WHAT TO WEAR
“CRYSTAL BALL” CO-CHAIR STEPHANIE COCKRELL TAKES A SPIN IN MILES DAVID’S CUSTOM FROCK
You need the bling to make it for this choice night in Houston’s society scene.
Don’t let the theme fool you. There’s nothing precious about Fresh Arts’ upcoming “Crystal Ball.”
The motif is less about breakable little somethings than breaking the sartorial ceiling. Per the invitation, suggested attire for Friday night’s bash at Silver Street Studios is “’20s glitz or ’80s glam, just be sure to bring the sparkle.”
To be certain, event insiders clarify that partygoers can also reference fortune tellers and magicians (you know, mystical artistes who regard the crystal ball as their instrument of choice) or disco balls for outfit inspo. Consider the honoree. Marita B. Fairbanks, who founded the Fresh Arts Coalition in 2002 to support local emerging and midsized talent, is the woman to out-dress. At fetes past, she’s dipped herself in liquid gold à la the “Space Ball” and fashioned a cotton-candy headpiece for the “Gumball Gala” that would even give Willy Wonka a cavity. Long story short: Get creative. If the costume route isn’t your bag and Pinterest DIYs feel like a wardrobe malfunction waiting to happen, do as the chairs do and tap a professional.
Stephanie Cockrell paired up Miles David creative director David Peck to create a one-of-a-kind look that’s more couture than kooky. Cockrell’s champagne bubble of a frock is quite literal (Peck sewed dozens of crystal balls onto ivory mesh, albeit far from fragile.
And rumor has it fellow chair Raquel Segal commissioned the designer to concoct her look, too.
No word on Fairbanks’ get-up just yet; she guards the surprise under lock and key. But one thing’s for certain, her big reveal will be gem-shattering.