FIRST SIGHT FASHION SHOW AND LUNCHEON
SEASON KICK-OFF EVENT!
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NORTHPARK CENTER
PRESENTING SPONSOR
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MULBERRY BOUTIQUE FASHION SHOW
DELICIOUS GOURMET LUNCHEON
OPERA-INSPIRED FASHION SHOW
PHOTO ID: 2014 OPERA-INSPIRED GOWN BY MICHAEL FAIRCLOTH; PHOTO BY KRISTINA BOWMAN
DALLAS, JUNE 17, 2015 –There will almost be as much couture candy to see in the audience as there will be on the runway as Dallas fashionistas gather at FIRST SIGHT FASHION SHOW AND LUNCHEON, The Dallas Opera’s fantastic 2015-2016 Season kick-off event! The C. Vincent Prothro Lobby in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House will be transformed into a fashion venue complete with runway and Dallas’ most glamorous models donning designs. Featured will be the latest from British luxury brand Mulberry, for which a boutique opened this year at NorthPark Center. The extravagant event is chaired by Ellen and Don Winspear with Honorary chairs Mrs. Micki Rawlings and The Honorable Michael S. Rawlings; Mrs. Rawlings is also the luncheon chair.
FIRST SIGHT FASHION SHOW AND LUNCHEON will be held on Thursday, October 29, 2015, 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. RSC Productions will coordinate the fashion show which will feature approximately 50 gorgeous garments, and Wolfgang Puck, known for its delectable culinary offerings, will cater the occasion. Tables start at $10,000 and individual tickets are $250.00. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit: http://dallasopera.org/support/special-events/first-night/
British luxury brand Mulberry was founded in 1971 in Somerset, England. Globally recognized for its signature natural leathers and English design influences, Mulberry has Design Headquarters in London, and two flagship factories in Somerset, close to the ancient city of Bath. More than half of Mulberry’s leather bags are made in England, brought to life by the skilled hands of 600 local craftsmen and craftswomen working in The Rookery and The Willows. Inspired by the cool of the city and the craft of the English countryside, Mulberry’s iconic bags are created from the finest leathers, made to be beautifully functional and enduringly stylish. The Mulberry Dallas boutique is located at NorthPark Center.
“NorthPark Center is thrilled to once again be the official shopping center sponsor of the First Sight Fashion Show and Luncheon, which celebrates the artistry of fashion design in reflection with the incomparable Dallas Opera and its exciting performance line up,” said Director of Marketing and Public Relations of NorthPark Center, Victoria Snee.
Five custom pieces—each a representation of an opera produced this season and created by five internationally renowned Dallas-based designers—will also be shown, in what has become a tradition at FIRST SIGHT. Rhonda Sargent Chambers of RSC Show Productions selected style-makers known for their innovative approach to fashion. The designers selected are: Geoffrey Henning (Great Scott); Khanh Nguyen for Nha Khan (Tosca); Edo Popken (Becoming Santa Claus); Elizabeth Anyaa (Manon); Michael Faircloth (Show Boat). Each will draw inspiration from the opera for which they were selected, from The Dallas Opera’s incredible 2015-2016 Season, to craft a custom piece, donating their time and materials for FIRST SIGHT.
“The magnificence of FIRST SIGHT Fashion Show and the opening FIRST NIGHT Gala…I am as enamored and awestruck by the brilliance of The Dallas Opera organization! With elegance and style, this is the event of the year! And I am so honored to partner with them again for a memorable fashion show with Mulberry,” exclaimed Ms. Chambers.
Geoffrey Henning, who is Canadian by birth and has lived and been educated around the world, now calls Dallas “home”. Mr. Henning is currently the Division Vice President of Women’s Design and Fashion for JCPenney. He is an accomplished fashion designer and offers a custom line for private clients. He is also a renowned fashion illustrator whose work has been published in Toronto life Fashion, Domino, Flare, Italian Vogue, British ELLE and many other international fashion magazines. He is on the Board of Governors of Parsons School of Design and holds dearly this connection to guide and inspire design students. His affiliation as a patron to many fashion organizations including DIFFA, Texas Next Top Designer and Fashion Incubator, allows him to give back to both the industry and its patrons. He has received the following awards: DIFFA Lifetime Achievement Award, DIFFA Legend, D Magazine “People to Know” and Modern Luxury “Man of Style”.
