AnnakaMarie Label Brightens Up the "Bored" Room

Atlanta, GA _ The AnnakaMarie clothing line which debuts Wednesday (March 28, ‘12) at the Commerce Club is just what the doctor ordered for career women who’ve waited patiently for looks that tastefully blend “flair” with “formality”.
The label’s co-creators _ Regina Mixon Bates and Cleah Murray _ are launching the line with an evening (6-8 p.m.) trunk show. Guests will not only enjoy the event’s 40th Floor view of Atlanta’s skyline, but also rub elbows with models flaunting the line’s fine fabrics and tailoring techniques.
This is a “soft” opening for AnnakaMarie, showcasing a limited selection of hot weather looks in anticipation of the labels full roll-out for a wider audience this fall.


Bates, a power house in the field of private medical management, brings her experience as a top model who experienced “challenges” finding business attire to fit her towering frame to the project.
Murray has built a stellar career custom-designing wardrobes and wedding gowns for a powerhouse list of clients including former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, R&B star Perri “Pebbles” Reid and TV sensation CeeCee Michaels.
Together, they’re delivering an array of styles that are “chic, fashion-forward and appropriate” for women who mean business.


For more information about the AnnakaMarie clothing line, visit: www.annakamarie.com, send an email to style@annakamarie.com or call 888-660-6672.
TRUNK SHOW: WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, 6-8 P.M.
THE COMMERCE CLUB, 191 PEACHTREE STREET, N.E., ATLANTA, 30303
RSVP LINE: 404-586-9729

ONSITE DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE WITH PURCHASE.

New Atlanta Designers Heat Up Home Decor

Pharos Group's "Fire Tables" Debut at Ken Barber Clothing
By A. Scott Walton
Imagine having a clean-burning coffee table that you could warm sake, roast marshmallows or serve fondue on.
Those are just a few of the possibilities proposed by the Atlanta-based duo behind Pharos "Fire Tables" launching this weekend at downtown's Ken Barber Clothing emporium.

The cocktail party hailing the Pharos designs coincides with the early portion of the Academy Awards telecast. So if you can't attend but want to learn more about the customized table designs ($2,500=$3,000 depending on your choice of wood base and stone insert), reach out to Ken Barber, or seek out the tandem known as Pharos (Michael Courts and Donald Burlock, Jr.) before they get flooded with orders and you lose out on the chance to obtain a numbered, limited-edition piece.

Chef Kevin Rathbun Needs A Hug

If not an actual belly-to-belly clench with the big guy who consistently keeps Atlanta cuisine on the national radar, how about an embrace from some clothier capable of outfitting a man of Kevin Rathbun's mountainous stature? On the heels of his recent "Today Show" appearance, where he dwarfed the jovial Al Roker, Rathbun admitted he'd like to look a little "jiggier" as his girth shrinks and his reputation mushrooms.
"I've lost 65 pounds since the first of the year," Rathbun said after taping his latest weekend installment of the "Steak Tips" show on 790 the Zone-AM. "I haven't had the guts to go out and buy nice things because my size (from a 62 Tall down to a 54) keeps changing."
Rathbun said the "Today Show" staff didn't fuss much over what he wore; he joked about not having the "Bro-mance" chef looks that the makeup crew surrounds.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

On this, his third "Today Show" appearance, Rathbun (who also starred last year on "Iron Chef" was asked to create economical "comfort" dishes. He produced three alternatives for cooking stone-ground grits: "First, I did them breakfast style with country ham, and then I moved on to grits sauteed with baby grens and truffle oil, and then I finished with a shrimp and grits dish; a southern classic."
Throughout the taping, Rathbun said he was mindful of how "sacky" his chef's coat appeared. He plans on consulting with his friends at Cayson Design to help refine his look. It's needed: starting in April, Rathbun's going to be featured on the Travel Channel feature "Passageway to Atlanta".

