Irving Berlin's "There's No Business Like Show Business" Samuel Coleridge with his Magic Prose told of an enchanted land where the mountains rose. An empire known for its "idyllic beauty" with "pleasure dome and caves of ice", "Xanadu, the Enchanted Kingdom" was the mystic destination on this night. It's almost showtime. These ladies are in a festive spirit as they pose for the media and photographers engaged to record the evenings festivities. They've been working for an entire year on this production and it's almost time for the guests to begin arriving. The lights will go down, the orchestra will strike the familiar cords of "Stout Hearted Men" as the pageantry begins with the presentation of the escorts of the ladies of the Society. But that's some three hours from now, at present, they're enjoying the pre-ball gala excitement. The Leaders "Meet the Press" The Society's Royalty pose for the media as each Society's Ball is presented in the paper's local news section. At the conclusion of the photography session, the leaders, Ball Chairman and Co-chairman are "off to races" as they must visit each of the hospitality suites greeting the members and their escorts with an official toast in each suite. The membership of each suite presents a gift uniquely linked to the "theme" of the ball to the President, Ball Chairman and Co-Chairman to commemorate the occasion. Trivia: The gown weighs six pounds, the over mantle (collar) eight pounds and the robe (train) twelve pounds. Both the robe and collar are hand made heirlooms. Any idea how long it takes to hand embroider four yards of silk velvet with untold yards of sequins and jewels? Seven months working some twelve to 15 hours a week. The leader is pictured here in a gown of snow white over-embroidered silk organza beaded with iridescent sequins and white seed pearls, underlined with ice pink silk taffeta. The square neckline is highlighted with a delicate scalloped edge which extend over the shoulders to rest in a vee neckline in the back. The gown featuring slim lines is fashioned with an empire basque enhanced by a band of tucks which criss cross under the bustline to encircle the body and extend to the center back in a deep vee. The waist band treatment, like the soft sleeves, were edged with beaded fringe of silver rocaille beads and tear-drop pearls. The slim, slightly flared skirt featuring a demi train effect, is highlighted with a scalloped edge matching the neckline. The robe (train) is of deep rich wine colored silk velvet, edged with snow white ostrich marabou feathers with iridescent lurex creating a most regal appearance. The robe displays a large single diamond of silver rocaille beads bisected by an "X" of double-strand Austrian rhinestones thereby creating four smaller diamonds, each filled with even smaller diamonds created by diagonal lines of embroidered strands of rose colored sequins. Each the four points of the large diamond is encrusted with scrolled appliques of iridescent white sequins and silver rocaille beads and rhinestones. The smaller diamonds are adorned with appliques of iridescent white, pink and rose colored sequins and rocaille beads. The vee neckline features the same beaded pearl fringe as the eleven point collar. Beaded appliques of silver rocaille beads and rhinestones were used to create varied crest patterns over the lower portion of the train highlighted by a scalloped edge. The eleven point collar creation of ice pink silk taffeta and white sparkle organza is enhanced with beaded fringe of rocaille beads and pearls. Each petal, outline with silver rocaille beads and rose colored sequins, is adorned with the delicate beaded leaf motifs of the same snow white silk organza as the gown. The empress wears a custom designed crown of Austrian crystals and carries a muff matching the gown, lined with wine colored moire taffeta trimmed with the white ostrich marabou feathers that adorn the robe. Click on Next Button to continue the Odyssey through the Mardi Gras Tableaux Story Boards Email Xanadu Site Content, Original Art Work & Graphics Copyright © 1991, 1992, 1997 by Site Owner Unless Otherwise Noted, All Rights Reserved [Carnival Scenes 1998] [Carnival 1998 Parade Schedule][Royal Tribute: England's Rose] [Princess Di Links] [Viva La Mardi Gras Mobile] [Diana and the Muses] [Site Awards][The Odyssey Begins] [The Odyssey Continues] [Royalty] [Site Web Rings][Premier Mardi Gras Sites] [Exclusive Heirloom Smocking& Sewing Designs] [Heirloom Apparel][Diana, Princess of Wales, A Royal Tribute] [Sign Guestbook] [Read Guestbook] Since 12/29/97, You're Reveler This page hosted by Get your own Free Home Page
Samuel Coleridge with his Magic Prose told of an enchanted land where the mountains rose. An empire known for its "idyllic beauty" with "pleasure dome and caves of ice", "Xanadu, the Enchanted Kingdom" was the mystic destination on this night.
The Leaders "Meet the Press"
The Society's Royalty pose for the media as each Society's Ball is presented in the paper's local news section.
At the conclusion of the photography session, the leaders, Ball Chairman and Co-chairman are "off to races" as they must visit each of the hospitality suites greeting the members and their escorts with an official toast in each suite. The membership of each suite presents a gift uniquely linked to the "theme" of the ball to the President, Ball Chairman and Co-Chairman to commemorate the occasion.
Trivia:
The gown weighs six pounds, the over mantle (collar) eight pounds and the robe (train) twelve pounds.
Both the robe and collar are hand made heirlooms. Any idea how long it takes to hand embroider four yards of silk velvet with untold yards of sequins and jewels? Seven months working some twelve to 15 hours a week.
Click on Next Button to continue the Odyssey through the Mardi Gras Tableaux Story Boards
Email Xanadu
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