Timestamp: Friday, July 13, 5:00 to 7:00pm
Text, Vivian G. Kelly
Photographs, J. Ecochard
What we loved [in addition to the Ashley Paige for Girls Gone Wild collection]:
Ashley Paige’s sexy pieces will undoubtedly cause a sensation on the buff College Girls who will be donning them a few months from now come Spring Break. We’re also confident that this hot California designer will rack up a ton of editorial credits in the next swim issue of Sports Illustrated this winter.This show had New York style energy and comparable front row-age that included Tyson Beckford, Kim Kardashian, DJ Clue, Brandon Davis and Jamie-Lynn Sigler.
We love that Ashley Paige showed her ethical side as well. In addtion to being one of the hottest swim and cruise wear designers around; here is a designer who’s not afraid to share the spotlight with the needy. Ms. Paige introduced one of the Bay County Humane Society’s adorable “celebrity” pups and took him for a victory lap with her and her partner, Jenn Malini at the show’s close. Dogs have been used before on the runways, but in this case, we felt this was a completely sincere gesture on the designer’s part and we applaud her for it, 100%.
* To adopt or inquire about the Humane Society of Bay County, please call Mary Sanger Executive Director. Tel. 850-625-7054.
Backstage, around 5:00pm
Backstage at the Cabana Grande is best described as a rainbow of color. It was clear that this was a big show, as soon as we spotted Brazilian supermodel, Omyrah mugging for the camera and like everyone else backstage, she was having a ball. On the table were some of the best shoes of the week – 5 inch cork wedges with 70’s souvenir store style rainbow scenes hand painted on them. The sexy 70s vibe reminded us of Stella McCartney’s tropical fruit collection that landed her countless editorials that season and helped make her a star. It was clear that Ms. Paige is a star in the making, if only by the number of boom mikes, video cams and photographers crowding around pre-show. The models sensed it too, and accordingly as in at Bryant Park, put on a show for the cameras.
The Pre-Show: front of house at Cabana Grande, the Raleigh Pool
The feel-good vibe continued front of house as the audience milled about and sang-along to oldies like “Looking For Love” from the Urban Cowboy Soundtrack. The guests seated next to us agreed that D. J. Menelik who was spinning, really WAS “amazing” and that the upbeat tunes were right in synch with the fun retro styles we’d peeked at backstage. More than one of us made a note to go pick up a copy at Virgin Records the next day.
The Ashley Paige for Girls Gone Wild Show, @ 6:30pm
From the first outfit that came down the runway, “cup cake short shorts overall with gone good knit bandeau”, it was easy to see just why Ms. Paige is getting so many editorial credits [we counted an amazing 20+ in the most recent Sport Illustrated swimsuit issue]. Any girl in her teens and 20’s will love the adorable picnic blanket poncho, Florida gulls lycra one piece and flower patch halter [bi]kini.
We’ve already established that swim designers are using the swim shows to show those cruise cover ups that sell very well, thank you, at retail. After all, you can’t lie on the beach all day, you’ll eventually want to get up and go to lunch somewhere. The brown “reversible each wrestler” top is tiny but if you’ve got a ripped body, it qualifies as a cover-up.
For the more modest, there’s a long linen A-line skirt that looks great with a sparkly navy bandeau top. Whatever you wear though, accessorize it with the towering hand painted cork wedges Ms. Paige showed throughout the show.
If you thought souvenir shop prints were tacky, think again. In Ms. Paige’s able hands, they’re flat out irresistible. There were enough of these 70s modal Florida girl souvenir shop prints in citrus shades to make a strong California beach babe statement. The modal Florida Girl souvenir shop halter dress takes the prize for best cover up in collection.
Best moment on the runway:
Seeing Omyrah walk in an asymmetric sparkle [bi]kini. This coral and aqua sliver of cloth requires a high degree of swagger and self-confidence and the designer couldn’t have chosen a better model to wear it.
For those of you who actually want to participate in beach volleyball, there are some sport super stripe terry two pieces and t-front maillots that are just the thing.