Sunday, October 18, 2009

PNWU Gala

Who would ever imagine that the boring ol' Convention Center in the NQPS of Washington could be transformed into the "Starliner Supper Club"? It was almost as sweet as the Ozdust Ballroom! Anyway the theme of this fundraiser/celebration for Pacific NW University of Health Sciences was "40's Supper Club" black-tie style so we dressed accordingly: men in their tuxes (has that style changed since 1940? not much) and women ran the gamut from current black cocktail dresses to true vintage to slinky full-length gowns. Mysterious veils and sumptuous furs were everywhere. Here are some of the things I caught:

Terry in below-the-knee black cocktail, lovely long black gloves, drippy earrings, and cute little orange headband in her new short 'do. Love the furry little black cape on the shoulders! Her friend found a very vintage-y black mesh and lace empire waist, lingerie-style dress. And the little pillbox on her head: sweet!


This is Corrie: she was working the event but I made her throw down her chart for a moment to take her pic. She rocked the entire look beautifully: Veronica Lake waves in her hair, bright lips, and this shocking pink satin strapless gown to the floor. Like the black stole, too. Corrie got in touch with me after seeing herself in the blog, so now we're BBFs! Best Blog Friends! Turns out I went to school with her aunt. Anyway Corrie has her own blog at www.cvo-underthestars.blogspot.com where you can see more shots of this beautiful dress. She's a doll.
This trio decked out in '40's fun. On the left: black mesh over white in an ethereal-looking filmy number with ruffle at the hem. She told me she bought this dress in London years ago and it was begging for an event like this! Her cohort wore long, black, and slinky & looked so beautiful in it. Judi, on the right, donned a slip-like black cocktail dress with slit up the side--and her mother-in-law's feathered hat. Lotsa feathers everywhere that night!

Lucy was the "Cigarette Girl", pictured here before she got her tray of candy cigars and faux cigarettes. Beautiful ivory satin bustier blouse with chiffon sleeves & yoke, a short black net dirndl skirt, and sorry you can't see her clear acrylic pumps with the black bows!


Who Wore it Best??? I'm conducting a People mag poll...
Best friends Julie & Jean surprised each other by showing up in the same dress: black, cocktail length, mesh yoke with tiny rhinestone studs, and lovely draping in the back. They obviously have matching great taste. And look almost like twins, no?
Doesn't she look fabulous? She really went with the '40s style in this short black number with a lace overlay bodice, black velvet elbow-length gloves, and veiled pillbox. The red lips really made the look complete.


Carol wore "Victory Rolls" in the hair and boldly pinned a mammoth Stargazer lilly to the side of her head, wore a short poufy dress, and carried the best accessory of the night: black fur muff! Spectacular.
Like all the pearls, too.
Like a teal-colored little islet in a sea of black, she stood out with this long, beaded, very period-looking gown and carried a luscious white fox stole complete with tails. Adore those fingerless white gloves! I don't know how women wore white gloves back then--it's impossible to do a thing in them without getting them messed up. Oh well, that was definitely another time.

Kay dug this glamorous deco crystal? diamond? who knows for sure? necklace out of her jewelry box for the evening. She said this piece belonged to her mother and she had never worn it until tonite. Dazzling!

Now here's some true vintage: Gwen wore the ruched black dress with long lace sleeves & beautiful v-neck bodice and the most entertaining fox stole. Remember the kind with the little paws and the head still on? I guess so if you end up alone at the end of the evening you'll still have someone to talk to...

I adored everything about her outfit: fox fur stole, tiny beaded bag, felt cloche with ribbon band, double strand pearl necklace, and bright red lips.

Lilly made me pose with her, which I never do. Wish you could see my authentic '40's hat--it's so cute: black satin with a ruffle on the side. I stuck two yellow crystanthemums in it before I went out the door. The dress is a silk Tommy Bahama I bought last winter in Maui but I figgered it was '40-ish & I also figgered everyone else would be in black--so you know me.
I knew Lilly would show up in something appropriate to the decade: she has a closet full of vintage spanning about 6 decades. She selected a fabulous short dress with long black lace sleeves, the full-meal-deal fox fur stole, and a black saucer style hat with elegant veil and red rose. Pure Lilly all the way.

Loreen gives an extensive make-up lesson to her friend in the ladies room! Lotsa red lips!

The Belle of the Ball, Pat Temple, who was being honored that night by PNWU for being a major force and source, donor, board member, and all-around doyenne of philanthropy here in NQPS. Her beautiful, full-skirted black satin gown is an Arnold Scaasi, accessorized with a bejeweled and beaded bright brocade jacket, tiny feathered cocktail hat.
She looked absolutely lovely, and gave a very moving and humble speech to accept the honor. (great job, Pat!)
Would you pay $1200 to dance with this dude? Jean did, and she seemed quite happy about it! (He did look pretty studly. AND he could really dance, too.)
I nominate this gown best in show: bold black-and-white floral print in a satin column with black net underlay at the flounced bottom--just gorgeous. Helps that she's a size 2.

Dave, our MC for the evening, in supper-club style with the white satin lapels on his evening jacket, AND the best part:

the black-and-white patent leather oxford shoes once worn by Al Capone. Well, we don't know that for sure, but they could have been.

Ohhhhh, Donna! Too fabulous jeweled sandals!


Cricket in her Jessica McClintock cocktail dress with the rose-trimmed neckline--trying to get a drag off a fake cigarette. They actually lit up, too! Hilarious.

Judi in her feathered hat, enjoying her after-dinner chocolate cigar.
What a fun evening! Cocktails, dinner, auction, speeches, awards, skits, then dancing. My feet are killing me.





















1 comment:

DollHouse said...

I went to Doll House to by a Sherri Hill dress 1403 for the best price quoted $450 for my daughter. I was told that Doll House has a registry and that I would be the only one wearing this style dress at my formal. When I arrived at my formal, there were two 2 other girls wearing exactly the same style dress and they also got it from dollhouse I can’t begin to tell you how angry and sick that made me feels. I will not be taking my daughter there for her year 12 formal.