Wendy Brandes Jewelry Blog

Never Is the Next New Thing

Outfit Photo by Bill Cunningham of the New York Times

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I promised a full-length view of my gown from this week’s Committee to Protect Journalists fund-raising dinner, but I didn’t expect I’d get to use one from the New York Times! Famous photographer Bill Cunningham took this picture of me and my gorgeous friend Melissa — both in Zang Toi gowns — with Zang that night.

Click to see the whole feature in the New York Times.

Click to see the whole feature in the New York Times.

Thanks again, Bill!

I must say, it’s great to have the designer around to fix one’s train. A friend took a candid picture of that process.

Zang got on the floor to fix my train!

Zang got down on the floor to make my dress photo-worthy.

Here’s a more formal photo of me and MrB, taken by famous photographer GeorgeB, before we set out that night.

With MrB before heading to the event.

With MrB before heading to the event.

In a twist on the standard New York City skyline image, the buildings on the gown are the Hearst Tower and the Time Warner Center. Zang’s morning jogs past those places inspired him.

For jewelry, I wore one-of-a-kind diamond earrings and a “censored” version of the Wendy Brandes swear rings. (I replaced the “F” with an asterisk.) I thought that was symbolically appropriate for an occasion benefiting journalists who are censored and worse.

swear-rings crop

The fabulous Julie from Pierre Michel twisted my faux-ny tail into an off-center chignon. That was a new look for the faux-ny and I really enjoyed it. It turned out Julie worked on a few of Zang’s runway shows back in the day. You never know who is going to be connected to whom!

I got these Stuart Weitzman shoes the day before the event.

Disco-ball heels!

Disco-ball heels!

I bought those after realizing my 15-year-old Lagerfeld shoes have become too shabby for formal affairs. Yep, I have shoes that are older than some fashion bloggers.

I also realized that I neglected to provide the link for donating to CPJ in my previous post on the evening. Please note that MrB, the chairman of CPJ, has pledged $25,000 to match, dollar for dollar, gifts from new supporters of up to $500 each!  Double your impact! Click here to find out what CPJ does with your money and here to donate. Donations are tax-deductible.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  3. LOVE the photos! You look amazing. Did you have any issues getting your skinny heels caught in the train when you walked? I’m sure I would have!

  6. A most awesome dress, and I love the side chignon.

    As an aside, I thought you ought to know so you could be offended for her…your favourite, La Coco, was described as a ‘mystery blonde companion’ in this article. Don’t they know who she is?? Honestly….

  7. Those shoes are gorgeous! I love the heel.

    But the star of those post is definitely your smile. That is the biggest smile I have ever seen! Please tell me you have to retouch your lipstick frequently, to make you seem more human 😉

  8. Man – you look fantastic and the dress is so beautiful. Who is this friend Melissa who wears your jewels and goes to fancy events? Does she have a blog? Oh, and your love look to Mr. B – cute, cute, cute!

  15. Wow, you look stunning, Wendy! That dress reminds me of armour, like plate mail – you’re sort of a modern Joan of Arc!

    Those shoes are killer – how are your feet feeling?

  16. Heybaby (my spam word) you looked just stunning! And that photo of you and MrB, you should send that out to an artist to be painted on canvas.

  20. OMG! Is that really Zang Toi you are with? I saw him on The Real Housewives. He was such a cool, cute guy!

    Your dress is very unique and that shoe is F.A.B!!!! Also, LOVE LOVE LOVE the red lips!

  21. Good golly, Miss Molly! Do I ever love being a fly on your wall, WendyB! Thanks to these fabulous photos and your forever-and-ever-entertaining-and-informative text, I get to attend fabulous events, wear sensational designer gowns and shoes, plus the cutest off-center faux-ny tail in the universe! I am a blessed woman.

    Thanks for your good wishes for Mama–she’s holding her own.

  30. Hi there-wow, totally stunning dress and how brilliant to be supporting such a worthy cause. Well done to be in the New York Times too!! You and Mr B look just fabulous!!

  33. Darling you looked Stunning,utterly ravishing! You would not have looked out of place on a hollywood red carpet! Adoring and how perfect is that lippie on you?
    Ahhh MrB must have been so proud to have the belle of the ball on his arm.He looked super dashing too!
    Darling do kindly check your hotmail inbox just sent you the interview questions.
    big kiss & thanks
    Marian

  35. Wendy, you look fabulous in zang’s clever dress and your witty jewelry. Since I love architecture, particularly the Hearst building I’m doubly impressed with the design.
    Mr. B.’s offer of $25K of matching gifts is really extraordinary. I hope that the money is raised for this important cause.

  37. holy moly, what a fantastic dress, and even more so you had bill cunningham take your outfit shot? you live the fabulous life my dear.
    🙂

  42. Stunning! You never fail to amaze Ms. B. Besides the outfit and accessories, your hair and make-up are outstanding!

    Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. So sad I wasn’t in town for your pop-up shop but it looks like it was a huge success, congrats!

  45. Wendy, you are so gorgeous, I love it!! the hair (who knew you could make faux look so fab) and the makeup is so pretty.

    I love dresses with trains and long sleeves is so great. More designers need to make evening gowns with long sleeves.

  46. No matter the photographer, you look stunning in your faux-ny tail and Zang Toi gown! And all for such a worthwhile cause.

  47. You look stunning! Must have been really exciting being photographed by Bill Cunningham! Loled about your comment that you have shoes older than some bloggers – that’s brilliant! 🙂

  49. Absolutely fab miss wendy. By the way, are you chanelling beyonce with that hand pose? lol. “if you like it then you should have a put ring on it…wooo oh oh…”

    besos!

  50. this is probs the cheesiest comment ever, but honestly, your smile is never outshone by anything you wear … no matter how glittery or expletive-laden! 😉