MEN OF FASHION

In its 35th year, the Men of Fashion presents its 2007 Prix d’Elegance Award recipients. Annually, the Men of Fashion honor citizens of New Orleans who exemplify style and elegance through business, community activism, civic and charitable endeavors and, of course, fashion. This year is especially poignant since many of those honored were, and continue to be, especially strong in their community after Hurricane Katrina and the Men of Fashion’s encouragement of the local clothing retail market is much needed.

At this year’s Prix d’Elegance Awards Luncheon and fashion show, which will take place on May 3 at the Hilton Riverside Hotel, the 22 men and women honored by the Men of Fashion will be dressed by Mimi and Jeff’s Haberdashery.

Funds from the Prix d’Elegance Awards Luncheon will support the New Orleans Ballet Association (NOBA) and BRAVO. This is the second year that NOBA has been the beneficiary of the luncheon’s proceeds. This year’s funds will benefit their nationally recognized education programs serving over 7,000 youth this year with 2,500 free activities including free dance classed at 11 sites in three parishes as well as in-school programming and scholarships for talented students to study with world-renowned artists during the summers.

This year’s photo shoot took place at the Windsor Court Hotel’s new Club Level and Lounge. Located on floors 19-22, these suites embody “The Art of Living Well” and include 600 to 850-square-foot abodes decorated in Chinese yellows, Songbird blues and Windsor taupes with marble baths, Italian linens and small touches such as fresh flowers, personalized stationary – not to mention the available selection of bed pillows, over 50 types of water and music CDs for the room. The Lounge offers an exclusive gathering place for the guests of these exclusive floors that includes stunning views of the Mississippi River as well as an indoor drawing room with plush furnishings, wood floors a cozy fireplace, grand piano and hand-picked library. Here, a dedicated staff serves complimentary breakfast, afternoon tea as well as evening hors d’œuvres and cocktails.

The Men of Fashion express thanks to the Windsor Court Hotel (523-6000, windsorcourthotel.com), Hilton Riverside Hotel (561-0500, hilton.com) and NOBA (522-0996, noba.com) for their support of this year’s events.

Martha Cornover – Hall of Fame;
Doug Thornton – Hall of Fame, not pictured