AN ELEGANT EVENING OF FASHION & BEAUTY

Photos by Brandon Scott

The O Report presented Spring Trend Report: An Elegant Evening of Fashion & Beauty for Women 50 & Up. hosted by St. John Boutique at SouthPark Mall.

Guests learned about fashion trends for Spring 2019 and how to wear them. Models of different ages including 50 & up showed off Spring looks from the classic American luxury fashion brand St. John.

Plus, award-winning surgeon Dr. Kevin Smith of Charlotte Plastic Surgery shared the newest surgical and non-surgical procedures and products that are revolutionizing the beauty industry.

Along with the talk and informal modeling, guests enjoyed heavy hors d’oeuvres, sweet treats, Champagne cocktails, door prizes, gift bags and everyone received the newest edition of The O Report magazine.

7 Pieces Every Woman Needs

An LBD with sleeves. Seventy Black Crepe Dress, $365.

A piece of jewelry that catches the eye and adds interest to any outfit. Julie Vos Penelope Gold Shell Pearl Earring, $148.

A two-piece tweed set that works beautifully on its own or when paired with other pieces. Max Mara Zurigo Sky Blue Cotton Tweed Dress, $425.

A two-piece tweed set that works beautifully on its own or when paired with other pieces. Max Mara Ottico Sky Blue Tweed Coat, $575.

A crisp white button-down that looks great tucked or untucked. Les Copains White Button Down Poplin Shirt, $465.

A form fitting sweater in a neutral color that works on its own or when layered under a jacket. Joseph Camel Lurex Merion Wool Sweater, $365.

A go-anywhere handbag that’s durable yet timeless. Alexandra de Curtis Midi Ruched Navy Tote, $669.

Halsbrook, an online retailer focusing on unique, high-quality clothing for the 50 and up market, says these are the seven key pieces that every woman needs in her wardrobe.

An LBD with sleeves.

A piece of jewelry that catches the eye and adds interest to any outfit.

A two-piece tweed set works beautifully on its own or when paired with other pieces.

A crisp white button-down that looks great tucked or untucked.

A form fitting sweater in a neutral color that works on its own or when layered under a jacket.

A go-anywhere handbag that’s durable yet timeless.

FASHION RECAP: STAY SASSY, STAY CHIC

The O Report Publisher Olivia Fortson talks with guests at the Stay Sassy, Stay Chic fashion seminar April 5 in Circle Court of SouthPark Mall. All photos by Daniel Coston.

The O Report recently presented Stay Sassy, Stay Chic: A Fashion Seminar for Women 50 and Up. Thank you to all the guests who attended! We are so appreciative of your support. We especially loved Living La Vida Diva blogger Vikee Koh's take on the event (click here to read it). Thanks, Vikee!

We're happy to report it was a hit! It was held April 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Circle Court in the luxury wing of SouthPark Mall, which sponsored the event. 

Event hosts were fashion expert Suzanne Libfraind, the exclusive personal shopper for SouthPark Mall; and Olivia Fortson, Publisher of The O Report. Suzanne chose an outfit from Nordstrom and styled Olivia in clothing from Dillard's. Nordstrom and Dillard's were two of the event sponsors.

Limited to 100 guests, tickets sold out in three days and there were over 100 on the waiting list. It was hosted by Suzanne Libfraind, SouthPark Mall's personal shopper with sass; and Olivia Fortson, publisher of The O Report. (Click here for an interesting profile on Suzanne that's in the People section of this website.)

Guests raved about the fabulous luncheon menu from Reid's Fine Foods & Wine Bar at SouthPark: kale detox salad, mixed fruit and a variety of sandwiches.

The event began with a fabulous luncheon menu from Reid's Fine Foods & Wine Bar at SouthPark: kale detox salad, mixed fruit and a variety of sandwiches.

Reid's created a speciality cocktail, the Sassy Suzanne, in honor of star Suzanne Libfraind. The recipe is below. It's strong, sweet and pretty - just like Suzanne!

