The Dallas Opera Presents FIRST SIGHT FASHION SHOW AND LUNCHEON, The 2015-2016 Season Kickoff Event, 10/29

There will almost be as much couture candy to see in the audience as there will be on the runway as Dallas fashionistas gather at FIRST SIGHT FASHION SHOW AND LUNCHEON, The Dallas Opera's fantastic 2015-2016 Season kick-off event! The C. Vincent Prothro Lobby in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House will be transformed into a fashion venue complete with runway and Dallas' most glamorous models donning designs. Featured will be the latest from British luxury brand Mulberry, for which a boutique opened this year at NorthPark Center. The extravagant event is chaired by Ellen and Don Winspearwith Honorary chairs Mrs. Micki Rawlings and The Honorable Michael S. Rawlings; Mrs. Rawlings is also the luncheon chair.

FIRST SIGHT FASHION SHOW AND LUNCHEON will be held on Thursday, October 29, 2015, 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. RSC Productions will coordinate the fashion show which will feature approximately 50 gorgeous garments, and Wolfgang Puck, known for its delectable culinary offerings, will cater the occasion.

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British luxury brand Mulberry was founded in 1971 in Somerset, England. Globally recognized for its signature natural leathers and English design influences, Mulberry has Design Headquarters in London, and two flagship factories in Somerset, close to the ancient city of Bath. More than half of Mulberry's leather bags are made in England, brought to life by the skilled hands of 600 local craftsmen and craftswomen working in The Rookery and The Willows. Inspired by the cool of the city and the craft of the English countryside, Mulberry's iconic bags are created from the finest leathers, made to be beautifully functional and enduringly stylish. The Mulberry Dallas boutique is located at NorthPark Center.

"NorthPark Center is thrilled to once again be the official shopping center sponsor of the First Sight Fashion Show and Luncheon, which celebrates the artistry of fashion design in reflection with the incomparable Dallas Opera and its exciting performance line up," said Director of Marketing and Public Relations of NorthPark Center, Victoria Snee.

Five custom pieces-each a representation of an opera produced this season and created by five internationally renowned Dallas-based designers-will also be shown, in what has become a tradition at FIRST SIGHT. Rhonda Sargent Chambers of RSC Show Productions selected style-makers known for their innovative approach to fashion. The designers selected are: Geoffrey Henning (Great Scott); Khanh Nguyen for Nha Khan (Tosca); Edo Popken (Becoming Santa Claus); Elizabeth Anyaa (Manon); Michael Faircloth (Show Boat). Each will draw inspiration from the opera for which they were selected, from The Dallas Opera's incredible 2015-2016 Season, to craft a custom piece, donating their time and materials for FIRST SIGHT.

"The magnificence of FIRST SIGHT Fashion Show and the opening FIRST NIGHT Gala...I am as enamored and awestruck by the brilliance of The Dallas Opera organization! With elegance and style, this is the event of the year! And I am so honored to partner with them again for a memorable fashion show with Mulberry," exclaimed Ms. Chambers.

Geoffrey Henning, who is Canadian by birth and has lived and been educated around the world, now calls Dallas "home". Mr. Henning is currently the Division Vice President of Women's Design and Fashion for JCPenney. He is an accomplished fashion designer and offers a custom line for private clients. He is also a renowned fashion illustrator whose work has been published in Toronto life Fashion, Domino, Flare, Italian Vogue, British ELLE and many other international fashion magazines. He is on the Board of Governors of Parsons School of Design and holds dearly this connection to guide and inspire design students. His affiliation as a patron to many fashion organizations including DIFFA, Texas Next Top Designer and Fashion Incubator, allows him to give back to both the industry and its patrons. He has received the following awards: DIFFA Lifetime Achievement Award, DIFFA Legend, D Magazine "People to Know" and Modern Luxury "Man of Style".

Khanh Nguyen, Fashion Designer, is the award-winning Creative Director and Designer of her own label, Nha Khanh, consisting of designs that focus on modern glamour, inspired by art, architecture, and most importantly, nature. The designs are ethereal, meticulously constructed, and host an ease about them that allows for an effortless sensibility. The company offers seasonal "advanced contemporary" ready-to-wear, a custom Atelier collection, which hosts one-of-a-kind and custom pieces, as well as a bridal line. The Nha Khanh mission is to empower a woman with inner-strength through her clothing with a focus on "elegance with a modern edge."

Edo Popken is a Swiss International Designer known for his limited-edition dress shirts, colorful fashion approach, love for detail and eco-friendly and ethically correct craftsmanship. Edo Popken started his catalog and online store in 2009 in order to cover the increasing demand from the United States and its international clientele spread all over the world. Today he is heavily investing in the research and launch of his first brick & mortar store in the United States in Dallas. His Dallas Flagship store is also the U.S. headquarters of Edo Popken Switzerland, LLC and includes housing the Operations and Fulfillment for his remote shopping channels.

Textile and Fashion Artist Elizabeth Anyaa creates timeless, ethereal, sensual, contemporary textiles that are exquisitely organic, and spectacular to observe. Her textiles are used to create 'wearable art' treasures for the individual, wall hangings, household furnishings and sculptures for public areas, the home, and work space. Her three-dimensional textiles have an ease and dramatic visual impact. Each piece is unique and involves artistry and skills in formation, draping and coloration. According to Ms. Anyaa, these are pieces to admire, treasure and pass on.

Over the past three decades, Michael Faircloth has become a leader in the arts and fashion communities in Dallas. He has donated his time and couture designs to benefit numerous charities in Texas, including The Dallas Opera's FIRST SIGHT. He received national attention in 2001 for his design of Laura Bush's red Inaugural gown, which is now a permanent installation in The Smithsonian Museum. The same year, he received the Dallas Fashion Award from the Fashion Group International, at the Dallas Market Center. Mr. Faircloth received the Distinguished Alumni Award from The University of North Texas in 2003 for career achievements, and his numerous contributions to the school and design programs. Starting in 2013, he established an in-house mentoring program, which promotes and encourages young aspiring fashion designers to build and maintain their own businesses.

Jeffrey Horn, Event Architect/CEO of Triad Event Solutions, will design FIRST SIGHT together withLarry Leathers.

"This FIRST NIGHT World Premiere is a perfect celebration of all that is autumn in Texas! Roll out the green turf, Homecoming Mums, and strike up the band for a FIRST NIGHT like no other!" Mr. Horn remarked enthusiastically.

Mr. Leathers who is also enjoying collaborating on the event noted, "The Dallas Opera is the jewel in the crown of our international city. What an honor to participate again in the design for the celebration of another exciting season of this cherished Dallas institution. Mark your calendar now. This is not to be missed."

Photo Credit: 2014 Gown by Michael Faircloth