Sandra Stillwell Presents...: September 2022

SSP Saturday Evening: Fashion Finish Line

Saturday evening SSP hosted a Black and White Ball based on an actual ball thrown by Truman Capote. Halston, another "Indiana" designer (he wasn't born in Indiana but moved to Evansville, Indiana at the age of 14) had a huge influence on that event.

Conventioneers were asked to dress themselves and their dolls in black and white, with prizes being awarded in several categories.

The centerpiece fashions were both based on Halston creations:

BLANC ET NOIR

$175

Inspiration: Halston

BUNNIE

Mask by Sue Connor

$170

Inspiration: Halston

The souvenir was based on a Norell design, featuring a long gown and coat. The coat can be reversed for another look.

NORELL NOIR

$150

Inspiration: Norell

Items available for purchase/pre-order:

BLACK MAGIC*

$150

Inspiration: Norell

ALL TIED UP

$155

Inspiration: Norell

EBONY ROSE*

$150

Inspiration: Bill Blass

LADY MARION*

$170

Inspiration: Dior

FAIRBANKS DRESS AND COAT ENSEMBLE

$185

Inspiration: Norell

HARVEST HOMECOMING

$150

Inspiration: Not available

NOTORIOUS

$140

Inspiration: Norell

VERTIGO

$140

Inspiration: Norell

MINT JULEP TIME COAT AND DRESS ENSEMBLE

$165

Inspiration: Traina-Norell

PERKY POLKA-DOTS

$165

POLKA-DOT PARTY

$165

POSH POLKA-DOTS

$165

ALL THREE*

Inspiration: Norell

SSP Fashions Photos
*Photos provided by Dennis Norris

All others are staff photos

FFT Saturday Matinee: "DuBarry was a Lady"

Our Saturday film "DuBarry was a Lady" featured Indiana native Red Skelton, along with Lucille Ball and Gene Kelly. Lots of over the top costumes and lovely music by Cole Porter.

MADAME DUBARRY

$285

Inspiration: Irene

LADY MAY

$325

Inspiration: Irene

FFT Saturday Afternoon: "De Lovely”

Saturday's lunch program focused on Cole Porter, born in Peru, Indiana. Porter is known for writing the words and music for many musicals, including "Kiss Me, Kate," "Fifty Million Frenchmen", "DuBarry Was a Lady", "Anything Goes", "Can-Can" and "Silk Stockings". His numerous hit songs include "Night and Day", "Begin the Beguine", "I Get a Kick Out of You", "I've Got You Under My Skin", "My Heart Belongs to Daddy" and "You're the Top". He also wrote for the movies, including "High Society", which was a remake of the non-musical version "The Philadelphia Story".

The centerpieces, as well as most of the fashions, were named after Cole Porter tunes.

"NIGHT AND DAY" PINK

$165

"I LOVE PARIS" BLUE

$155

Inspiration: Sandra Stillwell (no pictures)

The attendees' souvenir, HATTIE, was named after both the Cole Porter musical "Panama Hattie" and the designer of the gown, Norman Norell of Hattie Carnegie.

HATTIE