Fashion Focus Meets VIP's
May 16, 2008
Marie Green is a fashion stylist and writer from San Diego California. She is the former Fashion Editor of FINE Homes and Living Magazine and her column, “Fashion Focus” has appeared in FINE Magazine as well as LaJolla Light, The Del Mar Times, Del Mar Ink, The Carmel Valley Leader, Rancho Santa Fe Record, and The Solana Beach Sun. Marie is also the co-founder of SheWants.com.
“Ugly Betty,” one of my favorite shows, is must-see TV for fashionistas and anyone who has an appreciation for satire. The premise of the show is that a lovable, smart yet unattractive, unstylish young lady surprisingly gets a job at “MODE,” a fashion magazine that employs only the most beautiful, trendy women and men. It is a cutthroat environment, but somehow Betty always ends up on top. She even has two men fighting for her heart.
Recently, thanks to a very lively auction at the St. James Academy annual gala, my family and I were guests on the set of “Ugly Betty.” We not only won the set visit, but a basket full of “MODE” swag and designer Vera Wang’s director chair from her guest appearance. Did I mention the show features my favorite actress, Vanessa Williams, as the gorgeously dressed, very cunning Wilhelmina Slater, creative director of “MODE”? My mission when visiting the set was to meet Ms. Williams, as well as Eduardo Castro, the costume designer. The stars must have been in alignment, because Julie Gilchrist, the props director who donated the visit, introduced us to both of them. Vanessa Williams could not have been nicer or more beautiful. She was very gracious and actually volunteered to take a picture with us. All of the show’s stars looked as incredible in person as they do on the show. Unfortunately, America Ferrera, who plays Betty, went home sick that afternoon, so we didn’t get to see her, anyone from her TV family or her two love interests. While touring the set, we met Eduardo Castro in one of the huge wardrobe rooms. He hand picks Wilhelmina and Betty’s wardrobes and has assistants who help him with the others. He says that Betty is the hardest character to style. “You don’t want to make her pretty or awkward or clumsy or ugly,” he recently told the LA Times. “You just want to make her authentic and quirky and interesting. Her choices are…interesting.” He does an amazing job—the clothing on the show is a feast for a style maven’s eyes.
It is funny how many people have heard we visited the set. I never realized how many “Betty” fans there are. You can catch the show Thursday nights on ABC.
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VIP Tour of the set of "Ugly Betty": See More Pictures »
More gala news: My friend, Adriana Padilla, and I donated a VIP shopping package to the auction. It featured a limo for eight ladies to the Montage for breakfast in their Loft Restaurant, then to Bloomingdale’s at South Coast Plaza for shopping, lunch, fashion show and mini-spa services. We made sure the ladies had donuts and mimosas in the limo, so it was a festive ride up on a rainy morning. Bloomingdale’s proved to be an excellent host. They went above and beyond to roll out the red carpet for our group. We had our own private lounge with several dressing rooms, which saw lots of action. There was also a private dining area with beverages and chocolates to keep the power shopping going. The lunch and fashion show were wonderful and we were given fantastic gifts from Armani make-up and skin care and Jo Malone fragrances. When it was time for the limo’s departure, no one was ready to go—we had to delay it by 45 minutes! It’s always good to leave an event wanting more and talking about the possibility of doing it again, which gives me a whole year to ponder the possibility…
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VIP Shopping Package at Bloomingdales: See More Pictures »
INSIDE SCOOP: For my fellow Diego di Lucca fans, now there is one more place you can buy their fabulous shoes. J. Carl Shoes of Del Mar is opening a second location in Rancho Santa Fe at Cielo Village. They are having a grand opening party on Saturday, May 17 from 4-7 that will feature raffle drawings for free shoes, as well as tasty appetizers and wine.