Bill Hallman Gets Prophetik

The Bill Hallman boutique's party to celebrate the arrival of Prophetik clothing's spring/summer line caused quite the sidewalk-jamming stir on Highland Avenue Saturday night.














Necks craned four rows deep near the doorway _ and faces pressed against the glass walls separating Hallman's conjoined men's and women's shops _ to see the organic cotton and silk designs strutted on the red carpet between them.

Prophetik, based in Nashville (of all places) is gaining headlines worldwide due to its commitment to fashioning garments out of eco-friendly materials like raw cotton and silk, and employing paint-splatter patterns made by woe-be-gone Thai elephants who are gradually being eliminated because machines now do their heavy lifting.





Besides all that, the clothes looked good.


(A certain producer for CNN International seated beside me on the front row nudged me often in approval of looks that designer/Flock of Seagulls-wannabe Jeff Garner (right) trotted out.)








Alternately, tunes by DJ Charles III and the funk-rock band My Glorious serenaded models down the runway.






In the interest of time, let's just say important fashion statements (some off the record) were made at the Hallman party. (Stay tuned to EyeSeeStyle for breaking news about Hallman's expanding empire, a few days from now...)



For a comprehensive view of what went down, visit the JimFlix photo gallery. Leave a comment below to learn more about the Bill Hallman/Prophetik party.

Tootsies: Atlanta's Retail "Roll" Model

Don't let all those "For Lease" signs in the neighboring storefronts at the Around Lenox plaza fool you into thinking the economic downturn is all-encompassing, Atlanta.
Tootsies is on a a roll.

Angela Karatassos

The posh and spacious designer boutique proved that much Wednesday night with a raucous runway show and cocktail party benefiting the Kim King Foundation for improving urban education resources. The affair flaunted the upper echelon of designer labels for sale (Zac Posen, Diane von Furstenberg, Lela Rose, Missoni,Chloe, Etro, McQueen, etc.)

Annie Shu in the Tootsies runway show

For better or worse, the free drinks floating around far outpaced the hors d'oeuvres.
As organizer/celebrity model Angela Karatasos summed it up: "This is about fashion, passion, fun and seeing all my friends!"

Among the "fun" and good-looking in attendance: the Taste boutiques' fashion scout Angela Henderson; movie maven Carolyn Sloss; ergonomics consultant Mike Adams; Atlantan magazine ad director Paige Smith; the power publicicists (Kitsy Rose, Marsha Middleton, Liz Lapidus) and Tara Murphy; the fashion forecasters (Liz Schulte Roth, Amy Flurry, Anita Jan Temple, Tiffany Davis); the bon vivant Warren Huntley; the sultan of spa treatment, John Stupka; and custom shirt-and-tie temptress Melinda Chandler.

Veronica Best in Tootsies' runway show

Kudos to the Tootsies devotees who strutted on the runway for a good cause. Congrats as well to the dazzling, down-to-earth crowd-pleasers Veronica Best and Annie Shu.
To view a massive gallery of photos from the Tootsies event, visit JimiFlixx.com.
JUST WONDERING...: Any thoughts on the news that Marc Jacobs and his Brazilian ad agent are now engaged to be married?

Bill Hallman Sows Organic Fashion Seeds

"Yeah, yeah, yeah...," you say.
"The notion of fashion clothes out of 'green' materials sounds nice. But no one's really shown how 'hemp' and 'high style' fit in the same sentence."
Well, the ambitious Atlanta retailer Bill Hallman invites you to reconsider.
Hallman's hosting an in-store party and fashion show Friday (March 21, 8-10 p.m.) at his Virginia Highland boutique to pump up the volume of interest stirring over the London-based label, Prophetik

Prophetik's "Alcatraz" ensemble ($102)

"Prophetik defines inspirational sustainable euro street wear that serves purpose and is a visual manifestation of art, love, poetry, and the freedom found from within," according to the Bill Hallman event invite.
What occurs to ESS is how profoundly the label forecasts the future demand for sensible clothes made of sustainable materials.



