One notable male attendee was Austin Scarlett of Project Runway’s first season. Though his presence bucked the mostly-female trend of the evening, he was dressed so fashionably that he fit right in with his stiletto-wearing compatriots (he seemed to be wearing nearly as much makeup, as well).
Event planners were shrewd to provide an open bar. Personal experience dictates that clothing seems to fit better and wallets open faster after a few cucumber-mint cocktails, and the friendly bartenders kept them flowing. The line to the dressing room was long all night, as was the wait at the cash register.
City Opera seems to have hit on one of the cleverest ways to raise money during a recession. First, get wealthy patrons to donate beautiful, gently used clothing. Then entice vintage lovers and stylistas to shell out for them at bargain prices with a “don’t think of what you’re spending, think of what you’re saving” mentality. In this case, what’s good for the wardrobe is also what’s good for the wallet, and that’s good for City Opera.
