a tall chair, long legs crossed one over the other in a flowing, floor length silver gown with a slit so high you could almost see her lady bits. In her hand she held a slim champagne flute, and on her lips sat a smirk of satisfaction. Whatever the exchange between the two had been about, she clearly felt she'd had the last word.
Though, all of that felt secondary as I spied the large, sparkling emerald necklace clasped around her neck, safe and sound and ready to dazzle the jewelry buying elite of Sonoma Valley.
"Uh, Gia?" I asked.
She turned a pair of bored brown eyes my way. "Yes?"
"Everyone else is lining up for the show now."
She gave a small shrug of her slim shoulders. "So?"
"So, maybe you should join them…?" I trailed off, feeling very out of my element.
She gave a small laugh. "Sweetie, I don't know who you are, but the show will start when I get there."
With that, she slipped off her perch, gracefully crossed the few feet to the door, and slammed it in my face.
Well, that went well.
I tried not to take it personally as I retraced my steps back to the staging area, where Ava was just finishing adjustments on a pair of bracelets around the wrist of a beautifully androgynous model in a tutu and halter top.
"Is Gia coming?" Ava asked, the frown still etched on her face.
I nodded. "She's dressed, and the necklace looks stunning," I assured her.
She smiled, some of the worry easing out of her. "Good. She had me nervous."
Me too. But I didn't voice that. "She's a professional," I said instead. "I'm sure the show will go off without a hitch."
I glanced up, noting the stage manager was signaling for the ladies to get in position to walk. "We should probably go find our seats."
Ava nodded, wishing the model in the tutu good luck. Then she slipped her arm into the crook of my own as I hoisted my camera bag onto my shoulder and we made our way back through the ballroom. We stepped out a side door and inconspicuously joined the growing crowd assembling outside to watch the show.
The Links Club had done a great job creating a fashion week atmosphere. The wooden planks that had been constructed for the runway were polished and gleaming beneath the lights erected for the event. Club patrons chatted excitedly to one another as they took their seats, trading in their usual tennis skirts and polo shirts for cocktail dresses and slacks.
As we took our seats, the music began to pulse, signaling the start of the show. All chatter subsided, all eyes on the large curtain erected at the head of the runway. I could feel the audience's collective anticipation as they leaned forward to catch sight of the designs…and hopefully mentally calculate their bids for the outfits afterwards.
The air buzzed with excitement, and murmurs of approval washed through the crowd the moment the curtain separated. One by one, the models strutted down the runway, fierce expressions on their faces. Costello's clean lines and tailored cuts were the picture of elegance, and I saw several heads nodding their approval. In contrast, Daisy's models looked flirty, fun, and casual, causing smiles to ripple through the audience.
In addition to Daisy's funky prints, her current line featured a diamond shaped cutout in the back of each outfit as a signature look that tied her wacky collection together. She had also paired each outfit with long, elegant gloves and a wide brimmed felt hat—adding to the eclectic vibe. If I didn't know better, I'd say that Daisy's collection was almost mocking Costello's—taking a jab at traditional sophistication.
Either way, the effect of the juxtaposition of their styles was lively and entertaining, offering something for every taste. I held Ava's hand as I watched several women point out the jewelry to their companions. I hoped they were making notes to purchase after the show.
The whole spectacle was over much too soon, ending with Gia, bursting through the curtain right on cue. I let out a sigh of relief as she sashayed onto the runway in a long, flowing gown that billowed beautifully behind her. I heard a collective gasp from the crowd, followed by applause. At least some of which I hoped were for the stunning necklace showcased in the scooped neck design of the dress. I had to admit, the way the light reflected off the emerald was almost magical.
I lifted my camera, taking several pictures that