Khanh Nguyen, Fashion Designer, is the award-winning Creative Director and Designer of her own label, Nha Khanh, consisting of designs that focus on modern glamour, inspired by art, architecture, and most importantly, nature. The designs are ethereal, meticulously constructed, and host an ease about them that allows for an effortless sensibility. The company offers seasonal “advanced contemporary” ready-to-wear, a custom Atelier collection, which hosts one-of-a-kind and custom pieces, as well as a bridal line. The Nha Khanh mission is to empower a woman with inner-strength through her clothing with a focus on “elegance with a modern edge.”
Edo Popken is a Swiss International Designer known for his limited-edition dress shirts, colorful fashion approach, love for detail and eco-friendly and ethically correct craftsmanship. Edo Popken started his catalog and online store in 2009 in order to cover the increasing demand from the United States and its international clientele spread all over the world. Today he is heavily investing in the research and launch of his first brick & mortar store in the United States in Dallas. His Dallas Flagship store is also the U.S. headquarters of Edo Popken Switzerland, LLC and includes housing the Operations and Fulfillment for his remote shopping channels.
Textile and Fashion Artist Elizabeth Anyaa creates timeless, ethereal, sensual, contemporary textiles that are exquisitely organic, and spectacular to observe. Her textiles are used to create ‘wearable art’ treasures for the individual, wall hangings, household furnishings and sculptures for public areas, the home, and work space. Her three-dimensional textiles have an ease and dramatic visual impact. Each piece is unique and involves artistry and skills in formation, draping and coloration. According to Ms. Anyaa, these are pieces to admire, treasure and pass on.
Over the past three decades, Michael Faircloth has become a leader in the arts and fashion communities in Dallas. He has donated his time and couture designs to benefit numerous charities in Texas, including The Dallas Opera’s FIRST SIGHT. He received national attention in 2001 for his design of Laura Bush’s red Inaugural gown, which is now a permanent installation in The Smithsonian Museum. The same year, he received the Dallas Fashion Award from the Fashion Group International, at the Dallas Market Center. Mr. Faircloth received the Distinguished Alumni Award from The University of North Texas in 2003 for career achievements, and his numerous contributions to the school and design programs. Starting in 2013, he established an in-house mentoring program, which promotes and encourages young aspiring fashion designers to build and maintain their own businesses.
Jeffrey Horn, Event Architect/CEO of Triad Event Solutions, will design FIRST SIGHT together with Larry Leathers.
“This FIRST NIGHT World Premiere is a perfect celebration of all that is autumn in Texas! Roll out the green turf, Homecoming Mums, and strike up the band for a FIRST NIGHT like no other!” Mr. Horn remarked enthusiastically.
Mr. Leathers who is also enjoying collaborating on the event noted, “The Dallas Opera is the jewel in the crown of our international city. What an honor to participate again in the design for the celebration of another exciting season of this cherished Dallas institution. Mark your calendar now. This is not to be missed.”
The Winspear Opera house is located at 2403 Flora Street, Dallas, TX, 75201.
For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit:
http://dallasopera.org/support/special-events/first-night/.
QUICK FACTS
FIRST SIGHT Fashion Show and Luncheon
NorthPark Center Presenting Sponsor
Thursday, October 29, 2015; 11:00 am to 1:30 pm
Chairs – Ellen and Don Winspear
Honorary Chairs – Mrs. Micki Rawlings and The Honorable Michael S. Rawlings
Fashion Show Producer and Chair – Rhonda Sargent Chambers
Luncheon Chair – Mrs. Micki Rawlings
Event Architect – Jeffrey Horn
Event Designer – Larry Leathers
Winspear Opera House Lobby
Cost: Tables start at $10,000. Individual tickets for $250.00
Featuring: Fashion Show by Mulberry Boutique at NorthPark Center; Unveiling of Opera-Inspired Designs
All proceeds benefit the Dallas Opera
FIRST NIGHT – Presenting Sponsor Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management
Pre-Performance Dinner
Friday, October 30, 2015; 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Chairs – Ellen and Don Winspear
Honorary Chairs – Mrs. Micki Rawlings and The Honorable Michael S. Rawlings
Dinner Chairs Anne and Steven Stodghill
Sammons Park in front of the Winspear Opera House – Tent
Cost: Tables starting at $25,000. Individual tickets for $1,000.00 (All Dinner tickets include After Party ticket)
(Opening night Opera performance tickets sold separately)
Featuring: Three-course gourmet dinner and “red carpet” arrival (Dessert at the After Party)
Black Tie
All proceeds benefit The Dallas Opera
After Party
Friday, October 30, 2015; 11:00 pm to 1:30 am
Chairs – Ellen and Don Winspear
Honorary Chairs – Mrs. Micki Rawlings and The Honorable Michael S. Rawlings
Sammons Park in front of the Winspear Opera House – Tent
Featuring: DJ Lucy Wrubel, Wolfgang Puck Sweet & Savory, Open Bar
TEXAS INSTRUMENTS, 2015-2016 SEASON SPONSOR FOR THE DALLAS OPERA’S “SEEKING THE HUMAN ELEMENT” SEASON
Ticket Information for the 2015-2016 Dallas Opera Season
All performances are in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center unless otherwise described. Single Tickets range from $19 to $275 and will be available July 15. Full and Flex Subscriptions are on sale now starting at $75. Family performance tickets (available June 1) are just $5. For more information or to make your purchase, contact The Dallas Opera Ticket Services Office at 214.443.1000 or visit us online, 24/7, at www.dallasopera.org.
