Macy’s made its triumphant return to New Orleans this past October in serious style, with the Grand Opening celebration at Lakeside Mall. The October 24th Opening Gala, which benefited the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts, was a star-studded event to be sure, as nearly 1,000 excited shoppers, onlookers and NOCCA supporters watched celebrities and “Megastar” patrons walk the beautiful red carpet into the brightly lit department store. Event co-chairs Martha Stewart and Emeril Lagasse did a cooking demonstration for shoppers, while designers Tommy Hilfiger, Russell Simmons and Clinton Kelley were on hand to represent their iconic lines of classic American fashions. There was food aplenty available to nourish weary shoppers, with good eats provided by Joel Catering. Food Network celebs Cat Cora (of Iron Chef fame) and Tyler Florence were stationed by their cookware lines to answer questions and snap photos with fans. There was live music on every floor and New Orleans Magazine, one of the event’s sponsors, had a photo area set up to provide photo ops for shoppers that looked straight out of a magazine cover shoot. The highlight of the evening, however, was the spectacular fashion show, with locals such as Sidney Torres and NOCCA students modeling fabulous frocks, all in the name of fundraising and celebration.
1. Dave Lieberman, Cat Cora and Tyler Florence
2. Wendy and Steve Madden
3. Karen DeSalvo, Aaron Broussard and Kashley Hampton
4. Ed Smith, Irma Thomas and Ellen Fruehtman
5. Steve and Kathy Price with James Brown
6. Britt and Nan Galloway with Jackson Knowles
7. Sally Perry and Oley Sassone