Operatic Rock Tones Of Desire & Vision: The 2009 Macy's Passport Fashion Show - Feature

It's been a year since last stepping into the strobe light filled Barker Hanger in Santa Monica for the Macy's PassportExtravanganza. Expectations are high. Last year's soiree featured competitive designs, unique headliner acts, great food and wonderful surprises all in support of HIV/AIDS charities. However, the organizers have once again delivered a stellar combination of fashion and music for Passport 2009.This event also welcomes a diverse cross section of culinary tastes from local eateries in the Los Angeles area. The reception prior to the main attraction showcased nearly a dozen eateries, all of which encircled the Grand Bar featuring Skyy Fusioncocktails. What had once been an enclosed lounge in the previous year opened up for the current as planes flew across the stars overhead . Fresh spinach lasagna from Angelini Osteria along with an assortment of brie cheeses from Champignon Cheeses, particularly the Mushroom, greatly complemented the requisite Skyy Lemon Martini. With all the food and drink aplenty, the main awareness of the night still remained prominent as a silent auction ran simultaneously. With our stomachs stuffed and eyes glancing, the chiming of the bell signaled the hour as the crowd entered the brilliant, bass pumping hangar.Gowns and suits fill the rectangular space. The layout is perfect for a fashion runaway and the designers know it. Macy's Passport is no stranger to celebrity involvement. In one of her first public appearances since the death of her close friend Michael, the founding chair of Passport, Dame Elizabeth Taylor welcomed the attendees, by emulating and paying respect to the King Of Pop saying "We Are The World!" and furthermore, "We must do everything to save it!" Still, an icon, Taylor exudes a sense of class and dignity.Another icon, Sharon Stone, one of the chairs of AMFAR, then appeared on runway, dressed in a flowing white gown.As she began asking for patrons to stand and donate for AIDS research, corporations obliged, walking on stage. However it was when the solo donators walked up that it became clear that even in tough economic times, people will still give in hopes of a cure. As Stone exited the runaway the hanger went dark and our eyes adjusted to a neon glowing abstract sign reading "America".Levi Strauss opened the show in the best way Macy's knows how: a fully realized choreography number. The cloths are primary image of Levi, an american landmark, with short blue shorts and white tank tops. Segwaying from a Broadway-esque opening, DJ Rashida materialized onstage as the modern woman's backdrop, complete with turntable. Out walksRachel Roy, whom in the past years has lent her fashion sense to icons such as MIchelle Obama and Sharon Stone. Her designs encapsulate women of confidence, perhaps channeling a modern Coco Chanel as Rashida's catchy beats blend in synergy to the models on the runway.Next, the hangar explodes with verve as a troupe of teens dressed in colorful Asian-inspired threads start beat-dancing in temptation of the Harajuku Girls' new fragrance: Lovers. Within a heartbeat, the girls themselves blast onto the stage in a melding of Jackson-esque twirls combined with street moves that gets the whole place jumping. As with many of the performances the audience is left stunned, craving more.What follows is a pleasant release, as the stage transforms into a vision of Venice for the clothing of Tallia Orange. Staircases and gondolas enter from opposing sides, as the massive LCD screen behind contorts into an anamorphic view highlighting the classical looks of Northern Italian fashion. From the staircase emerges acclaimed opera singer, Melody Moore, cradling a lovely ballad, as delicately costumed models cross in perpendicular motion . One would think of a scene from "Phantom" as Cirque du Soleil's Brandon Pereyda soars across the airspace above on his renowned aerial chain as Moore pinnacles to a crescendo.The night speeds up in parallel as a musical performances by "A Fine Frenzy" signals a departure into the fascinating lyrical poetry of Shihan Van Clief. In tandem, the evolving essence of a new vintage modern line: Glampire titilates as half naked models stream under a cascading waterfall glistening as they walk the runway.After witnessing this journey of sight and vision, walking back out towards the airfield, one can't help compare Passport 2009 to a rock opera: the blending of different eras both in fashion and music into something completely original. Macy's Passport has again outdone itself in talent, showmanship and vision. One can only wait for next year.