The Joy Theater looked like a scene out of an old Hollywood movie Saturday night.
Fashion Week New Orleans hosted its Fashion Awards Gala to recognize those new and established in the New Orleans-based fashion industry. Tracee Dundas, Fashion Week New Orleans founder, said she was happy to be back building the fashion industry in New Orleans post-Katrina and enjoyed honoring those in the business.
“I love fashion and I love what I do and I appreciate the continual support,” Dundas said.
Co-hosts Marcus Stewart and Chriss Knight agreed there is no place like New Orleans.
The first award of the night was for the Top Design competition. The nine contestants were all new, emerging designers consisting of Dominique White, Jose Rodriguez, Lauren Ospina, Nichole Steuart, Nikki Manuel, Romey Roe, Sandhya Garg, Shannon Warren and Tiffany Langlinais. Each presented one design from his or her collections and a short video.
Langlinais said Fashion Week New Orleans provides a different kind of fashion week with its culture and atomosphere. The designers were able to be inspired by their surroundings in Louisiana.
First place of the competition went to Garg, followed by Ospina in second place and Steuart in third place.
Awards were also presented to those established in the industry, recognizing their successful careers.
Lisa McRoberts, LSU fashion school department head and business owner, was awarded with the Trailblazer award. McRoberts said she’s known Dundas since before Katrina and saw how hard Dundas has worked to get the fashion week up and running.
Albert Brown was awarded for Hair Artistry and Mignon Faget for Accessories. Bonnie Broel was awarded for Design in her business of made-to-order dresses.
The Ogden Museum of Southern Art was awarded for its educational programs, including “Fashion Camp,” and “Haute and Handmade,” its fashion show occurring every two years. Robert Hudson received the Makeup Artistry award and Harold Clarke was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Clarke has been a designer in the business for more than 30 years and is celebrating 20 years in New Orleans this year.
“My wife and myself love New Orleans; there’s no place like it. … It’s been a great ride,” Clarke said.
The gala’s model walk off awarded young models the opportunity to advance in their careers. John Robert Powers’ modeling school awarded first place male and female model with premiere training and a scouting trip to Los Angeles.
A Saks Fifth Avenue fashion presentation and performances by Louisiana native Antonia DeShannon were also included in the night’s entertainment.