Prophetik's "Ego Patch" men's tee ($48)

The Prophetik show's slated to start at 9 p.m.; a featured appearance by Austria's My Glorious is scheduled that night as well. The London Examiner can't stop raving about Prophetik's exploits: so let the British Invasion begin.

Atlanta Style Scene Heats Up

When people remark that things are heating up in Atlanta, they’re not strictly referring to the pre-spring weather.

Hot deals on clothes, and hot spots to wear them, pack the mid-March style calendar.


Banana Republic's "Monogram" collection racerback gown

For starters: there’s the (March 12-15) “Bringing Sexy Back for Spring” sale being staged by the Revamped Resale Boutique and its coterie of "Ebay Fashionistas at the Scott Antiques Market.

The vast expo center just three miles east of the airport will feature flirty summer looks that, in some cases, date back decades. In addition, Facebook members are offered discounts

During the same weekend span, Gap, Inc. is staging a “Give & Get” promotion where Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy stores are offering 30-per-off bargains with 5 percent of each sale benefiting the charity of the customer’s choice. Gap, Inc. enables customers to share the savings and the good karma with family and friends. Just click on “Give & Get” for details.

And, for those ladies who aren’t still hung over from their St. Patrick’s Day “observances”, the very posh Tootsies boutique at Around Lenox is hosting a March 18 (7-9 p.m.) celebrity runway show and sale to benefit a very worthy cause. Partial proceeds from the Buckhead event will go to the Kim King Foundation for enhanced services in urban schools. Click here for directions and details.

Tootsies

Need a festive occasion to flaunt your new frocks? Check out: the March 12 Covey Run / Buena Vista Wine Dinner ($60 per person, plus tip) at Shaun’s on Edgewood; the “Flux” affair March 13 at Bazaar on Peachtree (where every night’s a fashion show and an art exhibit); and the True Colors Theatre Company’s latest riveting work, "Miss Evers’ Boys", runs through March 21 at the Southwest Arts Center.

Jenn Ripley Hits the Reset Button

Believe it or not, Atlanta style fiends: the intrepid retailer Jenn Ripley’s re-invented herself again.

The savvy upscale fashion broker with the A-List actress looks has just relocated to Los Angeles; where she ‘ll have more immediate access to the Left Coast’s top show rooms, and the TV studios that ply them.
“I’m positioning myself as the go-between for the designers who have these people calling them for the clothes they need for a three-day shoot, and the stylists who have all these items to cull through for each character,” said Ripley.
Long known for delivering boutique bargains to clients at her series of Luxe shoppes downtown, in Buckhead and finally in West Midtwon, Ripley now navigates between Manhattan, L.A. and Atlanta in a similar, multi-task role. If she’s not outfitting stars for awards galas like the Grammys or the Emmys, she’s swooping in to help chic boutique owners liquidate their stock before bankruptcy rears its tacky head.
Partnered for the past three years with the former morning radio star and emerging purse maven Leslie Fram, Ripley’s recently struck out on her own. Her latest enterprise is called The Archive Agency: “(an) L.A.-based, in-house wardrobe and styling agency specializing in studio pulls, personal shopping and designer and vintage clothing liquidation. “

She’s a coordinating partner for the Pop-Up Shop sample sale going on this weekend (March 13-15) in the East Atlanta Village’s former Pieces of Adrene space (493 Flat Shoals Road, 30316) , in case you’re interested in deals like shoes that could cost $500 going for $50.

Atlanta Forgets Recession For a Night

A deejay with a towering burnt orange afro supplied soulful background music for Thursday's Men's LUXE Night at the W Hotel-Buckhead. But he might as well have kept some synthesized version of Gershwin's "I Got Rhythm" on a constant loop.


