Ballet Austin’s Fête and fête*ish Features Celestino Couture Runway Show
By Rob Giardinelli – Photography by John Pesina
THE SETTING: Austin’s JW Marriott was the recent setting for the Ballet Austin Fête and fête*ish after-party. This year’s event, Fête Couture kicked off the Austin fall gala season in high style. During the course of the evening, over 600 guests fortunate enough to be a part of the festivities were treated to a fabulous evening of fun and fashion.
THE STYLE: The night began in the ballroom foyer for cocktail hour. Over 300 black-tie clad attendees took advantage of the stylish theme by donning their finest interpretation of couture that created a seamless and beautiful tapestry with women wearing everything from bold prints to sequined gowns. The men donned tuxedos, many of whom took the liberty of wearing colorful dinner jackets that reflected bold fashion choices.
The action then moved to the ballroom for the main program where, Master of Ceremonies, Society Texas’ own Lance Avery Morgan, effortlessly kept the festivities flowing, all the while an additional 300 partygoers were getting the fête*ish Fashion Never Sleeps after- party revved-up in the ballroom next door. Fête and fete*ish were then fused together as one party when the doors opened between the two ballrooms to reveal fête*ish well under way. Then, the start of the dazzling runway show, courtesy of internationally renowned-designer Celestino Couture, featured 23 stunning looks that brought the crowd to their feet. The afterparty ensured that the fun continued well into the night as guests danced the night away and toasted the success of the evening.
THE PURPOSE: Fête was chaired by Kara and Matt Swinney and fête*ish was co-chaired by Cassandra King Polidori and Stephanie O’Neill. Proceeds from both events benefited Ballet Austin, which is led by Cookie Ruiz and Stephen Mills. The mission of Ballet Austin is to share the joy of dance by providing accessible and exceptional arts and arts education programs for the Central Texas community.