Macy's Glamorama Sizzles!
Cee Lo Green brought down the house at Macy's Glamorama. Photo credit John Eckmier.
With sizzle, sass and a heaping generosity of spirit, the Macy’s Passport Presents Glamorama 2011 - ARTrageous event took The Orpheum Theatre Sept. 23 in downtown Los Angeles.
In the rococo, 1920s style splendor of the Orpehum, Grammy winning artist, and judge of hitTV show The Voice,Cee Lo Green headlined the fashion,music and charity event dressed in a natty safari suit and a pith helmet. He sang his anthems Crazy as well as the notorious Forget You!(that’s the PG rated title of the song,) which prompted a raucous sing-along from the capacity crowd at the 2,000 seat theatre.
Gracing the stage with inventive, highly choreographed runway shows, fashion brands Tracy Reese, Armani Jeans,Calvin Klein, Kenneth Cole, Tommy Girl by Tommy Hilfiger, Papi, Rachel Rachel Roy and Macy’s labels Impulse, Bar III drew cheers of approval for the looks that showcased formal looks to premium denim. And for the muscular models wearing men’s fashion underwear Papi, the crowd shouted out cat calls and throaty cheers.
Academy Award winning actress Sharon Stone, Macy’s Chairman Terry Lundgren and show host Pauley Perrette spoke in a moving manner about the reason for the event. It was to raise funds and awareness for AIDS research and to help those living with HIV/AIDS. The event gave $25,000 for Aids Project Los Angeles.
For the encore, there was an after party at the lobby of California Market Center. Guests were treated to See's Candies, Patron Tequila, Don Francisco’s Coffee, brisket sliders, yam fries, potstickers, as well as having their portraits made by silhouette artists and photographers, then enjoying an impromptu nightclub where DJs spun dance music and Michael Jackson hits. Best of all, they got to rub shoulders with some of the people below.
A Tracy Reese design at the Macy's Glamorama runway show. Photo credit John Eckmier.
Jennifer Love Hewitt at Macy's Glamorama.Photo credit John Eckmier.
Pauley Perrette was the host of Macy's Glamorama.
Macy's Chairman Terry Lundgren dined with his family at the after party. He wore an Armani suit purchased at Macy's sister store Bloomingdale's.
Laura Schara was the stylist for Glamorama. She wore Australian brand Bec Bridge. She said Macy's selected labels for the runway show that would showcase new looks and classics.
Nick Verreos wears Alexander McQueen scarf and a Viktor Rolf jacket. Nick is a Project Runway alum and a frequent master of ceremonies at Macy's events. He revealed he was close to making a scene at the Glamorama. "When they said, 'and our host is', I almost got up," he said. Thank our lucky stars that Nick stayed in his seat. We'll see him MC at future Macy's events.
Hollywood Icon Elizabeth Taylor was one of the major supporters of Aids Project Los Angeles. Her grandsons Quinn Tivey, pictured left, and Tarquin Wilding honored their grandmother's memory by speaking at the event. Tarquin wore Prada head to toe. When asked what Quinn was wearing, he answered "Clothes." 'Nuff said.
Model and performer Kayla only goes by one name. She worked as a dresser at the Glamorama show. She's wearing a Skingraft jacket.
When Raul Alonso Evans, right, was diagnosed with AIDS in 1991, he had nowhere to go. Aids Project Los Angeles gave him a support group, dental and mental health services as well as meals. "Without APLA, I wouldn't be here," he said. At right Kurt Evans, his husband.
L.A. fashion designer Monah Li, left, and Lisa Derrick, author of La Figa blog, both dressed in Monah Li. Lisa said gay rights is the most pressing civil rights issue of the current time. It also tickled her to witness almost the entire audience lustily singing along to Cee Lo's song F___ You!, also called Forget You! "The audience was singing along to the right chorus," she said.
Stylist George Blodwell just returned from a trip to Istanbul to check out fashion, and he has the suit to prove it. His suit is by Turkish label Tween.
Kat Kramer, a singer,actress and producer.
Brandon Gray gets his silhouette taken. Brandon wears a John Varvatos jacket. He called his look retro and colorful. But what about that jade Buddha necklace? Is that retro? Taking Brandon's likeness is Leslie Stone.
In 2012, we all might be watching Robert Moran star in his own reality show. It follows a gay make-up artist from the Midwest making his way through the fashion landscape. Mmm, reality! Robert wears some Dolce Gabbana.
Kara Johnson, right, wore a Betsey Johnson dress. "I have it in two different colors," she said. Yowza! Tomika Smalls, left, works as a stylist. "I don't know who I'm wearing. I just put it together," she said.
Bailey "BailRok" Munoz , age 11, in the gray suit and mohawk, proved you can break dance in a suit. Do it!