They also created a speciality cocktail in honor of program star Suzanne Libfraind - the Sassy Suzanne! It's made with 2 parts vodka, 1 part Jack Ruby Sweet Tea Syrup, 1 part lime juice, 1 part Hibiscus tea and 1/2 part simple syrup. 

To get the party started, Olivia and Suzanne gave a toast - "Cheers to staying sassy and staying chic!"

You're never too old for a beautiful braid! Jenn at Carmen! Carmen! Salon created this braided hairstyle for Olivia Fortson.

Suzanne and Olivia shared their tips for staying sassy and chic no matter your age. Models 50 and up showed off Spring looks from Nordstrom and Dillard's. Carmen! Carmen! Salon at Belk styled the hair of the hosts and model; and bareMinerals at SouthPark did their makeup. 

Models at the event were (from left): Darla Desiderio, Sandra McCaslin, Suzanne Walker, Dianne Roth and Francene Marie Morris.

The models were Darla Desiderio, the author of Gage the Whippet series of children's books; artist Sandra McCaskill, owner of Alexandra's Accents, who creates luxury throw blankets that are in fine homes around the world; Francene Marie Morris, an award-winning radio host with Beasley Media Group, whose talk show can be heard on six different stations around the Charlotte area; Dianne Roth, the recently retired Director of Development for the American Diabetes Association Central Carolinas Chapter; and Suzanne Walker, office manager at SouthPark Mall. 

Three of the models have been featured on The O Report - Dianne, Darla and Francene (to read their interviews, click on their names). 

Francene in an outfit from Dillard's.

Darla's outfit, including Vince Camuto heels and a two-tone Longchamp bag, were from Nordstrom.

Suzanne Walker in pieces from Dillard's including a pink sweater/poncho from Peter Nygard and multicolor straw sandals from Donald J. Pliner.

Sandra loved this Lewitt plaid and eyelet jacket from Nordstrom.

Dianne in a fuchsia Halston top, Preston & York white pants, Patricia Nash navy bag and Sam Edelman blue straw heeled sandals - all from Dillard's.

Francene's look from Dillard's featured a printed headscarf from Masai, olive suede block heels from A&D and a laser cut tote bag from Kate Landry.

Darla in a look from Nordstrom: a poppy red Eliza J dress, multicolored Louis et Cie heels and a gray Tory Burch bag.

Suzanne Libfraind showed off her fashion expertise by styling the models in different outfits at various price points and using each look as a way to share great information with guests about what they should be thinking about in regards to 50 & up fashion. The end of the program was a Q&A so guests could ask questions. 

Suzanne looked amazing in her Elizabeth & James bronze pleated palazzo pants from Nordstrom paired with an A.L.C. top and Halogen shoes.

Suzanne Walker in an embellished wrap from Karl Lagerfeld and a silver Kate Landry clutch, both from Dillard's.

Dianne in a stunning Caroline Rose floral jacquard coat from Dillard's.

The final look was Sandra in a gorgeous sequined navy gown from JS Collections at Nordstrom accessorized with an iridescent clutch.

Three different looks - from casual to cocktail and formal - on models Dianne, Francene and Sandra.

During the program, SouthPark Mall gave away five raffle prizes: Jewelry from Kendra Scott, a bareMinerals gift set, a scarf from the new Johnny Was store at the mall, and two gift cards valued at $50 each. 

Dominica of Nona's Sweets & Bakery with her sweet - not scandalouos - naked cupcakes. Guests loved

Then guests enjoyed Naked Cupcakes from Nona's Sweets & Bakery (naked means they could choose their flavor of cupcake and then decorate it themselves). 

Guests left with a Stay Chic gift bag from The O Report filled with gifts from Reid's, Dillards, SouthPark Mall, Nona's Sweets & Bakery, and bareMinerals. The new Matte Liquid Lipcolor that bareMinerals gave away was so popular with guests, The O Report received numerous requests on how to purchase full-size lip colors.. To order more, contact the bareMinerals store at SouthPark Mall: 704-362-1228.

We also hope everyone who attended left with an extra sassy step to their walk and inspiration for how to stay chic! 

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