By Rebecca Pikus
A stunning, elegant & bold Fashion Show combining Fashion and Art took place this weekend at the Leslie Jean Porter Gallery, in conjunction with the Desert’s fabulous El Paseo Fashion Week 2015. This ambitious event took place on March 20, and March 21, with 3 shows each day, a total of 6 fashion shows! This unprecedented marriage of Fashion and Art was conceived by the brilliant & savvy Gallery owner, Leslie Jean Porter — from Paris, L.A. & the Desert!
European flair came to the Desert from several Designers. Charmaigne Menn’s “Bohimi” collection (Palm Desert) featured spectacular evening wear. Harriet Selling (L.A. & Germany) featured sexy black & gold swimwear, and Alyssa Vasquez featured chic dinner dresses. Vintage Glam dresses from the collection of Leslie Porter were modeled. Jewelry Art was presented by Sally Lanivich semi-precious Jewelry collection (many of her specialty chokers are collected by the Vampire’s author, Anne Rice), and Krystal Kelley, a new designer using new age crystals. Fleet Easton, Entertainer extraordinaire from Palm Springs, also modeled his collection of new & vintage outfits. The classic & classy Charlotte Andre modeled and also featured her “mannequin lamps” artworks.
Fleet Easton, in addition to walking the catwalk solo & with Italian model Paola Pancino, provided amazing entertainment. DJ RJ Taylor, Diane Sebo Powers, & Virginia Santillanes were the Photographers & Videographers. The famous Fashion Director was Karen Kott, and invaluable executive assistants Love & Richard were jack of all trades, & greeted all with the never-ending flow of Champagne & Mimosas! DJ’s “The Deep Ones” who hail from L.A., provided nonstop Music. Admission was free to the public — and literally hundreds of attendees were enthralled over the 2 day, 6 shows fashion event! The exciting and elegant Fashion Shows on a great runway built by the Gallery just for this occasion, were surrounded by the unique sculptures & paintings of Yossi Govrin & Krista Augius. Special attendees were artist Mario Pikus, singer & performer Marylou Brooks, photographers Jon Abeyta & Erika Vito, authors Judy Taylor & Yara Da Silva, spiritual leader Dr. Susan Stroud, Tigerman (Mark Anthony Ciarlante), & iconic model Hildegarde.
An upcoming Exhibit in celebration of The White Party, Dinah Shore Golf Classic, Coachella Fest, & Stagecoach is coming to the Gallery in April: Leslie Jean Porter Gallery, 68703 Perez Road, Cathedral City, Ca 92234 – (760) 880-7139 – Email: curator@ljpgallery.com; www.jlpgallery.com
