Hello friends!
I hope your holiday season has been filled with joy, love -- and some dolly fun, too!
It's been a very busy -- and productive -- few weeks for me...
I recently dropped
into the Studio Commissary Christmas Party to share a bit of exciting news
about my Sandra Stillwell
Presents plans for 2014 -- and, though all details are
not finalized, I'm excited to share a bit more about those plans with
you now...
I've been hard at work on our 2014 convention, and I'm proud to announce that Sandra Stillwell Presents: "The Toast Of Manhattan" will take place August 7-10th at the Crowne Plaza in Edison, New Jersey!
Imagine "The Toast
of Manhattan" in exclusive salons and department stores on the most
fashionable avenues of 1940's and 50's New York City -- in a private
box at the opera, or opening night at the latest Broadway play
-- dining and dancing till dawn at THE "most
happening" club in town! Imagine award winning American
designers and fashion icons gracing the covers and pages of New
York's Vogue and Harper's Bazaar -- the height of fashion,
their creations in as much demand as the latest from Paris.... Imagine....
Exciting things are
being planned for "The Toast of Manhattan" -- the cornerstone
of which will be our group tour of the Metropolitan Museum's
"Charles James Beyond Fashion", the inaugural exhibition in the
museum's newly renovated Costume Institute! The landmark exhibit, which
features over 100 of the legendary couturier's most notable designs, will
also include sketches, pattern pieces, fabric swatches, and partially
completed works from Mr James' last studio in New York City.
I first learned of the
Costume Gallery renovations three years ago and have been waiting (though
I'll admit, somewhat impatiently) for the galleries to
be completed to bring our Sandra
Stillwell Presents group to NYC! The fact that
Charles James is one of my favorite designers is a special bonus to me! I
hope you'll agree -- definitely something worth waiting for!!
Those of you in attendance for "Every Day's A Holiday" will remember that George Sarofeen presented a wonderful program on Charles James -- a coincidental but perfect introduction for our 2014 convention! Participants on the Sunday tour to Union Station had the rare opportunity to view one of Mr James' most magnificent masterpieces, the "Swan" dress, in close detail, too!
As in years past, we
will once again be offering optional tours on Thursday and Sunday in
2014. Because there is so much to see in the NY area, we may very
well add additional tour days -- so please let me know if you would
be interested in coming in earlier or staying later for these. I would
strongly recommend that you extend your trip to explore on your own, as well.
(The train station is very close to the hotel, and they offer a complimentary
shuttle to the station).
Though a little further
away than usual (about 80 miles), one of the excursions we're
strongly considering is a day trip to the historical Winterthur
Museum in Delaware to view "The Costumes of Downton Abbey", a
major exhibition featuring over 40 exquisite fashions from the award winning
television series. We're also considering a trip to the Museum of the
City of New York for their "Gilded New York" exhibit, a Broadway
show and fabric shopping excursions.
Plans are in the early stages, so if there is something in particular you'd like to do or see in NYC-- or anything you are not interested in -- now is the time to let me know!
Please RSVP as soon as possible if you would like to join us, as having an idea of how many to plan on for convention and the tours is a big help.
This not to be missed event will be limited to only 50 attendees. Registration will begin in Spring. Those on the RSVP list will be notified before opening registration to the public.
You won't want to
miss all the fun and fabulous fashions that we have planned, so mark your
calendars and make your plans to attend now!
Our very special Sandra Stillwell Presents group rate of only $129 includes breakfast on the days we do not have a convention breakfast function. The hotel also offers complimentary parking, wifi, and a complimentary 3 mile shuttle (based on availability).
In order for you to
experience everything that New York City has to offer, the rate has been extended
3 days before and after convention. If you need to book outside these dates --
or have any problems with your booking, please contact me directly for
assistance.
Hotel reservations may be made by calling 866-279-4813 and asking for the Sandra
Stillwell Presents group rate. Our group code is S08.
Our room block is
extremely limited, so I highly recommend that hotel reservations be made as
soon as possible. The cut off date for reservations is July 6th, or until our
block is sold out -- which ever comes first.
If you plan to join us
for "The Toast Of Manhattan" but are not ready to make hotel
reservations, it would help greatly to know what days you plan to book.
Please remember that, in
order to keep costs down, it is VERY important to stay at the hotel
and book within our group block. With our many planned activities, you'll
find being on site not only more convenient, but much more fun, too!
With all the fabulous
fashions planned for our "Toast Of Manhattan" souvenir package
and convention collection, your doll will be the toast of the town!
To those demanding
divas who are pushing for a head start on their wardrobe of
Charles James inspired fashions, I extend an invitation to visit my Sandra Stillwell Presents
blog sales pages, where you'll find "Under The Mistletoe"
and "Yuletide Splendor" -- two designs to
whet your appetite for the amazing fashions that await "The Toast Of
Manhattan"!
And you'll find other
must have holiday fashions, just in time for some last minute Christmas
shopping and New Year's Eve parties, too...
Before closing, I want
to extend my deepest appreciation to you all for your
friendships, support and patronage in 2013! Thank you for helping to make it
a very special year!
I look forward to more
fun in 2014!
Wishing you a Merry
Christmas and a FABULOUS New Year!!
Sincerely,
Sandra502 3775153
