Pan’s Party Line for June 10, 2012

I’m not quite sure how to describe last week except to say it was most un-Baton Rouge like; more like something you might experience in the Big Apple. There was one exception, though. As this city typically does, our out-of-town visitors found the Capital City most welcoming and oozing Southern hospitality.

Mode Fashion Week

The visitors were local fashion designer Anthony Ryan Auld’s “Project Runway” buddies Laura Kathleen, Bert Keeter and Joshua McKinley. Ryan invited them to join him in showing their latest collections during Mode Fashion Week 2012, May 29-June 2. And what a week it was! There were workshops and fittings and photo shoots and lots of parties all culminating in an amazing high fashion runway show. The event doubled as a celebration of the 10th anniversary of Scene Magazine, which co-sponsored Mode Fashion Week.

Catch up on all the fun online at http://www.theadvocate.com/features/people then scroll down to Pam’s Party Line.

RockOne1

I first hooked up with Ryan and Joshua at a benefit for Ryan’s RockOne1 Movement at Hello Sushi’s Burbank location May 30. I also got to meet Mary Kathryn Rodrigue, the second recipient of a grant from RockOne1, which Ryan, himself a cancer survivor, established to assist cancer survivors or family members who have lost someone to cancer. Rodrigue lost her husband, Drew, to Hodgkin’s lymphoma almost three years ago.

Preview@ BR Gallery

The following evening, I caught up with Ryan, Joshua and, now in town, Bert Keeter at a showing featuring the creations of Louisiana-based apparel and accessory designers. Natasha Miller was showcasing her custom Natasha Marie bridal gowns and Jill Unis her Just Jill handbags in the main gallery. In the back portion of the gallery were the creations of Chris Rogers, whose line is RogersLui, and Molly Stackhouse, whose label is MESDRESS.

I got to visit with these three gentlemen again the next day as I interviewed them for a story on their collections, which ran this past Wednesday. Joshua had to head back to the big city (NYC) but Laura Kathleen finally made it in time for the runway show June 2 at the Belle of Baton Rouge Atrium.

Legislative Spouses

In the midst of all-consuming fashion, I enjoyed lunch with members of the Legislative Spouses Auxiliary at a lovely luncheon hosted by Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil & Gas Association at its North Boulevard headquarters May 30. Welcoming the ladies was President Chris John, who then turned the program over to event-planner extraordinaire Jan Pourciau. She had arranged for Lauren DeRocha and Roxie Jackson from Red Door Interiors to give step-by-step demonstrations on how to make a fabulous Fourth of July wreath. They advise first picking your ribbon and working with only one color of ribbon at a time. For accessories you attach to your wreath — use an odd number of items.

The day’s agenda also called for the election of officers for the auxiliary. They include President Linda Crowe, Vice President Pat Pope, Recording Secretary Rose Long, Corresponding Secretary Tonja Foil, Treasurer Daphne Danahy and Historian Sherry Willmott.

Items for “Pam’s Party Line” must be received by 9 a.m. the Monday preceding the run date. Digital photos should be emailed to pbordelon@theadvocate.com; hard copy photos should be dropped off at or mailed to The Advocate, 7290 Bluebonnet Blvd. Events will run no later than four weeks after they have taken place. The date, place of the event and a contact name and phone number must be included. Photos may not include more than nine people and will be used on a space-available basis. Hard copy photos can be picked up in the lobby of The Advocate for up to three months after they run. By submitting photos to The Advocate, you agree that they can be published in any of The Advocate’s print or digital publications.