Versailles '73 - 40th Anniversary Party Hosted by Coffee Bluffs Pictures and Totem Creative

Totem Creative in New York City was the scene of the 40th Anniversary Party chronicling the 1973 runway fashion show at the Palace of Versailles in Paris, France. Deborah Riley-Draper the director of the 2012 critically-acclaimed, multi-award winning documentary, Versailles '73: American Runway Revolution, hosted the evening along with Totem Creative.

Versailles ’73: American Runway Revolution is a new documentary produced, written and directed by Deborah Riley-Draper and narrated by Cameron Silver tells the story of the November 28, 1973 Battle of Versailles (as it was coined by the news media in 1973) between five American designers, Halston, Stephen Burrows, Anne Klein, Oscar de la Renta, and Bill Blass, and the French fashion giants Yves Saint Laurent, Christian Dior, Hubert de Givenchy, Pierre Cardin, and Emanuel

As a young woman in 1973 and someone who was strongly influenced by fashion since my early childhood, I remember reading about this story and being amazed and proud that African American models had made such a big impact on the world. I decided then and there that I wanted to be involved in fashion in some way or another. As a result I decided I wanted to start my own retail fashion business and as a matter of course it would have to have a French name. Nouveau Fashion Gallery was born out of that dream.

For more information, visit http://www.versailles73movie.com/.

Guests for the evening included many of the models who walked the runway that night at the Palace, Alva Chinn, Norma Jean Darden, Karen Bjornson, Nancy North, Barbara Jackson, and China Machado, as well as Designer Stephen Burrows and photographer Charles Tracy. Other celebrity guests included,  Essence Magazine Editor-at-Large Mikki Taylor, Actor Dennis Christopher, former design assistant for Halston, Socialite Simone Levitt, a patron at Versailles in 1973 and Author of Skin Deep Barbara Summers, all of whom also appear in the film. 

This is a must see film if you have not seen this critically acclaimed documentary. Versailles '73: American Runway Revolution recounts the legendary fashion show on November 28,1973 at the Chateau de Versailles that catapulted African American models and American ready-to-wear designers, Halston, Klein, Blass, De la Renta and Burrows onto the European stage.

Check out some of the pictures from the evenings celebration.

Versailles '73 Model China Machado, Ajak Deng

Versailles '73 Models Alva Chin and China Machado

Versailles '73 Model China Machado

Versailles '73 Models China Machado, Alva Chin, Norma Jean Darden and Director Deborah Riley Draper

Versailles '73 movie cast and Deborah Riley Draper

Deborah Riley Draper and Caralene Robinson

Women With a Purpose Global Summit

The Women With A Purpose Global Summit kicked off on Tuesday, June 18, 2013 on the Island of Saint Martin/Sint Maarten.  Women from every corner of the world were in attendance for six days and five nights of networking, seminars, inspirational speakers and parties.

Evelyn Bakon-Wheeler and Director of Versailles '73: American Runway Revolution, Deborah Riley Draper at Sonesta Maho Beach Hotel

Attendees at Evening Soiree at the Bliss Club

Opening day began with registration and a seminar "How Our Faith and Belief Influence Personal and Business Decisions",  led by multimedia personality Danita Patterson, CEO and principal content developer of Destiny Unlimited, Inc.  A fun and informational speed networking was part of the getting to know you event. Formulated similarly to speed dating, each participant spent 3 minutes speaking with the person across the table from them and then moved down one chair to the next person.  The evening was topped off with an opening soiree at the Bliss Club where attendees were welcomed by representatives from each of our host islands, Saint Martin, Sint Maarten, Anguilla and Saint Barthelemy. Delicious food, exotic drinks and festive music were in abundance and everyone received a lovely gift bag at the end of the evening.

Day 2 - Media Day

The first day of seminars were held on day two featuring guest speakers starting in the morning with a Media Roundtable Discussion - "As Women In Media, How Do We Negatively or Positively Impact Our Image Worldwide", led by Soledad O'Brien, Carmen Wong Ulrich and Lynn Norment.

Later in the morning a Leadership seminar "Looking at Leadership Through a Different Lens" with keynote speakers Judy Smith  and Joyce Roche. 

Valerie Norman-Gammon, Judy Smith, Joyce Roche

The afternoon included a Power Luncheon with keynote speakers Soledad O'Brien, Carmen Wong-Ulrich and Hon. Sarah Westcot-Williams, Prime Minister of Sint Maarten and Inocencia Manoel. 

Luncheon attendees

 Director Deborah Riley-Draper

 

 Elynor Williams, Evelyn Bakon-Wheeler, Shirley Evans-Wofford

Day 3: Luxury Villa Day

A luxury fashion show and Luncheon at Le Chateau Des Palmiers "How Your Fashion Decisions Affect Your Business Brand", and a late afternoon workshop with Iyanla Vanzant "Your Next Act - Are You Leveraging All Your Talents?

Deborah Riley Drapers film "Versailles 73: American Runway Revolution closed out the evening with a screening poolside at Sonesta Maho Beach.

 

Deborah Riley-Draper, McGhee Williams-Osse, Evelyn Bakon-Wheeler

Day 4: Spa Day in Anguilla

We were transported from St. Martin via ferry to Anguilla for spa day at two resorts Cuisinart Resort & Spa and The Viceroy Anguilla. I spent my time lounging around the pool at the Cuisinart Resort with my friends.

An unforgettable evening of dinner, music, dancing and entertainment at a White Party at Club Bliss.  We were entertained by Tchina Arnold who gave a dynamic performance. 

Tchina Arnold performing at the Bliss Club

Tchina Arnold 

Shirley and McGhee and a friend engrossed in a digital photo of...

McGhee Osse

Shirley Wofford and McGhee Osse

Evelyn Bakon-Wheeler and McGhee Williams-Osse

Deborah Riley-Draper enjoying the white party

Day 5: Shop til you drop in St. Barths.

Transferred via plane and ferry to the Island of St. Barthelemy for shopping and lunch at a beachfront restaurant, and then to St. Jean and a rendezvous at Nikki Beach St. Barths.  I ran into Bebe my favorite waiter from Nikki Beach Cannes who is now working in St. Barths after an eight-month stint at the Las Vegas Nikki Beach. 

St. Barths Airport

WWP attendees lounging on beds at Nikki Beach St. Barths.

Shopping til we drop in St. Barths

Read more at this link: Judy Smith, Soledad O'Brien at the 2013 Women with Purpose