It’s logical that Phenomena 2009 rolled through the Larz Anderson Auto Museum. Though the 19th century carriage house is an antique oasis in the most aristocratic sense, the Brookline marvel is also very much about fast cars, and aesthetic acceleration was one theme that certainly steered this year’s charity gala.
The booze and wine flowed so freely that it was tempting to jump behind some exclusive wheels (perhaps the Ferrari Indy car); had it not been for female attractions luring me the other way, I may have wound up in prison. For my freedom I can also thank chef Douglass Williams, whose Culinary Breakdown distracted me with a parade of fresh fish hors d’oeuvres.
Soodee owner Diane Agoun opened up the runway with a steady stream of liberated conservative fare, from flowing silk and ruffles to hot-red mini-skirts and tops that may or may not be transparent (use your imagination). Agoun should be applauded; purple, white, and silver haven’t mixed so amicably since… ever.
After Brookline authorities made a few dozen people play musical cars for no apparent reason whatsoever, Danvers fine-apparel boutique owner Lorraine Roy unleashed a fleet of girls in dapper sequined non-traditional maid-of-honor dresses that would make any bride murderously jealous.
And then emerged the headliner, Bless, whose BBB (Bless By Bless) is not to be confused with Pharrell’s painfully gaudy BBC (Billionaire Boys Club). Homeboy brings gear fit for the hard rock and hip-hop spectrum that is decidedly classy; still, the threads dripping off his models had old men popping boners in their tuxes.
Opening his marquee show with live shreds courtesy of Red Vinyl guitar player Eric Hatch, Bless wasted no time transforming the classic milieu into a nouveau-opera performed by hard-bodied, aggressive women who, in the spirit of Ton Loc and Robert Palmer, exploited the fact that there’s nothing sexier than chicks with guitars that they have no idea how to play.
Bless filled seasonal quotas and then some: leather skirts paired with delicate, half-zipped hoodies? Check. Gold ropes and thigh-high boots? Check, check. Suspenders on denim hot shorts? Oh yeah. I’m sure that it’s been said before, but Bless blessed the shit out of us.
All in all, Phenomena was a demonstration for women who are interested in luring significant others. Agoun can help on dates and at the workplace, while Bless will get you chased by Romeos who want to put your friends in something from Lorraine Roy.
