Odd as it may sound to LA and New Yorkers, Winter in the East Bay is our time to see and be seen. For us the majority of galas, balls, dinner parties, charity and auction events and everything in between kicks off in September and doesn’t end until the New Year. It may not equate to say Milan fashion week but it’s our chance to fashionably shine while giving back or simply kicking back. As an independent business owner in the beauty field, I get giddy when I receive notifications of upcoming events and invites and love taking part in order to get my products out there via donations for and auctions as well as for networking, relaxation and socialization; as a single Mother trying to make her way in a fluctuating economy, I have to find ways to pull out all the wardrobe stops on a budget, creatively. Obviously if you are financially well endowed, its no problem to attend such events in show-stopping haute couture one of a kind gowns; for the rest of us, we either need to invest in a high end designer gown that can carry over from one season to the next or something simple to be transformed with heels and accessories.
Being that the Bay Area is the hub of independent business marketing and social networking imho, I figure I cannot be the only one out there with such a dilemma. Here are some simple tips to effortlessly make the social grade while avoiding mortgaging your home for cloth…
- Purchase afew high quality (designer or no name) yet simple (floor-length or cocktail) black dress in classic style (silk and velvet are superb). This is always Chic. Focus more on seasonal heels and high end jewels.
- If going for color, texture or high end designer label, this usually becomes quite the investment (ranging from $800-$4,000.00). Such a purchase is fine in my book, provided it is something that reflects the classic and is in no way trendy so that it can be worn more than once. The IRS will not oblige you such a write off- trust me, I have tried.
- Study styles you love and colors of the season. Research new couture designer collections to get a feel for what the trend is; typically you will find there are 3 looks that seem to repeat themselves (example: a neck line, overall cut or ruffle pattern). Armed with this knowledge, go on the hunt for a similar dress. I highly suggest high end bridesmaid and wedding dress designers. Don’t cringe ladies- times have changed as have wedding attire styles and quality, the days of bulky swallow you whole fabric and generic cuts are over. These newer gowns rival the best design houses; they are sexy, sophisticated and incredibly affordable. If you do your homework (and by homework I mean google) you will be amazed.
- Be sure your hair, browns and nails arein tune with your gown- don’t make the same mistakes as those starlets who walk red carpet events in a 12K gown and $2 buck hair. And don’t necessarily put all trust in your beautician; that is to say do some research on past red carpet praises as well as walks of shame! Here google is your best friend. You just never who you will run into or (if that lucky) know what mag or rag you will be seen in and hell, the better you look the more publications or www’s you will appear in/on (hence the more money you will make to afford your dream gown next year)
- Jewelry and handbag (clutch please!) is important; rent or borrow and match accordingly.
- Get your makeup professionally done! In all honesty, I advise a spa day, facial and ten hours of sleep. Since you are not spending thousands on a gown which you will never wear again, this is a small (financial) but huge (piece of mind) investment.
- Do your best to bargain shop all the way around where gowns are concerned- and if you do (which I am hoping you will) take the money you have saved and divide it accordingly by putting $30-60% toward donations of the philanthropic foundations in which you are looking oh so pretty for. Put the rest in the bank and give yourself a pat on the back.
Below [collage 1] are some of my top choices for easily accessible designer gowns for Winter gala’s from various 2009 collections. They are gorgeous and unique with interesting and intricate details, yet simple or classic enough to carry over from season to season or year to year. All are carried at Nieman Marcus, Saks 5th Ave and Bergdorf and run in the $3k to $6K price range. With the exception of the De La Renta, Robert Rodriguez and burgundy Marchesa gown, all of these styles can be found else ware within the $200-$350 price range, none of which lack in quality. If you take a look at my top choices for “bargain” gowns [collage 2], you will see I am not just all talk and no walk on this matter; yeah, I take my gown comparison and discount shopping very seriously (matter of fact I found2 of the Alvina Valenta’s for around $150 (retail in the $300 range), the black Alfred Angelo for $100 (retails $160), and the pink $250 Jim Hjelm online for $90 (tho’ it is more appropriate for day and eve envents) – I swiped them up quickly. AND Check out that hot long black asymmetrical jersey dress (STYLE: G543J) and tell me it doesn’t rival the Versace (forgive me Donatella but I actually dig the offshoot version more and will be purchasing it once I am done writing this); matter of fact if I saw someone wearing it I would assume it WAS Versace. Pair it with some bright suede YSL platform heels or similar in Pantone Fashion Color Report trends for the season in question and no one will know you’re a bargain babe I promise.


High End Designer-Left to right: Alexander McQueen ($5,420.00), Oscar de Larenta ($5,290), Carmen Marc Valvo ($2,860.00), Carmen Marc Valvo pleated silk ribbon gown ($3,190.00), Carmen Marc Valvo tiered gown ($3,520.00),Marchesa strapless organza ruffled gown ($6,820.00), Robert Rodriguez black label strapless rosette gown ($3,000.00), Kay Unger NY Tiered red gown ($490.00), Black Versace ($4,440.00),David Meister one shoulder blue velvet gown ($450.00) Affordable Formal Gowns-left to Right: ?, Jim Hjelm Occasions # 5938 ($240.00), Jim Hjelm Occasions #5819 ($258.00), Alvina Valenta #9838 ($270.00), Alvina Valenta #9739 Duet satin draped gown ($246.00), Alvina Valenta #9834 Silk De Chine strapless gown ($232.00), Saison Blanche #SB2070 ($290.00), Bari Jay #774 (130.00), Amsale #G543J ($300.00), Lazaro #3899 ($225.00), Alvina Valenta #9837 ($260.00), Alfred Angelo #6583 ($160.00).