Bert Weis of "The Bert Show" fame greets a morning radio fan


The 3rd Annual affair hosted by The Atlantan magazine and Jim Ellis Porsche had some of the suavest guys in town scratching their heads, wondering: "Who could ask for anything more."

Munchies from the Market restaurant, sips from the small batch Marques reserves of Crown Royal, a putting green (with a wicked break right) installed by European Autovault, massages from Blue MedSpa, and custom clothes fittings by Guffey's of Atlanta.





Courtney and Krissy

The icing on the cake, of course, was the strong turnout of lovely ladies who seemed not to mind at all as wafts of hand-made cigar smoke wafted from the terrace into the ballroom and men's eyes darted from one beauty to the next.












Models (Jodie Baity, Tonika Davis, Ashley Carson and Brittainy Jefferson) wear private label shirts and ties by Guffey's while sandwiching the Buckhead haberdashery's accessories expert Tim Richey









The '09 Porsche Cayman, waiting for you to test drive









Real estate and music industry execs Venice Brinkley and Lisa McCall













Atlanta's No. 1 Porsche saleswoman, Stacey Frith











Atlanta's perennial "top model" Veronica Best


Noteworthy attendees of the event included: the Reynolds Plantation's golf coordinator, Rob Muggleston; AmericasMart leasing director, Terence Morris; publicity stalwarts, Nick Gold and Lilian Raji; alternative educator Chasity Rosier; lifestyle enhancement guru Chloe Taylor Brown; and Frank Heath, owner of the all-new Sebastian's Closet men's boutique in Buckhead.




Jim Ellis Porsche GM Doug McIntyre posts up by the iconic crest
All Images: JimiFlix Photography

Atlanta Women Wooed By A Different Wang

The name used to be Wang: Vera Wang
The bridal designer’s chokehold on Atlanta bride-to-be wish lists has reached legendary proportions over the years.

But there’s another Wang in town now. And, at the tender, slender age of 25, Alexander Wang is shaping up to be a ready-to-wear scene-stealer.


Just as 2008 was ending, the Council of Fashion Designers of America bestowed the Holy Grail of 'rising star' awards upon Wang (the younger), based on the merits of his Spring ’09 collection. Wang’s “pierced” and fringed black leather platforms drew plenty of attention.

And as the Fall ’09 previews were winding down at New York’s Fashion Week last month, Wang received the following, ringing endorsement for his latest collection: “I am sure he will have a successful shoe business.”

That one came, courtesy of a Women’s Wear Daily interview with Jeffrey Kalinsky. You know…the guy who went from conquering the market with his Bob Ellis Shoes store at Phipps Plaza and then took giant steps further by opening the Jeffrey (Atlanta and New York) upscale shopping meccas. Same guy who’s now Nordstrom’s top buyer.

Anyway, top retailers agree that the defiant, and extremely high-heeled way Wang has with shoes has “winner” written all over it. And since upscale stores rooted in Atlanta like Saks and Nordstrom already support Wang’s apparel rather heavily, his label’s presence here is poised to rise.
Photo: style.com

Calling All Gold-Diggers!

Still waiting on your (ahem) stimulus package?


Well, while your face turns blue, look on the bright side: you can always try and unload some of that gold jewl-ray you now regret buying, receiving or borrowing (but never returning) for cash.

Atlanta's A-List hairstylist, Richie Arpino, is hosting a "Gold Rush" party at his Buckhead Salon Wednesday night (6-9 p.m.) to help you do just that.

There, an anonymous appraiser will offer guests greenbacks on the spot for their not-so-precious metals.

“Maybe some of those guys who should know better will finally part with their gold nugget chains,” Arpino laughed over the phone.