THE DALLAS OPERA 2015-2016 FALL SEASON INFORMATION
The Dallas Opera celebrates its Fifty-Ninth International Season in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center in the Dallas Arts District. Evening performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees begin at 2:00 p.m. unless otherwise stated. English translations will be projected above the stage at every performance and assistance is available for the hearing impaired. The Joy and Ronald Mankoff Pre-Opera Talk will begin one hour prior to curtain, at most performances excluding FIRST NIGHT of the season.
GREAT SCOTT by Jake Heggie
October 30, November 1(m), 4, 7 & 15(m), 2015
A Thrilling Dallas Opera World Premiere!
Libretto by Terrence McNally*
Time: Present Day
Place: A Major American City
Conductor: Patrick Summers
Stage Director: Jack O’Brien*
Production Design: Bob Crowley
Costume Design: Bob Crowley
Lighting Design: Brian MacDevitt*
Wig & make-up Design: David Zimmerman
Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
Starring: Joyce DiDonato* (Arden Scott), Ailyn Pérez (Tatyana Bakst), Frederica von Stade (Mrs. Edward “Winnie” Flato), Nathan Gunn (Sid Taylor), Anthony Roth Costanzo* (Roane Heckle), Kevin Burdette (Eric Gold), Michael Mayes* (Wendell Swan).
A Brand-New Dallas Opera Production!
TOSCA by Giacomo Puccini
November 6, 8(m), 11, 14, 20 & 22(m), 2015
A passionate and timeless masterpiece in a beloved period production
An opera in three acts first performed in Rome, Italy on January 14, 1900
Text by Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa after Victorien Sardou’s 1887 French-language play, La Tosca
Time: Early 19th century
Place: Locations in and around the City of Rome
Conductor: Emmanuel Villaume
Stage Director: Ellen Douglas Schlaefer*
Production Design: Ulisse Santicchi
Lighting Design: Marie Barrett
Wig & make-up Design: David Zimmerman
Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
Children’s Chorus Master: TBA
Starring: Emily Magee (Floria Tosca), Giancarlo Monsalve* (Mario Cavaradossi), Raymond Aceto (Baron Scarpia), William Ferguson (Spoletta), Dale Travis* (A Sacristan) and Ryan Kuster (Angelotti).
One of The Dallas Opera’s Most Popular!
BECOMING SANTA CLAUS by Mark Adamo
December 4, 6(m), 9 & 12, 2015
An Eagerly Awaited Dallas Opera World Premiere!
Libretto by the composer, Mark Adamo.
Time: Where time divides into “before” and “after”
Place: An Elven kingdom in the far, far north
Conductor: Emmanuel Villaume
Stage Director: Paul Curran
Production Design: Gary McCann*
Video Design: Elaine J. McCarthy
Lighting Design: Paul Hackenmueller*
Wig & make-up Design: David Zimmerman
Chorus Master: Alexander Rom
Starring: Jennifer Rivera* (Queen Sophine), Juan José de León (Prince Claus), Matt Boehler* (Donkey)
Another New Dallas Opera Production
* Dallas Opera Debut
** American Debut
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The Dallas Opera is supported, in part, by funds from: Texas Instruments Foundation, TACA, City of Dallas, Office of Cultural Affairs; the Texas Commission on the Arts and The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). American Airlines is the official airline of The Dallas Opera. Lexus is the official vehicle of The Dallas Opera. Advertising support from The Dallas Morning News. A special thanks to the Elsa von Seggern Foundation for its continuing support.
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