2016 Best Dressed
This year’s American Cancer Society honorees are red carpet ready
Beauty comes in many forms, from a stunning ball gown to a budding rose. It can even come in the shape of a statistic: From 1991 to 2012, the cancer death rate in the United States dropped 23%. The American Cancer Society’s efforts to keep that number falling are aided each spring by funds raised through the Baton Rouge Best Dressed Ball. Set this year for April 16 at the River Center, this event recognizes 20 men and women who are as philanthropic as they are fashion forward. Below, find out what these honorees revealed to inRegister about their personal style secrets and their connections to this important cause.
Melissa Ferachi
Instructor, Tread BR
My style in five words or less
Go big or go home.
Fashion inspiration
Kate Hudson for always taking chances and Sienna Miller for her fashion-forward style
Daily uniform
I’m in workout gear every day.
Prized possession
The first gift my husband gave me 16 years ago, a necklace I wear every day
Last thing I purchased
Made in the Deep South necklace from Eros
What I’m looking for now
Bathing suits and cover-ups for a trip to St. Thomas
Wouldn’t be caught dead in
Crocs
Worst fashion memory
My permed hair, for sure!
Signature fragrance
Nasomatto “Hindu Grass” or Bond No. 9 “New York Amber”
Must-have product
SkinMedica or Obagi tinted SPF face lotion—I wouldn’t go a day without them.
Handbag of choice
I’m a cross-body kind of girl. I love Alexander Wang and Chloe right now.
Nial Patel
Lobbyist
My style in five words or less
Dignified, sophisticated, fun, classic, me
Favorite designer
Ted Baker
Daily uniform
Suit and bowtie
Weekend ensemble
Jeans and a button-down
Go-to pair of denim
7 for All Mankind
Prized possession
My watch
Last thing I purchased
Sports coat from San Francisco
I can’t get enough of
Happy socks
Signature fragrance
Creed “Aventus” and Armani Privé
Best fashion advice I’ve received
The smallest details can make the biggest difference, and quality is key.
My fashion motto
Dress to impress.
Carol Arabie
Artist/art instructor
My style in five words or less
Tailored with an edge
Prized possession
My hubby—he’s my most important accessory!
Most splurge-worthy item
Lafayette 148 leather jacket
Last thing I purchased
Fairchild Baldwin necklace
I can’t get enough of
Tory Burch sunglasses
Wouldn’t be caught dead in
A romper
Worst fashion memory
Big teased hair
If no one were looking, I’d wear
Paint-splashed pull-on pants and my husband’s white V-neck T-shirt
Must-have product
Guerlain Super Aqua-Eye Serum
Favorite footwear
Dee Keller booties
Best fashion advice I’ve received
If you have to talk yourself into it, you probably won’t wear it.
My fashion motto
Dress like you are creating a work of art.
Kenny Hodges
Mortgage banker, Assurance Financial
My style in five words or less
Conservative, classic and timeless
Fashion inspiration
I have always admired presidential attire.
Favorite designer
Manuel Martinez
Weekend ensemble
Coaching attire—baseball, basketball and football
Prized possession
Any picture of my father
Last thing I purchased
Horses for my daughters
What I’m looking for now
Trailer for my horses
I can’t get enough of
My wife—20 years of marriage and I’ve never loved her more!
Wouldn’t be caught dead in
Velvet jacket and tight jeans—too fat for that look.
Worst fashion memory
Eighth-grade basketball picture with fake gold chain and a much-needed shave of the upper lip
Best fashion advice I’ve received
It’s better to be overdressed than underdressed. I have failed miserably on a few occasions.
Melissa Mouton
Hairdresser
My style in five words or less
Dressy, casual, stylish, comfortable
Go-to pair of denim
Paige
Prized possessions
My hair dryer and flat iron
Most splurge-worthy item
A nice car—because I live in it!
Piece I skimp on
Jewelry
Last thing I purchased
Furniture for my house
Worst fashion memory
Modeling ’80s fashion at Paparazzi’s
Signature fragrance
Narciso Rodriguez
Favorite footwear
Either tennis shoes or heels—no in between!
Best fashion advice I’ve received
People will stare; make it worth their while.
Handbag of choice
Michael Kors—the bigger the better!
Kathy Victorian
Community outreach manager, Amerigroup Louisiana
My style in five words or less
Classy, bold, clean, glamorous, modern
Fashion inspiration
Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Favorite designer
Vera Wang
Daily uniform
Basic black, brown or red suits
Go-to pair of denim
Levi’s
I can’t get enough of
White tees
Worst fashion memory
White shoes with black pantyhose. I was much younger.
If no one were looking, I’d wear
My pajamas everywhere
Signature fragrance
Chanel No. 5
Favorite footwear
Stuart Weitzman
Best fashion advice I’ve received
Own your style by keeping it simple.
