Spotlight On the Opening Reception for The Barefoot Designer
Photo by Chelsea Kyle
On April 16, 2014, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum welcomed Mexican eco-fashion designer Carla Fernāndez to celebrate her current exhibition at the museum. Fernāndez collaborated with photographers and artists (including her famous husband) to present a multimedia art exhibit about her fashion designs, which are based on the traditions and techniques of indigenous Mexican artisans.
Part artsy, part fashiony, the VIP patrons started the night with cocktails, light bites, and live music in the courtyard of the museum, located inside the original Gardner home. Chatter was a refreshing mix of Spanish and English and the crowd made for superbly interesting people-watching.
Guests of note include PR firecracker Barbara “BQ” Quiroga, blonde beauty lawyer Ashley Wisneski, fashion author and teacher Jay Calderin, museum director Anne Hawley, and museum board member Lisa Blumenthal.
The local and international eye candy mingled their way to the exhibit upstairs, which included live performance art in the form of half-naked male dancers, all adorned with the designer’s signature wooden bangles and wrapped in fabric often used for her designs.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle
The designer/artist also gave a short lecture, followed by more cocktails (and a couple of broken glasses) back in the stunning former Gardner residence.
Most of our selects for style winners were in Carla Fernāndez garb and include:
Gardner board member and event stylist Alli Achtmeyer in a Carla Fernāndez top, Ralph Lauren pants and shoes, a Michael Kors clutch, wooden bangles from her closet, and an absolutely divine Christian Dior necklace.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle
Footwear company chairwoman Katherine Chapman Stemberg in a Yigal Azrouël top, Rivamonti jacket, Gianvito Rossi shoes, and Paige Novick baubles.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle
Mexican beauty and curator of education at the Museum at FIT, Tanya Melendez in vintage Carla Fernandez, vintage Gucci, and See by Chloe shoes.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle
Carla Fernāndez in her own designs and shoes by Brazlian eco-friendly brand, Ozklen.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle
For more information on the exhibit, visit gardnermuseum.org.
