The annual Suits & Salads Luncheon celebrates the women and inspiring stories of Dress for Success New Orleans.
Board President Nadine Brown and Executive Director Lori Byargeon opened the luncheon with inspirational stories, advances in programming and introduced new Programs Coordinator Tracee Dundas, who awarded Volunteers of the Year, the Junior League of New Orleans. Shannon Brice, President of JLNO, accepted on behalf of the organization.
DFSNO members Odilia Lopez and Helise Madden shared touching testimonies of the impact Dress for Success New Orleans has had on their career and personal growth. The program concluded with a lively Empowerment Fashion Show, presented by Aimée Gowland of ALG Style, featuring local female leaders wearing fashions from Chatta Box Boutique, Dress for Success New Orleans, Ellen Macomber, Elysian and Monomin.
Spring trends, bright colors and fun patterns filled the fashions of supporters who lined the step and repeat, red carpet and photo booth. Attendees perused the silent auction tables and pop-up vendor Elysian by Emily Morrison while enjoying wine, champagne and hibiscus rum lemonade courtesy of the cocktail sponsor, Happy Raptor Distilling. Creative table centerpieces featuring a rosemary plant with attached “Sip in Style” cocktail menu could be purchased as a memento or gift.
The fashionable festivities continued with an after-party hosted at Rosie’s on the Roof in keeping with the theme of women’s empowerment.
Event chairs were Laura Ashley and Rupa Jolly, and auction chairs were Taryn Guidry Anderson and Mallory Logan Bouslog. Rena Jolly, Rupa Jolly, Jones Walker LLP and Ochsner Health served as Empowerment Sponsors.
Arie Kaller, Aimée Gowland, Nadine Brown
Lesli Harris, Henson Davis, Robin Barnes, Mamta Melwani
Shannon Brice, Rupa Jolly, Laura Ashley, Lori Byargeon
Meaghan Bonavita, Chelsey Richard Napoleon
Rena Jolly, Rachel Taravella, Helise Madden
