LIFESTYLE / Trends

Flower power for HIV/AIDS at Headdress Affair
(Fashion Wire Daily)
Updated: 2006-05-17 14:11

Village Care of New York offered up a bouquet of flower power with the 5th annual floral headdress show on Monday, May 15 at Bridgewaters in lower Manhattan. The fashion show/headdress competition directly benefits those living with HIV/ AIDS in New York City.

In collaboration with New York's top floral designers, Betsey Johnson, Heatherette, Bill Blass, Pamela Rolland and David Rodriguez contributed original wears. Extra's extremely upbeat entertainment/fashion correspondent Tanika Ray hosted the event.

Joan Rivers and Queen Elizabeth were just a few of the celebrities in attendance for the more than worthy cause ¨C well, make that their drag doppelgangers, rather, who offered a bit of comic relief for the heavyhearted cause.

"We are virgins to this event," said Richie Rich of Heatherette in between air kisses. "We are so pleased to have been invited, its such an important cause,"

"Our design inspiration for the evening is very 'Birdcage,'" he said of the canary yellow peacock feathered frock that was reminiscent of the 1996 flick.

A perfect opener to the drag-inspired show, Ru Paul's "Supermodel (You Better Work!)" led a group of Broadway dancers down the runway in hot pink bow ties and sexy suspenders (a pre-show necessity). Spiked chocolate milk was served to patrons and the models began their turns on the runway.

Fragrant white gardenias atop a dramatically enlarged peach sun hat by Phillip Baloun Studio Design was paired with a scalloped pale yellow Sunday best suit dress by b. michael. Very wearable, the look seemed more ready-to-wear than costume.

Empress XX Gefil Tefish took a royal stance in a crown of pepper berries and orchids designed by Imperial Court of New York. Created by the Empress himself, the gown and its headdress was an opulent Victorian dream.

There was also a gun-toting cowgirl in a ten-gallon hat of fuchsia and red roses who wore a complementing Betsey Johnson prairie dress with gingham trim, while a masked marauder took stalk in a hat of over 1,000 white floral head buds shaped like hair curlers by Form and M&J Trimmings. Dramatic, soft and form fitting, the accompanying black and white cat suit was most seductive.

The celebrity judges Cady McCain (All My Children), Corina Zappia (Village Voice), James Aguiar (Full Frontal Fashion) and Kate Schelter (Style.com) awarded bragging rights to Form and M&J Trimmings for their New Orleans Carnival inspired look as the most beautiful design. Most outrageous design went to Imperial Court of New York for their keen ability to channel Marie Antoinette via a middle-aged man.

The people's champ, Pamella Roland in collaboration with The Designer's Co-op, won the audience choice award for their sassy/classy southern belle design of ruby red and yellow garden flowers.

Yet, the ultimate winner were those brave souls living and battling HIV/AIDS on a daily basis. The proceeds for the event will support the long-term care and rehabilitation services of NYC residents living with the virus.