Trotting to a gala like a little pony

On Friday I went to a gala called The Little Black Dress, a fundraiser for youth at risk. It was very schwanky. Su (Fairy Thrift Sister Su) had a few freebie tickets which she generously shared with me and a couple of my friends, Vancouver Barbara and Judy.

This is what I wore, my so-called Vegas Pantsuit because it feels snake-eyes lucky. It's a fully-lined, vintage crepe wool jumpsuit with diamond-edged side slits and neckline. You may have seen me wearing it for gardening here. The clutch was thrifted from My Sister's Closet. And my vintage angel-wing top, psychedelic tights, diamond earrings, and magic loupe.

Too bad you can't see my rainbow eyes here. They matched my tights. Photo by Barbara.

I was running late that night, carried away by eye shadow, so I wound up trotting, rather than swanning, into the heart of the city as I had planned - my sky-high 5.5-inch platform black glitter booties prevented a full-on canter. My hair, freshly coiffed, was very perky and bobbed jauntily like a little pony as well. 

I tried to hail a cab to take me the few remaining blocks, which merely resulted in interesting body contortions as I kept looking over my shoulder for one, but no ride. I am glad I didn't run into sign posts or parking meters.

Those are the booties. I trotted, danced, and hobnobbed in these from 6:45 until 11:30 p.m. Ooooh! But it was worth it - if not now, then when, right?

Below, detail of the side slit in the palazzo pant legs and metallic-silver frog closure embellishment. 

Several people commented on my outfit as I lurched down the sidewalk. I responded breathlessly, in a high-drama voice, "I'm on my way to a gaaaala and I'm late." Heh. It's a line I've always wanted to use.

Below is the jumpsuit as day wear in a 10-second YouTube video I made in late 2013. 

When I arrived at the hotel, I was delighted to see many familiar faces from the gala Shelley (Forest City Fashionista) and I attended last May. See her coverage here. And everyone was dressed.

Mingling in the foyer off the grand ballroom was an older gentleman oozing mystery, power, and moolah, with a bevy of young, gorgeous women, obviously with him. They liked my style and, after discreetly conferring amongst themselves, asked photographer David Bong to take some photos. I also met David last May. Our group lined up and my auto-pilot went ON: one foot forward, shoulders back, head up, big smile.

Then this happened... David said: No, just relax. No posing.

???!!! Be natural? How is that possible?! My whole life is unnatural. It's taken me forever to perfect this state and now I'm asked for natural?! Is a tripod in a concrete box natural? Is smiling into nothingness natural? I tried my best but I'm afraid I must have looked rather Mr. Bean-ish in my attempt to be real. Or here's a thought - maybe that is the real me. Gaaa!!

Above is what I wore the DAY AFTER the gala, tux pants with satin stripes down the sides and a tux shirt. I still had all my stuff crammed into that sparkly clutch, which I continue to use, too lazy to do the bag transfer. Same applies to the tie and blouse, can't tie it, can't iron it. The pamphlet on the right is the crumpled gala program I dug out of my clutch. I'm reading it with O's magic loupe, which, by the way, he is selling on Etsy now, here.

The gala was happy exhaustion. There were dance troupes, opera, live music, DJs, a silent auction, and a grand fashion show, in which my friend Yuliana, whom I also met last May, was modelling. She was a knock-out. Barbara told me later that she saw some Middle Eastern princesses in attendance too. And I met some other Vancouver style bloggers, excellent!! When I left after 11, I heard the show was still only half over, but my feet left and I followed.

Below, Su, who made it happen for us. She farked that pastel coral suit with spectacular detailing on the back. That's a big burnt-out velvet warp with a motif of faces and scissors. And note the asymmetry she created with her earrings, and the black pom-pom near her waist. And let's not forget the shoes, the shoes.

Su is also carrying a Philip Treacy bag with a Campbell soup can lining. You can see it in this photo with Barbara.

Barbara dazzled in this sparkly jacket and all that bling. She is known for her vivid colours and wasn't sure she had anything black to wear. Clearly, she did.

PHOTO WAS HERE

And below, Judy. She made that crown from pipe-cleaners and farked her dress with tons of cool detailing. She also made her neck piece. With her is probably the coolest-dressed couple of the evening. The woman on the left is wearing a Philip Treacy hat which she got through her hairdresser in London. The man is wearing a Barbie-doll necklace with lights and a tire-tube skirt with tulle. Of course he is. Love them!

There was a fantastic live band in the ballroom and Judy and I couldn't keep still. She has irrepressible new Orleans rhythm. 

And below, I spotted this stunning woman in the VIP Lounge, Jamie Gerus. She brings to mind a Downton Abbeyesque adventuress returned home from travels in the Middle East for intense discussions with her publisher before departing on another voyage. I love the tassel on her handbag. Almost at the same time we asked each other for photos. It's like that sometimes.

And below, wearing the Super Model t-shirt I made. Who decides who's a super model and who's not? One of the things I liked about the gala fashion show, what I saw of it, was the diversity of models.

This super model really needs sunglasses with five lenses.
It doesn't take much to crack myself up. Is this natural?

I always get excited by the prospect of a gala or special event, even though I don't need a gala as an excuse to dress up. It's that being among crowds of people with a common purpose can be exhilarating.

I love the frisson of anticipation. Whom will I meet? Will I embarrass myself badly? Will I say lots of stupid things? Will there be magic there? Will there be chocolate? (This gala had pyramids of Lindt chocolates.)

Have you gone to any good galas lately? Fun parties? Do do you usually entertain yourself? That counts too.

That's all for this week. Some bloggy friends are coming to town in a few days. I must get to work now!

I'll link something up with Patti's Visible Monday at her blog, Not Dead Yet Style, and Catherine's #iwillwearwhatilike at her blog, Not Dressed as Lamb. See you there.