By Wicker Van Orsdel
Don’t just stand there, let’s get to it
Strike a pose, there’s nothing to it
Vogue, vogue
Do you remember that Madonna song? It’s been worming through my head ever since Sept. 27, when Terrace Hill turned into a fashion runway showcasing fall fashions from the trend-setting shops on Ingersoll Avenue and in the East Village. It was the second annual Vogue Nouveau Style Show. This is not a fashion show where the models have attitudes and don’t weigh more than their lipstick; these are lovely fun-loving lady celebs from about town, ready to strut their stuff to support a good cause. Fashions and accessories were provided by Accenti, Aimee, Badowers on Ingersoll, Cownie Furs, Dornink, Eden, Josephs, Kitchen Collage, Silver Fox, Sticks, Bridal Boutique, Urban Belly and Velvet Coat.
It was a beautiful fall evening that began in the Terrace Hill carriage house. As the models dressed and primped for their staircase showings (I’m talking false eyelashes and hairdos here), the guests enjoyed wine and sangria donated by Jasper Winery and hors d’oeuvres created by Splash’s Chef Dominic Iannarelli. The crowd then walked over to the mansion to grab their seats for the evening, while Mary Pearson entertained on the grand piano. There were no bad seats because the chairs lined each room, and the models walk into each of them, providing an opportunity to get really eye-ball all the ensembles.
Jackie Devine, development director at Terrace Hill, introduced co-emcees, Simon Conway and me. (Simon came to Des Moines from Orlando, Fla., about six months ago to host the news talk show on WHO 1040 and we are so glad to have him.) He was bedecked in Badowers Best, a veritable sartorial pied-piper. My children often accuse me of letting Stevie Wonder dress me, but this night I was put together in a fun frock from Velvet Coat, and jewelry from Sticks. We introduced our three room emcees: Soozie McBroom, Marcia Wannamaker and Diane Proctor. They were the fashion interpreters for the side rooms. As the models descended the grand staircase, we commented and complimented. (I was kind of disappointed there were no Lady GaGa-esque meat-dress getups.)
We livened things up with the Fan Game, and I learned that in the Victorian era, ladies used the fan for more than keeping cool; they used it as a form of expression. The fan was a must-have accessory, and women communicated secret messages with them. (Now we text.) Simon tossed a coin and the ladies chose heads (fan on head) or tails (fan on tail). If you guessed wrong, you took your seat and the last one standing split the proceeds of the fan sale with the Terrace Hill Foundation. Lois Beh was the big winner! Next stop Vegas, Lois.
The parade of fashion and elegance was impressive. The four handsome young men in Badowers attire (Parker Day, Ron Lewis, Joe Manatt, and Alex Miller) who escorted several ladies were ADORable! But Elvin McDonald of Botanical Center fame was the real Silver Fox who stole the show.
We rounded out the elegant night of fashion and friends with delicious postprandial delights (wonderful desserts), created and donated by Jill Means and Jamie Gorey who just published a new cookbook: Two Chicks from the Sticks: Back Home Baking. It was a great way to support Terrace Hill and would not have happened without the hard work of Shaun Fay, Patsy Tobis, and Mary Manatt. Mission accomplished, girls.
By the end of the evening, I had realized that it was time to throw out all my bell bottoms, harem pants, full-length jumpsuits, shoulder pads and UGGS. So wait here while I go pour kerosene on my current wardrobe. I guess it’s true what Coco Chanel says: “Fashion is made to become unfashionable.”(I do believe my platform shoes are coming back, though.)
Check out the photos below, and for more, click here.
