Location: The Dunlavy

There was a Party in Purple at The Dunlavy to announce the Little Black Dress Designer’s 2016 muses and this event didn’t make Doves Cry..it made them sing!  People arrived in their Little Red Corvettes, wearing their Rasberry Beret’s like it was 1999. Well actually, a crowd of about 150 showed up in the most fabulous purple-toned fashions to celebrate this Prince-inspired kick-off party hosted by Jeff Shell and Ally Shell. This bash included a DJ, a Prince impersonator, drinks, bites by chef Brandi Key and a curated fashion presentation of the little black dresses from the project’s past.  I could describe all the amazing outfits people wore of purple, lilac, lavender, mauve, plum and violet, but I will let the photos do the talking!

The highlight of the evening was the announcement of the 2016 LBDD muses which included Diane Caplan (Houstonia Magazine), Gracie Cavnar (Recipe for Success), Dominique Sachse (KPRC), Molly Johnson Stone (Modern Luxury Magazine), Joy Sewing (Houston Chronicle), Chris Goins (Museum of Fine Arts), Lily Jang (KHOU), Romy Mitchell (doctor at Methodist Hospital), and Rita Garcia (Fox).  I had the privilege of announcing these ladies and said “outstanding and beautiful”!! This year’s muses represent women who’ve made an impact whether in the media or the city of Houston.  Next on the agenda, in September, will be the selection of the student designers through a competition to be held at the Hotel Derek. Later in September, a tea party with the 9 muses will be held at Saks where the ladies will choose their favorite black dress out of the 9 designs submitted by the winners.  They will then collaborate with their chosen designers to alter the dress to fit them and their personal style. This is really fun. I was a muse 2 years ago and my young designer,  Joubaier Joubert, did such a great job on my dress. He has a very promising career ahead of him and we have become besties! This all leads up to the crescendo moment where the muses and their student designers will walk the runway the second night of Heart Of Fashion!!

Heart of Fashion is a three night fashion runway extravaganza to be held Nov. 16-18 at Million Air.  This spectacular event debuted last year with immediate overwhelming success. It’s unique spin combines art, fashion and philanthropy. All three nights of Heart of Fashion have been fully confirmed with designers and participants, to be announced soon. Vivian Wise, founder, wanted the LBDD project to be a part of this year’s event due to it’s impact on changing the lives of student designers through exposure, scholarships, education and collaboration. You can purchase tickets to all three nights through www.hoftix.com

In 2008, the Little Black Dress project was created to support the next generation of fashion artists. Since then, they have given over $100,000 in scholarships to Texas fashion students who need financial aid to their coursework. This organization is one of only a few in Texas dedicated to providing fashion scholarships.

Bravo Jeff and Ally Shell and bravo party patrons for supporting Little Black Dress Designer in such grape-alicious style!!

Photos/Assistance by Jaquel Andrews