Victoria The Great and Radcliffe Bailey…Paint The Town Gold

 

Life can Prick you or quench your thurst.. but love is remedy to both
Life can Prick you or quench your thurst.. but love is remedy to both

Today I had the honor, privilege of meeting and working with Victoria Rowell, who will grace us with her presence for our Fall/Winter 2009 Cover. This extra-ordinary spirit is bigger then life.  She exudes, confidence, grace and elegance. If I may add in a pair of Timberland boots and Baby Phat Jeans, tapered fitting black shirt, gorgeous cashmere riding jacket, and a Kangol plaid hat. Can you dig it? And looking more fabulous them women half her age… Hush your mouth.
This lady of style that was raised in the foster system of America managed to become the American dream, an inspiration to children, women and especially women of color.
Ms. Victoria Rowell greeted me at the door of British born designer Jane Wilson Marquis in her New York City boutique as though we were friends for years. Her spirit and warmth not only made me feel at ease but compelled me to want to serve her and grant her wedding dream. Our long day was carefully orchestrated by her personal assistant Manuella, who for the past three weeks has been communicating with me via email about Victoria’s heavy work schedule.  Promoting her book “The Women That Raised Me”, New York Times best sellers list; planning a charity event for her non-for-profit organization, Rowell Foster Children Positive Plan, which provides scholarships in the arts and education to foster youth, and serves as a national spokesperson for the Annie E. Casey Foundation/Casey Family Services (please support by making donations, www.rfcpp.org). Putting the finishing touches on her soon to be released book “Secrets of A Soap Opera Diva”, acting, and planning a June wedding. Wow! Yes, and she is a mom, a philanthropist, a humanitarian and a motivational speaker.
After you get your head wrapped around all that, let’s run in to the Carlyle Hotel, which adjacent to the boutique and have a spot of tea as we await for her Victoria’s niece and briefly discuss the remainder of the day. The Carlyle Hotel has a special place in my heart because it was there that I once had the honor of serving the late Ertha Kitt, who regularly performed there.
So as this journey continues we go to our second appointment to my favorite hot spot Bernardaud where Ms. Rowell did her bridal registry. Exquisite is all I can say. After a two hour tour and planning a lovely tea reception for fifty of her closest family, friends, mentors, and supporters. We were off to meet with the ever so fabulous B Michael, the original milliner, who designed the most fabulous hats for Dynasty. Yes I said Dynasty. For those who are new to the school of Divatude please “google him”.
B Michael! Mr. B Michael who has dressed the likes of Sicily Tyson, Cate Blanchett, Beyonce, Halle Berry, Elizabeth Alexander and Susan Fales Hills to name a few will be not only dressing Rowell for her appearance for the remainder of her book tour and  media appearances, as well as donating hats and a gown to be auctioned at Victoria’s famous High Tea Fund Raising event in Los Angeles Sponsored by Carnival Cruise Line on their ship. Now that is class.  He will be making the attire of Radcliffe Bailey, painter artist, and fiance of Ms. Victoria Rowell.
We grab a few bites to eat while we fit for Radcliffe’s attire.   His spirit and body framed so reminded me of my favorite actor, musician, Sammy Davis Jr., his shy, soft, and passive spirit warmed my heart.  What an amazing sense of style.
We quickly make our exits and catch a cab and run to our next appointment near Gramercy Park to discuss shooting the cover of next issue in the amazing Island of Guana Island. Yes, Guana Island, “google them” www.guana.com. HOT SPOT is an understatement. The pictures alone were breath taking……. So stay tune for the next episode of World Bride Magazine…..

 

Simply Jane Couturecolor of lifeRoyaltyYou will know, it just feels right

Claudette and Victoria
Claudette and Victoria
Bernardaud
Bernardaud

B Michael and Victoria

B Michael...
B Michael…

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