Handbag of choice
Louis Vuitton
Al Moreau
Physical therapist
My style in five words or less
Classic but casual
Fashion inspiration
My grandfather
Daily uniform
Dress shirt, slacks and comfortable shoes
Weekend ensemble
Anything from camo to fishing gear
Go-to pair of denim
Citizens of Humanity
Prized possession
My lab, Stella
Last thing I purchased
Custom blazer from Martinez
Worst fashion memory
Collarless tan linen suit—it was awful.
Favorite footwear
Broken-in Danner boots
Best fashion advice I’ve received
Keep it simple.
My fashion motto
Be comfortable.
Holly Edmonds
Physician assistant
My style in five words or less
Uptown chic and downtown cool
Fashion inspiration
Rachel Zoe
Favorite designer
Alexi
Go-to pair of denim
DL1961 bootcut
Piece I skimp on
I don’t buy designer shoes.
Last thing I purchased
An American Girl doll for my 4-year-old
I can’t get enough of
Good gold earrings
Must-have product
Latisse
Favorite footwear
Anything that is comfortable, aka anything without a heel!
My fashion motto
Life is too short to wear boring clothes.
Handbag of choice
Right now, a diaper bag or my scrub pocket.
Michael Marsh
Journalist
My style in five words or less
Conservative but attention getting
Fashion inspiration
Pierce Brosnan as James Bond
Favorite designer
Jack Victor
Go-to pair of denim
Levi’s 501
Prized possession
My family
Piece I skimp on
Socks
What I’m looking for now
Beachwear
Worst fashion memory
Disco outfit
Favorite footwear
Allen Edmonds
Best fashion advice I’ve received
Dress for the job you want, not the job you have.
My fashion motto
The tie is the signature.
Favorite tie
J.Z. Richards
Kevin McCarthy
Spine surgeon
My style in five words or less
Classic chic
Fashion inspiration
Justin Timberlake
Favorite designer
Gucci
Go-to pair of denim
Big Star
Last thing I purchased
Custom suits
I can’t get enough of
Watches
Prized possession
1970 Corvette Stingray
Wouldn’t be caught dead in
Tighty whities
Worst fashion memory
Bleaching my hair with Sun In
Must-have product
Hair-styling wax
My fashion motto
Dress for success.
Rebecca Butler
Co-owner, Love Boutique
My style in five words or less
Bohemian, comfy, chic, classic, fresh
Fashion inspiration
My sister Andrea—she has the best taste and can put an outfit together beautifully.
Favorite designer
Chloe
Daily uniform
Great denim, a cute T-shirt or silk top, sneakers and sunglasses
Go-to pair of denim
Citizens of Humanity “Rocket” in gray
Prized possession
Theory leather bomber jacket my sister and mom gave me more than 10 years ago
Last thing I purchased
Stuart Weitzman over-the-knee suede boots
I can’t get enough of
Sunglasses—they really transform an outfit.
Worst fashion memory
My entire junior year of high school—bad shoes, frizzy hair, tube tops and chokers.
Favorite footwear
Joie
My fashion motto
As Coco Chanel said, “Fashion changes, but style endures.”
Remi Pratt Jenkins
Mom
Fashion inspiration
Coco Chanel, Margherita Missoni and a couple of bloggers
Weekend ensemble
James Perse T-shirt, Vince sweater, boots and cut-offs
Prized possession
The opal around my neck
Most splurge-worthy item
Rag & Bone leather pants
Last thing I purchased
SOS ski pants
I can’t get enough of
IRO leather bomber jackets
Wouldn’t be caught dead in
Lilly Pulitzer
Favorite footwear
Black Louboutin booties
Best fashion advice I’ve received
Confidence and a smile always complete an outfit.
My fashion motto
I’ll stop wearing black when they make a darker color.
Handbag of choice
Chanel
Peter Sclafani III
Executive chef/owner, Ruffino’s
My style in five words or less
Classic
Must-have item
A custom sports coat
Biggest fashion mistake
I’ll let you know when I make one.
Most splurge-worthy item
My Rolex—you can’t have a good time without a good watch.
Prized possession
A pocket knife that belonged to my grandfather. He used to take me to his garden, pull a tomato off the vine, and slice it with this knife for us to eat.
Dixon Wallace McMakin
Investment advisor representative, independent insurance broker, attorney
My style in five words or less
Does Emily McMakin approve?
Fashion inspiration
Elvis Aaron Presley and Huey Long
Favorite designer
Bernard Lansky, “clothier to the King”
Prized possession
My great-grandfather’s silver cufflinks and gold money clip
Most splurge-worthy item
My LSU Elvis suit is a one-of-a-kind piece that is an exact replica of Elvis Presley’s 1974 Mad Tiger jumpsuit, but in purple and gold.
Piece I skimp on
Socks. I steal my dad’s. Thanks, Wally.