He said the party was inspired by those quirky gold-for-cash infomercials he kept seeing on TV, as word of mouth that gold is becoming something like the new Tupperware.
“Some people I’ve invited tell me that they went to one of these parties a month ago, or two months ago, so they don’t have anything left.”
Comments on Arpino’s Facebook invitation to the “Gold Rush” range from a slew of non-commital “maybes”, to comical accepting comments like “I’ll be there with my Mr. T kit!” to absurd statements of refusal like “Last time you had one of these I woke up afterward pregnant and in Snellville, so, no, I will not be attending....”.
Points of fact, this is Arpino’s first-ever “Gold Rush”. And every effort’s being made to keep this event discreet.

Email the maestro at richiearpino@mac.com to get on the guest list.
And if that doesn't raise your spirits, maybe this selection from Jill Scott will.






As an added bonus just for reading, enjoy this prophetic interlude from Slick Rick...
Eye'll be seeing you!

NBA Blocks Wade's Band-Aid Ploy

During his weekend stop in Atlanta to face the Atlanta Hawks, Miami Heat star Dwayne Wade got a stark warning from the NBA to cool his heels.
Perhaps Wade turned in a sub-par performance in a 91-83 losing effort against the Hawks because he felt wounded by the NBA’s warning to stop wearing Band-Aid strips bearing self-promotional logos during games.



The day before the Hawks game, the All-Star performer’s official web site ran a banner ad stating that his signature adhesive bandages were “coming soon”, and that fans would have the chance to buy them in customized bulk (with some proceeds going to charity).
The morning of the Atlanta-Miami game, Wade’s site blasted an alert that his new penchant for wearing decorative bandages under his left eye had sparked a trend of “epidemic” proportions.
Hours before the game, however, the league informed Wade that his decorative Band-Aids were “banned”.
Chalk up another win for the NBA in its quest to maintain conformity.
But what’s to stop a player _ if the money’s right _ from getting a brand’s name tattooed on his hands or forehead for all the world to see when he’s shooting a crucial free throw?

Halo Runs Rings Around Competition

With Thursday night's grand re-opening of the Halo Lounge (beneath the Biltmore Hotel), owner James Sullivan finally soothed a seven-itch.

WGCL "Better Mornings Atlanta" reporter Corinna Allen hugs it up with Halo owner James Sullivan and GM Orlando Ramirez

"We've been around long enough now to prove that we're not just here for two or three year, and then moving on to whatever's next," he barked above the din of groovy music selected by the house deejay, Dr Katz.

"We remodeled because our customers demand change, and we're not going anywhere.



CWPR's Kate Thacker and Caren West sandwhich Halo owner James Sullivan

Halo still has an "underground" feel: its got no neon signage to announce its side-street entrance at Sixth and West Peachtree; and many patrons dress as if they were all suddenly transported from Manhattan's Lower East Side.



"Sunday Paper" advice columnists Blaine Bachelor and Lisa Baron ring in Halo's return

But Halo has softened some of its rougher edges. There's a sleek and curvy new bar in the upper loft. And a cutting-edge ceramic wall of lights now undulates above the broad and inviting main lounge.


Halo patrons bask beneath the club's new wall of light

Though its located in the still-gritty heart of the city, it's obviously a spot that well-heeled ladies gravitate to.


A Halo bartender prepares to whip an egg white for the house's signature "Biltmore" cocktail

Besides the management staff of J'Adore magazine, the former NBA and college hoops great Joe Barry Carroll and a slew of those "reporting from (bum-f@#k) County...I'm (fill-in-the-blank)" TV guys, there was also: the Sunday Paper advice columnists Blaine Bachelor and Lisa Baron; Marie Claire magazine correspondent Colleen Oakley; and the leggy blonde "Better Mornings Atlanta" reporter, Corinna Allen.
All Images: JimiFlix Photography

Not Your "Standard" VIP Gathering

Atlanta's media elite _ and a fair number of posturing politicos _ gathered at Grant Park's Standard bistro Wednesday night for an "eat, drink and be wary" at the scene of the crime where bartender, John Henderson, was slain.



Henderson, 27, died from gunshot wounds during an early-morning robbery of the popular neighborhood destination; patrons and area residents are outraged that nearly two months have passed without an arrest in the case.

