Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/407791
BY MAX TROWBRIDGE, JANE ROZELLE PHOTOGRAPHY JENIFER McNEIL BAKER, DANIEL DRIENSKY, RACHAEL WISE PERUVIAN PORTRAITS GLOSSED the red, pink and black walls of the Dallas Contemporary, setting a dramatic mood for the private preview of the exhibition "Alta Moda" by international fashion photographer Mario Testino. Co-hosts Nancy Rogers and Nasiba Adilova — dressed magnificently in the newest looks from the evening's sponsor, Burberry — welcomed lucky guests to the intimate gathering, where admirers studied stunning large-scale photographs of traditional costume from the region of Cusco in Peru, while chatting and snapping photos with the man of the hour. Champagne and caviar continued at dinner on the rooftop terrace of The Joule hotel, where guests Thomas Hartland Mackie, Muffin Lemak, Meghan Looney, Laree Hulsoff, Anne Vincent, Kim and Mark Mueller, Mary Clare Finney, and newly minted Louis Vuitton store manager Andy Fullen mused upon the delicious amuse: a giant frosty ice cube centered with scallop ceviche, pickled mango and cucumber. The following evening, a fashionable members-only crowd congregated en plein air outside the Dallas Contemporary for a cocktail reception, swapping stories about the illustrious photographer and his theatrical portraits. Inside the museum, others perused the opening exhibitions for Polish artist Piotr Ulanski (a series of abstracts — his "blood" and "ink drop" paintings) and Dallas-based Cassandra Emswiler Burd, whose "My dreams will pull you through this garden gate" exhibition of floor tiles from photographic prints was sponsored by Daltile. Diehard Testino lovers took a sneak peek at Testino's fashion reel of behind-the-scenes footage with his most notable muse, Kate Moss. Decked out in Burberry, Erin Wasson graced the opening to meet with Mario, along with her family. "Mario has known me since I was 19 years old and was instrumental in the beginning of my career. For him to see my town and meet my family was truly an incredible experience," gushed Wasson. Guests Mike Masters, Frank Hettig, Robert Hernandez, Tammy Cotton Hartnett, and Niven Morgan toured the bold Testino portraits before heading to The Joule, which hosted the exclusive after-party at its new craft-cocktail salon Midnight Rambler. Thanks to Midnight Rambler co-owners Chad Solomon and Christy Pope, the post-celebration exuded coolness till midnight — of course, it also helped having Testino himself among the swank coterie. Although Mick and Keith weren't on the list, the crowd was certainly chic enough, sipping spicy martinis and blind lemon sours. The next morning, the Dallas Contemporary hosted a public "Chit Chat," where Testino held court, moderated by executive director Peter Doroshenko and staged amidst his work. With many South Americans in the audience, Testino bridged the Latino culture, sharing anecdotes about honoring his home country of Peru, identifying the politeness of South Americans (who, he said, always speak English before their native language) and commenting that he had no idea that two of his favorite models, Erin Wasson and Chandra North, hailed from Dallas. PHOTO Mario Testino's Triumphant Dallas Opening … High Fashion, Intimate Dinners and a Rambling Chitchat NOVEMBER | PAGE 10 | 2014 SYNTHESIS IT WAS MY FIRST TIME IN DALLAS, AND I MUST SAY, I WAS PLEASANTLY SURPRISED. IT IS A CITY THAT HAS SUCH A GREAT RESPECT AND ENJOYMENT FOR THE ARTS, SO MUCH HAPPENING, AND IT'S SO SUPPORTIVE. I LOOK FORWARD TO GOING BACK ONE DAY. " " — Mario Testino Erin Wasson Jeny Bania Greg Katz Claudia Doroshenko John Runyon Georgina Harding Michelle Lu Merle Johnson Faisal Halum Missy Rogers Beth Rogers Brian Bolke Mario Testino Peter Doroshenko Roksolana Karmazyn Daniel Blaylock Charles & Joanne Teichman Chandra North Diamond Mahone Shayna Fontana Cameron Lee Phan Joyce Goss Jane Weempe Raqaiyah Johnson Lauren Withrow Fred Holston Chad Solomon Christy Pope Charles Smith-II Erika Oliver Thomas Hoeber Mario Testino selfie Dylan Elchami Shelle Sills Cindy Rachofsky Julie Hawes Zachary Shumway Georgina Hartland Shelby Wagner Veronica Chou Jan Olesen Erin Cluley Tearlach Hutcheson Neil Raitt Kenny Goss Suzanne Droese David Droese Ed Beardsley Erica Denton Leigh Anne Sinacola Nancy Rogers Anna-Sophia van Zweden Nasiba Hartland Mackie "I WAS FILLED WITH NERVOUS EXCITEMENT ABOUT SEEING HIM ON MY 'HOME TURF'… ERIN, MARIO AND I SNUGGLED INTO A BOOTH AND 'GOT REAL.' WHAT A TREAT TO HAVE THE DALLAS CONTEMPORARY HOST SUCH A STUNNING EXHIBITION BY THIS TALENTED AND CHARISMATIC PHOTOGRAPHER." — Chandra North