Ebony Fashion Fair's `Simply Spectacular' makes for unforgettable evening in New York

Jet, Oct 28, 2002

No other words could explain it--it's "simply spectacular."

That's what the crowd sighed when Ebony Fashion Fair's Simply Spectacular recently captured the Big Apple in grand style.

The classy audience packed the Grand Ballroom in New York's Hilton Hotel & Towers. Residents of the fashion capital were swept off their feet when surveying the superb collection of creations from giants in the world of design.

The gorgeous female models sauntered the runway in gowns that flattered the figure and left everyone in the house on the edge. Even the casual ensembles were magnificent with matching accessories that would make any woman the toast of the town.

The men in the audience were busy taking notes of the hottest creations just for them. Bold, bright suits and ensembles with matching shoes seemed to be popular on the runway.

The show, celebrating its 45th year, benefited the New York Urban League. It was sponsored by the New York Urban League & Friends of Distinction.

* Deonna Pinkerton models a sexy gown from the haute couture collection of Givenchy, Paris.

* Commentator Jada Jackson models a breathtaking gown by Cassandra Stone. Chicago.

* Carmen Ardoin waves the audience in this print silk gown from Christian Lacroix, Paris.

* Ashley Buckhalter is oh-so-sexy in this turquoise silk dress from Marc Bouwer, New York.

* Tinika Hampton turns heads in this exotic beaded gown designed by Bob Mackie, California.

* Ronnel Blackmon models a velour-trimmed jacket with dark blue trousers and shirt designed by Laura Biagiotti, Milan.

* Tiesha Wimbish wears a daring bronze beaded ensemble designed by Black designer Antonio Wingfield of Texarkana, TX.

* Rodney High is a real EBONY man in this wool sweater and matching pants designed by Laura Biagiotti, Milan.

* Victoria Bowers is ready to hit the town in this leather-pant ensemble designed by Douglas Hannant, New York.

* Rebecca Briscoe dazzles in this sequined gown designed by Angelo Tarlazzi, Paris.

* Full-figure model Verna Starling wears a leopard-print cardigan with a fur-trimmed cape designed by Stizzoli, Italy.

* Vonyee Greenhill wears a dramatic gray tweed two-piece suit from Hanae Mori, Paris.

* Valerie Jones struts the runway in a red ensemble designed by Stizzoli, Italy.

* Soul-stirring singer Ann Nesby was the featured performer during the gala luncheon which preceded the fashion show.

* Toni Brister looks lovely in this funky brown wool top and brown leather pants from Marc Bouwer, New York.

* The New York committee Natasha Jospitre, Karen Luke, Marilyn Wright, Ellen Crosby, Jean Dixon-West, Cherise Carroll and Lucille Barrow-Cadiz enjoy the festivities.

* Darwin M. Davis, the New York Urban League's new CEO, and Barbara Kendrew, winner of the American Airlines trip-for-two prize, are congratulated by Joyce Edwards, co-chairperson, and Veronica Neufville, general chairperson at the gala affair.

* Jeff Burns Jr., associate publisher and senior vice president, EBONY Magazine, greets Janice Combs, mother of hip-hop music mogul Sean "P. Diddy" Combs. Models High and Blackmon join commentator Jackson in extending best wishes to Eleanor Tatum, publisher of the Amsterdam News.

* Davis, Neufville and Micheline Vosges, consultant for the New York show, greet special guest Audrey Smaltz, a former Ebony Fashion Fair commentator. * Kenneth Owen, assistant to Eunice W. Johnson, producer and director of Ebony Fashion Fair, greets Detroit designer Beulah Cooley, creator of the magnificent transparent gown modeled during the show.

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