If you were stuck in the congestion at Peachtree and North Avenue last night around 7 p.m., at least you had plenty to look at. Dolled-up women flooded the crosswalks, headed toward one of two big events going on at the Fox: the Coca-Cola Summer Film Festival’s showing of Sex and the City: The Movie, and Urban Chic, the annual fashion show/fundraiser for Aid Atlanta.
As my sister and I pushed through the box office line and located the red carpet leading into the latter event, I felt a flutter of excitement. Last year I was lucky enough to attend many a glittering party for this blog; after a quiet summer, Urban Chic marks the kickoff of a new social season. Inside the grand old eery Egyptian Ballroom (where my sister and I spent a collective four proms), some 500 guests traded air kisses, strolled past silent auction tables, lent their signatures to an AIDS memorial quilt, stole glances at a male and female model wearing nothing but G-strings and body paint (the female, in particular, painted a perky picture), and enjoyed a gloriously cheese-filled hors d'oeuvres spread.
The main event was a fashion show featuring fall styles from some of the city’s preeminent boutiques: Addiction, Bill Hallman, Festivity, Kaleidoscope, Lui-B, Luxe-Atlanta, Okonali.com, Sage, Thread House, Tootsie’s, Vanessa Vinci Designs, and Jewelry by Goldwasser. Attendees consisted mostly of boutique owners and friends—I spotted the lovely Cindy Hallman (wife of Bill), who recently modeled for our “Real People” fashion shoot (September), and chatted with Nikki Salk, owner of smashing new boutique Addiction—as well as friends of Aid Atlanta and chairs Richie Arpino, Ken Goldwasser, Karyn Greer, Randi Layne, and John Stupka. Prior to the show we heard words from hosts Tom Sullivan and Greer (both of 11Alive), Arpino, and Hot 107.9’s Maria More. Then came the most memorable moment of the evening: a spoken word performance by a woman who has lived with AIDS for twenty-five years. She briefly thanked the boutique (Kaleidoscope, I believe) that dressed her for the evening, saying she felt "fabulous," then launched into a recitation that referred to, among other things, being raped as a thirteen-year-old girl and being a "poor, drug-addicted black woman living with AIDS in the South.” It occurred to me that baring your soul in front of such an imposing crowd would take far more courage than baring your body-painted breasts.
Before I sign off, some words about the fashion show: Men's ensembles relied heavily on graphic tees and fedoras, plus a few extravagantly patterned suits. The women’s lineup showcased pieces that were simultaneously tailored and elegantly draped; bold-colored tunics with tall boots; and my favorite accessory of all, scoopy “backlaces" (necklaces that drape down your back; see above). I'm seriously considering pursuing ownership of one. With the right dress, how heads would turn when you do!