Chapeaus, bonnets, cloches, fedoras — hats of all styles, shapes and colors creatively adorned and accented — were the pièces de résistance at the 40th annual Women’s Guild of the New Orleans Opera Association’s Mad Hatter’s Luncheon.
Themed “My Fair Hatter,” a play on “My Fair Lady,” the event on March 14 was at the coincidentally named Higgins Hotel.
As hats were a focus, there was of course a contest; winners included: Most Beautiful: Laurie Oliphant; Most Unique: Brian Monk; Most Whimsical: Sarah Ruth Bernard; Best Ensemble: Gerri Valene; Best Original Theme: Cherry Bordelon and Best Group: Graziella de Ayerdi, Claudia Ginty, Francesca Velasco and Jackie Heitman. Judges were Bryan Batt, Dianne Honoré and Terrance Osborne.
Among the afternoon’s many highlights was the fashion show featuring models who were Women’s Guild members, donning clothing from Chico’s, White House | Black Market, Soma and Krewe.
The silent auction included a painting by Terrance Osborne, “Lady Mardi Gras,” which inspired this Mad Hatter’s luncheon theme.
Mixing and mingling in the crowd were “Alice In Wonderland” characters come to life: The Mad Hatter was portrayed by Dr. Ranney Mize; Alice, Norma Jean McClain; Queen of Hearts, Amy Carbonette Cioll; The White Rabbit, Dr. Erin Fleming and the Caterpillar, Margarita Bergen.
“Mad Hatter’s is one of the many signature events in New Orleans, which continues to support the New Orleans Opera and all its programming. It was a great event and I am excited to see what we come up with next year,” said event Chair Torry Dean.
Fun Fact: Mistress of Ceremonies was WDSU News Anchor Gina Swanson.
