Full of excitement I drove along the parkway as the beaming flood lights beckoned. The Ottawa Gala is an evening to raise money for a great charity – the Fund for a New Generation. Also known as. the ‘Young Professional's Prom' is far and away my favourite party of the year.
The venue: the Ottawa Conference Centre – AMAZING; The perfect backdrop for a swanky soiree. There is no other place in the city that has such a magical 'out of conservative Ottawa' effect.
The theme - The French Quarter was a good one; so original. It also gave people the excuse to don masquerade wear, the most popular being masks, although there were actually some really good costumes as well. There were also several people who were dressed, unintentionally, in what looked like costumes. Last year's theme, Red Carpet, was impossible to misunderstand. Guests arrived in gowns and gloves as they should have. This year, the more flexible dress code allowed for more fashion flops. Most notable: the semi formal scruff (rumpled shirt with jeans and cord blazer NOT okay), and the tube dress.
I have to take a minute to explore the issue I have with these strapless mini tensor bandages that have become a fashion staple for night and for day. I understand that gala’s and other parties are a night to strut your stuff, but ladies please understand, your body has to be at least a nine out of ten (we're talking religious workouts, buns of steel and washboard abs) otherwise this tight fitting garment will betray you and highlight every single minute flaw you. If you are blessed with ideal measurements, this style of dress is still risky as there are so many other women wearing them you most likely just get lost in the crowd - a definite fashion don’t! Don’t be fooled, these ‘tube dresses’ are one precarious step away from Spanx, which are designed to be worn as underpinnings to flatter your figure. There were some who managed to successfully work this look, and work it well using colour, accessories and pleated details. To those I say ‘You go girl!”
The evening was the same format as last year. Although it is a winning formula, I fear that it may be suffering from too many repeats like one of our favourite cassettes from the 1980’s (yes, I know I am dating myself). There was something missing, that vibe, and I fear that it may be time for the Gala organizers to mix things up as they seem to be getting a little stale.
Just when things felt like they were slowing down, DJ Select started spinning and turned the night around. Within minutes the dance floor went from boring to bumpin! My gold sequined tube top was a hands-down success in the style department but a perilous brush with wardrobe malfunction as I grooved to the beat. Take it from me, double sided tape is no insurance! The volume and the energy went up about 50 decibels! It was so powerful, it felt like the dance beat replaced your heartbeat and that is the high that guaranteed with admission and the reason I will absolutely go again next year.
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