Lisa Nula channeling Jackie O in a vintage Tracey Negoshian dress
Style connoisseurs and social tastemakers from the Ocean State and beyond flocked to the lush and manicured grounds of Newport’s Rosecliff mansion on July 9 for an elegant morning with Angela Moore. As a nationally renowned fashion curator and designer for nearly two decades, Moore takes a sophisticated approach to coastal style. This purveyor of premier resort wear plucks éclat labels and exclusive designers for her tony Bellevue Avenue boutique. Moore’s style affords a modern feel, but also gives way to a savoir-faire from decades past when dressing was revered as fine art…even when running to the grocery store.
My mom and I were invited to this year’s event which paid homage to the 70th anniversary of the Preservation Society of Newport. Upon entering the stately manor that was commissioned in 1899 by heiress Theresa Fair Oelrichs, we were greeted by local media eager to capture the bevy of well-dressed arrivals (present company included). Next, we digested an exhibit from the Preservation Society’s costume archives as effervescent mimosas refreshed our palate. After a mingle on the terrace with some like-minded ladies, we sat for a delightful brunch of savory quiche, fresh fruit and free-flowing Champagne.
Moore designed her “Fashion through the Decades” theme as a tribute to American legends such as Audrey Hepburn, Brigitte Bardot, and my personal favorites Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Grace Kelly. The show highlighted pieces these style icons wore in their heyday and included modern elements that depicted a trendy version for today’s woman. I almost jumped out of my chiavari chair when I spotted a snappy sea creature dress from B The Collection swimming down the runway. The red, white and blue shift-style was a nod to Jackie O and certainly one of my favorites. Coming in at a sultry second, two to-die-for looks inspired (again) by the former first lady — a stunning seahorse-print maxi from Escapada Living paired with a beaded coral reef handbag from Moyna and a dark blue palm-print jumpsuit by Escapada Living paired with a beaded sailboat handbag from Moyna.
The crowd was awed by a Maggie Norris gown worn by Leah Cann during the finale. The dress was inspired by a Givenchy number Jackie O wore during a state dinner at the Palace of Versailles. Cann, well-known among Newport society, commissioned her dress in 2002 and it will now become part of the Preservation Society’s costume archives.My mom and I had one of the best days in our long history of day-tripping as a mother-daughter duo — the perks of being an only child with a fabulous mom, I tell you. And after years of chatting via social media with Andrea McHugh (the brains and beauty behind Newport Stylephile), we finally met in real life. She is a doll and we’ve vowed to trade secrets soon. We were even featured in the style section of Sunday’s Providence Journal. See you next year!
Rosecliff Garden |
Tablescape |
Kathryn Farrington channeling Jackie O in a snappy dress by B The Collection
and Brianna Ralto showcasing a modern-day Jackie O style
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Ashley Bickford Krager (Miss Rhode Island 2009) channeling Jackie O
in an Escapada Living maxi and Moyna handbag
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Alexandra Curtis (Miss Rhode Island 2015) channeling Jackie O
in an Escapada Living jumpsuit and Moyna handbag
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Ashley Bickford Krager (Miss Rhode Island 2009) channeling
Brigitte Bardot in Manuel Canovas
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Alexandra Curtis (Miss Rhode Island 2015) channeling Brigitte Bardot
in Manuel Canovas
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Kent Russell showcasing an Adurey Hepburn inspired look for men |
Carolyn Van Petten channeling Grace Kelly in a
garden party dress from Trinity Repertory Company
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A Twiggy inspired look from Trinity Repertory Company
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Kent Russell pairing his dapper date night look with striking Louboutins |
Preservation Society of Newport Costume Archives Exhibit |
Preservation Society of Newport Costume Archives Exhibit |
Preservation Society of Newport Costume Archives Exhibit |
Rosecliff Salon |
Preservation Society of Newport Costume Archives Exhibit |
Preservation Society of Newport Costume Archives Exhibit |
Preservation Society of Newport Costume Archives Exhibit |
Givenchy |
Leah Cann showcasing her commissioned piece by Maggie Norris Couture |
Angela and Gary Moore |
Rue Le Chat and her mom |
Photos // John Corbett