedo, delighted guests with his larger-than-life personality. Complimenting women on their gowns, speaking with aspiring fashionistas, and organizing mini fashion shoots, many starring Metro art critic Louis St. Lewis-in a fabulous red and gold brocade skirt-and artist Andr Leon Gray in a beautiful blue floor-length dashiki. Talley was the star of the show. Accompanied by friends, Tai Parker of Atlanta, GA, and Lauren Dyas of Auburn, AL, whom he met while staying at the Duke Diet & Fitness Center, Talley joked with guests and managed to make everyone feel tres magnifique.
Fortunately, Talley didn't have to try hard because guests came dressed to impress and ready for their close-up. One-of-a-kind jewelry, such as the Carole Tanenbaum vintage necklace worn by Metro staffer Karla Pyrtle decorated the necks, ears, hands, and wrists of many of the evening's guests. With the men in black tie and women dressed in everything from Tadashi to Proenza Schouler to Carolina Herrera (our own Katie Reeves), the guests of the Mannequin Ball looked as if they had stepped out of the pages of Vogue. But the dress that had every head turning was worn by April Stroth, a writer at the Independent Weekly and date of artist Andr Leon Gray.
Jonathan Gatlin, a textile student at North Carolina State University, designed Stroth's dress. She came across Gatlin's work while searching for a local artist to design and construct her gown for the Mannequin Ball. After speaking with Gatlin, she commissioned him to design her dress, and later wrote about her experience working with the designer in the Independent Weekly article "Handcrafted Couture." The result of their collaboration can only be defined as spectacular.
Described as a " tasteful electro-mermaid," the dress, made of a Peridotic green fabric with "multicolored metallic thread running throughout," had a "traditional silhouette and was fitted above the knee in the front" and "a small train in the back." A patchwork texture covered the entire dress, which fanned at the bust and was cut low to reveal Stroth's back. It was the perfect dress for the "the hottest soire of the season."
And they call Paris the fashion capital of the world?
To order photos from The Mannequin Ball go to www.themannequinball.com.
Jonathan Gatlin dress details courtesy of "Handcrafted Couture," April Stroth, Independent Weekly.
STOCKINGS FULL OF FUN FASHIONS
BY MOLLY FULGHUM HEINTZ
Holidays are about celebrating old traditions and occasionally introducing a new one. This season some classic fashion and beautycompanies are offering new takes on timeless looks, or introducing designs that blow a breath of fresh air into their repertoire. The result is gifts that can't miss. Below is a Christmas short list for the stylish stocking.
Stocking type: silk
Women have waited five long years for the House of Creed to launch a new fragrance, and now, just in time for the holidays, Love in White has washed upon our shores. A sparkling scent inspired by the sea, master perfumer Olivier Creed drew from his maritime travels to create the fragrance, and indeed many of the ingredients come from coastal lands. The citrus-y top note is orange zest from southern Spain; middle notes include young iridescent rice husk from Tonkin in the south Asian seas, iris from Egypt, white jasmine from the Italian coast, daffodils from the French Riviera, magnolia from the mountains of Guatemala and Bulgarian rose; base notes of vanilla from the island of Java, ambergris and sandalwood from Mysore, India, round out the blend. Love in White comes in a crisp white bottle with a silver bow, and starting this month, it's available at Saks Fifth Avenue in Raleigh. And when you buy Love in White for yourself or someone else-a portion of the purchase price will be donated toward UNESCO. ($195 for a 75 ml bottle, $110 for the 30 ml travel size).
Stocking type: argyle
Back in the early '80s, a knit Lacoste polo, or as they were better known, "an IZOD," was a necessity of life. For any devoted prepster, it was the crocodile or die. Lacoste and IZOD ended their partnership in 1993, but preppy, collegiate looks remained strong and are now a staple of wardrobes across the globe. Well, Lacoste and their iconic croc are back, and have been rebuilding their brand into a fashion powerhouse over the last few years. This season they've introduced sporty basics with contemporary appeal. For women, must haves are a deep purple velvet blazer with two-buttons and a Kelly green ski jacket with a fitted silhouette; for men, a color block track jacket with vintage sensibility (www.lacoste.com). These may be a little bulky for the stocking, but will sit perfectly well on top of the plaid tree blanket.
Stocking type: fishnet
Benefit Cosmetics has a soft spot in the heart of many a fashionista. Why? While other companies take makeup SO seriously, Benefit makes getting beautified fun. This cult brand has rethought the purse and made it into a sassy little bag perfect for holding makeup or even using alone. Users of the True Confessions line wear their hearts on their snap clutches. With a '50s vibe, the bags sport phrases like "Fickle One: People in my town look at me and shake their heads. 'That fickle one,' they murmur. 'She couldn't make up her mind which brother she wanted to marry.' But I know which one I wanted-and so does my husband!" Available at Sephora (www. sephora.com) or www.benefit.com ($22-28).
Stocking type: hand-knit
Chico's has become a favorite of women who may be tired of matching shoes and belts and appreciate stylish but comfortable silhouettes. The boutique with the crafty vibe may be most popular with Baby Boomers, but even the younger crowd can appreciate their intriguing and reasonably priced jewelry collection. The Feodora line features a dramatic silver loop pendant with a leather cord, perfect with a black turtleneck and only $38 (www.chicos.com).
And fashion devotees take note: if your Christmas gift happens to include a trip that passes through New York City, you'll be happy to know that the Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology has just installed its first permanent collection. Now whenever you visit, you can view couture highlights that include everything from 18th-century drop-dead gowns to Comme des Garons' 2005 biker/ballerina ensemble. And, if you've just dropped your last dime on Fifth Avenue, don't worry: admission to the museum is free (www.fitnyc.edu).