The Scene In and Around Boston . . . Bostonian Bianca Alejandra Feliz of the Latin duo "Carlos y Alejandra" arrived at the red carpet for the "22nd Annual Latin Music Awards" adorned in a custom designed gown by the internationally known fashionista Maria Spyridopoulos of Boston's Sabella Couture. "It's always a thrill for me to see one of our creations at social galas and charity events around Boston," Maria said. "But it's really exciting that a gifted musical talent and a wonderful person like Bianca chose my design to wear for one of the biggest nights of her life!" We are told that the 100% silk crepe, blue satin one-shouldered evening gown worn by Ms. Feliz featured a hand pleated bodice accented with a handmade cross embellished with rhinestone rhondelles and crystal. Located in downtown Boston, Sabella Couture was founded in 2002 and is co-owned by sisters Maria and Christina Spyridopoulos of Milton. The boutique is noted for its custom-designed bridal and eveningwear, as well as bridalwear from designers around the world. The boutique also enjoys a reputation with city residents, workers, and tourists for having creative, attractive, and fun window displays which change frequently. Bostonians visit regularly just to see each new window creation. In July 2006 Sabella Couture was commissioned to design the "2006 Victoria's Secret Diamond Bra." Maria and Christina spent almost 200 hours making the $6 million creation, which was highlighted on CBS at the 2006 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show. The longest running and traditionally the most watched Latin music awards show in the U.S., the 2010 edition of "Premio Lo Nuestro a la Música Latina" Awards aired live on February 18 from the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. Congratulations to Ms. Feliz for winning "Best Upcoming Artist." Free Public Forum to Feature Fashion Notables On Monday, March 22, from 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., The Harris Center at Massachusetts General Hospital presents its 13th Annual Public Forum, "Health Matters: Weight and Wellness in the World of Fashion" in the Burden Auditorium, Harvard Business School, Soldiers Field Road, Boston. The guest speakers include American fashion designer Michael Kors, Russian supermodel and philanthropist Natalia Vodianova, and Anna Wintour, the editor-in-chief of Vogue magazine. The Forum is free and open to the public, but an online R.S.V.P. is required at www.harriscentermgh.org. The forum will be moderated by Dr. David B. Herzog, Harvard Medical School Endowed Professor of Psychiatry in the field of Eating Disorders and the Director of Harris Center at MGH. Michael Kors began his career in fashion at the age of 19 designing and merchandising a collection for the renowned boutique Lothar's in New York City. The success of these clothes caught the attention of the fashion press prompting Kors to strike out on his own. In 1981 the Michael Kors label was formed. In 2004, Mr. Kors began his role as one of the judges on the critically acclaimed and five-time Emmy-nominated reality show "Project Runway," a role that he continues in the series' seven seasons. Natalia Vodianova's rise from obscurity to being christened by Vanity Fair as "the 21st century's first supermodel" has been chronicled in living color on the pages of magazines worldwide. Nicknamed "Supernova" by industry insiders due to her meteoric rise, Natalia then moved from the inner circle of fashion stars, to mainstream recognition as the face of Calvin Klein's women's wear, jeans, accessories and Euphoria perfume lines with magazine ads and billboard appearances across the globe. The 2004 Beslan tragedy in Russia stunned Natalia and call to action was born. With her husband, British artist Justin Portman, Natalia channeled her desire to do something for the children of her country by founding The Naked Heart Foundation, a charity dedicated to building safe and secure play centers across Russia. Anna Wintour has been Editor-in-Chief of Vogue since 1988. During her tenure at Vogue, Ms. Wintour has been actively involved in fund-raising, particularly for AIDS research and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. From 1995 to the present, Ms. Wintour has co-chaired eleven fund-raising galas for the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute, which together have raised more than $40 million. In recognition of her work on its behalf, the museum named Ms. Wintour honorary trustee in 1998. In 2008, for her service to British journalism and fashion in the USA, Ms. Wintour was awarded Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Her Majesty the Queen. In October 2009, Ms. Wintour was appointed to the President's Committee on the Arts The Harris Center for Education and Advocacy in Eating Disorders at MGH hosts the Public Forum which disseminates information about eating disorders to the community, encourages discussion, and reduces stigma. The panelists will discuss the American fashion industry's commitment to advocating healthy lifestyles for women and also its policies to protect dangerously thin fashion models. Prior to the panel discussion, a short film will highlight the efforts currently under way in the American fashion industry to promote healthy body images. Following this, each panelist will share his or her own experiences and philosophy about body image in the fashion industry and/or media. After the panel, the forum will open up to receive questions from the audience. Enjoy! |
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In addition to events covered and reported by the columnist, "The Scene..." |
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Maria and Christina Spyridopoulos are pictured, left-right, in front of some of the bridal fashions at their Boston boutique, Sabella Couture. (Photo by Conrado Bondoc)