There remains a substantial reward outstanding leading to the capture of Henderson's assailants. Further contributions to the fund can be donated by visiting: The Atlanta Police Foundation's web site.

There was heavy APD presence on this occasion...and one aspirant to the seat Mayor Shirley Franklin will vacate (too soon) virtually guaranteed a plan to put hundreds more police officers on intown patrol, if elected.



Okay, okay...on with the name-dropping: Olympic hurdling hero Edwin Moses;


micro-marketing whiz Michael Larkin; "The Real Fashionistas of the ATL" Tiffany Davis and Nedra Rhone J'Adore Magazine Executive Editor Dennis Byron and his chief writer, Andrea Janise;

financial planners Martina Jimenez and Ana Maria Encean; the Atlanta Press Club's Executive Director, Lauri Strauss; the tireless advocates of fabulous intown living, Caren West and Kate Thacker of CWPR;

digital branding manager Adrienne Large; event organizer Tom Houck; photo-journalist John Glenn; a slew of Delta Airlines media execs including Susan Elliott, Betsy Talton, Kent Landers and Ed Stewart; immigration attorney Skeeter-Jo Francois; and the legendary local business chronicler, Maria Saporta.

1: A cadre of Delta communications execs
2: Tom Houck hugging Edwin Moses
3: J'Adore magazine's brain-trust
4: Market forecasters Jiminez and Encean
5: Kate and Caren from CWPR
ALL PHOTOS: jimiflixphotography

DEKA Athletics Flexes its Muscle

DEKA Athletics owner, Jim Whitlow, just shared a secret with me that seemed sensible, if somewhat startling.
The spry, 40-something father of four girls divulged, "I wear the women's in size extra large," as we gazed admiringly at the assortment of basic black, blue, brown and tan Adidas track suits in the upper loft of his Buckhead boutique.




DEKA Athletics owner, Jim Whitlow _ once a Jeffrey Kalinsky protege _ makes his inventory list and checks it twice.

Whitlow _ a former cornerstone of Jeffrey Kalinsky's retail franchises _ has no qualms when it comes to taking full advantage of quality, cutting-edge sports wear. His shop _ which soon turns 2 _ specializes in sleek, chic and unique labels fit for the devout runner or yoga practiciouner, and well-suited for the woman who actively segues between work and play.

And he dresses the part: typically arriving for work in something like a uni-sexy hooded cotton Tee by Ever, paint-slotched cargo pants and sleek, slate grey Adidas trainers.











A DEKA customer "from East Cobb" tempted by strands of "Zen" gemstones; Michelle the cashier (background) gives her her space.


Whitlow envisions DEKA as a store where performance meets fashion (with prices in the range of $36 to $350).
"We wait on the athlete obviously," he says, "then again we wait on the girl who leads sort of a ‘cool’, ‘California’ lifestyle. My girl’s not really matchy-match. She might wear our Nike Tempo (running) shorts with one of our rock ‘n roll Project T tops."
This explains the mad mix of labels carried in the two-story, semi-circular store with oversized windows overlooking Pharr Road. Hard Tail and High Gear meld with Young Fabulous & Broke and We The Free. Parajumpers clubwear blends with Planet Body.
"I learned from Jeffrey (Kalinsky)," Whitlow says. "What did Jeffrey do? He took chances on lines you couldn’t otherwise get in Atlanta. I really try to concentrate on lines that are either exclusive (Y-3, Puma-Dassler) or unique. We probably have 10 lines here that no one else in Atlanta carries."












A shoe wall at DEKA Athletics: with Asics models displayed _ in keeping with the "salvaged" decor _ on brings strung together with construction rebar.

Whitlow's not satisfied with his success so far with DEKA, which takes its name from the Greek word for "Ten". He's got plans in place for a men's store with a similar concept, and a Greek God-like name that's sure to entice.
"It'll be easy for me to merchandise that store, because I am that customer!"
Which, of course, will mean more extra large styles in stock at DEKA for you ladies.



