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CCB Part II: Love Those Fashionables!

Tina Loyd looked simply wonderful in her simple Jovani black velvet evening gown from Terry Costa with a single, go-on-forever strand of pearls, beautiful drop diamond and pearl earrings, simple black clutch, and rarely seen evening gloves. The diamond bracelet over the gloves was a nice touch that Audrey would have approved. Even her posture would have made her mama proud. Tina ought to have looked good in her TC getup. . . . she’s CEO of the darn place after working for Terry for eight years.

But what catapulted Ms. Tina to Bond girl status and stopping traffic? After all, there were those in a lot more expensive duds and diamonds.

Go to the jump and eat your hearts out.  Also, you’ll see some fashion notes about the “License To Thrill” thrills. Mostly A+, but a couple of “Oh, reallys!”

FASHION NOTES:

Just Dolce Plus: Only Norma Hunt (pictured) can improve on Dolce Gabbana and that’s what she did. Well, she just made a couple of teeny weeny changes to the hot raspberry, oh-so form fitting gown. You want a for instance. How about that eye-popping necklace? We’re sure DG would approve.

Classics never age: For some CCB is the perfect excuse to buy some new frock. On the other hand, if you’re a CCB veteran, you know you can get by with updating a classic gown. Oh, the retailers are going to hate us for that, but for instance Ruth Altshuler was in a marvelous Galanos jacket that she hadn’t worn since her White House dinner with Prince Charles in 2005.

Almost a Black and White Situation: Poor Alana Theorine (pictured) panicked. Here it was her first CCB and she had this eye-gouging purple gown (“I can’t remember the designer”) and a woman told her just as she was arriving that “Oops, didn’t you know, dear. You’re supposed to wear black or white.” Alana, my Julie Newmar/Darryl Hannah lookalike, you need not worry. The info was wrong; the bearer of the tidings was just jealous; and your date Ron Brame looked all the better with you on his arm.

Somebody needs to declaw the cat that threw up that hairball of misinformation.

Women with Designs: Toni Munoz, who can wear absolutely anything including grocery bags and make them look drop dead, was making Escada look all the better. . . . Kristi Dallas (pictured) had Lora Simonds design a blue ball gown. How smart the two were to add a matching wrap. You just never can tell where the thermostat is going to be set nowadays. . . Julie Turner was all smiles having taken the black and white route with a Michael Faircloth.

Retailers were out and about: Richard Eiseman was thrilled not only to see so many of his jewels in attendance, but he’s also looking forward to his trip to New York in January for induction into National Jeweler magazine’s Retailer Hall of Fame. Eiseman’s was selected as the finest independent jewelry store in the nation. Betcha Richard is sparkling! . . . Neiman’s Shelle Sills was in a pale J. Mendel with fur sleeveless jacket. . . . And speaking of NM, couture manager Matthew Simon looked like a proud papa with all of his clients in attendance. . . . Stanley Korshak’s Crawford Brock made the evening a family affair with wife Janet and daughter Leigh with husband of a year-and-a-half Ryan Friend (pictured with Leigh).

Ivory was golden: Heather Furniss knows how to pick her men. She was simply ivory elegance in Oscar de la Renta with husband Todd (pictured with Heather). When told that he had excellent taste in women, Todd retorted, “I have excellent taste in one woman.” Oh, Heather, that’s an early Christmas gift right there and then. . . . Margot Ruebel also took  a Markesa design in ivory to a whole new level by adding a six-strand pearl choker and an adorable husband Darin Ruebel (pictured with Margot).

Train derailments: Gowns with trains were challenges all the way around. Liz Spruance gave out a rabbit terror scream and was stopped in her tracks as her charming gent stepped on the train of her dress. He quickly apologized saying, “I don’t want to break the dress.”

Coming into port: Houston’s glamour girl Debra Grierson’s (pictured) silver metallic Oscar de la Renta was the most spectacular gown of the evening, or at least the most overwhelming. She was in town for the event with new hottie hair engineer Ceron, who was most charming and chivalrous. At one point while entering the grand ballroom, the gallant Ceron had to be a traffic manager as the skirt of Debra’s gown demanded the entire space of the doorway. Trust us, all in range gave the angel in silver plenty of room.  As she wedged herself between the tables, the poor beauty looked like she was hauling a ball and chain. What price beauty!

Tuxedo add-ons: Love those men like Barry French (pictured) who just added a scarf to dress up their tuxedos. This was his first CCB and he was laughing as he headed to the gaming tables. “I’m going to lose money and have a great time doing it.”

Tut tut tacky: Galas are those occasions when black tie optional is not on the menu. That means it’s formal, folks. If you’re not going to get all gussied up for the biggest gala of the year, when are you? It’s almost. . . we said, “almost”. . . . an insult to the organizers and the stature of the event itself. Short dresses are for less formal occasions like cocktail parties. There is a reason why cocktail dresses are called cocktail dresses. Some doyennes may argue that they wear short dresses to prevent upstaging the younger women, but come on. Heck, why not just leave the curlers in your hair? You might as well have worn a pair of blue jeans and a sweatshirt. It’s distracting and unfashionable not to show the appropriate respect that the committee and the event are due.

Back to Tina: If you’re still wondering why Tina was the talk of CCB, here is your answer. And, yes, we hate her, too.