Men & Women of Fashion Host 39th Annual Prix D’Elegance Awards Luncheon

On Wednesday, April 13, The Men and Women of Fashion will host the 39th annual Prix D'Elegance Luncheon at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel. This event, which will introduce the 2010 honorees, will once more benefit BRAVO, the Ballet Resource and Volunteer Organization, which provides critical funds for the nationally award winning education programs and scholarship funds of the New Orleans Ballet Association (NOBA).

For almost four decades, the Men of Fashion and Women of Fashion have paid tribute to dozens of men and women who exemplify unique personal style as well as excellence through business, civic and charitable endeavors that specifically better the community in which they live.

"More than 600 people will gather to celebrate the extraordinary accomplishments of these individuals whose styles are as unique as the great city of New Orleans itself," comments Women of Fashion President Virginia Eckholdt. "The resumes of all our honorees note the many and innovative ways in which each of them have made differences in the lives of others in our community."

Each year, the members of the Men and Women of Fashion organizations choose a former recipient to receive the special honor of Hall of Fame for sustained excellence. The Hall of Fame Honorees for 2010 are Pamela Halter Lupin and Juan Barona. The 2010 Male Honorees are Jeff Chouest, III, Carlo DeMatteo, John M. Duck, Eric R. George, M.D., LaMarr Ingram, Terrance D. Osborne, Kenny Rubenstein, Judge Mark J. Shea, Gary Solomon, Jr., and Honorable John F. Young, Jr. The 2010 Female Honorees are Cynthia A. Aucoin, Brenda Breck, Ambassador Pat Brister, Melanie G. Cannatella, Deborah D. Harkins, Jo Hoddinott, Chris Owens, Alix Rico, Elizabeth Haecker Ryan, and LaVerne Saulny.

This year's event is co-chaired by Jacquee Carvin and Jenny Hamilton. Festivities will begin at 10 a.m. with a patron party, followed by a runway fashion show by Chatta Box Boutique and Jeff's Haberdashery at 11am. The event will also include a silent auction of items donated by local businesses, live auction - an original giclee artwork titled Uptown Bound, by renowned local artist and 2010 Honoree Terrance Osborne - and a raffle of an 18K gold ring featuring an oval shaped, one-of-a-kind cast amethyst, surrounded by tsavorite garnets and diamonds, donated by Jewels by LeeAnne & Savoie Jewelry Appraisers.
"It is such an honor to be asked to co-chair this event," said Carvin. "The honorees are an outstanding selection of men and women who each possess their own unique sense of style and have devoted time and energy to a wide array of organizations throughout the community. I am also pleased that the proceeds from this luncheon will go to NOBA's Scholarship Fund."

NOBA's education programs provide access to quality arts programs with more than 3,000 free dance classes and activities annually at 11 sites for over 600 children each year. Founded almost twenty years ago in collaboration with the New Orleans Recreation Department, the Center For Dance has leveled the playing field and made it possible for any child who wants quality, professional instruction to receive it completely tuition-free. Annually, scholarships are provided for talented youth to study dance at prestigious schools around the country, including Boston Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey Ballet School, San Francisco's LINES Ballet, American Dance Festival, and the Bolshoi Ballet School. Other students decide to remain in New Orleans and study with the national artists who are brought to New Orleans for the NORDC/NOBA Summer Intensive in July.

"It's not just about fashion, but also raising significant funds to reward and move forward the vision of an organization dedicated to serving the youth of our community, " adds Men of Fashion President Mike Winters.

The event is sponsored in part by New Orleans Magazine.

Tickets to the event are $75 (table of 10 for $750) and $100 (table of 10 for $1000), which includes a champagne patron party at 10am. For more information or to order tickets, contact NOBA at 504.522.0996.

 

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