Jennifer Gordon of Balliet’s shows new party makeup styles for spring. Kylie Lisle models the new colors for us on Parties Extra!

Lisa Shinn, Bob and Dede Benham welcome guests to the new Balliet’s store. (Photo by David Faytinger).

Beautiful new clothes, outstanding jewelry display cases, a gorgeous staircase and  the second floor of brand new make-up items made guests so happy that Balliet’s at Classen Curve is finally open and a reality. The grand opening of the store at 5801 NW Grand Blvd. was September 1.

A private reception, ribbon cutting and open house was held throughout the day. 1,000 friends, guests, customers and VIP’s attended the event hosted by Dede and Bob Benham.

Felix Cutillo, New York City, provided music.  He “mixes” custom music for Balliet’s, as well as Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus and Barney’s. Special guest was Matt Shay, head of the National Retailer Federation.

Guests also enjoyed seeing the very special dressing rooms at the store. They are all decorated with different museum piece furniture. Another fun feature was the elevator, with a very red interior. It took them to the second floor. The courtyard outside the store is lighted and has beautiful water fountains.

Christopher Bruce, Charlene Wagner, Felix Cutillo get the music ready. (Photo by David Faytinger).

Kim Barnes, Traci Mejia, Teresa Sanders, Betsy King, Sara Waters, Michelle Durrett are ready for the party. (Photo by David Faytinger).

Models at the Grand Opening of Balliets stood on the stairway of the store. (Photo by Helen Ford Wallace).

Ron and Lisa Shinn, Bob and DeDe Benham, Rand and Jeanette Elliott  were at the Grand Opening. (Photo by Helen Ford Wallace).

Jackie Hall and Erin Embree enjoy the event. (Photo by Helen Ford Wallace).

Susan and John Frank arrive at the party. (Photo by Helen Ford Wallace).

Balliet’s new store. (Photo by Helen Ford Wallace).

Guests were served water, wine and cocktails at the Grand Opening party at Balliet’s at Classen Curve on September 1. ( Photo by Helen Ford Wallace).

Betsy King, shoe buyer for Balliet’s, talks on Parties Extra! about new party shoes for spring….and fall.

(Shoe photos by Helen Ford Wallace).

Lil Ross, President of the OU Breast Institute advisory committee, and fund-raiser chairman; Lori Hill and Linda Haneborg, OUBI board members and  members of the “Best of Fall Accessories” committee, talk about upcoming party.

FALL AND HOLIDAY  SHIMMERMER

Helen interviews Devin Whiting, cosmetic buyer and manager at Balliet’s;  Jennifer Gordon, Bobbi Brown counter cosmetics manager at Balliet’s, and The Oklahoman’s  fashion editor, Linda Miller.

 PARTIES EXTRA!

CLICK HERE to see last week’s Parties Extra! pictures in NewsOk photo galleries

WINE, WOMEN & SHOES…Jane Thompson, Bob Benham and Lana Lopez.(Photo by Helen Ford Wallace).

One of the most fun and festive events of the fall fund-raising season was the Wine, Women and Shoes  party at Balliets and 50 Penn Place.

The event, a whimsical wine and shoe pairing event designed to educate people about wine and to sell very fashion-forward shoes, while raising funds for local women’s charities, benefited Impact Oklahoma and Calm Waters.

The patron’s party at Balliet’s was at 5 p.m. and honored sponsors and patrons. Very, very elegant shoes were displayed on silver trays, which were carried around, by “Sole Men” Matt Adams, Brian Blundell, Matt Brewer, Alex Cameron, Adam Cohen and  Sean Crandall.

Also John Gilbert, Stuart Graham, Raju Kaul, Bryan King, Mason Pitman, Brett Price, Jim Roth, Kyle Shoemaker, Charles Snyder, Noel Williams, Jordan Winteroth and Cole Wooten.

WINE, WOMEN & SHOES….Brian Blundell, Elaine Honig and Raju Kaul.(Photo by Helen Ford Wallace).

Champagne and wines were served in the store, along with hors d’oeuvres. Then the crowd moved out to the mall where wine and food tasting tables were set up everywhere.

Among the auction items included a Prada handbag, three wine country trips, black tie dinner with Leona Mitchell, Valerie Naifeh earrings, lunch at Nonna’s, Red Prime dinner and shoes.

Downstairs, the fashion show and auction began at 7 p.m. Tables were set up along a runway where high fashion shoes were modeled.  Models were Sherri Coale, Cherokee Ballard, Aimee Harlow, LaRue Switzer, Charlotte Hess, Patsy Carey, Beth Wells, Patti Mellow, Jennifer Nelson.

And Marylee Strange, Julie Hall, Rachel Hardy, Juliana Tanenbaum, Jill King, Charlotte Hess, Lisa Shinn, Gloria Griffin, Edie Roodman, Marnie Taylor, Natalie Shirley and  Susan Edwards.

The shoes that were modeled for the guests were from Miu Miu, Jimmy Choo, Kate Spade, Anne Klein, Prada, Juicy Couture, Burberry, D&G, Valentino and Cole Hahn and Stuart Weitzman.

Committee chairmen were Jane Thompson, Lana Lopez, Amy Dunn and Hilarie Blaney.  Committee members were Valerie Aubert, Barbie Bales, Bob Benham, Jennifer Blackburn, Alexandra Bratton, Barbara Butner, Kay Goebel, Nancy Herzel.

Also Elaine Honig, Tracey Leird, Caroline Mathis, Heather Ross, Sarah Sears, Becky Stratton, Stacey Stiglets, Shawna Templeton, Robyn Thompson, Carter Thownsend, Charlene Wagner, Margaret West and Debbie Yoeckel.

WINE, WOMEN AND SHOES…Devin Whiting and John Gilbert.(Photo by Helen Ford Wallace).

WINE, WOMEN AND SHOES….Lt. Gov.Jari Askins, Meg Salyer and Cindy Batt (Photo by Helen Ford Wallace).

WINE, WOMEN AND SHOES….Elizabeth Tyrrell and DeDe Benham. (Photo by Helen Ford Wallace).

WINE, WOMEN & SHOES….Hilarie Blaney and Jane Thompson. (Photo by Helen Ford Wallace).