Style
The Carolina Ballet’s Cinderella Ball had a behind-the-scenes fairy godmother of its own this year. Not the white-haired, wand-waving, bibbidi-bobbidi-boo type, necessarily, but a fairy godmother nonetheless. Raleigh artist Ashley Carter might be young and blonde, but she stepped right into the role, literally helping to turn pumpkins into glittering carriages, inspiring and helping the Ball’s committee to create whimsy, sparkle and magic out of a handful of techniques and embellishments.
“We really appreciated being inspired by a local artist,” says Nancy Church ( no slouch herself), who together with Ball co-chair and renowned designer Stewart Woodard masterminded the evening’s decorations. Gilded carriages, magic pumpkin patches, ribbon-twirling birds and dressmaker mice competed with sparkling candelabrum to adorn the evening’s tables. “She’s so talented,” Church says. “When Stewart and I brought the idea of fairytale pumpkins to Ashley, she was so generous with her time, and really helped guide us through it all. She adds a real element of grandeur.”
For Greensboro-native Carter, the event was a lovely way to give back to the community. But those whimsical, sparkling Cinderella decorations are just one trick up her sleeve. Carter’s Goldbug Studio, situated in an old fire truck factory between Five Points and Capital Boulevard, is overtime-busy these days creating meticulously crafted and often humorous handmade art — ornaments, one-of-a-kind sculpture, fairy-tale inspired figures, heirloom-worthy crowns, hats, ornate wedding cake toppers that retail for under $10 to over $6000 — and are in demand all over the world, and sold in 350 stores from Dubai to Disney.
It has been a fairy-tale ride for the former musician and ad salesperson for Raleigh’s Independent Weekly, who got her start making gifts for friends nine years ago. She now employees three to eight full-time artists, depending on the season, to help fill her hundreds of orders.
Bergdorf Goodman has featured Carter’s figurines and lavishly decorated boxes in its famous holiday windows for three years running. The Walt Disney Family Museum has commissioned elaborate works of art, including a 4-foot-tall Peter Pan pirate ship; style maven and J.Crew head designer Jenna Lyons touts Carter’s sequined Goldbug “crown of J’s;” John Derian and Anthropologie feature her wares, and celebrity clients abound.
Carter is proud th at her products are not only made in the USA, but also made right here in town. “It’s really hard to quality-control if your production is overseas,” she says.
You get the feeling, touring Carter’s light-bedazzled magic factory of a studio, that overseas production would not only compromise Goldbug’s quality, but it could also compromise its owner as well; that the journey, for her, is in fact the destination. Boxes of sparkly decorations, cut paper, vintage millinery flowers and other colorful doodads abound — and Carter touches and tells stories about each of them. “It’s about fairy tales; it’s about celebration,” she says, describing her collection. “It’s about magic. It’s very childlike.”
She confesses becoming enchanted by one of her latest creations, recently shipped off to the Disney Museum: “The Magical Muse of Animation,” a 3-foot-tall whirling paper-dressed fantasy that took over 100 hours to make and nearly gave Carter paper-pleat-derived carpal tunnel. “I do miss her,” she says.
Her creations may be childlike, but they’re sophisticated too. “Just looking at her products, you are carried off into a different space,” Church says. “She’s able to evoke such a magical feeling of enchantment with her craftsmanship.”
Until now, Carter’s studio has been mostly closed to the public, and her business exclusively wholesale, but a successful Christmastime studio show has inspired a springtime Mad Hatter’s Masked Ball and Carnival on May 21-22 — opportunity perhaps for Carter to act as fairy godmother for herself. Go to www.goldbugstudio.com for more information.
FASHION NEWS
Vermillion will host a Lela Rose Trunk Show featuring the Spring 2010 collection on March 18. Vermillion is celebrating its five-year anniversary and wants to thank the Metro readers for all their support! North Hills, Raleigh. 919-787-9780.
Fine Feathers will host a Nina McLemore Spring Show March 2-6 featuring jackets with matching separates. March 16-20 Fine Feathers will host a Liz Logie show offering precious cotton shirts and blouses in hundreds of prints with contrasting trims to choose from, and for one day only on March 16 there will be a showing of Geiger, Anne Pedersen, and Toula. University Square, Chapel Hill. 919-942-3151.
Enchanting Moments introduces their new line of couture consignment gowns. This line of beautifully worn gowns offers new brides a chance to have a couture gown at a more affordable price. Customers can bring couture gowns to Enchanting Moments to be sold and receive a portion of the profit. Call to speak with a consultant to discuss this collection and set up an appointment. Couture designers include Augusta Jones, Elma Reis, Stephen Yearick, D&K and more. Web site coming soon with more details. Fuquay-Varina, call Renee at 919-552-6393.
New from Benefit in March:
Bathina – a glimmering body balm for a silky golden-pink sheen on legs, arms and anywhere else you want glances to linger. Made with jojoba seed oil, natural aloe extract, vitamin E and antioxidants.
Stay Don’t Stray – a stay-put primer for concealers and eyeshadows. A dual action primer that works 360 degrees around the eyes, concealers never crease and eyeshadows stay vibrant and true. Available at Belk Department stores and Sephora.
Lumina Clothing Company of Wilmington introduces its new line specializing in Skinny Ties and Bow Ties. Designs merge southern fashion and high fashion. Find out more about the company and the collection online by visiting www.luminaclothing.com. Also available at Wardrobbe, Cameron Village.
Island of Lights Fashion Show Fundraiser will be April 10 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Courtyard by Marriott, Carolina Beach. Fashions featured will be from Island Colors, Linda’s Fashions and the Unique Boutique. Featured speaker Elaine Henson will present Bathing Beauties in Vintage Postcards. Lunch will be provided and in addition there will be a silent auction and raffle. Tickets for the event are $20 and all proceeds support holiday events sponsored by Island of Lights. Tickets can be purchased at the following businesses on Pleasure Island: Linda’s Fashions, Unique Boutique, Island Colors, The Checkered Church, Le Soleil, and Blue Water Realty. For information, call Linda at 910-617-5945.
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