For more information: DEKA Athletics, 375 Pharr Road • Suite 501 • Atlanta, GA 30305 • 404.869.9600 • fax 404.869.9680 • dekaathletics@gmail.com




photos: a. scott walton

National Black Arts Fest Brings 'Sexy' Back!

Atlanta got a taste of the “stimulus package” it’s starving for Thursday night at the Fine Art + Fashion gala Saks Fifth Avenue-Phipps Plaza staged in support of the National Black Arts Festival.

All Photos: JimiFlix Photography

This year, the NABF’s 20th, is being billed as a “year-round cultural celebration”. That’s good if you’re up to partying any time and any where (and dressing the part)as guests at this gathering evidently were. But since it’s hard to find a set-in-stone calendar of events for the NABF this year (I’ve tried, doggedly), devotees may need to hone their quick-change skills.


The goodie bags Saks gave out for the ($200 to $400 per seat) runway show included delightful faux-crocodile laptop satchels. Unfortunately, there was no “run-of-show” list include: it would have been nice to know exactly what our favorite models like Annie and Veronica were wearing. Out of about 75 full outfits shown, only about 8 of which looked “odd”.



And half of those could be blamed on the male models.


Here are the early-spring trends I noted (while trying to ignore seat-mates’ whispers) in the well-done Saks presentation: silk, shimmer, sequins, satin, skins, shoulders, midi-skirts, tulips and pearls.
But, like any good “guaranteed drama” fashion event, this affair truly sizzled because of what the attendees were wearing.
The fundraiser/fashion fiend, Angela Karatassos, in her aqua-shaded Lela Rose lotus gown, was one among several well-heeled ladies there who’d ‘just bought whatever’ that day, ‘like wherever’, on a whim for the NBAF occasion.
(Private as it’s kept: they say the ‘kickoff party’ the night before was even crazier. Who knew?)



Event co-chair _ the very statuesque Tamara Kimble _ drew very high marks from her hubby (forgot his name) as she took the stage to honor Tony Award-winner Sheryl Lee Ralph with the ’09 Model Citizen Award. Tamara had on a Zac Posen glittery halter, a slit skirt by Derek Lam and YSL stilettos.



The list goes on and on…which is what I love about this town!





SEEN! Tanya Rodriguez (Mrs. Frank Ski) in a mint greet shearling coat with a (faux?) fox collar she’d just shrugged on because “it felt cold when I stepped outside”…Karen Harper Morgan out celebrating her family’s opening of the KOZMO gastropub in Johns Creek, and sipping wine the shade of her Gucci halter… luxury hotel decorator Aida Flamm in an oyster shell silk top by Rhanna Gill over Chloe tweed slacks (and hubby, Alan in a nubby tan tweed suit by Canali)…reality show designer Mykal Knight (in a random-prep ensemble) accompanied by a muse clad in one of his ‘couture’ party dresses…

a demure blonde named ‘Cathy’ in an ankle length tapestry coat by Tuleh ( a favorite of Mrs. Obama’s, reportedly)…the vintage devotee Cynthia Craig in a smock-dress and a coat that were both quilted….and the globe-trotting novelist/jeweler Tracie Howard, in a vintage veiled beret to cap off a strapless Jessica McClintock mourning gown.


PART(Y)ING THOUGHTS: Funny thing about this party was that people kept mentioning in passing that they really should leave. But no one did. Fine Art + Fashion had some serious ‘static cling’ going on.
GLAD TO SEE THERE: The towering intellect Joe Barry Carroll, the visionary Anthony Liggins, the bespoke suit makers from StricklandDesign, Modern Luxury's ad whiz Paige Smith, branding agent Jesse Mills, commercial space artist Ralph Phillips and communications strategist DeNatalie Phillips.