| Not since
the finale of Carrie’s Manolo obsession have so many women
gleefully converged in the name of fashion. The Center for
Women’s Third Annual “It’s In the Bag” Purse Auction,
held last Thursday at the City Waterfront Gallery, featured the
handiwork of 90 local personalities, offered delectable bites from
outstanding restaurants, and had 500 women in a frenzy. This event
gets better and better each year!
A small army of C4W and Women
Making a Difference volunteers, led by the ever-efficient Sunny
Rakestraw Gray, greeted attendees at the door. Many
fashionistas arrived ready to exhibit their personal flair for
purses, like Holland Williams who sported a very colorful
YSL tote. Others, like Leah Greenberg and Barbara Graves,
appeared very pleased with their respective purchases by the
evening’s end. Inside, the purses themselves adorned the walls
in a profusion of cheeky spring fashion, feathers, and all things
pink. Purse highlights included the ingenious “A Book of
Pockets” by Lese Corrigan, playful “Peeps” by Viki
Faith, “Fake Fur is Fun” by Camille McKinney, and
“Pinking for You” by Judy Watts. One of the evening’s
most exciting creations was undoubtedly “Hunks on Film” by
Sheri Grace Wenger, which raised a whopping $400.
Adding to the high-spirited
festivities was Virginia Hinnant (Bacchus Marketing), who
provided a tasting bar with such delectable adult beverages as
Mandarin Napoleon and Kalani Coconut Liquor. Elsewhere, Laura
Bright (Palmetto Behavioral Health) kept the hors d’oeuvre
table stocked— a tough challenge as most women were jockeying
for position — but one that she handled with great finesse. Next
time, I’ll pay you to set aside one of Fork’s Fine Gourmet’s
insanely divine sweet potato biscuit and ham concoctions.
|
Among the
evening’s lovely participants were Peggy Lewis (who sure
can make some yellow Converse high-tops come to life) and Debbie
Maguire (whose lovely jewelry always gives me sparkle envy). Fran
Taggert, Alice Whitt, Barbara Burgess, and Celia Cerasoli
were in fine form and delighted to report that the Mepkin Abbey
fundraiser last weekend was a rousing success. It appears the
community is ready to shed the winter blues and live it up a
little with the smattering of fun events being planned for each
week.
Bedie Holland
not only contributed to the evening’s success with her bag
“Girl’s Night Out,” but was an excited winner by night’s
end — a double victory! Jamin Marlow Slone, whose
epic design reputation preceded the actual introduction, proved to
be wickedly delightful — as were Weesie and Tradd
Newton. Oh, and Tradd honey, “We know!” Not to be
completely outdone by the ladies, a few gregarious men turned out
in support of the event. Steve Lepre (whose inaugural
virtual Dining with Friends site is doing well —
www.diningwithfriendscharleston.org) and Mark McKinney were
on hand to support Mark’s mother Camille, and Mr. Judy
Watts was a genial as ever. It could have been a dating
lollapalooza for the savvy gentleman thanks to the astronomical
female to male odds. Maybe next year. Word. |
