Fashion Emergency!
Republican women attending President-elect Bush's inauguration have had so little time for ballgown fittings that dressmakers say 2001 may be the year of - perish the thought - off-the-rack fashions.
The rush, of course, has been prompted by the weeks-long uncertainty surrounding the election and the fact that it can take anywhere between two and eight weeks for a dressmaker to complete a custom ballgown.
With less than two weeks before Bush is inaugurated as the 43rd president, there simply isn't enough time to finish most fancy evening gowns, seamstresses say.
"This year, I think people have given up. Most of the dresses will be off the rack because we have no time, and I don't think people will dare to have custom-made because of the rush," said Diana Tran of Diana's Couture & Bridal in Washington.
Most customers attending inaugural balls have asked Tran simply to perform new alterations of old dresses lingering in closets or frocks picked off department store racks.
The other reason business may be slow, Tran speculated, is that many of the women already have commissioned dressmakers elsewhere.
One of those women is Laura Bush, the new first lady, who worked with Dallas designer Michael Faircloth. For the swearing-in ceremony, Faircloth designed a peacock blue tunic, skirt and matching wool single-breasted coat. Mrs. Bush's inaugural gown is red Chantilly lace, hand-beaded with Austrian crystals. The formfitting dress has long sleeves, a modestly scooped neck and full skirt.
But for many women attending the Republican parties who don't have their own designer, the department stores are the place to be. Nancy Henry, for example, shopped for her outfit at Hecht's in Washington.
Henry, who will attend the inaugural ball sponsored by South Carolina Republicans, said she prefers a simpler look, something that she'll be able to wear again. That's why she picked out a long black taffeta skirt with a gauze sheath and a black sleeveless top with gold overlay.
"I want separates that I can mix and match so I can wear them again," said Henry, 60, whose husband works at the Energy Department. "I just want to be appropriate."
Her friend, Jolly Jaeger, said she's not buying a new dress for the ball. She's recycling the royal blue gown with pearl beading that she wore to her daughter's wedding.
"I only wore it once, and this is probably the only time I'll be able to wear it again, so why not?" asked Jaeger, 55, whose husband works at the Pentagon. "I do need shoes, though."
The two, along with other fashion-conscious invitees, got instructions last week from Hollywood stylist Philip Bloch at an inaugural fashion show and seminar at Hecht's.
"Since Laura (Bush) is wearing red, we're going to have to talk about red," said Bloch, whipping out two billowy red sheaths. "You want to be able to move on the dance floor, so you're looking for flow. It's all about flow. Its a new decade. We've got a new president, so you want something fresh, not so predictable."
Bloch said this year's fashions are trending toward gold and bronzy tones, or bold colors with beading and other embellishments such as rhinestones. He also said many women will be wearing elegant wraps over their dresses. Salespeople say an off-the-rack dress can cost as little as $150, plus the cost of shoes, while a designer gown can cost thousands.
For men, buying a designer tuxedo can cost from $450 to $3,000, while a one-night rental can range from roughly $75 to $150. At men's shops here, tuxedo sales and rentals haven't exactly been brisk lately, store managers say.
"Most Republicans have their own tuxedos, but those who come from out of town will rent them," said Baytok Irfan, owner of Baytok's Custom Tailor and Georgetown Formal Wear.
Irfan is hoping that the men as men often do are simply waiting until the last possible moment to order their tuxedos. Usually, only a couple of days are needed to fit a tuxedo, he said.
He has also noted an unusually strong demand for top hats. He has received several calls asking for them, but his shop no longer carries them.