Color and Chihuly drive Swan Ball fashion

Rainbows

Published On: June 22, 2010

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“I was trying to be Chihuly-ish,” co-chair Sissy Wilson said, as she swished the ruffled skirt of her glorious, scarlett silk organza Oscar de la Renta gown. Sissy, you weren’t the only one. The Chihuly refrain was heard time and time again at this year’s Swan Ball, and in our eyes—that’s most definitely a good thing. It means colorful and artistic. We like.

Ellen Martin strolled into the Mansion looking serenely regal in a coral Michael Kors gown she purchased in Naples at Marissa’s. Beautiful—and such a refreshing look. Pretty Jennie McCabe was in sync with Ellen, donning a rich apricot-hued Armani Collezioni from Neiman Marcus. Yummy. Barbara Burns wore a gown designed for the 2006 SB, a tangerine strapless silk-taffeta mermaid dress with fuchsia netting detail. The Kathy Ghajar of Elegant Alterations design just popped on her.

The Fiandaca crew was out in droves, Jane Dudley leading the charge in a couture gown Alfred designed with chartreuse beaded lace over lemon-yellow chiffon. The Divine Dudley strikes again. Sarah Hunter Green, Karen McKean, Eizabeth McDonald and Shirley Harvey (one of Alfred’s favorite ladies) all struck stunning poses in Mr. Fiandaca’s finery. Shirley’s granddaughter Amber borrowed a gown from her grandmother, and when they stood side-by-side, they almost could’ve been mistaken for sisters.

Some ladies know how to make a jaw-dropping entrance, and at this year’s Ball, Alyne Massey and Gigi Grimstad did just that. Both floated into the Mansion, Alyne in a long, white Ralph Ricci for Chaddo sheath sprinkled with sequins and Gigi in a white cotton-wool gauze Calvin Klein number she found at—okay, guess where she found it. Yes, you are correct—at Jamie.

Co-chair Collie Daily caught eyes with her sparkly Dolce & Gabbana gown which matched some of the geographic cutout designs in the tent. Collie’s petite frame carried the gown perfectly, and her daughter Courtney obviously inherited her mom’s model-like shape. She looked beatific in a silk, strapless gown with a sweetheart neckline from the Jovani 2010 Exclusive Collection. Delicate and pretty.

Indeed, not a bad showing for the ladies of the Ball.

—photographs by eric england, sinclair kelly, peyton hoge