Mercedes Dealership Drops the "S" Bomb!

Atlanta’s high priestess of luxury vehicles, Juanita Baranco, sat regally in the posh employees’ lounge at Mercedes Benz of Buckhead as a long stream of male models shuffled by her. They'd arrived, a bit late, to get prepped for the Ken Barber Clothing show that would soon take place on her showroom floor.
Her husband and business partner, Greg, was running late as well. Ms. Baranco, calmly soaked the scene in and kept discussing the dealership's emphasis on top-notch service. And then, against her P.R. rep's better advice, she declared: “We want your money and your blood.”

Left: Greg and Juanita Baranco

She was referring (of course) to the to the June 6 blood drive the dealership’s staging in conjunction with the American Red Cross. But it was also a not-so-subtle inference to the wellspring of new customers MMB hopes to lure with events like Sunday night’s debut for the 2010 "S" series of sedans.
The young, rich, flashy and classy were all represented at the “S-Class Affair” MBB held to help launch Atlanta-based 19th Hole magazine. Editors, publicists, photographers, show-offs and gawkers were out in full force to check out the cars (approx. $150,000) that Ms. Baranco claims, “virtually drives itself”.
“It’s the best of the best, and I should know,” she added, “because I’m blessed to be able to drive anything I want.”
Since the sun beamed bright well after dinner time, guests had the occasion to flaunt the best from their spring wardrobes.

“A (capacity) turnout like this that looks like this is inspiring, to say the least” remarked the natty 19th Hole publisher Ian Paul Lawrence (left).
Leonard Gresham, the Neiman-Marcus menswear consultant who’d zipped into town from Charlotte for the occasion, generally approved of how the crowed dressed.
“When you’ve go so many ladies looking elegant, on the borderline of provocative, you’re in the right place,” he quipped. “Better yet: the men came dressed appropriately. No one’s wearing their success around their necks or on their fingers.”

Left: Ken and Lisa Barber

The fashion show that capped off the night (on a green carpet, in homage to golf) featured the Barber boutique’s “modern classic” approach to menswear; in subltle patterns and subdued color combinations for the warm weather season.
None of the looks clashed in the eyes of guests, who _ quite obviously _ had trouble keeping their eyes off the wheeled wonders on display.





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