Nell Nolan: Men & Women of Fashion, 25 Club, The Links Luncheon

Yes, to Dress

In 1971, Men of Fashion was founded to honor exemplary community service and fashion presence. But that was just for the masculine recognition. So, in 1982, “the organization also began selecting women who met the same criteria. In 1999, the Women of Fashion was formed.”

Since then, 10 Men and 10 Women of Fashion have been honored at a yearly luncheon, titled Prix d’Elegance, as recipients of “Best Dressed” awards. Additionally, there is a special Hall of Fame category to recognize two former honorees, one from each group.

At the recent massive and very merry luncheon in the Hilton Riverside, the spotlight befell Mindy Nunez Airhart, Lisa Blessing Baynham, Liz Broekman, Denise Clark, Mamta Melwani, Tammy O’Shea, Paula Scalco Polito, Suzanne Walther Rusovich, Marilyn Smith and Sunae Villavaso. The glorified gents were Andrea Apuzzo, Davon Barbour, Ryan R. Berger, Robert A. Chaisson, Ryan Daul, Michael “Mike” Palamone, Iggie Perrin, Matt Rinard, Ryan Rodrigue and Damon I. Singleton. Gail Barnes McKenna and Kenny Rubenstein smiled as the Hall of Fame awardees, and Murray Valene, as the Presidents’ Choice Award recipient. Mark Romig emceed.

They were certainly not slated to walk the runway alone. Escorts to the fore! Within the ranks were former BD Deborah Alciatore, Bobby Asaro, Chad Berg, Stephanie Burks, Melanie Cannatella, Carol Chouest, Gregory Curtis, Joseph DiFatta Jr., Kat Edmundson, Steve Friedman, Marian Gibbs (incoming BRAVO president), Holley Haag, R.K. Hoddinott III, Martine Chaisson Linares, Dr. Warren McKenna Jr., Todd Murphy, Dana Palazzo, Leo Palazzo, Carl Panebiango, Shelley Hoddinott Richardson, Gregory Rusovich, LaVerne Toombs, and Gerri Valene. She, along with Warren and Gregory “Greg,” escorted a spouse.

More within the “Prix” pack were MoF board Chair Leon L. Giorgio Jr., and for the women, President Rhonda Eckholdt and board Chair Tiffa Boutté. Praise galore tapped luncheon chairs Sandra Chaisson and Gerri Valene, as well as Jenny Hamilton, executive director of the New Orleans Ballet Association, the event’s beneficiary. A performance by NOBA Center for Dance students to “West Side Story Suite” and spring 2024 fashions, as presented by Jeff’s Haberdashery and Chatta Box Boutique, delighted the luncheon legions, who enjoyed a tomato and mozzarella salad, braised short ribs and Chantilly layer cake. The tables were given floral accents by Dunn and Sonnier (and Stephen Sonnier).

There was still more to come. Desi Vega’s Steakhouse presented the door prize drawing, while Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry & Distinctive Gifts and Rubensteins 100 did the same for the raffle. Chad Berg and Lee Michaels also hosted the earlier Champagne reception. More support came via Belle Chasse Marine, LLC for the online auction, AVENUE, and Omega Production Resource, the lighting.

Quite a few of the above figured as Prix d’Elegance committee chairmen. Others were sisters Marilyn V. Dittmann and Carol V. Hall, Laurie Guimont, Jacquee Carvin, Jamie Moreau and Kathy Singleton. Many volunteers, committee members, auction donors and individual sponsors added to the mix, when fashion fused funds and fun.

 25 Jive

Holding to its traditional Sunday date, 25 made midday alive.

The group that bears the name, the 25 Club, was founded in 1941 by that many “charming couples who loved parties, especially dances.” Both calendar-wise and metaphorically, spring has always been in their step. Members uphold the Crescent City hospitality of bringing friends together to enjoy music, dancing and good food.

For the recent annual Jazz Brunch, the New Orleans Country Club was the venue. Margaret Louise Hogan and Issie Betz Smith oversaw the arrangements of the centerpieces, which were made up of spring flowers, such as green hydrangeas; maroon, pink and cream alstroemeria; and touches of greenery. At each place setting was a small sheer organza bag filled with butter mints.

The brunch meal was plated. French bread fingers, a mixed spring salad, chicken breast and, for dessert, an almond tuile cup containing peppermint ice cream. “I look forward to (it) … every year,” said Preston Valois about the delicious creation. He was accompanied by his fiancée, Caroline France. The favorite libations were brandy milk punch, bloody Mary, tequila sunrise and Champagne mimosa.

Savoring the delights of the day were co-chairs/hostesses Eileen Gambel and Meredith Carriere with husbands Gene and Olivier, Fred and Micheline VanDenburgh, Jack and Mara Coiron, Chris and Jill Cassard, Benton and Laura Vickery, Nina Gensler, Ashbrooke Tullis, Marvin and Suzie Russell, John and Mimi Farrell, Dickson Griswold, and, with mom Emily, Benjamin Morrison, who was asked about his new job at the Audubon Nature Institute. Also, Drs. Stephen and Rebecca Metzinger, past committee chair Diane Zatarain and Chuck, Scott and Colleen Bond, Cathryn Abbott Jones with Sam Wagner, Ross and Lydia Buckley, and Jim and Liz Hailey. Others, as well, such as committee members (as are some of the above and below) 

Christine Zazulak, Penny Baumer, JoAnn Lanaux, and Debbie Reily. Cathy and Mitch Provosty couldn’t make the brunch this year because they were moving their yacht from the Virgin Islands to Puerto Rico.

First-time attendee John Ormond told Meredith Carriere how much he appreciated being in the gathering “of old and new friends with the sole purpose of creating joy.”

Dancing is intrinsic to the club’s fun. Martin Robinson, who was spotted partnering Angie Bowlin, commented, “We don’t get to dance like this very often … and we don’t want to leave the dance floor.” He described the band as “fabulous.” Swingaroux made the music and, as a testament to the many jubilant pairs, lived up to that accolade. Indeed, it was. Fabulous!

Chain of Fun

Once again, the Audubon Tea Room had folks dancing away midday. Thanks to the New Orleans (LA) chapter of The Links, Inc., the “Swing Into Spring” event promoted socializing, sponsorships (Deb and Cary Grant, Liberty Bank, and COX as the top White Rose ones) and scholarships. The recipients were Jason “Jay” Childs, Madison Levy, Z’Aria Manuel, Raleigh Reimonenq, Olivia Fontenot, Destinee Manuel, Maxine Montrell, Paris Williams and Jaedon Simmons.

Chapter President Tracey Flemings-Davillier opened the program, which had as principals Sunni LeBeouf and Robyn McCormick (scholarship committee), Krystle Duplessis and Hermione Malone (fundraising co-chairs), and Kelli Peterson and Erin Hawkins, “Swing” co-chairs.

Passed canapes, food stations, art for auction and general milling by the likes of John Davillier, Royce Duplessis, Delisah Boyd, Carmen James Randolph, Cathy Honore, Endya Delpit, Arthur Hunter, Rhesa McDonald and daughter-in-law Crystal, Beverly Matheney, Shaniece Bickham, and Toya Barnes Teamer made for Links levity. So did the curated playlist by DJ Ray Smoove and the live sounds by The Brass-a-holics. Dance moves were many.