Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/1094653
38 GOING FOR BAROQUE CATHERINE D. ANSPON TRAVELS TO THE FRENCH COURT. PHOTOGRAPHY CHRIS P. BACHMAN, EMILE C. BROWNE. E ighteenth century to yesterday, it's what we sell and how we play!" read the invitation emblazoned with coiling serpents and baroque flourishes that celebrated the relaunch of home design store Moxie. The Mecca for all things interiors is far from a temple to minimalism. Fifteen newly designed rooms, more akin to opulent stage sets than spaces for mere commerce, are arrayed throughout the 8,500-square-foot storefront on West Alabama. Proprietor Dennis Brackeen and his partners in decor — Blake Karambis, Linda Chan, and Jenna McPhail — were the fabulous hosts. The sumptuous evening recalled the salons of 18th-century France; the Sun King, Louis XV, and Louis XVI would have been right at home, as would Madame Pompadour. And then there was the actual royal in attendance: America's Got Talent performance artist Prince Poppycock, in from L.A. for the evening, who wowed and rocked Moxie with his renditions of Bohemian Rhapsody and Lady Gaga's The Edge of Glory. Poppycock's talent was paired with his signature 18th-century wardrobe, down to fluttering marabou fan, towering rose-colored wig, and maquillage to rival Marie Antoinette. The fête was as extraordinary as it was extravagant. Brackeen himself planned every detail of Moxie's debut, creating flowers in the style of the 18th century and devising and embellishing costumes to realize the opulent theme. Brackeen, in a crimson Dolce & Gabbana jacket with a golden brooch, enlisted heaven and earth to carry out his elaborate vision for catering: from lavish food stations to pastel-hued cupcakes and matching macarons. Guests explored room vignettes, posed, and took selfies among Moxie's highly original mix of design, antiques, art, taxidermy, and architectural flourishes. The crowd — as unique as the setting — frolicked on. MISE EN SCÈNE: Janet Gurwitch, Susanne Dawley Byram, John and Becca Cason Thrash, designer Ann Wolf and husband Mathew, Marnie Greenwood, Ceron, Lauren Hudson, Melinda James, Garrett Hunter, Katie Scott, Catherine Badger, Chelsea Cunningham McDermott, Mary Patton, Catherine Viviano, Michael Viviano, BeDesign's Adrian Duenas and Marcelo Saenz, Leigh and Reggie Smith, Sabiha Rehmatulla, and Sofia Gambara and husband José "Pepe" Olalla. The Brackeen famille was there, including mom Diane Blair, aunt Marie Childress, partner Juan Vazquez of Moxie, daughter McKenzie Brackeen, and son Jordan Brackeen; as well as Irene Chan (mom to Moxie's Linda Chan), telling fortunes; Ryan Reitmeyer; Liz Marsh; George Lancaster; Michael Mandola; Danielle Cullen; and gallerists María Inés Sicardi, Mónica Hernández Goins, Barbara Davis, Heidi Vaughan, and Apama Mackey. A PARTY LIKE IT'S 1754. Prince Poppycock holds court with Jenna McPhail Dennis Brackeen, Linda Chan, Blake Karambis Tableau vivant Ryan Reitmeyer Mathew Wolf Becca Cason Thrash Laura Greenberg Hannah Matthews Jane Wood, Lauren Hudson Jerry Jeanmard Ceron Marc Nguyen Sverre Brandsberg-Dahl, Adrián Dueñas Kendra Oden Carrie Brandsberg-Dahl Duyen Nguyen Robert Hodge India Lovejoy, Tyler Deauvea Michael Mandola Courtney Hopson, Neal Hamil George Lancaster