Champagne, appetizers and Chanel made for an elegant fête March 7 at Nordstrom's in-store boutique at the Mall of America in Bloomington. The cocktail party was in honor of the trunk show for the French design house's spring collection.
Local fashionistas know and adore the line, which this season consists of a restrained, classic palette of black, white, gray and a bit of pink. Shoppers had a lot to say about the label.
"They're the epitome of style," said Lauren Florine, who tried on a straight-off-the- runway dress.
"It makes us feel good!" said Marlys Hubbard.
"I have several of my mother's blazers," added Maryann Stump, proving that an investment piece lasts forever. Indeed, the only thing missing was designer Karl Lagerfeld. Maybe next season!
A LITTLE GALA MUSIC There is no doubting that music enriches young lives. Fostering talent is the goal of the Minnesota Youth Symphonies, which held its annual gala March 7 at the St. Paul Hotel.
Husband-and-wife team Manny and Claudette Laureano have been co-artistic directors of the program for 21 years. "The gala is primarily to raise money for kids, so we have music to play, instruments, scholarships to dole out," said Claudette, who is the orchestra director at Breck School, while her husband is principal trumpet of the Minnesota Orchestra.
The event attracted a diverse crowd of supporters. "They're the next generation of musicians," said Evelina Chao, a violist with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. "I'm always interested in supporting them and helping them grow."
Appropriately enough, the MYS Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Manny Laureano, played many danceable waltzes. "Blue Danube," anyone?
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