Five minutes into last night's Fresh Faces of Fashion event, I was quite sure of two things:
- I was just certain that my $100 investment in a raffle ticket was going to pay off and I would win the grand prize for the evening - a new Mercedes from Park Place Motorcars.
- Project Runway alumni, Christian Siriano was previewing his Fall 2011 Collection and I was one of only two journalists (I use that term ever so loosely) that was going to have a private interview with him.
Fresh Faces of Fashion for 2011: Teffy Jacobs, Lisa Petty and Piper Young
The evening started off like many others. I arrived at Park Place Mercedes and air-kissed and chatted with many of Dallas' A-List fashionistas like Gregg Asher, Piper Young, stylist Jim Duran, Amanda Sterett and LeeAnne Locken.
(top left) Juan Lerma and Christian Siriano (top right) Grant and Moanna Mower
(bottom) Gregg Asher, Nini Nguyen, Khanh Nguyen, LeeAnne locken, Tara Harper and Pamela Chao
Tara Harper was so relieved that filming for her upcoming Bravo show Most Eligible: Dallas had wrapped filming on Monday. When I asked her how she felt about what was in the can, she threw her hands up to the heavens and said, "It's all in the hands of editing now! I hope for the best." Me too, Tara. Me too! Juan Lerma and partner Eric Oliver, Jr. were very excited to tell me about an upcoming show they are working on for Scion. Yes, that Scion - the car company. This event will be a designer showcase featuring undiscovered designers. Save the date: June 22 at Scion of Lewsiville. It will be worth the drive... I promise!
Let me just brag for a moment, and tell you that I was one of only two people allowed to interview Christian Siriano. Oh, I already said that? Well, I'm sayin' it again! The only downside was that I was not alerted to this opportunity in advance. I walked into the event and was immediately informed, "Okay, you are first in line to interview Christian." Um, excuse me? I was totally not prepared.
Photo Credit: Sylvia Elzafon for The Feast
I was prepared to do my usual thing, which is to walk backstage and act like I'm supposed to be there, take some photos, ask inappropriate questions and then leave. Thank goodness, I saw Lisa Petty who quickly gave me some suggested questions to ask. And let me borrow her amazing photographer, Sylvia Elzafon, so I could get the photo above!
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| Yvonne Crum |
I was thrilled to run into Grant and Moanna Mower (pictured above). If you recall, I introduced you to Grant a few weeks ago and told you about this beguiling 12 year-old fashion designer. He had met Siriano years ago... when he was 9! Grant had already been backstage and chatted it up with Siriano, who remembered him (because how could you forget such cuteness!)
Sadly, I did not win the raffle and drive home in a new Mercedes. That honor went to Lisa Muder Stapp. But, my money did go to help raise funds for the beneficiary of the evening, which was the Suicide and Crisis Center of North Texas.
Yvonne Crum had to choke back tears as she announced that in the five years since this event had been created, Fresh Faces of Fashion has earned over $1 million dollars for this cause.
It was a spectacular evening. My favorite kind of night, full of fashion, frivolity and fun - all for a cause. It's what Dallas does best!
