Left to right: Martha Jo Katz, Pearl Nancy Wright, Tammy Young
In collaboration with the award-winning exhibition, Return to Rich’s – The Story Behind The Store, at the William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum, ‘Be Divine: A Tribute to Fashionata’ will celebrate the legacy of Fashionata on May 1 at 7 p.m. The show will feature original vintage fashions from leading designers.
Fashionata was written, designed, staged, and narrated by Sol Kent, a native of Columbus, GA, who worked for 40 years as Rich’s fashion director. He brought in notable designers such as Coco Chanel, Bill Blass, and Yves Saint Laurent. Rich’s Fashionata, ran under his direction from 1957 to 1991. Under Kent’s direction, it was more extravagant than any runway show – part theater, part concert and always in fashion for Atlanta’s socialites.
“This is a rare opportunity to pay homage to one of Atlanta’s truly iconic events, and a true celebration of fashion for style conscious Atlantans of all ages.” says Breman Museum Executive Director, Aaron Berger. The show will feature looks from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s with pieces from Coco Chanel, Bill Blass, Christian Dior, Oscar de la Renta, Valentino and more.
Kent’s widow and Honorary Chair Irene Kent says, “Be Divine: A Tribute to Fashionata” is not meant to be Rich’s Fashionata. Rather, it’s a remembrance of Sol and a tribute to an era gone by, a tribute to the way Sol Kent produced, wrote and directed the show. I am honored the Breman Museum wants me to host “Be Divine”. The name of the show is symbolic of what Sol told each ‘mannequin’ (runway model). He would stand in the wings of the theater and before a ‘mannequin’ would go on stage in a wonderful outfit, he would whisper, ‘Be Divine.’ And they were!”
For more information, visit returntorichs.org/BeDivine.