Lolly Sweeney (Photos by Jim Beckel).

Balliets is harboring a real treasure over there on Classen Curve. She’s the immutable Lolly Sweeney.

Lolly recently celebrated her 67th year with Balliets. She has seen it all. Fashions have come and gone and come again and gone again.
She has picked out clothes, dressed and maintained her customers through all of those years. One of her long-time customers (and friends) said that she started helping her in college days and has helped her find outfits for fifty years. “Her taste in impeccable,” the client said. “She’s an institution at Balliet’s.”

Every day Lolly, now 87 years old, puts in a full day (Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.) at the store. She checks out new styles, shows the fashions to her customers and calls them to tell them about new arrivals. And she always looks the part of a fashion diva. Today, for the interview, she had on a purple well-fitted textured leather jacket with dark gray pin-striped slacks.

Balliet’s owner Bob Benham had this to say about Lolly: “Lolly is a beautiful, elegant woman who has seen Balliets evolve from its origin downtown, under Edna Balliet, to the current location at Classen Curve. A lady in the best sense of the word, her impeccable sense of fashion has inspired loyalty from three generations of customers. We treasure her presence every day.”

Lolly started at Balliet’s with owner Edna Balliet. “My mother, Cleo Johnston, worked there and I was a parttime model for local department store, John A. Brown’s. Edna said “ if you’re going to model, work for me.” “So, I started, as a model and assisted with sales. The young beauty closed many a fashion show wearing a wonderful bridal gown. “I remember my mother talking about Lolly when she would model the wedding gown at the end of the fancy style shows,” Barbara Beeler, longtime “Lolly” customer, noted. “All I can say is, “Lolly has forgotten more about style that I will ever know.” She always makes her ladies look good. I love her.”

“How I love fashion,” Lolly said. My first buying job for Balliet’s was Christian Dior furs. I always went to the New York fashion shows in the fall. Many of my longtime friends were made during those early years.” She was also a buyer for Buddy Rodgers who bought the store from Edna Balliet and until recently was a New York buyer for Benham.

Co-worker Charlene Wagner noted that Lolly has lifelong friends in the fashion industry. “John Jennings from the Peggy Jennings collection and Monica Meade from Oscar de la Renta are two friends who I know love Lolly. She’s worked with so many of the vendors and put trunk shows together for them, “ Charlene said.

“My favorite clothing lines through the years have been Peggy Jennings, very feminine clothes, and Armani’s fabulous looks, “ she said. “Edna Balliet had a movie star friend in California who she sent clothes to and I was the right size and fitted for her.” “I love shoes too, but I never wanted to sell them, she said with her charming laugh.

Lolly always knows what her ladies should wear. She has a knack for the latest look. “I always want my ladies to be in style, “ she said. She sells dresses, sportswear, slacks, suits, jewelry and purses with a great flair because she always knows what looks good together. She knows how clothes should fit, what the dress lengths should be and what color of hosiery is appropriate.

Her favorite trend that’s back in style for spring is “bright and happy colors.” Lolly’s favorite color choice is red. “I have lots of red, and black, in my own wardrobe, “ she said. “The fashion world is very exciting today and I’m looking forward to the next season and all of the wonderful new trunk shows.”

“I’ve always worked. When I married my husband Bob, we went to California for a short time. He was in the Air Force, but we came back home soon and I was right back at Balliet’s modeling in the Skirvin Tower Hotel store. “I did attend a year of college at Texas Tech, “ she said. (She was elected beauty queen that year).

Her children are Susan Marshall and Michael Robert Sweeney and grandchildren are Thomas Jordan, Michael Sweeney, Bobby Sweeney, and great-grandson, Matthew Jordan. Susan Marshall had this to say about her mother: “My brother and I are all very proud of her. Her job keeps her young and she loves what she does every day.”

Lolly’s mother, Cleo, worked at Balliet’s until she was 92 years old. Lolly’s on track to surpass her record. “It certainly depends on my health, “ she said. “I’ve always loved Balliet’s and that is why I’m still here.”

“And everyone loves Lolly. When I went with Lolly recently to see the Rosemary Burke art show at JRB Art at the Elms Gallery, everyone knew her and wanted to talk to her. I was happy to be with her. We all respect her and are in such awe of her talent, “Charlene Wagner added.

So, if you are looking for wonderful outfits from Peggy Jennings, Etro, Algo of Switzerland, Lourdes Chavez, Missoni, and all of the other lines from the beautiful Balliet’s store, look for Lolly. She’s over there to the right, behind her desk, with a telephone, and her telephone and address book. She’ll remind you of what is in style for the season and what you need for all the parties, events and daily activities in Oklahoma City.

De De Benham, Bob Benham, Betsy King, Teresa Sanders, Lolly Sweeney, Charlene Wagner and Sara Grissom-Waters, inside Balliets.

Lolly with owners, Bob and DeDe Benham.

Kylie Lisle Smith of Balliets talks about holiday party makeup on Parties Extra!

Bob Benham, Betsy King and Michelle Durrett from Balliet’s talk about party dresses, shoes and jewelry on Parties Extra!

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).