Last thing I purchased
Some skinny ties from Banana Republic
Wouldn’t be caught dead in
Anything that shows my belly
Worst fashion memory
I split a pair of pants by trying to do a split on the dance floor. I had to sit out the rest of the party.
If no one were looking, I’d wear
A fleece onesie
Best fashion advice I’ve received
There is a chance that on each day you will meet the woman you will marry or your worst enemy. Be dressed for either occasion.
Stephanie Possa Delgado
Attorney, Tyler & Possa
My style in five words or less
Classic with a little fun
Fashion inspiration
Jackie Kennedy Onassis
Daily uniform
Slacks and a top
Go-to pair of denim
J Brand
Last thing I purchased
Versace clutch
What I’m looking for now
Chanel clutch
If no one were looking, I’d wear
Workout clothes all the time
Must-have product
Good mascara
Favorite footwear
Christian Louboutin
Best fashion advice I’ve received
Less is more.
My fashion motto
Don’t let the dress wear you.
James Peltier
Attorney
My style in five words or less
Casual, comfortable and wrinkle free
Favorite designer
My friend Sam Willard of Harper’s Haberdashery
Weekend ensemble
Swimsuit in the pool (heated all winter)
Most splurge-worthy item
A new driver for my golf game
Piece I skimp on
Hats or caps—can’t stand them.
Last thing I purchased
A Southern Marsh purple and gold plaid button-down
Worst fashion memory
Members Only jackets
If no one were looking, I’d wear
Boxers and flip-flops
Signature fragrance
Abercrombie “Fierce”—my kids laugh.
Favorite footwear
Barefoot—I don’t even put on my shoes in the morning until I reach the office parking lot.
My fashion motto
You don’t have to look great; you just have to look better than the guy standing next to you.
Courtney de la Bretonne Hart
Regional marketing manager, Whitney Bank
My style in five words or less
Bold, colorful, classy, maybe sassy
Daily uniform
Colorful silk top, skirt and heels
Weekend ensemble
Workout clothes
Prized possession
My boys—every day is a blessing with them.
Most splurge-worthy item
The Louboutin gold sandals I have on
I can’t get enough of
Colorful shift dresses
Worst fashion memory
A Pepto-Bismol-colored gown.
Must-have product
A great pair of running shoes
Favorite footwear
Jimmy Choo
Best fashion advice I’ve received
Never be scared to take a risk. If it feels great, wear it!
My fashion motto
Don’t be afraid of color.
Michael Hanemann Jr.
Plastic surgeon
My style in five words or less
Quality over quantity
Fashion inspiration
Jeff Chouest, owner of Jeff’s Haberdashery in New Orleans
Weekend ensemble
Peter Millar shirt, jeans, Tommy Bahama Relaxology boat shoes
Most splurge-worthy item
Pal Zileri tailored suit
Piece I skimp on
Wristwatch
I can’t get enough of
Eton tailored shirts
Worst fashion memory
Girbaud stonewashed jeans with the tight roll and Reebok high-tops
Signature fragrance
Canali
Must-have product
Molton Brown body wash
Best fashion advice I’ve received
Listen to your wife and to stylish friends who are younger than you.
Favorite tie
Ted Baker
Jason Dupree
Attorney, Cypress Title
My style in five words or less
Acumen and Deep South luxury
Favorite designer
Billy Reid
Go-to pair of denim
Jones Original Selvage Raw from Raleigh Denim Workshop, purchased at George Bass. They come with instructions that you are not supposed to wash them!
Prized possession
My faith, my family and my health
Last thing I purchased
A made-to-measure J.Hilburn charcoal plaid sports coat
What I’m looking for now
Still looking for my leather flight jacket that I left behind at Murphy’s one night in college.
Worst fashion memory
The Girbaud jeans and bad T-shirts that I wore during rush at LSU. They were thrown into the fireplace at the Deke house the day after I pledged, and I had to walk back to Power Dorm in my boxers!
If no one were looking, I’d wear
Parachute pants that I owned in the eighth grade
Must-have product
Nice Laundry socks
Favorite footwear
Custom-made Lucchese cowboy boots from Harper’s Haberdashery
Favorite tie
Vintage Ferragamo tie that my wife Sarah bought for me while on vacation in Italy
April Hill
Owner/instructor, Yoglates II South
My style in five words or less
Southern class
Fashion inspiration
1930s to 1950s era
Favorite designer
Coco Chanel
Daily uniform
Yoga pants, tank/T-shirt, messy bun, SPF and lip gloss
Weekend ensemble
Jeans, T-shirt, boots and pearls
Prized possession
My wedding ring
Most splurge-worthy items
Jeans, boots and handbags
Worst fashion memory
High school: big hair and shoulder pads in our shirts! Oh my!
Favorite footwear
Lucchese boots
Best fashion advice I’ve received
Classic and overdressed is always best. My mamma was right!
My fashion motto
Wear things you feel good in and you’ll have the right energy around others.
